Morphological characteristics of tree crowns of Cunninghamia lanceolata var. Luotian

The structural characteristics of the tree crowns of Cunninghamia lanceolata var. Luotian(herein, Luotian), a natural variety of C. lanceolata(Chinese-fir, herein Lanceolata) in China, were analyzed using trunk and branch measurements and biomass determinations. Samples from two typical cultivated varietal populations were collected, including twenty-six 15–23-year-old trees of Luotian from a plantation, and nine 16–23-year-old trees of Lanceolata. Our results show that Luotian and Lanceolata samples differed significantly in crown structure, morphological indices, and biomass:(1) the oldest live branches on Luotian trees were 5–6 years old and 8–11 years old on Lanceolata. The ages of the live branches were not affected by the ages of the Luotian trees, while live branch ages increased with ages of Lanceolata trees;(2) the maximumbranching order of Luotian was level two. Compared to Lanceolata, the average number of first-order lateral branches(i.e., branches emerging from the trunk) and the number of first-order lateral branch whorls per sample tree were 12.9% and 32.2% lower, respectively, in Luotian.However, the average number of branches within a single whorl was 21.8% greater in Luotian;the average number of branch whorls at crown height was 51.1% greater. Thus,the Luotian variety has thicker branches;(3) the average lateral branch angles in Luotian and Lanceolata sample trees were 105.2° and 61.4°, respectively. The branch angles in 53.0% of lateral branches on Luotian ranged from105° to 135°, but 30° to 90° in 96% of the lateral branches on Lanceolata. Within the same crown layer, the average branch angle was 1.6–2.2 times greater in Luotian, and the angle was directly proportional to crown thickness;(4) the average base diameter and branch length on Luotian were1.3 cm and 75.8 cm, respectively, and 1.6 cm and112.2 cm for Lanceolata. For individual trees, branch growth differed significantly(p < 0.01) between Luotian and Lanceolata. However, the lateral branches grew at a similar rate among Luotian trees of different ages;(5) the average height to the lowest live branch on Luotian was128.3% greater than on Lanceolata, resulting in a significant difference(p < 0.01) in crown size. Compared to the crowns on Lanceolata, the Luotian crowns were 45.3%higher and 41.1% wider, and the surface area, volume, and growth of the crown were 27.0%, 11.4%, and 2.4 times greater than for Lanceolata, respectively;and,(6) the biomass of Luotian and Lanceolata sample trees also differed significantly. The mean crown, branch, and leaf biomass for Luotian was 40.0%, 25.2%, and 54.1% of those for Lanceolata, respectively. However, the leaf biomass in each layer of the Luotian crown was higher thanthat of Lanceolata, and leaf biomass increased with crown thickness.     

THE PULPING AND PAPERMAKING CHARACTERISTICS OF YOUNG L.GMELINI AND B.PLATYPHYLLA

5,10,15,and 20 year old Larix gmelini and Betula platyphylla were used aspulping raw material in the research.The examination of young L.gmelini and B.Platyphyllafibrous structures showed that the fiber length and ratio of length to width of 5 years old L.gmelini noticeably differed from that of mature L.gmelini.but that of 5 year old B.platyphyllawere nearby equal to that of mature B.platyphylla.The research results indicated that 15 yearsold B.platyphylla and 20 year old L.gmelini were best suited to pulping among the eight exper-imental raw materials;10 years old B.platyphylla and 15 year old L.gmelini were optimal tothe ratio of beating degree increment and corresponding beating time.The pulp characteristics of15 year old B.platyphylla and 20 year old L.gmelini were similar to those of mature wood,andit was feasible to consider 15 years to B.platyphylla and 20 years to L.gmelini as their rotationperiod;10 years and 15 years as their thinning cycles for the papermaking forest base.     

Aboveground biomass and nutrient allocation in an age-sequence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Larix olgensis</Emphasis> plantations

Biomass and nutrient (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) stock in various aboveground tree components (stemwood, stembark, branches and leaves) were quantified in an age sequence of pure Larix olgensis planta- tions (20, 35, 53 and 69 years old) in Northeast China. The results show that the aboveground biomass allocation in various tree components was in the order of stemwood (62%-83%), branches (9%-21%), stembark (7%-11%) and leaves (1%-6%) for all stands. The proportion of stemwood biomass to total aboveground biomass increased whereas that of other tree components decreased consistently with stand age from 20 to 53 years old, but kept relatively constant with stand age from 53 and 69 years old. The nutrient allocation in various tree components generally followed the same pattern as the biomass allocation (i.e. stemwood > branches > stembark > leaves). The proportion of nutrient stock in leaves to total aboveground nutrient stock decreased consistently with increasing stand age, while that in stemwood increased with stand age from 20 to 53 years old but then decreased from 53 to 69 years old. The rate of nutrient removal for stands was estimated at different stand ages under different logging schemes, showing that the rate of nutrient removal would be unchanged when the rotation length was shortened to 20 years by the harvest of stem only, but greatly increased by the harvest of total aboveground biomass. The rate of nutrient removal would be a considerable reduction for all elements by debarking, especially for Ca.     

Soil carbon budget in different-aged Chinese fir plantations in south China

Understanding the age effect on soil carbon balance in forest ecosystems is important for other material cycles and forest management. In this research we investigated soil organic carbon density, litter production, litter decomposition rate, soil respiration, and soil microbial properties in a chronosequence of four Chinese fir plantations of 7, 16, 23 and 29 years at Dagangshan mountain range, Jiangxi Province, south China. There was a significant increasing trend in litter production with increasing plantation age. Litter decomposition rate and soil respiration, however, declined from the 7-year to the 16-year plantation, and then increased after 16 years. This was largely dependent on soil microorganisms. Soil carbon output was higher than carbon input before 16 years, and total soil carbon stock declined from 35.98 t·ha-1 in the 7-year plantation to 30.12 t·ha-1 in the 16-year plantation. Greater litter production could not explain the greater soil carbon stock, suggesting that forest growth impacted this microbial process that controlled rates of soil carbon balance together with litter and soil respiration. The results highlight the importance of the development stage in assessing soil carbon budget and its significance to future management of Chinese fir plantations.     

Bioinventory and documentation of traditional ecological knowledge of wild edible fruits of Kodagu-Western Ghats,India

Forty-five species of wild edible fruits were identified and traditional local knowledge of their usage was recorded in 40 villages of Kodagu district in Central Western Ghats, India one of the eight top hotspots of biodiversity in the world. We combined biodiversity inven-tory of trees with village interviews to record traditional ecological knowledge. Wild edible fruits were an opportunistic source of food for rural people. Wild edible fruits were rich in minerals, vitamins, carbohy-drates, proteins, fats and fiber. In recent years there has been a decline in numbers of wild fruit trees due to changes in land use from uncultivated private wooded area to cardamom and coffee cultivation. The availability of wild edible fruits that were once very common on private cultivated areas has declined and their distributions are now restricted more to jungles and wildlife sanctuaries. We propose methods for conservation and describe the need for sustainable utilization to provide supplemen-tary sources of nutritional and pharmaceutically useful edible wild fruits.     

Natural regeneration characteristics of Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica forests on sandy land in Honghuaerji, China

Natural regeneration in Mongolian pine, Pinus sylvesttis var. mongolica, forest at Honghuaerji of China （the original of the natural Mongolian pine, forest on sandy land） was studied in 2004. The total mean values of regeneration indexes were higher in mature stands （more than 80% individual stems were older than 50 years）, the maximum of regeneration index reached 29 seedlings, m^ 2, with lowest values in the younger stand, e.g., in 32-year old and 43-year old stands. The stand age was an important factor determining the natural regeneration, which was the best in the older stands in this investigation （e.g. about 80-year old）. The regeneration index seemed not to be closely in relation to canopy openness although Mongolian pine is a photophilic tree species. In each type of gaps, natural regeneration was very well. Regeneration indexes were satisfactory at the south and east edges in the circle gaps; and at the east edge of the narrow-square gaps. Results indicated that Mongolian pine, seedlings could endure shading understory, but it would not enter the canopy layer without gap or large disturbance, e.g., fire, wind/snow damage or clear cutting etc. These results may provide potentially references to the management and afforestation of Mongolian pine, plantations on sandy land in arid and semi-arid areas. Researches such as the comprehensive comparisons on regeneration, structure and ecological conditions and so on between natural Mongolian pine, forests and plantations should be conducted in the future.     

Selection of promising chestnuts(Castanea sativa) among wild growing trees from southern Mediterranean region forests of Turkey

Turkey ranked third place in the world for chestnut production after China and South Korea and the country has unique chestnut forests including valuable and diverse chestnut genotypes. This study was conducted to select superior chestnut genotypes within seedling populations found in natural wild grown chestnut forest located in Isparta province in Turkey during 2010–2011 years. A total of 2500 wild grown chestnut trees were examined on the field first year and among them the most promising22 genotypes were chosen according to relatively high yield capacity, earliness, tolerance to chestnut blight(Cryphonectria parasitica), ink disease(Phytopthora cambivora), and fruit quality characteristics. The selected22 genotypes were evaluated for their detailed morphological, phenological and pomological traits in 2010 and2011. According to average of 2 years, nut weight, the number of nut per kilogram, nut width, nut length, nut height and nut shell thickness of 22 promising genotypes ranged from 10.26 to 22.32 g, 97.47 to 44.80/kg, 26.80 to42.47, 16.92 to 25.91, 27.74 to 39.73, and 0.26 to 1.01 mm,respectively. The ash, crude protein, and total fat content of kernels were between 0.85 to 1.94, 3.69 to 7.06 and 1.32 to4.52, respectively. The genotypes were evaluated with weighted ranking method and the highest general qualityscore was observed in genotypes of IY17, IY01, IY42,IY43 and IY12.     

Pattern of resting site of sables in Daxing’an Mountains

The use of resting sites of sables (Martes zibellina) was studied by radio-tracking techniques in Daxing’an Mountains in 1994-1996. The results showed that the males used 191 different resting sites, while females used 159 sites averagely in a year. The number of used resting sites varied among seasons, and the reuse index calculated for each individual in each season varied from 0.07 to 0.94. The reuse index was highest for males in autumn-winter. In spring the number of resting sites of females was significantly less than that of males. In summer, both sexes used more resting sites. In winter, the reuse index was negative related to snow depth. The average distance between consecutively used resting sites differed significantly between males (716 m, SD=479, n=1 081) and females (455 m, SD=298, t=-8.59, P<0.001). For males the average distance was the shortest in February-March and the longest in August-September, whereas the shortest distance was recorded in April-May for females. In spring and autumn-winter, most individuals used resting sites that randomly distribute in their home ranges. The standardized Morisita coefficient of resting site dispersion in the home range varied from 0.06 to 0.50. In summer, the standardized Morisita coefficient of resting site dispersion in the home range varied from 0.38 to 0.51. Furthermore, in summer, 72% of all resting sites used by sables were located near the edges of their home ranges.     

Flooding as a cause of ungulate mortality in floodplain forests in Croatia

Floodplain forests with regular flooding regimes are the largest natural retentions areas in Croatia and are important as natural habitats for ungulates.The aim of this study was to determine the scale of mortality caused by flooding within these forests.Over a 10-year period,data on ungulate mortality(red deer,roe deer and wild boar),flood duration and flooded surface area were recorded.The study was conducted in primary(Posavske Sume—RET I)and secondary(Opeke II—RET II)retention areas within Lonjsko Polje Nature Park(Sava River region,Croatia).The longest flood period and the largest flooded surface area were recorded in RET I.Total ungulate mortality was749 individuals,with 482 individuals in RET I and 267 individuals in RET II,predominantly wild boar.Flood mortality did not differ by gender.The highest mortality of wild boar was recorded for the juvenile and yearling ageclasses.Low mortality of red and roe deer can be attributed to their body size and ecological niches.Differences in mortality between the primary and secondary retention areas corresponded to differences in flood regimes,flood column heights and micro relief structures.In both retention areas,wild boar mortality and flood duration,i.e.flooded surface area,were positively correlated.Because the growth rate of the analysed ungulate populations was higher than the recorded mortality,no long-term effect of floods is expected on species abundance in these areas.     

Early evaluation of growth traits of Larix kaempferi clones

Early selection is an important method to shorten the breeding cycle for tree species, which may differ in the time for early selection.To evaluate the early selected time for Larix kaempferi, tree height and diameter at breast height of 57 L.kaempferi clones were measured over many different growth years.The results indicated that, except for age × clone interaction for diameter at breast height(P = 0.741), there were significant differences among all variation sources(P 0.01).The coefficient of phenotypic variation ranged from 14.89 to 35.65%for height and from 19.17 to 23.86% for diameter at breast height in different growth years.The repeatability of height and of diameter at breast height among clones was high,ranging from 0.6181 to 0.8531(height) and from 0.8443 to0.8497(diameter at breast height), in different growth years.There were significant positive correlations between all pairs of growth traits except between height in the 2 nd growth year and height in the 30 th growth year; and between height in the 2 nd growth year × diameter at breast height in the 30 th growth year.With a comprehensive evaluation method and a selection ratio of 10%, L65,L1, L62, L9, L15, and L78 were selected as excellent clones in the 30 th growth year.Their average values of height and diameter at breast height were 9.81 and 16.57%higher than the overall average, representing genetic gains of 6.46 and 13.99%, respectively.This study provides a theoretical foundation for the genetic improvement of L.kaempferi.     

Temporal patterns of storage and flux of N and P in young Teak plantations of tropical moist deciduous forest,India

Teak(Tectona grandis Linn.f.) ranks among the top five tropical hardwood species and is being promoted for use in plantations in its non-native range due to its high economic value.However,there is a general lack of data on ecosystem functioning of teak plantations.We aimed at understanding storage and flux of nutrients related to young plantations of teak.Cycling of nitrogen(N) and phosphorus(P) in a chronosequence of plantations(1,5,11,18,24 and 30 years) was studied in the Moist Deciduous Forest Region of North India with the objective of investigating the nutrient cycling pattern at younger age since the current trend of harvesting age of the species in several tropical countries is being drastically reduced for quick return from this high value crop.Standing state,nutrient uptake,nutrient return and nutrient retranslocation in these plantations were estimated by tree harvesting and chemical analysis methods.The range of total standing nutrient across all these plantations was 20.3 to 586.6 kg·ha-1 for N and 5.3 to 208.8 kg·ha-1 for P.Net uptake of N ranged from 19.4 to 88.9 kg·ha-1·a-1 and P from 3.8 to 18.1 kg·ha-1·a-1.Retranslocation of N and P among all the stands ranged from 8.7 to 48.0 kg·ha-1·a-1 and 0.01 to 3.5 kg·ha-1·a-1,respectively.Range of total nutrient return was 25.8 to 91.3 kg·ha-1·a-1 for N and 2.7 to 10.1 kg·ha-1·a-1 for P.N and P use efficiency was between 107.4 and 192.5 g dry organic matter(OM) g-1 N,and 551.9 and 841.1 g OM g-1 P,respectively.The turnover time ranged from 2.04-13.17 years for N and between 2.40-22.66 years for P.Quantity of N and P in the soil nutrient pool ranged from 2566.8 to 4426.8 kg·ha-1 and 372 to 520 kg·ha-1,Storage and flux of components in different plant parts of different aged plantations were assessed and depicted in compartment models.Percentage storage in soil,litter and vegetation ranged from 82% to 99%,0.6% to 2.4% and 0.5% to 15% for N,respectively,and from 63% to 98%,0.5% to 2% and 1% to 35% for P,respectively.This information could be useful in managing external nutrient manipulation to crops of different ages for optimum biomass production or carbon sequestration.     

Several Influencing Factors on Fluorescent in situ Hybridization Experimental System Applied to Dendranthema spp.

Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) was applied to investigate the phylogenetic relationship among Dendranthema spp. Genomic DNA of wild species which was used as probe did not give specific signals, while 18S-26S rDNA from Arabidopsis, which was used as control probe, showed the loci on the target chromosomes clearly. Satisfied results of FISH were gotten when denaturing digoxingenen-labeled probe and chromosome together in oven at 80℃ for 10-15min. There is little influence on the result by the stringency of washing when rDNA was used as probe. The result also indicates the limitation of genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) when used as an approach to analyze the phylogenetic relationship among Dendranthema spp. and the origin of cultivated chrysanthemum.     

Variation in winter daily range area of red deer(Cervus elaphus xanthopygus) based on DNA extracted from fecal samples

With environmental change and increased human activity,wild red deer(Cervus elaphus xanthopygus)populations and habitat area continue to decrease.Red deer is a main prey species of Amur tiger(Panthera tigris altaica).Factors affecting red deer winter home range in the Wanda montains of northeast China are not well understood.In this study,we aimed to better document red deer daily ranges to support conservation of red deer.A second objective was to develop a practical research method combining macro-and micro-technology for home range research on a variety of rare or endangered wild species.We collected 105 fresh fecal samples of red deer in three different periods during winter from December 2012 to March 2013 in the Wandashan region,Heilongjiang Province,China.Individual and sex identities were analyzed based on fecal DNA using microsatellite DNA.We used samples from deer farms for correction and validation of our identifications from field samples.We used a combination of molecular scatology,3S techniques(GPS),and direct observation to estimate winter daily range areas.Based on eleven microsatellite loci,we identified 18 individuals,10 females and 8 males,with a correction factor of 1.00 and sex ratio of 1:0.8.The mean(±SE)number of alleles was 5.1±0.41,and mean polymorphism information content was 0.63±0.03.Expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.46 to 0.81,with a mean of 0.69±0.03,and mean observed heterozygosity was 0.73±0.07.Sizes of mean daily ranges were 26.1±1.1 ha in December,89.3±1.6 ha in January,and 67.5±1.9 ha in March,indicating the following trend for daily range area:middle winter>late winter>early winter.Mean daily range area was insignificantly larger for males than for females.Estimated winter daily ranges were similar to those reported for Europe.Our combination of macro-and micro-technology proved useful for estimating winter home range areas of red deer.     

Carbon Return and Dynamics of Litterfall in Natural Forest and Monoculture Plantation of Castanopsis kawakamii in Subtropical China

The amount of carbon returned through litterfall and its seasonal pattern were studied in a natural forest of Castanopsis kawakamii (NF) and adjacent monoculture plantations of C. kawakamii (CK) and Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) (CF) in Sanming, Fujian Province, China. Mean annual carbon return through total litterfall over 3 years (from 1999 to 2001) was 5.097 t穐m2 in the NF, 4.337 t穐m2 in the CK and 2.502 t穐m2 in the CF respectively. Of the total carbon return in the three forests, leaf contribution accounted for 58.96%, 68.53% and 56.12% and twig 24.41%, 22.34% and 26.18%, respectively. The seasonal patterns of carbon return from total litterfall and leaf-litter were quite similar among the three forests. A peak of carbon input from litterfall in the NF and the CK occurred in spring except for the highest annual C return through branch litter of the NF in summer, while the CF showed the maximum C return in summer. The results of this study demonstrate that the natural forest has a greater C return through litterfall than monoculture plantations, which is beneficial to the increase of soil organic matter storage and the maintenance of soil fertility.     

Analysis of genetic diversity for wild and captive green peafowl populations by random amplified polymorphic DNA technique

The genetic diversity of the populations for 14 wild green peafowls (Pavo muticus) and 18 captive green peafowls was investigated by using the technology of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). Totally 161 and 166 amplified bands were obtained by using 23 arbitrary primers to amplify the genomic DNA of wild and captive green peafowls respectively. The results showed that the average relative genetic distance of the wild and captive green peafowls populations was 0.0555 and 0.1355, respectively, and difference of the average relative genetic distances between the two populations was 0.1635. The Shannon diversity index for the wild and captive green peafowl populations was 0.4348 and 1.0163, respectively, which means that there exists significant difference in genetic diversity between the two populations, and the genetic diversity of wild green peafowl was low. The two populations originated from two different families according to analysis by the UPGMA method. This research can provide the theoretical basis for supervising genealogies management of peafowl populations.     

Investigation of tropical coastal forest regeneration after farming and livestock grazing exclusion

It is critical to understand how forests regenerate after the exclusion of human induced disturbances because the regenerating species drive the renewal of resources and ecosystems,which in turn support human beings locally and globally.This study of forest regeneration was conducted in the tropical coastal forest ecosystems of Tanzania at Uzigua Forest Reserve(24,730 ha)in the Pwani Region.We collected data from adult trees in 47 sampling plots(25×25 m)randomly established in closed forest sites(control)and in sites disturbed by farming and livestock grazing.Sapling and seedling data were collected and analyzed in 2×2 m nested subplots.Plots in the closed forest had higher mean basal area and volume for adult trees than those in sites disturbed by farming and livestock grazing.Plots in sites disturbed by farming had the highest Shannon–Wiener index for seedlings and saplings,followed by closed forest and livestock grazed sites.Closed plots and farmed plots had higher Simpson’s index for seedlings and saplings than in grazed sites.Plots in farmed and livestock-grazed sites had a higher Simpson index for adult trees than in closed sites.Equitability of seedlings and saplings was highest in closed forest sites,followed by farmed and livestock grazed sites.Plots disturbed by farming had higher equitability for adult trees than in livestock-grazed and closed sites.Moreover,plots disturbed by farming and grazing had a higher importance value index for seedlings than in closed sites.Plots in closed forests had higher sapling importance values than in farmed and grazed sites.Again,plots in closed forest had a higher importance value for adult trees than in farmed and grazed sites.The differences in tree species subcategories of regeneration across land-use indicates that farming and livestock grazing disturbances create heterogeneous microhabitats,which positively or negatively affects regeneration capacity of species after exclusion.     

Decay threshold of acetylated rattan (Calamus manan) against soft rot

We investigated the resistance of acetylated rattan against soft rot and other soil inhabiting micro-organisms in comparison with wood of beech and Scots pine. Calamus manan of 10 and 13 years old under rubber tree canopy was acetylated to different levels by reaction times (0.25 to 30 hours) and was tested for soft rot decay for 32 weeks. Acetylated rattan at decay protection thresholds of 15.4% and 16.2% weight gain (WG) were fully protected, as shown by both weight loss and strength loss criteria. The static bending properties of untreated rattan decayed by soft rot were significantly lower than for acetylated rattan.     

Wood specific gravity of some tree species in the Garhwal Himalayas,India

Estimation of terrestrial biomass depends critically on reliable information about wood specific gravity of forest trees. In recent years, wood specific gravity has become more important when exploring the universality of functional traits of plants and estimating their global carbon stocks. To estimate their specific gravity, wood samples were collected from a total of 34 tree species, 30 from lower elevations and 4 from upper elevations in the Garhwal Himalayas, India. The results show that the average wood specific gravity was 0.631 (ranging between 0.275 ± 0.01 and 0.845 ± 0.03) for the species at lower elevations and 0.727 (ranging between 0.628 ± 0.02 and 0.865 ± 0.02) for the upper elevations. The average wood specific gravity for the upper elevation species was 9.6% greater than that for the species at lower elevations. Aegle marmelos among the lower elevation species and Quercus leucotrichophora among the upper elevation species had the highest wood specific gravity, which were 0.845 ± 0.03 and 0.865 ± 0.02, respectively.     

Options for converting a clone trial of Eucalyptus camaldulensis into a clonal seed orchard considering gain,fertility and effective clone number

We evaluated a clone trial comprised of 20 ramets each of 40 Eucalyptus camaldulensis clones for growth and fertility at 4 years of age. The clones differed significantly in growth with 65–100 % survival in 38 clones while two clones had low survival(40 and 10 %).Fecundity was high and fertility variation low, as indicated by the sibling coefficient value(W = 1.4) with 55 % of clones contributing 80 % of the fruits. Thinning strategies were considered to convert the clone trial to a clonal seed orchard and enhance both gain and diversity in seed crop.When clones were selected based on growth without considering fertility, truncation selection(to retain clones with higher DBH than the trial mean value) would give 8 %gain, but 59 % reduction in effective population size(Ne).Gain and predicted diversity(Ne) was highest when ramets were selected in linear proportion to the breeding value of each clone. Mass selection with the same intercept(for DBH) as truncation selection would give a moderate 3 %gain, but over two times higher predicted Nethan truncation selection. When fertility of retained trees was considered after thinning, mass selection would yield 52 %effective contribution from the orchard trees compared to only 30 % contribution from truncation selection and linear thinning. Higher representation of superior clones in linear thinning and mass selection would lead to greater fertilityvariation and over 30 % reduction in effective clone number(Nc) from that predicted(Ne, assuming equal fertility among ramets) before thinning.     

Forest utilization patterns and socio-economic status of the Van Gujjar tribe in sub-Himalayan tracts of Uttarakhand, India

The present study was conducted on the Van Gujjar tribe inhabiting a sub-Himalayan tract in the North Western Himalayas of Uttarakhand State,India.The Van Gujjars have been practicing transmigration over hundreds of years.They migrate each year with their households and livestock between summer and winter pastures.A few years ago with the announcement of the establishment of the Rajaji National Park,the tribe has been forced out of the forest area and rehabilitated outside the park,which has affected their lifestyle.The newly established rehabilitation colony in the Gandikhata area of Haridwar District of Uttarakhand State was taken as a case study.The aims of the present study were to understand and evaluate the socio-economic status of the Van Gujjars in their newly established rehabilitation colony,the utilization pattern of forest resources by the tribe and their relative preference for selective trees for various uses.A total of 176 households were interviewed (giving equal weight to all economic classes and family every size) by using pre-structured questionnaires.The education level was very low (12.9%) and the average income per household was recorded as Rs.36000 (approximately $ 803) per year.The major source of income was dairy production (80.6%) followed by labor employment (13.9%),NTFPs (4.2%) and agricultural production (1.4%).More than 90% of fuel wood and fodder is extracted from the forest.The average fuel wood and fodder consumptions per household per day were recorded as 25.86 and 21.58 kg,respectively.A total of 35 species of cultivated plants and 89 species of wild plants were found to be utilized as food sources.Selectively 25 wild tree species are well known as being used by the Van Gujjars as fodder,fuel wood,agricultural implements,household articles,dye,medicine,fiber and other products.According to their utility value,the most preferred and useful tree species is Ougeinia oojeinensis,followed by Terminalia alata,Bombax ceiba,Shorea robusta and Dalbergia sissoo.