Authors：Raksha Pande, Kiran Bargali, Neerja Pande

Year：2014

Key words：disturbance, regeneration status, population structure, mixed-oak forest, Kumaun Hima-laya

     An attempt was made to study the effects of disturbance on the population structure and
regeneration status of tree species in a mixed-oak forest along a disturbance gradient.
Population structures were evaluated on the basis of the densities of seedlings, saplings,
and trees of different size classes, while the regeneration status was determined from the
population sizes of seedlings, saplings, and trees. The population structures of Quercus
leucotrichophora A. Camus and Q. floribunda Lindl. showed frequent reproduction at all sites.
However, tree species like Lyonia ovalifolia (Wall) Drude, Acer oblongum Wall ex DC. (at the undisturbed site), and Cornus macrophylla Wall ex Roxb. (at the moderately disturbed forest)
were represented by single size class which indicated their accidental presence. The
regeneration pattern suggested that moderate disturbance increased the densities of seedlings
and saplings but reduced the tree density. A reverse J-shaped curve indicated a good
regeneration status at the undisturbed site, while moderately and highly disturbed sites showed
fair regeneration statuses.