Forest Ecology as a branch came into existence in 1948. In 1991 the branch was turned into the Division of Ecology & Environment. The goal of the division is Research in Forest Ecology, Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation of India's Forests.
 

Objectives of the Division:
 

1. Study of the structure and function of forest ecosystem vis a vis relation to regeneration and mortality.

2. Studies in Biodiversity status of forest ecosystems.

3. Investigation of technology of Eco-restoration of degraded areas. 

4. Studies in the role of forest in mitigating environmental pollution.

Ongoing Projects of the Division:
 

1. Regeneration, mortality and species diversity in sal forests of U.P.

2. Structure and functioning of selected Hot Spot diversity areas for in-situ conservation of rare and threatened species.

3. Role of forest in soil and water conservation.

4. Impact of pollutants on tree species in Doon Valley.

5. Role of forest covers in the landslides in the Himalaya.

6. Plant growth strategy characterization, diversity and vegetational dynamic of rehabilitated and derelict mined ecosystem in western Himalaya.

7. Ecological study of Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. with special reference to mortality.

Thrust Areas:

• Biodiversity conservation and regeneration.

• Eco-rehabilitation of degraded lands/mined lands/forests, Soil and water conservation

• Conservation of threatened species.

• Environmental Pollution.

• Climate change/carbon sequestration

Achievements:
 

Phyto-Sociological Studies: 
 

           Ecological studies in order to classify the different plant communities and forest types in India were carried out in the past and published in the form of books "Indian Forest Ecology (Vol. I & II) To know the ecological status, a complete listing and vegetation study of 188 preservation plots throughout the country have been carried out and the work was published in the form of report.
 

Nutritional Studies: 
  

         Extensive work on the foliar nutrient content of forest tree species in different part of the country under different forest cover were also conducted in the past to diagnose the nutrient deficiencies for the management of the plantations ecosystems. Pot culture studies in order to investigate the response of suitable dose of nutrient (N.P.K) for higher production in the field were carried out for certain fast growing tree species.
 

Productivity Studies: 

        Biomass, productivity and nutrient cycling studies were carried out extensively in both planted and natural forest ecosystems of the country to delineate different productivity zones. Regression models were developed for predicting biomass and productivity without destructive sampling in various tree species.
        On the basis of the nutrient cycling studies on eucalypts, following conclusions were drown:
Eucalypts are very versatile for planting over a very wide range of landforms in India. Nutrient use efficiency of eucalypts growing in relatively infertile soils is much greater than that for other species. However, consumption of nutrients by eucalypts growing in fertile soil results in a decrease in nutrient use efficiency compared to the consumption in plantations of native species and tropical pines. Repeated harvesting of eucalypts growing on nutrient rich soils may reduce the nutrient capital of a site. This threat to the nutrients can be reduced by increasing the rotation of eucalypts. Where the demand for timber makes short rotation essential, nutrient depletion can minimise if the bark and other residue are retained at the site.
  

Biodiversity Conservation:
 

         In order to make a strategy for in-situ conservation, biodiversity study in moist temperate forest ecosystem of eight hill districts of Uttaranchal and in dry deciduous and moist Sal forests of Uttaranchal was carried out.
 

Species Inventory:
 

         Moist Temeperate Forest of Kedar Nath Forest Division appeared to be "Hot Spot" diversity area which is endowed with 559 plant species in 32 Km2 (Table- 1).
 

Table 1: Distribution of families and plant species

Species Diversity Studies:
 

          Nearly 50 studies on diversity were done in outer as well as inner Himalayas which showed that the species diversity increased with the increase of altitude initially and afterwards it declined. The peak diversity in both the cases can be explained because of heterogeneous climatic conditions followed by moderate disturbances. Higher the diversity, higher will be the carbon sequestration. The point where both the curves cross each other (1600 -1700 m) indicates that one can encounter similar species (Fig.1).
 

Fig.1 Species diversity in outer and inner himalaya as per altitude.
  

Endangered Species:

           On the basis of population structure and frequency distribution of various tree species it was observed that Carpinus viminea, Quericus gluaca, Betula alnoides, Hovenia dulcis, Cinnammomum tamala,Lilium giganticum and Cythea sp.(tree fern) are getting eliminated as a result of successional changes. To restore these species silvicultural management such as canopy opening is very much essential.
 

Forest Mortality:
 

         To find out the cause of mortality and regeneration of sal forest, ecological studies are being carried out in U.P. Similar studies have also been initiated to study the problem in Shisham and other species also. In recent past, mass scale mortality in dry and wet Sal forest of Lansdowne and Dehradun forest divisions was recorded. The possible cause for mortality was identified as the moisture limitation. The mechanism of mortality was designated as cavitation or xylem embolism. This has occurred, as available moisture in the soil was unable to cope up with the transpiration rate causing a bubble formation somewhere in the xylem stream and this has ultimately caused drying of trees from top and proceed downward within a span of 4-5 years. However, the drying of Sal is not that much serious problem as the nature has already taken care of it by the way of colonizing secondary successional species which are able to synchronize with the disturbed nutrient and water cycling. The mortality of Sal can be controlled by way of providing protection to secondary successional species which will alter this ecosystem during cyclic succession. 
  

  
Forest Reduction Assessment:

        With regard to mortality, the aerial photographs and satellite imageries from 1959 to 1999 clearly show that the corridor in Barkot range has shrunk by 21%. Because of conversion in other land-uses, this has markedly affected the microclimate, especially air temperature coupled with overall climatic changes in the Doon valley since 1980. Increase in temperature has ultimately affected the health of the sal forest since 1980s and exhibit the sign of mortality since 1990 onwards.

Regeneration Studies:

 
              Regeneration studies were conducted with relation to species interaction and edaphic factors in respect of sal moisture. With regard to the species interaction it has been observed that Syzygium cumini is the best indicator of sal regeneration. Similarly normal population curve was obtained in Lacchiwala slope with Mallotus philippensis, Syzygium cumini and Ehertia laevis as one of the most common associates of the sal. Further, the seedling and sapling population were maximum in between 9-17% moisture regime. 

Future Plan:
 

1. To suggest sound ecological models for increase in forest cover especially on degraded marginal and derelict lands. 

2. To develop model for establishing a self sufficient, naturally regenerating ecosystem for sustained productivity. 

Research Facilities Available:
 

            Excellent laboratory facilities are available.
 

Services Available: 

          Eco-restoration models developed for mined land rehabilitation are being used by the agencies concerned. The division also suggests models for conservation and regeneration of natural resources and micro-level planning for watershed management. The division is also engaged in running Short Term Training Courses in 'Eco-restoration of mined areas' and 'Ecological management of forest ecosystems'. Consultancy is extended by the scientists of the division on the following environment related problems:

1. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of hydroelectric projects.

2. Forest mortality and assisted natural regeneration.

3. Landscape and Urban Ecology.