Eastern Himalayan subalpine conifer forests
Encyclopedia
The Eastern Himalayan subalpine conifer forests is a temperate coniferous forests
ecoregion which is found in the middle and upper elevations of the eastern Middle Himalayas
, in western Nepal
, Bhutan
and northern India
n states including Arunachal Pradesh
.
. It is part of a transition zone from Indomalaya ecozone, in the south, to the Palearctic ecozone, in the north and is the last habitat below the treeline of the Himalayas. The Himalayas are lined with belts of habitat from the grassy foothills to the high peaks and are home to a number of birds and animals that migrate seasonally through these zones, including these conifer forests, each of which provides crucial habitat at different times of the year. Furthermore the streams and rivers of the steep mountainsides will flood if not held in place by woodland.
The Eastern Himalayas are watered by the Bay of Bengal
monsoon so are wetter than in the west and have a higher treeline (4,500m compared to 3,000m in the western Himalayas).
, Larix griffithii, Juniperus recurva
, Juniperus indica
, Betula utilis
, Acer spp., and Sorbus
spp. The understory features a rich community of colourful rhododendron
s, including Rhododendron hodgsonii, Rhododendron barbatum, Rhododendron campylocarpum, Rhododendron campanulatum, Rhododendron fulgens, and Rhododendron thomsonii. Other shrubs include Viburnum grandiflorum and Lonicera angustifolia.
Tsuga dumosa
occurs in wetter areas and lower elevations. Pinus wallichiana occurs in drier areas around Tibet
. It is particularly common in the Khumbu
region. Taxus baccata
is important but uncommon.
Juniper woodlands grow in flat, inner river valleys, mixed with various species of Salix and Prunus
. Those in the Tsarijathang Valley in Bhutan's Jigme Dorji National Park
are an important summer habitat for takin (Budorcas taxicolor).
s, marten
s, Himalayan Tahr
and muntjac
. The White-bellied Musk Deer, hunted for its musk
-glands, and the endangered red panda
are important inhabitants for whom the conifer forests are typical habitat with the red panda living between 3,000m and 4,000m where there is an undercover of bamboo beneath the fir trees. Other endangered species found here are the takin, Himalayan Serow
(Capricornis thar), and Particolored Flying Squirrel
(Hylopetes alboniger) while Mandelli's Mouse-eared Bat
, the Asiatic wild dog, the Asiatic black bear
and the Himalayan tahr are considered vulnerable. There are two near-endemic squirrels, Hodgson's Giant Flying Squirrel
(Petaurista magnificus) and the Bhutan Giant Flying Squirrel
(Petaurista nobilis) along with a pure endemic rodent, the Himalayan Field Mouse
(Apodemus gurkha).
About 200 species of birds have been recorded in this ecoregion of which six are endemic; Chestnut-breasted Partridge
(Arborophila mandellii), Hoary-throated Barwing
(Actinodura nipalensis), Ludlow's Fulvetta
, (Alcippe ludlowi), Nepal Wren-babbler
(Pnoepyga immaculata), Buff-throated Partridge
(Tetraophasis szechenyii), and Lord Derby's Parakeet (Psittacula derbiana). The last two are limited to an area of conifer forest in Arunachal Pradesh. Threatened or endangered birds of the ecoregion include Tibetan Eared Pheasant
(Crossoptilon harmani) and Sclater's Monal
(Lophophorus sclateri) while a number of other birds are sensitive to habitat change and therefore potentially vulnerable, these include Blood Pheasant
(Ithaginis cruentus), Blyth's Tragopan
(Tragopan blythii), Satyr Tragopan
(Tragopan satyra), Ward's Trogon
(Harpactes wardi) and Chestnut-breasted Partridge. Indeed this ecoregion forms part of two BirdLife International
endemic bird areas because of the number of birds whom the confifers are an important breeding area.
Conservation Area, Langtang
and Makalu Barun National Parks in Nepal, Singalila National Park
in India, and Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary
, Jigme Singye Wangchuck
and Jigme Dorji National Park
s in Bhutan.
Temperate coniferous forests
Temperate coniferous forest is a terrestrial biome found in temperate regions of the world with warm summers and cool winters and adequate rainfall to sustain a forest. In most temperate coniferous forests, evergreen conifers predominate, while some are a mix of conifers and broadleaf evergreen...
ecoregion which is found in the middle and upper elevations of the eastern Middle Himalayas
Himalayas
The Himalaya Range or Himalaya Mountains Sanskrit: Devanagari: हिमालय, literally "abode of snow"), usually called the Himalayas or Himalaya for short, is a mountain range in Asia, separating the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau...
, in western Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
, Bhutan
Bhutan
Bhutan , officially the Kingdom of Bhutan, is a landlocked state in South Asia, located at the eastern end of the Himalayas and bordered to the south, east and west by the Republic of India and to the north by the People's Republic of China...
and northern India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n states including Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh is a state of India, located in the far northeast. It borders the states of Assam and Nagaland to the south, and shares international borders with Burma in the east, Bhutan in the west, and the People's Republic of China in the north. The majority of the territory is claimed by...
.
Setting
The ecoregion forms a belt of coniferous forest covering 27500 sqkm from 3000 to 4000 m (9,842.5 to 13,123.4 ft) elevation extending from the Gandaki River in Nepal east through Bhutan and into Arunachal PradeshArunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh is a state of India, located in the far northeast. It borders the states of Assam and Nagaland to the south, and shares international borders with Burma in the east, Bhutan in the west, and the People's Republic of China in the north. The majority of the territory is claimed by...
. It is part of a transition zone from Indomalaya ecozone, in the south, to the Palearctic ecozone, in the north and is the last habitat below the treeline of the Himalayas. The Himalayas are lined with belts of habitat from the grassy foothills to the high peaks and are home to a number of birds and animals that migrate seasonally through these zones, including these conifer forests, each of which provides crucial habitat at different times of the year. Furthermore the streams and rivers of the steep mountainsides will flood if not held in place by woodland.
The Eastern Himalayas are watered by the Bay of Bengal
Bay of Bengal
The Bay of Bengal , the largest bay in the world, forms the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean. It resembles a triangle in shape, and is bordered mostly by the Eastern Coast of India, southern coast of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to the west and Burma and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to the...
monsoon so are wetter than in the west and have a higher treeline (4,500m compared to 3,000m in the western Himalayas).
Flora
These forests are typically found on steep, rocky, north-facing slopes. The most common trees are Abies spectabilisAbies spectabilis
Abies spectabilis is a conifer species in the family Pinaceae and the genus firs. It is sometimes held to include the Bhutan Fir as a variety....
, Larix griffithii, Juniperus recurva
Juniperus recurva
Juniperus recurva is a juniper native to the Himalaya, from northern Pakistan east to western Yunnan in southwestern China. It grows at 3,000-4,000 m altitude....
, Juniperus indica
Juniperus indica
Juniperus indica is a juniper native to high altitudes in the Himalaya, occurring from the northern Indus Valley in Kashmir east to western Yunnan in China....
, Betula utilis
Betula utilis
Betula utilis is a Birch tree native to the Himalayas, growing at elevations up to . The specific epithet, utilis, refers to the many uses of the different parts of the tree. The white, paper-like bark of the tree was used in ancient times for writing Sanskrit scriptures and texts...
, Acer spp., and Sorbus
Sorbus
Sorbus is a genus of about 100–200 species of trees and shrubs in the subfamily Maloideae of the Rose family Rosaceae. Species of Sorbus are commonly known as whitebeam, rowan, service tree, and mountain ash...
spp. The understory features a rich community of colourful rhododendron
Rhododendron
Rhododendron is a genus of over 1 000 species of woody plants in the heath family, most with showy flowers...
s, including Rhododendron hodgsonii, Rhododendron barbatum, Rhododendron campylocarpum, Rhododendron campanulatum, Rhododendron fulgens, and Rhododendron thomsonii. Other shrubs include Viburnum grandiflorum and Lonicera angustifolia.
Tsuga dumosa
Tsuga dumosa
Tsuga dumosa, commonly called the Himalayan Hemlock or in Chinese, Yunnan Tieshan , is a species of conifer native to the eastern Himalayas. It occurs in parts of India, Burma, Vietnam, Tibet, and China. Within its native range the tree is used for construction as well as for furniture...
occurs in wetter areas and lower elevations. Pinus wallichiana occurs in drier areas around Tibet
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
. It is particularly common in the Khumbu
Khumbu
Khumbu is located in northeastern Nepal on the Nepalese side of Mount Everest. It is part of the Solukhumbu District, which in turn is part of the Sagarmatha Zone. Khumbu is one of three subregions of the main Khambu and Sherpa settlement of the Himalaya, the other two being Solu and Pharak...
region. Taxus baccata
Taxus baccata
Taxus baccata is a conifer native to western, central and southern Europe, northwest Africa, northern Iran and southwest Asia. It is the tree originally known as yew, though with other related trees becoming known, it may be now known as the English yew, or European yew.-Description:It is a small-...
is important but uncommon.
Juniper woodlands grow in flat, inner river valleys, mixed with various species of Salix and Prunus
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of trees and shrubs, which includes the plums, cherries, peaches, apricots and almonds. There are around 430 species spread throughout the northern temperate regions of the globe. Many members of the genus are widely cultivated for fruit and ornament.-Botany:Members of the genus...
. Those in the Tsarijathang Valley in Bhutan's Jigme Dorji National Park
Jigme Dorji National Park
The Jigme Dorji National Park, named after the late Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, is the second-largest National Park of Bhutan. It occupies almost the entire Gasa District, as well as the northern areas of Thimphu District, Paro District, Punakha, and Wangdue Phodrang Districts...
are an important summer habitat for takin (Budorcas taxicolor).
Fauna
This ecoregion is home to some eighty-nine species of mammals originally from both Indomalayan and Palearctic ecozones, including civetCivet
The family Viverridae is made up of around 30 species of medium-sized mammal, including all of the genets, the binturong, most of the civets, and the two African linsangs....
s, marten
Marten
The martens constitute the genus Martes within the subfamily Mustelinae, in family Mustelidae.-Description:Martens are slender, agile animals, adapted to living in taigas, and are found in coniferous and northern deciduous forests across the northern hemisphere. They have bushy tails, and large...
s, Himalayan Tahr
Himalayan Tahr
The Himalayan Tahr or Common Thar is a large ungulate related to the wild goat.-Habitat:...
and muntjac
Muntjac
Muntjac, also known as Barking Deer and Mastreani Deer, are small deer of the genus Muntiacus. Muntjac are the oldest known deer, appearing 15–35 million years ago, with remains found in Miocene deposits in France, Germany and Poland....
. The White-bellied Musk Deer, hunted for its musk
Musk
Musk is a class of aromatic substances commonly used as base notes in perfumery. They include glandular secretions from animals such as the musk deer, numerous plants emitting similar fragrances, and artificial substances with similar odors. Musk was a name originally given to a substance with a...
-glands, and the endangered red panda
Red Panda
The red panda , is a small arboreal mammal native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China. It is the only species of the genus Ailurus. Slightly larger than a domestic cat, it has reddish-brown fur, a long, shaggy tail, and a waddling gait due to its shorter front legs...
are important inhabitants for whom the conifer forests are typical habitat with the red panda living between 3,000m and 4,000m where there is an undercover of bamboo beneath the fir trees. Other endangered species found here are the takin, Himalayan Serow
Himalayan Serow
The Himalayan Serow is a vulnerable goat-antelope, native to eastern and southeastern Bangladesh, the Himalayas , northeastern India, and probably western Burma. It has been considered a subspecies of C. sumatraensis....
(Capricornis thar), and Particolored Flying Squirrel
Particolored Flying Squirrel
The Particolored Flying Squirrel is a species of rodent in the Sciuridae family. It is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests. It is threatened by habitat loss....
(Hylopetes alboniger) while Mandelli's Mouse-eared Bat
Mandelli's Mouse-eared Bat
Mandelli's Mouse-Eared Bat is a species of vesper bat in the Vespertilionidae family.It can be found in the following countries: India and Nepal.It is found in subtropical or tropical moist montanes....
, the Asiatic wild dog, the Asiatic black bear
Asiatic Black Bear
The Asian black bear , also known as the moon bear or white-chested bear is a medium-sized species of bear, largely adapted for arboreal life, which occurs through much of southern Asia, Korea, northeastern China, the Russian far east and Honshū and Shikoku islands of Japan...
and the Himalayan tahr are considered vulnerable. There are two near-endemic squirrels, Hodgson's Giant Flying Squirrel
Hodgson's Giant Flying Squirrel
The Hodgson's Giant Flying Squirrel is a species of rodent in the Sciuridae family. It is found in India and Nepal. Its natural habitat is temperate forests. It is threatened by habitat loss....
(Petaurista magnificus) and the Bhutan Giant Flying Squirrel
Bhutan Giant Flying Squirrel
The Bhutan Giant Flying Squirrel is a species of rodent in the Sciuridae family. It is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, and Nepal. Its natural habitat is temperate forests. It is threatened by habitat loss....
(Petaurista nobilis) along with a pure endemic rodent, the Himalayan Field Mouse
Himalayan Field Mouse
The Himalayan Field Mouse is a species of rodent in the family Muridae.It is found only in Nepal.-References:* Baillie, J. 1996. . Downloaded on 19 July 2007....
(Apodemus gurkha).
About 200 species of birds have been recorded in this ecoregion of which six are endemic; Chestnut-breasted Partridge
Chestnut-breasted Partridge
The Chestnut-breasted Partridge is a species of partridge endemic to the eastern Himalayas north of the Brahmaputra, and is known from Bhutan, West Bengal , Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, north-east India, Nepal Himalaya and south-east Tibet.It is a distinctive partridge with chestnut breast-band...
(Arborophila mandellii), Hoary-throated Barwing
Hoary-throated Barwing
The Hoary-throated Barwing is a species of bird in the Timaliidae family.It is found in Bhutan, China, India, and Nepal. Its natural habitats are temperate forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests....
(Actinodura nipalensis), Ludlow's Fulvetta
Ludlow's Fulvetta
The Brown-throated Fulvetta or Ludlow's Fulvetta is a species of bird in the Timaliidae family.It is found in Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, and Nepal.-References:...
, (Alcippe ludlowi), Nepal Wren-babbler
Nepal Wren-babbler
The Nepal Wren-babbler is a species of bird in the Timaliidae family.It is found in India and Nepal.Its natural habitats are temperate forests and subtropical or tropical moist montanes.-References:...
(Pnoepyga immaculata), Buff-throated Partridge
Buff-throated Partridge
The Szechenyi's Monal-Partridge or Buff-throated Partridge is a species of bird in the Phasianidae family.It is found in China and India.Its natural habitat is boreal forests.-References:...
(Tetraophasis szechenyii), and Lord Derby's Parakeet (Psittacula derbiana). The last two are limited to an area of conifer forest in Arunachal Pradesh. Threatened or endangered birds of the ecoregion include Tibetan Eared Pheasant
Tibetan Eared Pheasant
The Tibetan Eared Pheasant is a species of bird in the Phasianidae family. It is found in China and India.Its natural habitats are boreal forests and temperate forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:...
(Crossoptilon harmani) and Sclater's Monal
Sclater's Monal
Sclater's Monal, Lophophorus sclateri, also known as the Crestless Monal, is a large, approximately long, pheasant of the east Himalayan region. As other monals, the male is a colorful bird...
(Lophophorus sclateri) while a number of other birds are sensitive to habitat change and therefore potentially vulnerable, these include Blood Pheasant
Blood Pheasant
The Blood Pheasant is the only species in genus Ithaginis of the pheasant family. This relatively small, short-tailed pheasant is widespread and fairly common in northern Southasia...
(Ithaginis cruentus), Blyth's Tragopan
Blyth's Tragopan
Blyth’s Tragopan or the Grey-bellied Tragopan is a pheasant that is a vulnerable species.-Distribution and Population:...
(Tragopan blythii), Satyr Tragopan
Satyr Tragopan
The Satyr Tragopan Tragopan satyra, also known as the Crimson Horned Pheasant, is a pheasant found in the Himalayan reaches of India, Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan. They reside in moist oak and rhododendron forests with dense undergrowth and bamboo clumps. Temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, shrubland...
(Tragopan satyra), Ward's Trogon
Ward's Trogon
The Ward's Trogon is a species of bird in the Trogonidae family.It is found in Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, and Vietnam.Its natural habitats are temperate forests and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests....
(Harpactes wardi) and Chestnut-breasted Partridge. Indeed this ecoregion forms part of two BirdLife International
BirdLife International
BirdLife International is a global Partnership of conservation organisations that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources...
endemic bird areas because of the number of birds whom the confifers are an important breeding area.
Threats and conservation
The human population of these heights is very low and most of the natural conifer forest remains with a considerable portion in protected areas. Damage is caused as trees are cut to provide firewood for local inhabitants and for trekking parties or to clear land for grazing. Large protected areas that contain areas of conifer forest include AnnapurnaAnnapurna
Annapurna is a section of the Himalayas in north-central Nepal that includes Annapurna I, thirteen additional peaks over and 16 more over ....
Conservation Area, Langtang
Langtang National Park
Langtang National Park is the fourth national park in Nepal and was established in 1976 as the first Himalayan national park. The protected area exceeds an altitudinal range of and covers an area of in the Nuwakot, Rasuwa and Sindhulpalchok districts of the central Himalayan region encompassing...
and Makalu Barun National Parks in Nepal, Singalila National Park
Singalila National Park
Singalila National Park is a national park of India located on the Singalila Ridge at an altitude of more than 7000 feet above sea level, in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal. It is well known for the trekking route to Sandakphu that runs through it....
in India, and Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary
Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary
Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary located mostly in Trashigang District and just crossing the border into Samdrup Jongkhar District, Bhutan. It is one of the country's protected areas.-Flora and fauna:...
, Jigme Singye Wangchuck
Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park
Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park covers an area of in central Bhutan. The Park occupies most of Trongsa District, as well as parts of Sarpang, Tsirang, Wangdue Phodrang, and Zhemgang Districts. Jigme Singye abuts Royal Manas National Park to the southeast...
and Jigme Dorji National Park
Jigme Dorji National Park
The Jigme Dorji National Park, named after the late Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, is the second-largest National Park of Bhutan. It occupies almost the entire Gasa District, as well as the northern areas of Thimphu District, Paro District, Punakha, and Wangdue Phodrang Districts...
s in Bhutan.