Changes in ecosystem functioning after replacement of forest by Lantana shrubland in Kumaun Himalaya

Abstract

Abstract. Lantana camara shrubland is compared with the adjacent Quercus leucotrichophora and Pinus roxburghii forests to understand changes occurring in net primary productivity and nutrient cycling, as a consequence of degradation of these forests. The total net primary productivity of Lantana camara shrubland was 17 t ha ‐1 yr ‐1 , which is similar to the values reported for forests: 16 ‐ 21 t ha ‐1 yr ‐1 . Total nutrient content (N, P) in the soil in the L. camara shrubland: 2932 kg ha ‐1 N and 111 kg ha ‐1 P, was lower than that of the forest soils.