Academic literature on the topic 'Alnus-Cardamom'

Rising population and land use intensification in the Middle Hills (1,000-3,000 melevation) of Nepal have resulted in widespread conversion of primary forests,and there is limited understanding of the degree to which conversion affectsplant community composition. This study describes and compares vascularplant communities in four vegetation types in the eastern Middle Hills of Nepal:primary forests, deforested areas, large cardamom (Amomum subulatum)plantations, and conifer plantations. We sampled nested plots in 18 stands andwe analyzed indicators such as species richness and diversity, unique species,stand composition, and structure. Primary forests and conifer plantations hadsignificantly greater species richness than deforested areas and cardamomplantations (P≤0.001). Primary forests exhibited complex structure and contained~229 species, 30% of which were unique to this vegetation type. Deforestedareas contained sparse woody vegetation, many species suited to exposedhabitats, and ~178 species. Cardamom plantations contained ~174 speciesand were characterized by an Alnus nepalensis overstory (82.4% of stems ≥3.2cm dbh) and A. subulatum in the understory. Conifer plantations were stockedwith Cryptomeria japonica, Pinus wallichiana, or Pinus roxburghii. Of ~217species encountered, only 16% were unique to this vegetation type, althoughspecies diversity was comparatively high (Shannon-Wiener index: 3.34). Ourfindings indicate that vegetative composition was influenced by (a) the degreeof disturbance and management and (b) aspect and elevation, and thereforeplant community composition in primary forests is unlikely to be approximatedin other vegetation types or in forests positioned differently on the landscape.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/banko.v22i2.9196Banko Janakari: A Journal of Forestry Information for NepalVol. 22, No. 2, 2012 NovemberPage: 11-18Uploaded date: 12/1/2013

The composition and arrangement of tree species at different altitudes play a vital environmental role in the growth of Black Cardamom (Amomum subulatum) in Bhutan. The present study assesses agroforestry tree species composition and factors affecting the growth of A. subulatum in different habitat types. Altitudes were sorted into three different altitudinal bands (low, mid, and high) and each altitudinal band in three different habitats (timber tree, fodder tree, and mixed tree habitat) was assessed. The sampling of 48 plots was made for each habitat and the plot size was 20×20 m. In total, 144 plots were sampled systematically within the selected altitudinal bands in three different habitats. The 56 ecologically important agroforestry shade tree species were used for growing A. subulatum. Tree species preference of A. subulatumchanged based on different altitudes and habitat types [F(2, 33) = 45.672, P = .001]. Critical factors affecting the growth are tree canopy cover (r = –0.461) and infested A. subulatum stems (r = –0.765). The increasing number of infested stems retarded the growth and dense canopy cover or open canopy reduces the growth rate of A. subulatum. Overall, growth was suitable in timber tree habitat at mid altitudes, where Alnus nepalensis was the dominating species having 41.40% canopy cover with low pest and disease-infested A. subulatum stems. Significantly, the lower altitudinal band and the fodder tree habitats were found to be unsuitable for growth (p < 0.05). Thus, appropriate site selection, canopy cover and altitude could provide optimum growth.

Barpak earthquake 2015 (7.8 Richter scale) killed 8,800 people, injured thousands and made nearly 3.5 million homeless. It created food shortage and hardship on livelihood because of damaged agricultural infrastructures, loss of stored food, feed, seed, livestock and reduced crop yield. This research aims to find out post the disaster situation of food availability, consumption and food balance in Gorkha district, as well as to assure livelihoods support and economic resilience. Relevant literature was reviewed, and field verification and interactions were organized in different rural municipalities/municipalities in the year 2019. The study revealed that Gorkha has a high agricultural potential with a surplus production of cereals (49.7%), fruits (6.2%) and spices (175.7%). However, the surplus on cereals was only in Palungtar, Ajirkot, Arughat, Siranchok, Barpak Sulikot, Dharche and Gorkha municipalities (7491.3, 6000.1, 5946.6, 3424.9, 2699.8, 1255.2 and 707.3 t/year, respectively), but Chun Numbri, Bhimsen, Gandaki and Sahid Lakhan municipalities were in a deficit of 101, 661, 333 and 1799 t/year respectively. Moreover, the district was producing a negligible amount of fish, oilseed, ghee (animal) and honey but was in deficit in the production of vegetables (31.5%), potato (30.0%), milk (29.6%), egg (65.0%), meat (54.0%) and pulses (53.0%). In fact, the food surplus and deficit in different commodities varied in different municipalities with different degrees. It is thus suggested to adopt a municipality-wise, commercial-focused agriculture programme that includes potato/seed production in Chun Numbri (high hill), medicinal herbs in Dharche, maize in Barpak Sulikot, intercropping agroforestry of utis (Alnus nepalensis), timur (Zanthoxylum armatum), white sandalwood (Santalum album) with cardamom/tea/coffee in Ajirkot, goat production in Siranchok and Arughat, avocado in Bhimsen, citrus in Sahid Lakhan, organic vegetables in Gandaki and Gorkha and milk/fruit production in Palungtar. Finally, it is recommended to integrate all the development programmes, farmers’ welfare programmes, agro-tourism and resources to give synergy on food security and economic resilience of the earthquake victims in Gorkha district.