Murthy, Indu K. and Bhat, Savithri and Sathyanarayan, Vani and Patgar, Sridhar and M., Beerappa and PR, Bhat and DM, Bhat and Gopalakrishnan, Ranjith and Jayaraman, Mathangi and Munsi, Madhushree and NH, Ravindranath and MA, Khalid and MB, Prashanth and Iyer, Sudha and Saxena, Raghuvansh (2014) Implications of Impacts of Climate Change on Forest Product Flows and Forest Dependent Communities in the Western Ghats, India. Journal of Forest and Environmental Science, 30 (2). pp. 189-200. ISSN 2288-9752

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Abstract

The tropical wet evergreen, tropical semi evergreen and moist deciduous forest types are projected to be impacted by climate change. In the Western Ghats region, a biodiversity hotspot, evergreen forests including semi evergreen account for 30% of the forest area and according to climate change impact model projections, nearly a third of these forest types are likely to undergo vegetation type change. Similarly, tropical moist deciduous forests which account for about 28% of the forest area are likely to experience change in about 20% of the area. Thus climate change could adversely impact forest biodiversity and product flow to the forest dependent households and communities in Uttara Kannada district of the Western Ghats. This study analyses the distribution of non-timber forest product yielding tree species through a network of twelve 1-ha permanent plots established in the district. Further, the extent of dependence of communities on forests is ascertained through questionnaire surveys. On an average 21% and 28% of the tree species in evergreen and deciduous forest types, respectively are, non-timber forest product yielding tree species, indicating potential high levels of supply of products to communities. Community dependence on non-timber forest products is significant, and it contributes to Rs. 1199 and Rs. 3561/household in the evergreen and deciduous zones, respectively. Given that the bulk of the forest grids in Uttara Kannada district are projected to undergo change, bulk of the species which provide multiple forest products are projected to experience die back and even mortality. Incorporation of climate change projections and impacts in forest planning and management is necessary to enable forest ecosystems to enhance resilience.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: Copyright of this article belongs to the authors
Uncontrolled Keywords: climate change, non-timber forest products, yield, tropical forests, Western Ghats
Subjects: A ATREE Publications > G Journal Papers
Divisions: Academy for Conservation Science and Sustainable Studies > PhD Students Publications
Depositing User: Ms Library Staff
Date Deposited: 02 Jan 2026 04:05
Last Modified: 02 Jan 2026 04:05
URI: http://archives.atree.org/id/eprint/1458

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