Life Sciences & Biotechnology
Title : | Drivers of treeline shifts within Kashmir Himalaya |
Area of research : | Life Sciences & Biotechnology |
Principal Investigator : | Dr. Sumira Tyub, Kashmir University, Jammu & Kashmir |
Timeline Start Year : | 2023 |
Timeline End Year : | 2026 |
Contact info : | tyubsumira@gmail.com |
Equipments : | Data Loggers for Soil Temperature |
Details
Executive Summary : | Climate change is causing montane ecosystems to experience increased temperatures and extreme dry and hot periods, leading to treeline species shifting their distribution ranges. Treeline migration depends on favorable environmental niches and seedling establishment above the current treeline. The ability of a species to migrate determines future species combinations, both aboveground and belowground. Belowground associations, such as mycorrhizal colonization, are crucial for forced migrations of treelines. In alpine soils, severe temperatures can render water unavailable due to frost drought and slow microbial mineralization rates, resulting in nutrient binding to deposited organic matter. Mycorrhizae are especially crucial for seedling establishment in these conditions. To understand the role of soil biota in treeline shifts, a soil fungal microbiome associated with treeline species will be studied, and pot experiments will be conducted in a green house. Betula utilis, a broadleaved high altitude treeline species, will be used as a model species to understand climate-driven treeline shifts. Analyzing and understanding the factors influencing B. utilis's distribution is critical for predicting future range shifts and developing suitable climate change adaptation methods. In this study, B. utilis representing the tree line of the Kashmir valley will be used to understand the consequences of anticipated climate change on the range shift of treeline in the Kashmir Himalaya. |
Co-PI: | Dr. Irfan Rashid, Kashmir University, Jammu & Kashmir-190006 |
Total Budget (INR): | 33,66,264 |
Organizations involved