Biomass loss in village ecosystems in Western Himalaya due to wild monkey interactions: A case study

Abstract

Conservation faces the challenge of reconciling human activities with the simultaneous presence of wildlife in cultivated landscapes. In a study carried out in two villages of Pauri Garhwal, Western Himalaya, an attempt was made to estimate biomass and associated carbon loss due to removal of agroforestry tree species to reduce human-animal interactions. The results revealed that tree removal caused substantial biomass loss (7.370–2.444 t ha−1) and carbon loss (3.444–15.137 t ha−1) in the village of Manjgaon and Mald Bada, respectively. This indicates a need for protection of existing forests and for tree planting through reforestation and afforestation, as a measure to support food stock for monkeys in their natural habitats and to enhance carbon sequestration capacity. The success of these management practices will depend on the potential to minimise human-animal interactions, especially at the fringes of village communities and agricultural landscapes.