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Forest Ecosystem Services in the Central Himalaya: Local Benefits and Global Relevance

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Abstract

Ecosystem services (ESs) are the benefits that people obtain from ecosystems. These benefits contribute immensely to human welfare and play a vital role in supporting life on the planet. It is a recognized fact that ESs are always in flow; their use and valuation depends on anthropocentric usage, both inside and outside the ecosystem. Historically, the nature and value of these services have largely been ignored until their disruption or loss has highlighted their importance. Himalaya is one such least reported region, wherein forest ecosystems provide services not only to the local communities, but also to the downstream communities and are of global relevance. In the present study, 28 ESs from the forest ecosystems were mapped, which include 8 provisioning services, 9 regulatory services, 4 cultural services and 7 supporting services in the central Himalaya. The present paper elaborates on ESs provided by forest ecosystems in three different altitudes and with local and global perspectives in the Himalayan region.

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Acknowledgements

One of the authors is thankful to Department of Science and Technology—Promotion at University Research and Scientific Excellence (DST-PURSE) of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi for research support. The authors are thankful to Ms. Anusheema Chakraborty and Ms. Roopam Shukla for discussions and assisting in preparation of figures. They are also thankful to the anonymous reviewers and the editorial board for providing valuable comments to enhance the quality of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Natural Resources, TERI University, New Delhi, 110 070, India

    A. K. Joshi

  2. School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110 067, India

    P. K. Joshi

Authors
  1. A. K. Joshi
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  2. P. K. Joshi
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Correspondence to P. K. Joshi.

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The authors do not have any conflict of interest to declare.

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Significance statement

This study presents comprehensive information on forest ecosystem services in the central Himalaya. The presented information can be potentially used for national and regional resource management efforts.

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Joshi, A.K., Joshi, P.K. Forest Ecosystem Services in the Central Himalaya: Local Benefits and Global Relevance. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., India, Sect. B Biol. Sci. 89, 785–792 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40011-018-0969-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40011-018-0969-x

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