Impact of Environmental Gradients on Phenometrics of Major Forest Types of Kumaon Region of the Western Himalaya

Understanding ecosystem functional behaviour and its response to climate change necessitates a detailed understanding of vegetation phenology. The present study investigates the effect an elevational gradient, temperature, precipitation on start season (SOS) end (EOS), in major forest types Kumaon region western Himalaya. analysis made use Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) time series that was observed by optical datasets between years 2001 2019. relationship growth stages (phenophases) climatic variables investigated as interannual variation, variation along elevation, with latitude. SOS indicates delayed trend gradient (EG) till mid-latitude shows advancing pattern thereafter. highest rate for EOS is 3.3 2.9 days per year grassland (GL). lowest temporal 0.9 mixed forests it 1.2 evergreen needle-leaf (ENF). Similarly, elevation 2.4 days/100 m broadleaf (EBF) −0.7 savanna, EOS, 2.2 EBF −0.9 GL. Winter warming low winter push further. In area, due summer dryness, despite springseason or springtime, onset cycle across types. As phenology responds differently over heterogeneous mountain landscapes change, local-level observational insight could improve our mitigation adaptation policies.