Indicator-based vulnerability assessment of forest ecosystem in the Indian Western Himalayas: An analytical hierarchy process integrated approach

Understanding the vulnerability of forests and its associated factors is crucial for sustainable management forested landscapes. The assessment in Indian Western Himalayan (IWH) region comprising states Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), Himachal Pradesh (HP) Uttarakhand (UK) was done using six indicators form biological richness index, disturbance forest canopy density, fire point intensity extraction fringe forests. We express this as “indicator-based vulnerability”. were allocated weights by multi criteria analysis analytical hierarchy process. spatial extent all selected mapped IWH at a pixel resolution 24 m integrated to find out each GIS environment. study area divided into 172 grids size 0.5°, equivalent grid available climatic projections, which 67 identified grids. that have least 5% cover designated only these final representation across 5' 0.5° categorise low, medium, high very class. It observed highest concentration “very high” “high” vulnerable lies state UK, 32 31%, respectively. aggregated values indicate most UK fall under except few uppermost lowermost falling other categories. In J&K, low (41%), while categories are 27, 25 7%, Similarly, total 28 one categorized vulnerable, 11 vulnerability. HP, none either vulnerable. lower altitudes higher lesser magnitude Forests occurring elevation such Alpine (dry, moist sub-alpine) compared type groups IWH.