Damage caused by snow in an evergreen oak forest in the central Himalaya
Data files
May 21, 2023 version files 26.41 KB
-
README.md
-
Thadani_snow_damage_dataset-csv.csv
Abstract
Extreme climate events are increasing due to climate change. Heavy snowfall in a Himalayan evergreen oak forest damaged 21% trees and created large treefall gaps. Such occasional events may help define the upper altitudinal boundary of certain species. Oak trees with branches lopped by local communities showed lower damage.
The attached dataset is from 4 plots, each 1200m2, and provides information on tree species, DBH, lopping occurance and type of damage caused by snow, if any.
Methods
Data was collected by measuring diameter of individual trees in four circular plots, each 1200m2 (radius of 19.55 m) and assessing the level of damage caused by snow. Impact of snow damage was divided into four categories - viz. no damage to the tree ("No damage"); when one or more major branches had broken ("Branch broken"); when the main bole had snapped leading to almost complete loss of leaf bearing branches ("Bole snapped") and when the entire tree was uprooted and lay prostrate ("Tree fallen").
Trees were also labelled as lopped (i.e branches pruned for fuelwood or fodder) (labelled as "1") and unlopped (labelled as "0").
Usage notes
The data was created in Microsoft Excel (v 2304) and is stored as a CSV (comma delimited) file.