Abstract ID: 3.13258 | Accepted as Talk | Talk | TBA | TBA

Vegetation dynamics serve as key indicators of climate change, particularly in ecologically sensitive regions like the Alpine and Cryospheric zones of the Himalayas. This study examines the spatiotemporal changes in vegetation cover across the Kumaun Himalaya, a part of the Central Himalaya, over a 25-year period (1999–2024), focusing on climate-induced variations. Using remote sensing data, the research assesses vegetation spectral indices, particularly the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), to analyze three key vegetation classes: Grassland, Scrubland, and Forest Cover. A statistical trend analysis is conducted using the Mann-Kendall (MK) test on historical meteorological data (temperature and precipitation) obtained from Power Data Access Viewer datasets. The study aims to (i) conduct a detailed spatiotemporal analysis of vegetation cover, (ii) identify the primary climatic drivers influencing vegetation changes, and (iii) perform a statistical analysis of long-term meteorological trends. Findings indicate significant variations in vegetation cover, with notable fluctuations in NDVI values, reflecting the impact of changing climate conditions. The analysis reveals trends in annual mean minimum-maximum temperatures and annual rainfall, shedding light on their influence on vegetation patterns. The insights from this research will contribute to the sustainable management and monitoring of forests in the alpine ecosystems of the Kumaun Himalaya. The study provides essential data for developing strategies to mitigate the challenges of ongoing climate change in this fragile mountain environment.