Current Research on Geography, Earth Science and Environment Vol. 11

High-altitude alpine meadows are climate-sensitive socio-ecological systems where climatic variability influences vegetation dynamics and community livelihoods. This chapter integrates community perceptions from 175 respondents with MODIS MOD13Q1 NDVI data (2004–2024) across low-, mid-, and high-elevation zones of Byans Valley, Central Himalaya. The findings indicate widespread perceptions of rising temperatures (90%), declining snowfall (89%), altered seasonal timing (86%), shorter winters (84%), changes in agricultural practices (83%), and declining fuel, fodder, and medicinal resources (70%). NDVI analysis revealed a clear elevational gradient, with vegetation greenness generally decreasing with increasing elevation. Recent peak NDVI values were approximately 0.70, 0.60, and 0.50 in the low-, mid-, and high-elevation zones, respectively, with stronger recent vegetation activity particularly at higher elevations. These patterns indicate changes in the seasonal functioning and timing of alpine vegetation rather than a simple increase in productivity. Weak relationships between NDVI and individual climatic variables further suggest that vegetation responses are controlled by multiple interacting factors, including temperature, precipitation, snowmelt, soil moisture, grazing, and land-use practices. The study recommends long-term phenological monitoring, integration of satellite observations with field-based biomass, species composition and soil-moisture measurements, and the strengthening of community-based monitoring of climate and natural resources. Future studies should incorporate long-term temperature, precipitation and snow-cover records with species-level phenology, grazing intensity, biomass measurements, and livelihood data to identify the mechanisms driving vegetation changes along elevation gradients. Such integrated research will support evidence-based conservation and climate-adaptive livelihood planning in the Byans Valley.