Floristic diversity and rarity assessment along altitudinal gradient in diverse forest types of Pithoragarh, Kumaun Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India

Abstract

Present study was carried out in four different forest types (Sal, Pine, Oak and Deodar) of Kumaun Himalaya along altitudinal gradient 650 to 2200 m asl. A total 337 species of vascular belonging to 280 genera and 98 families were recorded from the present study. Of these, 303 species were Angiosperms (252 Dicotyledons and 51 Monocotyledons), 3 Gymnosperms and 31 Pteridophytes and their distribution in different life forms, i.e., trees (53 spp.), shrubs (74 spp.), herbs (196 spp.) and climber (14 spp.). Among angiosperms Asteraceae (37 spp.) was dominant family followed by Poaceae (24 spp.), Fabaceae (24 spp.) and Lamiaceae (21 spp.). In Gymnosperms only two family (Pinaceae and Cupreceae) was recorded. A total of 31 species of Pteridophytes were recorded from present study. 49 species recorded in IUCN criteria (2022–23) one species were Vulnerable one near threatened and 47 were under least concern.