Variation in Species Distribution Pattern and Dominance with Altitude and Aspect of Garhwal Himalayan Oak Forest

Abstract

An investigation was conducted in an Oak forest of Garhwal Himalaya in relation to aspect and altitude. Major dominant tree, shrub and herb species were compared for density, A/F ratio and IVI values. Quercus leucotrichophora, Rhododendron arboreum, Lyonia ovalifolia, Myrica esculanta, Pinus roxburghii, Pyrus pashia, Benthamedia capitata and Lindera pulcherrima were most dominant tree species among all studied altitudes. Q. leucotrochophora showed contagious pattern in the north facing aspect and changed to random pattern in the south facing aspect at upper and middle altitudes. R. arboreum and M. esculanata also showed same changes in their distribution at middle and lower altitudes. In the shrub layer, the contagious pattern was changed to random pattern from north facing aspect to south facing aspect and vice versa. Herb species were mostly recorded in contagious pattern and the change of distribution was found for few species.