Vegetational diversity along an altitudinal range in Garhwal Himalaya

Abstract

Four forest habitats varying in different vegetation were studied along an altitudinal range of 1900-2200 m called low elevation forests. These forests were close to human habitation with high disturbance. A total of 209 plant species were recorded out of which 29 were trees, 50 shrubs, 102 herbs, 11 climbers, 7 epiphytes, 4 pteridophytes, 3 bryophytes and 3 parasites. Maximum tree species were recorded on moist site (22) and minimum on ridge site (12). Maximum shrub species were present both on stream bank and dry site (31 at each site). Maximum herb and climber species were present on dry and moist site (62 and 8) respectively. Species relationship between the sites indicates that 11 trees, 20 shrubs, 41 herbs, 4 climbers, 2 pteridophytes, 1 bryophyte and 2 parasites were common in stream bank and dry site. The mean tree, shrub and herb species richness was maximum on stream bank (6.3 ± 0.2), moist (6.1 ± 0.3) and dry (10.3 ± 0.4) and minimum on ridge site (4.6 ± 0.3), (5.5 ± 0.4), (7.6 ± 0.5) respectively. Comparison similarity between the sites revealed maximum similarity among stream bank and moist sites (70%) for trees and minimum between ridge and moist site (32.43%) for herbs. The high similarity index between moist and stream bank site may be due to similar environmental conditions on both the sites. Key words: Species richness, study sites, vegetation, Garhwal Himalaya.