Vegetational Diversity in Tons Valley, Garhwal Himalaya (Uttaranchal) India with Special Reference to Phytogeographical Affinities of the Flora

Abstract

The diversity in vegetation and flora of Tons Valley in Garhwal Himalaya has been extensively studied during 1994-98. On the whole 761 species of phanerogams referable to 480 genera and 132 families could be recognised in the flora of Tons Valley. The vegetation predominantly is of forest communities which is evergreen type intermixed with deciduous species. The vegetational diversity of the area is discussed broadly under: forest vegetation, seasonal vegetation, and aquatic and marshy vegetation. An analysis of the phytogeographical affinities of the flora shows that the flora of Tons Valley has affinities with surrounding regions. There is predominance of Indian, Indo-Malayan, African-Asiatic-Australian and Palaeotropical elements in the flora. Euro-Siberian and Sino-Jananese species have also found their ways to the Tons Valley.