Woody species diversity pattern along an elevation gradient of Sainj Wildlife Sanctuary, Western Himalaya, India

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Keywords: Tree, Shrub, Density, Himalayan forests, Indian Himalayan Region


Abstract


Elevation plays a critical role in influencing vegetation pattern in Himalayan mountain ecosystems. The present study deals diversity pattern of woody vegetation (tree and shrub layers) along the elevation gradients of a less explored eco-zone, i.e. Sainj Wildlife Sanctuary (Himachal Pradesh, Western Himalaya, India). The entire vegetation range of the sanctuary (~ 1800 to 4200 m amsl) was divided into five elevation classes, viz. A1 (1800–2200 m), A2 (2201–2600 m), A3 (2601–3000 m), A4 (3001–3400 m) and A5 (> 3400 m) as study sites following stratified random sampling method. A total of 125 tree quadrats (size 400 m2) and 250 shrub quadrats (size 25 m2) were laid in the area in all to collect phytosociological data. A total of 93 woody species including 36 trees and 57 shrubs were recorded from the sampling area. Among five sites, the tree species richness varied from 3 to 23, tree density 7 to 356 ind. ha− 1 and tree basal cover 0.48 to 76.01 m2 ha− 1, whereas, shrub species richness ranged 11–25, shrub density 5.2–10.94 ind./25 m2 and shrub basal cover 19.19–36.40 cm2/25 m2 respectively. The species richness and density of woody species decrease with increase in elevation. This study reports a linear relationship between elevation and woody species richness with richness peak at lowest elevation class (A1, 1800–2200 m). The present study has filled the knowledge gap on the woody vegetation dynamics along the elevation gradients at local scale from the western part of Indian Himalayan Region which may help the forest departments, NGOs, policymakers and botanists in better understanding Himalayan forest dynamics and in designing strategies for conservational efforts especially for the woody species in this part and other similar zones of Western Himalaya.


Tree, Shrub, Density, Himalayan forests, Indian Himalayan Region


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Acknowledgements


We express our heartfelt reverence to Late Dr. B. K. Sinha (former Scientist and Additional Director, BSI, Kolkata) for his constant support and encouragement till his last breath. Authors are thankful to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF & CC), Govt. of India, New Delhi for financial support and Forest Department of Himachal Pradesh to allow us to work in the Sainj Wildlife Sanctuary (Kullu). We are grateful to forest staff and officials for their cooperation and support during the field visits. We thank the Director (BSI, Kolkata) and the Head (Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, Kolkata) for providing support and facilities. We sincerely express our gratitude to Dr. Paramjit Singh (ex-Director, BSI, Kolkata) for his continuous motivation during the research work.


Author Information


Das Deep Shekhar
Central National Herbarium, Botanical Survey of India, Howrah, India
deepshekhardas2011@gmail.com