An assessment of surface features and vegetative cover in Alpine Rangelands of Cknp region, Pakistan
Paper Details
An assessment of surface features and vegetative cover in Alpine Rangelands of Cknp region, Pakistan
Abstract
Rangelands of Central Karakorum National Park (CKNP) in Gilgit-Baltistan, is regarded as vital ecological resources of Pakistan. The present study was conducted in Hushe Valley of Baltistan during July-August of 2012 to investigate the surface features, distribution of vegetation cover, along altitudinal gradients (~500 m intervals) using quadrate methods (20 quadrates each per line transects) on three range sites named as Brumbrama (3955 masl), Jongfong (3488 masl) and Gambabramachan (3051 masl) of CKNP area Hushe. The average surface feature of the area was consisting of vegetation cover 32%, litter 4%, rock 22 % and barren cover was 41 %. Out of the 32% vegetation cover the average grass cover was maximum (24.20±3.34%) at the highest altitude Brumbrama followed by mid altitude Jongfong. The average cover of shrub (22.75±4.13 %) was much dominated at mid altitude Jongfong, whereas, forbs were much higher (20.75± 3.44%) at the lowest altitude.
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