Composition, structure and diversity of tree species along an altitudinal gradient in Jammu province of north-western Himalayas, Jammu and Kashmir, India

Paper Details

Research Paper 01/10/2013
Views (381) Download (92)
current_issue_feature_image
publication_file

Composition, structure and diversity of tree species along an altitudinal gradient in Jammu province of north-western Himalayas, Jammu and Kashmir, India

Neeraj Sharma, Anil K Raina
J. Bio. Env. Sci.3( 10), 12-23, October 2013.
Certificate: JBES 2013 [Generate Certificate]

Abstract

Community structure and composition are important factors affecting diversity patterns in plant communities. Pertinently, species diversity along altitudinal and latitudinal gradient differs in different layers at different scales. Thirteen community groups characterized by different dominants in the tree layer were distinguished. These include Himalayan subtropical scrub (580-850 m asl), Northern dry mixed deciduous forest (600-1100 m asl), Himalayan subtropical pine forest (780-1450 m asl), Lyonia / Alnus / Rhododendron forest (1250-1500 m asl), Mixed Oak forest (1300-2150 m asl), Rhododendron – Oak mixed forest (1600-2200 m asl), Pine / Oak mixed forest (1400-1750 m asl), Pure Cedrus deodara forest (1450-1700 m asl), Taxus wallichiana forest (2000-2580 masl), Deodar / blue pine mixed forest (1900-2600 m asl), Fir / Spruce mixed forest (2700-3250 m asl), pure Betula forest (3100-3500 m asl), and alpine scrub (above 3500 m asl). Distribution of importance values of dominants explicitly indicated a vertical pattern of these forest types. The sub-tropical and temperate elements of vegetation reveal predominance of closed canopy forests, wherein the sub-tropical tree species outnumber the temperate tree flora. The community analysis was performed using stratified random sampling involving 0.01 % of the total area for each community. The pattern of plant diversity as observed by the values of species richness and diversity indices show a decreasing trend from lower to higher altitudes. The study suggests that distribution and species richness are largely regulated by physiography (altitude, latitude, slope, aspect etc.) and climatic factors.

VIEWS 28

Adhikari BS, Joshi M, Rikhari HC, Rawat YS. 1992. Cluster Analysis (Dendrogram) of high altitude (2150-2500 m) forest vegetation around Pindari glacier in Kumaun Himalaya. Journal of Environmental Biology 13, 101-105.

Adhikari RS, Asha Tiwari. 1991. Micro fungal competition on green leaves of Quercus semicarpifolia. Indian Journal of Ecology 18(2), 178-18.

Austin MP, Pausas, JG Nicholas AO. 1996. Patterns of species richness in relation to environment in south eastern New South Wales, Australia. Australian Journal of Ecology 21, 154 – 164.

Brown JH, Lomolino MV. 1998. Biogeography. 2nd ed. Sinuar Associates, Incl Publishers, Sunderlands. MA.

Brun HH, Moen J, Virtanen R, Grytnes JA, Oksanen L, Angerbjorn A. 2006. Effects of altitude and topography on species richness of vascular plants, bryophytes and lichens in alpine communities. Journal of Vegetation Science 17, 37-46.

Burns BR. 1995. Environment correlates of species richness at Waipoua Forest Sanctuary, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Ecology 19, 153-162.

Champion HG, Seth SK. 1968. A revised survey of the forest types of India. Manager of publication, Govt. of India, New Delhi, India, 404.

Chauhan PS, Manhas RK, Negi JDS. 2001. Demographic and diversity analysis of tree species in Sal (Shorea robusta Gaertn.f) forests of Doon valley. Annals of Forestry 9 (2), 188-198.

Chowdhery HJ, Wadhwa, BM. 1984. Flora of Himachal Pradesh Analysis. Botanical Survey of India, Dehradun. Vol I-III. 860 p.

Connell JH, Oris E. 1964. The ecological regulation of species diversity. The American Naturalist, 48, 399-414.

Dash PK, Mohapatra PP, Rao YG. 2009. Diversity and distribution pattern of tree species in Niyamgiri hill Ranges Orissa, India. Indian Forester 135 (7), 927-942.

Dhar U, Kaul A. 1986. Life form classification and biological spectrum of an alpine-subalpine flora of Kashmir Himalayas. The British Council, New Delhi, 3-20.

Dutt H. 2005. Ecological studies and conservation of medicinal plants of Neeru watershed, J & K. Ph.D thesis. University of Jammu, Jammu, India.

Field R, Cornell BA, Curie HV, Diniz-Filho DJ, Guegan JAF, Kaufiman JF, Kerr DM, Mittelbach JT, Oberdorff GG, TO’Brien EM, Turner JRG. 2009. Spatial richness gradients across scales: a meta-analysis. Journal of Biogeography 36, 132-147.

Fisher AG. 1960. Latitudinal variation in organic diversity. Evolution 14, 64-81 .

Gogate MG, Kumar Anmol 1993. An ecological audit of Teak Plantations in west Chandrapur Project Division. Indian Forester 119, 265-294.

Hara MK, Hirarta M, Fujihaxa K, Oono Hsich CF. 1997. Floristic composition and stand structure of three evergreen braod leaved forests in Taiwan, with special reference to the relationship between micro-landform and vegetation pattern. Natural History 4, 81-112.

Holland PG, Steyn DG. 1975. Vegetational responses to latitudinal variations in slope angle and aspect. Journal of Biogeography 2, 179-183.

Ilorkar VM, Khatri PK. 2003. Phytosociological study of Navegaon national Park, Maharashtra. Indian Forester 129 (3), 377-387.

Ilorkar, VM, Tripathi PK. 2003. Phytosociological study of Navegaon National park (Maharashtra). Indian Forester 129(3), 377-387.

Jhangir M. 2004. Phytodiversity characterisation using remote sensing and GIS of district Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir. Ph.D thesis. University of Jammu, Jammu, India.

Kadavul, K, Parthasarthy N. 1999. Plant biodiversity and conservation of tropical semi-evergreen forests in the Shervaryan hills of Eastern Ghats, India. Biodiversity Conservation 8, 421-439.

Kapur SK. 1982. Phytoecological studies in Trikuta Hills with special reference to the distribution pattern of economic plant products. Ph.D. Thesis. University of Jammu, Jammu, India.

Kaul V, Sarin YK. 1976. Life form classification and biological spectrum of flora of Bhaderwah. Tropical Ecology 17 (2) , 132-138.

Kesar RK. 2002. Phytosociological and community studies of Patnitop forests and their management. Ph.D Thesis. University of Jammu, Jammu, India.

Kharkwal G, Mehrotra P, Rawat YS, Pangtey YPS. 2005. Phytodiversity of growth form in relation to altitudinal gradient in the Central Himalayan (Kumaun) region of India. Current Science 89 (5) , 873-878.

Knight DH 1963. A distance method for constructing forest profile diagrams and obtaining structural data. Tropical Ecology 4, 89-94.

Kour I. 2001. Phytodiversity and impact of tourism on the vegetation of Trikuta Hills ( J & K). Ph.D Thesis. University of Jammu, Jammu, India.

Kumar A. 1987. Phytosociological and productivity studies of Bhaderwah forests, Jammu ( J & K). Ph.D Thesis. University of Jammu, Jammu, India.

Kumar A, Ram J. 2005. Anthropogenic disturbances and plant biodiversity in forests of Uttaranchal, Central Himalayas. Biodiversity Conservation 14, 309-331.

Kumar K. 1997. Studies on plant diversity of Patnitop and adjoining area and impact of biotic activities. Ph.D Thesis. University of Jammu, Jammu, India.

Kumar V. 2007. Studies on plant diversity of spermatophytes of Parnai watershed, Poonch. Ph. D thesis. University of Jammu, Jammu, India.

Majila BS, Kala CP. 2010. Forest Structure and Regeneration along the Altitudinal Gradient in the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttarakhand Himalaya, India. Russian Journal of Ecology, 41(1), 75–83.

Margalef DR. 1958. Information theory in ecology. Genetics and systematic 3, 36-71.

Mishra TK, Namitha D, Bipin Behari, Banerjee SK. 1993. Species diversity under Sal and Teak plantations in Laterite region. Journal of Tropical Biodiversity 1(2),188-201.

Monk CD 1967. Tree species diversity in eastern deciduous forest with particular refrence in North Central Florida. The American Naturalist 101, 173-187.

Naithani HB, Pal RC, Srivastava RK. 2006. Vegetation analysis of the Trimula hills, Andhra Pradesh. Indian Forester 132 (9), 1110-1130.

Nath TK, Hossain MK, Alam AK. 2000. Assessment of tree species diversity of Sitapahar forest reserve, Chittagong hill tracts (South) forest division, Bengladesh. Indian Forester 126 (1), 16-21.

Negi SC, Nautyial S. 2005: Phytosociological studies of a traditional reserve forests – Thal-ke-Dhar, Pithoragarh, Central Himalayas, India. Indian Forester 131(4), 519-532.

Pande PK, Negi JDS, Sharma SC. 2001. Plant species diversity and vegetation analysis in moist temperate Himalayan forest. Indian Journal of Forestry 24 (4), 456-470.

Pande PK, Negi JDS, Sharma C. 2002. Plant species diversity, composition, gradient analysis and regeneration behavior of some tree species in a moist temperate Western Himalayan Forest ecosystem. Indian Forester 8, 869-886.

Pauses JG, Austin MP. 2001. Patterns of plant species richness in relation to different environments: An appraisal. Journal of Vegetation Science 12, 153-166.

Ralhan PK, Saxena AK, Singh JS. 1982. Analysis of forest vegetation at and around Naini Tal in Kumaun Himalaya. In: Proceedings of Indian National Science Academy 48, 121-137.

Ram Prakash. 1986. Forest management. International book distributors, Dehradun, India p 214.

Ramsay PM, Oxley ERB. 1997. The growth form composition of plant communities in the Ecuadorian Paramos. Plant Ecology 131, 173-192.

Rao P, Barik SK, Pandey HN, Tripathi RS. 1990. community composition and tree population structure in sub-tropical broadleaved forest along a disturbance gradient. Vegetatio 88, 151-162.

Rawal RS, Pangtey YPS. 1994. High altitude forests in part of Kumaon, central Himalaya. In: Proceedings of Indian National Sciences Academy 60 (B), 557-564.

Rawat J, Chitralekha Pant 1999. Structure of a Chirpine community along two different aspects and altitudinal gradients. Indian Journal of Forestry 22 (2), 141-144.

Rawat RS. 2001. Phytosociological studies of woody vegetation along an altitudinal gradient in montane forest of Garhwal Himalayas. Indian Journal of Forestry 24 (4),419-426.

Relhan PK, Saxena AK, Singh JS. 1982. Analysis of forest vegetation at and around Nainital in Kumaon Himalayas. In Proceedings of Indian National Science Academy 48(1),121-137

Rikhari HC, Chandra R, Singh SP. 1989. Pattern of species distribution and community characters along a moisture gradient within an Oak zone of Kumaon Himalayas. In: Proceedings of Indian National Science Academy 55 (8), 431-438.

Risser PG, Rice EL. 1971. Diversity I tree species in Oklaham upland forests. Eco., 52, 876-880.

Sanchez-Gonzalez A, Lopez-Mata L. 2005. Plant species richness and diversity along an altitudinal gradient in Sierra Nevada, Mexico. Diversity and distribution 11 ,567-575.

Sanjeev M, Gera PL, Sankhyan. 2006. Phytosocilogical analysis of Arnigad microwatershed in Mussoorie hills of Garhwal Himlayas. Indian Forester 132 (1), 19-30.

Sapru BL. 1975. Vegetational studies in Jhelum Valley. Botanique VI (2&3), 151-164.

Sarma SK. 1990. Floristic composition and phytosociological studies of a herbaceous community at Dibrugarh. Indian Journal of Forestry 13, 273-280.

Saxena AK, Singh JS. 1982. A phytosociological analysis of woody plant species in forest communities of a part of Kumaun Himalaya. Vegetatio 50, 3-22.

Saxena AK, Pandey T, Singh JS. 1985. Altitudinal variation in the vegetation of Kumaon Himalayas. In: D.N. Rao. K.J. Ahmed. M. Yunus & S.N. Singh (eds.) Perspectives in Environmental Botany. Print House, Lucknow, 43-66.

Shameem, SA, Irfana Kangroo N, Bhat GA. 2011. Comparative assessment of edaphic features and herbaceous diversity in lower Dachigam national park, Kashmir, Himalaya. Journal of Ecology and the Natural Environment 3(6), 196-204.

Shanon CE, Weaver W. 1963. The mathematical theory of communication. University of Illinois Press, Urbana, USA.

Sharma CM, Kumar A. 1992. Community structure of some natural forest stands in Lansdowne Forest range of Garhwal Himalayas. Journal of Tropical Forest Science 5, 8-12.

Sharma CM, Suyal S, Gairola S, Ghildiyal SK. 2009. Species richness and diversity along an altitudinal gradient in moist temperate forest of Garhwal Himalayas. Journal of American Science 5(5), 119-128.

Sharma N. 2003. Biodiversity characterization at landscape level in Jammu district of J & K (Western Himalayas) using remote sensing and GIS. Ph.D Thesis. University of Jammu, India.

Simpson  EH.  1949.  Measurement  of  diversity. Nature 163,168.

Singh JS, Singh SP. 1984. Structure and functioning of forest ecosystems of central Himalaya. Implications for management, regeneration of forest trees : An integrated ecological study of eastern Kumaon Himalaya with emphasis on natural resources (J.S Singh and S.P Singh eds.) Final Report (HCS/DST/176- 187), Vol-II, Kumaon University Nainital, India, 85-113.

Singh J. 2002. Phytodiversity of Kalakote range (Rajouri, J & K) and impact of mining and nomadism on the vegetation. Ph.D thesis. University of Jammu, Jammu, India.

Singh JS, Kachroo P. 1994. Forest flora of Pir Panjal range. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehradun.

Singh KN, Kaushal R. 2006. Diversity and quantitative analysis of dominant tree species in district Chamba of Himachal Pradesh. Indian Journal of Forestry 29 (3), 254-251

Singh R, Sood VK, Monika Bhatia, Thakur GC. 1991. Phytosociological studies on tree vegetation around Shimla, Himachal Pradesh Indian Journal of Forestry 14 (3), 169-180.

Singh RS, Ralhan PK, Singh SP. 1987. Phytosociology and population structure of oak mixed conifer forest in a part of Kumaon Himalayas. Environment and Ecology 5, 475-487.

Singh SK, Rawat GS. 2000. Flora of Great Himalayan National Park. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehradun, 304 p.

Tynsong H, Tiwari BK. 2011. Diversity and population characteristics of woody species in natural forests and arecanut agroforests of south Meghalaya, Northeast India. Tropical Ecology 52(3), 243-252.

Varghese AO, Menon ARR. 1998. Vegetation characteristics of southern secondary moist mixed deciduous forests of Agasthyamalai region of Kerala. Indian Journal of Forestry 21(4), 337-344.

Whittaker RH. 1977. Evolution of species diversity in land plant communities. Evolutionary biology 10, 1-67.

Whittaker RJ, Willis KJ, Field R. 2001. Scale and species richness: towards a general hierarchal theory of species diversity. Journal of Biogeography 28, 453-470.