Masoodi et al., Vegetos 2017, 30:3 Plant 10.5958/2229-4473.2016.00121.X or Re F s y e t a e i r c c h Vegetos- An International o S E 8 8 Journal of Plant Research std. 19 Research Article a SciTechnol journal qualitative descriptions of the forest vegetation of the Himalayas Plant Species Diversity in Abies are available, scattered attempts on quantitative examinations have been made only recently. Diverse climate and varied environmental pindrow (Royle) Spach. Forest conditions prevailing in Himalaya supports diverse habitat to the flora and fauna including 9,000 species of angiosperms and hence, in Garhwal Himalayas, India is considered as the hot spot of biodiversity. There are about 3,470 Haseeb Ul Rashid Masoodi1, Manisha Thapliyal1 and Singh species considered exclusively endemic to the Himalaya [5]. A very VRR2 few studies have been conducted in other parts of the region and therefore, it has been stressed that extrapolation of ecological data from one region to the other essentially requires much caution and Abstract that the patterns shown by a taxon or type in one area may not be reflected in others, even though it may be dominant at both places Present study was conducted in Abies pindrow forests of Uttarakhand of Western Himalayas with the aim to analyse the [6]. The rich biodiversity is being utilized by the inhabitants of the diversity of plant species. The altitudinal range of the different sites region for medicine, food (wild edible), fodder, fuel, timber, making varied between 2200-3300 m above mean sea level (msl). The agriculture tools, religious and various other purposes [7,8]. analysis of species revealed that the generic spectrum belonged to 73 families, comprising of 204 genera with 315 species of trees, The forests of Western Himalayan temperate regions consists of shrubs and herbs which highlights the rich species diversity of Oak forests, Moist deodar forests, Western mixed coniferous forests, higher plants in the Abies pindrow forests of the Western Himalaya Low level blue pine forest and fir forests. The most common coniferous in India. Maximum number of species belonged to family Asteraceae species in these forests are Silver fir ((Abies pindrow (Royle ex D.Don) (29 species), followed by Poaceae (23 species), Rosaceae (21 Royle), Blue Pine (Pinus wallichiana A. B. Jacks), Himalayan cedar species), Lamiaceae (17 species), Orchidaceae (15 species), (Cedrus deodara Royal ex D. Don), Himalayan cypress (Cupressus Ranunculaceae (13 species), Apiaceae (12 species), Caprifoliaceae torulosa Don), Spruce (Picea smithiana wall Boiss) and Himalayan (11 species) and Polygonaceae (10 species) whereas other Yew (Taxus baccata Linn.). The natural regeneration of silver fir, families had less than 10 species. Most of the forests in the present study were pure Abies pindrow forests. Tree species primarily spruce and Himalayan yew is generally poor and first attention to this belonged to family Pinaceae, shrubs to Rosaceae, Berberidaceae problem was paid by Redcliffe (1906). and Caprifoliaceae whereas; herbaceous flora primarily belonged In the western Himalayan Mountains, vegetation dynamics to Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, Orchidaceae, Ranunculaceae, Polypodiaceae, Aspleniaceae, Poaceae and Cyperacae. A total of have been neglected by researchers because of their remoteness, 198 species were present out of which 5 were trees, 50 shrubs and inaccessibility, danger, and lack of local infrastructure. The community 143 were herbaceous species. The herbaceous species comprised structure and distribution patterns are poorly understood, because of 103 herbs, 4 climbers, 21 ferns, 11 grasses and 4 sedges. they have not been given due attention by plant ecologists to date [9]. The community usually exhibits seasonal fluctuations, and its Keywords structure and composition are strongly influenced by the extent to Abies pindrow; Herbaceous; Shrubs; Species diversity; Himalayas; which periodic phenomena in the individuals are adjusted to one India another [10]. Introduction Study Area The Himalayas constitute one of the richest and most unusual Four sites bearing Abies pindrow forests were selected in the ecosystems on Earth [1]. It embodies diverse and characteristic state of Uttarakhand for undertaking the present study. Two sites vegetation distribution over a wide range of topographical variation. Mundali and Deoban fall under Chakrata forest division and Bhukki In the not too distant past, except for the high altitude mountain and Dharali sites fall under Uttarkashi forest division (Figure 1). The ranges, the entire Himalayas were covered with dense forests [2]. altitudinal range of all the four sites varied between 2200-3300 m Himalayas is one of the mega biodiversity regions of the world [3]. above msl. The latitudinal and longitudinal ranges of all the four sites Species diversity is a measure of resilience and provides resistance have been given in Table 1. against environmental changes to ecosystems [4]. The Himalayan moist temperate forest, which extends from 1500-3000 m above Material and Methods msl in the western Himalayas, is of immense significance from the Field survey and data analysis environmental conservation and sustainable development viewpoints. Within one altitude the cofactors like topography, aspect, inclination Assessment of the vegetation for inventorization of the floristic of slope and soil type effect the forest composition. Although diversity present within the study area was accomplished through stratified random sampling which was carried out in all the different altitudinal ranges varying from 2200-3300 m above msl, thereby, *Corresponding author: Haseeb Ul Rashid Masoodi, Forest Research Institute, covering all the possible zonation’s of the study area. Besides, surveys Dehradun, India, Tel: 0135 275 5277; E-mail: [email protected] in all the seasons during the years 2011 to 2013 were also ensured. Received: June 22, 2016 Accepted: August 22, 2017 Published: August 25, Samples of vascular plants were also collected and information 2017 on their altitudinal range(s), habitat(s), life form(s), etc. was also All articles published in Vegetos: International Journal of Plant Research are the property of SciTechnol, and is protected by International Publisher of Science, copyright laws. Copyright © 2017, SciTechnol, All Rights Reserved. Technology and Medicine Citation: Masoodi HUR, Singh VRR, Thapliyal M (2017) Plant Species Diversity in Abies pindrow (Royle) Spach. Forest in Garhwal Himalayas, India. Vegetos 30:3. doi: 10.5958/2229-4473.2016.00121.X Figure 1: Location map of the study sites. Table 1: Latitudinal and longitudinal attributes of the study sites. Latitudinal Range Longitudinal Range Forest Divisions Sites Elevation (m) Aspect Slope (%) (N) (E) 30º48'40.6"- 77º55'39.9"- Mundali 2300-2600 Western 20-45 30º49'02.6" 77º57'01.9" Chakrata 30º44'42.0"- 77º51'38.7"- Deoban 2500-2900 North-West 15-40 30º45'28.3" 77º52'29.5" 30º51'05.5"- 78º41'40.0"- Bhukki 2200-2500 Eastern 25-50 30º52'08.3" 78º43'05.5" Uttarkashi 30º00'13.3"- 78º45'43.3"- Dharali 2800-3300 Northern 30-60 30º00'49.1" 78º46'56.5" recorded for each of the individual species. The species were later in Table 1 (at the end of the text) which is a first ever report on the identified taking the help of earlier standard publications [11,12] flora of the said area. The species diversity was determined in terms and also through the personal field experience. All the species thus of number of species and mentioned as species richness [13]. Data identified, were later listed and analyzed for assessment of the floristic extraction and analysis were done in MS-Excel using established diversity in this area. The checklist of plants is presented in Table 1 techniques. A ‘Rank Correlation Coefficient’ was determined between (at the end of the text) which is a first ever report on the flora of the families and their species richness by assigning ranks in order of said area. The species diversity was determined in terms of number dominance. of species and mentioned as species richness [13]. Data extraction and analysis were done in MS-Excel using established techniques. A Results ‘Rank Correlation Coefficient’ was determined between families and Floristic composition their species richness by assigning ranks in order of dominance. n for inventorization of the floristic diversity present within the study area Floristic studies in the four sites i.e. Deoban, Mundali, Bhukki was accomplished through stratified random sampling which was and Dharali were conducted and results were evaluated. In Deoban, carried out in all the different altitudinal ranges varying from 2200- a total of 198 species were present out of which, 5 were trees, 50 3300 m above msl, thereby, covering all the possible zonations of the shrubs and 143 were herbaceous species (Table 2). At Mundali a total study area. Besides, surveys in all the seasons during the years 2011 to of 5 trees, 47 shrubs and 134 herbaceous species were recorded and 2013 were also ensured. Samples of vascular plants were also collected herbaceous flora further comprised of 95 herbs. Likewise at Bhukki and information on their altitudinal range(s), habitat(s), life form(s), a total of 5 trees, 47 shrubs, 134 herbs were recorded. Similarly in etc. was also recorded for each of the individual species. The species Dharali in all 5 trees, 59 shrubs, 172 herbaceous were recorded. were later identified taking the help of earlier standard publications [11,12] and also through the personal field experience. All the species Amongst the angiosperms, families like Asteraceae (45 spp.); thus identified, were later listed and analysed for assessment of the Poaceae (30 spp.); Lamiaceae (29 spp.); Fabaceae (23 spp.); floristic diversity in this area. The checklist of plants is presented Rosaceae (21 spp.); Orchidaceae (15 spp.); Ranunculaceae (14 spp.); Volume 30 • Issue 3 • 1000292 • Page 2 of 9 • Citation: Masoodi HUR, Singh VRR, Thapliyal M (2017) Plant Species Diversity in Abies pindrow (Royle) Spach. Forest in Garhwal Himalayas, India.