Abstract. The aim of this study was to assess the structure (stem density, height, and basal area), composition and diversity in relatively undisturbed forests along an altitudinal gradient from 2000 m asl to 3900 m asl of Langtang National Park in Central Himalaya. The forest stands along the altitudinal gradient were studied on 20 sampling plots of two sub zones of the Temperate and Subalpine zone. Tsuga dumosa was the ecologically most important species in the Upper and the Lower Subalpine zone with high important value index (IVI = 124.31). Quercus semecarpifolia and Lithocarpus elegans were the ecologically most important species in the Upper and the Lower Temperate zone with IVI of 66.64 and 46.39 respectively. Similarly, indicator species' analysis was performed to know the preferences of tree species within the vegetation zones. Rhododendron campanulatum is highly significant (p < 0.001) and Tsuga dumosa significant (0.05 < p < 0.01) in the Upper Subalpine zone, whereas Rhododendron anthopogon prefers the Lower Subalpine zone with significant value (0.01 < p < 0.001). Only the Quercus semecarpifolia prefers the Upper Temperate zone. There was no specific trend in the structure along the altitudinal gradient. The Shannon diversity index ranged from 1.10 to 2.34 with the highest value in the Lower Temperate zone. Both Simpson index (0.89) and Evenness (0.86) were high in the Lower Temperate zone. From this study it is concluded that the contribution of forest composition in terms of species richness and Shannon diversity is significant in Lower Temperate zone. The Upper Subalpine zone has less diversity and may also be less endangered by human impact but may profit from climate change in the future.
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