Studies to evaluate the plant diversity and growth forms in alpine pasture of Talra Wildlife Sanctuary of District Shimla, Himachal Pradesh were carried out during August, 2003. Total 75 species of plant, comprising of 7 grasses, 4 sedges, 4 leguminous forbs and 60 non-leguminous forbs were recorded from the area. On the basis of Importance Value Index (IVI). Sibbaldia cuneata O. Ktze., was found to be the dominant species followed by Geum elatum Wall ex D. Don., Ligularia amplexicaulis DC., Primula denticulata Smith and Saxifraga parnassifolia D. Don. The distribution of all the plant species was contagious. Index of dominance was 0.036 and index of diversity 5.386. The contribution of tall forbs, short forbs and cushioned and spreading forbs in the alpine pasture was 29.33%, 54.66% and 16.0% respectively.
Studies to assess the floral diversity in Salix fragilis L. plantation in cold desert of Spiti valley of North-West Himalayas was carried during August 2005. The plantation and control sites were surveyed for floristic composition, distribution pattern, species diversity and dominance. Maximum plant diversity was recorded in plantation site and minimum in control site. Majority of the plant species were contiguously distributed in both sites. In biological spectra hemicryptophytes dominate the plantation site whereas therophytes dominate the control site. The findings of the present investigation indicate that Salix fragilis plantation definitely improve the micro-habitat conditions under their canopy and accordingly enhance the floral diversity in plantation site. So afforestation of cold desert areas through site-specific tree species will help in enhancing the floral diversity of the area.
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