Plant species diversity along an altitudinal gradient in Simbalwara wildlife sanctuary, Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

The composition of forest vegetation along an altitudinal gradient (400 to 650m) in Simbalwara Wildlife Sanctuary was studied during August, 2003. The forest is composed of 53 species of trees, 32 of shrubs and 175 of herbs. The plant communities identified at 400-525m and 525-650m elevation range were Shorea robusta – Mallotus philippensis and Shorea robusta – Terminalia alata respectively. On the basis of importance value index (IVI), Shorea robusta was the dominant tree species at both the elevation ranges. The distribution pattern of plant species was random and contiguous at both the altitudes. The concentration of dominance was lower and index of diversity higher for plant species at both the altitudes Index of diversity for trees was 4.390 and 3.942 at 400-525m and 525-650m elevation range respectively. The index of similarity for trees, shrubs and herbs between two altitudes was 0.64, 0.65 and 0.54 indicating remarkable degree of similarity in plant species. The population structure of tree species is represented mainly by two patterns, one represented by greater proportion of individuals in seedlings stage indicating frequent reproduction and another indicating more individuals in intermediate girth classes with absence of seedlings. If the latter trend continues for longer period, the species may disappear from the area in near future.

Study on Arboreal Floristic Diversity, Phytosociology and Conservation Strategy of Endangered Species in Chandi Beat of Majathal Wildlife Sanctuary, Himachal Pradesh, Western Himalaya

“…The concentration of dominance, diversity index, richness index, and evenness index for shrub was 0.04, 3.71, 8.99 and 0.90 respectively (Table 7). Other supporting pieces of evidence also show similar type of results for biodiversity and phytosocial studies [36][37][38][39][40][41] At an elevation varying from 1000m-1500m, the total number of tree species recorded was 37 (Table 3). Pinus roxburghii was dominant species having the maximum highest value for density ha -1 (110) followed by Punica granatum (56) and Bauhinia variegata (50), and the lowest value (4) was observed for Albizia lebbeck, Albizia julibrissin, Syzygium cuminii and Grewia tiliifolia.…”

“…The concentration of dominance (C), diversity index (H), richness index (R), and evenness index (E) for trees was 0.04, 3.58, 7.62, and 0.93, respectively (Table 7). A similar type of flora species has been recorded in the Pine forests of Himachal Pradesh at lower altitudes [33][34][35]18].…”

Seasonal occurrence and damage caused by Phycodes radiata Ochsenheimer (Lepidoptera, Brachodidae) on Ficus spp. in Uttar Pradesh, India

“…11) up to 80 and caused 85 percent damage per leaf, and tied 2-6 leaves together in a silken web. Singh and Kaur (2017) also reported 70-80 per cent leaf damage on fig plants caused by P. minor and P. radiata in Punjab from July to September, while, Verma and Dogra (1984) reported it 15-20 per cent damage from Solan (HP).…”

Impact of Biotic Stress on Physiochemical Properties of Soil at Doodhpathri Kashmir

“…The decrease in available nitrogen in the deforested area may be due to deforestation, grazing, and tourism which is proportional to the decrease in organic matter and the latter being the bank of soil nitrogen. Verma et al [18] and Zargar et al [19] also reported a significant decrease in available nitrogen in degraded forests, Singh [20] reported medium to high available nitrogen content in forest soils of Kashmir Valley [21, 11, 16 and 13].…”