ISSN 2375-1185
African Journal of Agronomy ISSN: 2375-1185 Vol. 13 (4), pp. 001-007, April, 2025. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Exploring Altitudinal Influences on Forest Vegetation Patterns in the Sub-Alpine Zone of the Western Himalayas, India
Sanjay Gairola1*, R. S. Rawal1 and N. P. Todaria2
1G. B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Kosi -Katarmal, Almora- 263 643,
Uttarakhand, India
2Department of Forestry,HNB Garhwal University, Srinagar Garhwal Uttarakhand, India
Accepted 18 January, 2025
Abstract
The present study describes vegetation diversity along an altitudinal gradient in three sites of sub-alpine forests. The altitude of the study sites ranged from 2800 - 3600 m asl and represented a transition from closed canopy temperate forests to open canopy sub-alpine forests. The results revealed that from low to high altitude strata, size and density of trees decline sharply. The density of sapling and seedling do not follow the trend of trees and exhibit site/location specific trends. Shrub and herb also did not exhibit uniform patterns across altitudinal range of the sites. As sub-alpine forests are considered to be potentially prone to the adverse effects of climate change, present study will provide important baseline information for future evaluation of the impact of climate change on sub-alpine forest communities.
Key words: Diversity, timberline, altitude, west Himalaya.