Floristic Diversity in Alpine Pasture of Mural Danda of District Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

Author: R. K. Verma* and Harish Chauhan

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Abstract

The alpine pastures are mainly found in the Himalayan states and supposed to be only true grasslands in India. Due to unscientific management of pastures, a large number of pasture lands had been converted or are in the process of conversion to the degraded lands thereby bringing a shift in the natural equilibrium and plant diversity as well. In this scenario, it has become quite pertinent to carry out the ecological studies of these precious resources for assessing the loss in diversity and their scientific management. Accordingly studies to evaluate the floristic diversity and growth forms in alpine pasture of Mural Danda of district Shimla, Himachal Pradesh was conducted during August, 2019. Phyto-scociological studies was carried out by laying out quadrates randomly in the selected alpine pasture. The data collected was analyzed for density, frequency, abundance, important value index, dominance index, diversity index, distribution pattern, life forms etc for drawing the logical co

Keywords

Dominance, Diversity index, distribution, Threatened plant

Conclusion

In Mural Danda alpine pasture besides leguminous forbs and few grasses, non leguminous forbs were mostly dominant. The dominant non leguminous forbs are not preferred by the animals for eating. The contribution of short forbs were more than tall and cushion & spreading forbs. There is a need to take some steps to stop further decline in the density of preferred plant species and suitable strategies should be develop for management of alpine pasture by regulating the grazing.

References

INTRODUCTION The alpine regions mainly fall in the great Himalayan, ranges and characterized with relatively low atmospheric pressure, invariably associated with low temperature, intense insulation, rapid and high ultra violet (UV) radiations along with their related effects as chain reactions. All these factors are closely and inseparably inter-linked and intricately intertwined in a complex chain of causes and effects thus constituting in reality, a self-regulating dynamic system termed as the alpine ecosystem. The plants in alpine region are in harmony with environment because they form the integral part of very processes that shaped their own environment. These plants are recognized by certain super- imposed morphological and taxonomic peculiarities, which form part of their adaptation to alpine environment. The pastures in the alpine zone occupy about 1.52 per cent of the total land area in the country and are mainly concentrated in the Himalayan states of Arunachal Pradesh, Si

How to cite this article

R.K. Verma and Harish Chauhan (2022). Floristic Diversity in Alpine Pasture of Mural Danda of District Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 14(1): 1641-1646.