Assessment of Vegetation along an Altitudinal Gradient in Reunsi Beat of Shikari Devi Wild Life Sanctuary of district Mandi, Himachal Pradesh

Author: R.K. Verma

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Abstract

A study was carried out in Reunsi beat of Shikari devi wild life sanctuary of district Mandi, Himachal Pradesh during 2015-16 to know the composition of vegetation along an altitudinal gradient with elevations varying from 2000-3200m. Total number of plant species was 167 belonging to 49 families and 91 genera. The dominant families were Rosaceae, Compositae, Pinaceae, Labiatae, Ploygonaceae and Leguminosae. The number of tree species at 2000-2400m, 2400-2800m and 2800-3200m elevation was 9, 11 and 4 with the dominance of Cedrus deodara, Cedrus deodara and Quercus semecarpifolia respectively. The number of shrub species was 12, 18 and 6 with the dominance Sarcococca saligna, Sarcococca saligna and Cotoneaster microphyllus at 2000-2400m, 2400-2800m and 2800-3200m elevation respectively. The number of herbs species was 35, 50 and 23 with the dominance of Oplismenus compositus, Gypsophila cerastioides and Potentilla atrosanguinea at 2000-2400m, 2400-2800m and 2800-3200m elevation respec

Keywords

Altitude, Dominance, Diversity index, Threatened plant, Distribution.

Conclusion

A study was carried out in Reunsi beat of Shikari devi wild life sanctuary of district Mandi, Himachal Pradesh during 2015-16 to know the composition of vegetation along an altitudinal gradient with elevations varying from 2000-3200m. Total number of plant species was 167 belonging to 49 families and 91 genera. The dominant families were Rosaceae, Compositae, Pinaceae, Labiatae, Ploygonaceae and Leguminosae. The number of tree species at 2000-2400m, 2400-2800m and 2800-3200m elevation was 9, 11 and 4 with the dominance of Cedrus deodara, Cedrus deodara and Quercus semecarpifolia respectively. The number of shrub species was 12, 18 and 6 with the dominance Sarcococca saligna, Sarcococca saligna and Cotoneaster microphyllus at 2000-2400m, 2400-2800m and 2800-3200m elevation respectively. The number of herbs species was 35, 50 and 23 with the dominance of Oplismenus compositus, Gypsophila cerastioides and Potentilla atrosanguinea at 2000-2400m, 2400-2800m and 2800-3200m elevation respec

References

The varied environmental conditions prevailing in the Himalayas support diverse habitat and ecosystems with diverse life forms. The variations in terms of its climate and altitudinal ranges, have created environ those are unique to the Himalayan region only. Himalayas has rich and diverse plant wealth is showing a rapid decline in population of many plant species in recent years. Some of them have already been lost whereas many of them are on the verge of extinction. If suitable steps to conserve the Himalayan flora not taken well in time, the delay may lead to total extinction of rare and valuable plants. This decline in biodiversity largely through human activities is a serious threat to our ecosystem. Therefore, attempts are essentially required to preserve this biodiversity through in-situ and ex-situ conservation methods. Shikari Devi wildlife sanctuary was established in 1974 in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh. It covers an area of about 3,065 ha. Altitude of this sanctua

How to cite this article

R.K. Verma (2017). Assessment of Vegetation along an Altitudinal Gradient in Reunsi Beat of Shikari Devi Wild Life Sanctuary of district Mandi, Himachal Pradesh. Biological Forum – An International Journal 9(2): 01-09.