Phytosociological Study of Trees at Various Habitats of High- Altitude Forests of Garhwal Himalaya

Jagdish Chandra

Abstract: This study analyzed the vegetation of four habitats: stream bank, dry, ridge, and moist, at elevations between 2200 and 2500 meters in the Garhwal Himalayas. A total of 28 tree species were recorded in this area. Tree species were recorded most in stream bank, moist and dry habitats (16 tree species in each habitat), and least in ridge habitat (14 tree species). Lyonia ovalifolia, Quercus leucotrichophora, Rhododendron arboreum, and Myrica esculenta were the four dominant tree species in the study area, while Quercus floribunda and Cinnamomum tamala were the least dominant species in the study area. Soil samples were collected from all the four habitats and their physical properties were determined. Density, frequency abundance, relative density, relative frequency, relative abundance and species diversity were calculated for tree species. The total tree density was higher on the stream bank habitat, while the total density of saplings and seedlings was higher on dry habitat. The total basal area for trees was higher on stream bank habitat. The total basal area for saplings was recorded maximum on dry habitat, similarly cover of seedlings were maximum on moist habitat and minimum on stream habitat. The study concluded that the pattern of distribution and species composition in the region largely depends on the altitude of the study area and climatic variables like rainfall, temperature and humidity. This paper is based on primary data which was collected, documented and analyzed by surveying trees in the study area.

Keywords: Garhwal Himalaya, Habitat, Tree, Sapling, Seedling and Species diversity

How to Cite?: Jagdish Chandra, "Phytosociological Study of Trees at Various Habitats of High- Altitude Forests of Garhwal Himalaya", Volume 15 Issue 2, February 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 521-527, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26207203938, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26207203938