Vol. 6, Issue 2 (2018)
Seasonal dynamics of herbaceous species along the topographic gradients under different conservation regimes of Kashmir Himalaya
Author(s): Amir Bhat, Khan PA, Qaiser KN, Mughal AH, Ara S and Mir SA
Abstract: The present investigation entitled “Seasonal dynamics of herbaceous species along the topographical gradients under different conservation regimes of Kashmir Himalaya†was carried out in two protected areas viz., Dachigam National Park (DNP) and Overa-Aru Wildlife Sanctuary (OAWS) along with their adjoining unprotected areas in Srinagar and Anantnag districts of Kashmir valley during the year 2014-15 & 2015-16, respectively, with the aim to evaluate phytosociology and its dynamics in different seasons of protected and unprotected areas. These research objectives centered on two major goals, to assess the performance of protected areas and to study the feasibility of incorporation of adjoining unprotected areas. On the basis of different aspects, each protected and unprotected area was divided was into north and south aspects. Each aspect was further sub divided into three different altitudinal ranges viz., A1 (1600-2100m), A2 (2100-2600m) and A3 (2600-3100m) covering different forests of protected as well as unprotected areas. 1x1m sample plots in each altitudinal range on different aspects of protected and unprotected areas were laid out to study the structural and functional parameters of herbs. The vegetation was studied across three different seasons. The results revealed that density (tillers/m2), basal area (cm2/m2) and frequency (%) of herbaceous vegetation in each protected and unprotected areas increased from spring till summer and decreased thereafter. Among the seasons, summer recorded the maximum density, basal area and biomass, followed by spring and autumn, whereas, middle altitude and north aspect exhibited the highest values among different altitudinal ranges and aspects, respectively. The study concluded that performance of protected areas was better as compared to unprotected areas and upper altitude unprotected areas (A2 & A3) on both north and south aspect are in a position to be merged with respective protected areas in future.
Pages: 3581-3586 | 543 Views 51 Downloads
download (6135KB)
How to cite this article:
Amir Bhat, Khan PA, Qaiser KN, Mughal AH, Ara S, Mir SA. Seasonal dynamics of herbaceous species along the topographic gradients under different conservation regimes of Kashmir Himalaya. Int J Chem Stud 2018;6(2):3581-3586.
