Assessment of Vegetational Status of Zabarwan Forests, Kashmir, India

Abstract

The present study was carried out in Cheshmashahi area of Zabarwan forests of Kashmir valley. The aim of the study was to assess the vegetational status of the area with respect to the frequency, density, abundance and importance value index (IVI), species diversity, species dominance, and to document woody flora. The present study was undertaken from the year 2016 to 2018. Analysis of cumulative data revealed that this area hosts 15 families (12 Angiosperms and 3 Gymnosperms) and 30 species (7 Angiosperms and 8 Gymnosperms) out of which 12 were shrubs and 18 were trees. Dicotyledons contribute about 92% of the total angiosperms observed at study site. The study site was dominated by Rosaceae family followed by Pinaceae, Fabaceae, Salicaeceae. Among the shrub species Paratiopsis jacquemontiana revealed the highest IVI and was the most dominant species on all the altitudinal gradients/aspects. While tree species viz. Cedrus deodara and Pinus roxburgii is currently recruiting its species on the Zabarwan forests than other conifers at faster rate and may constitute a dominant climax species in future. Present study revealed that flora of Zabarwan forests provides information about the total number of species present in the forest area that could be used as a source of basic data including their identification, composition, distribution, medicinal values and their utility for the future management and conservation planning.