Author(s):

Naseer A Mir, TH Masood, PA Sofi, Mohit Husain and TA Rather

Abstract: The study on Life form spectrum of vegetation was carried out in Betula utilis forests in the high altitude forests of Central and North Kashmir of Western Himalayas, during the year 2014-2015, concentrated along the three altitudinal gradients viz. 3,000 – 3,200, 3,200 – 3,400 and 3,400 – 3,600m amsl in two Betula dominant stands at Sonamarg (Sind Forest Division) and Gulmarg (Special Forest Division Tangmarg).The study sites host a remarkable floristic richness with majority of taxa belonging to family Asteraceae followed by Poaceae, Lamiaceae and Rosaceae at both the study sites. The taxonomic compendium of plant community at Sonamarg included a total of 48 plant species (5 trees, 4 shrubs and 39 grasses and herbs) belonging to 26 families on South Eastern aspect and 53 plant species (4 trees, 7 shrubs and 42 grasses and herbs) belonging to 28 families on South Western slopes. The taxonomic compendium of plant community at Gulmarg included a total of 54 plant species (3 trees, 7 shrubs and 44 grasses and herbs) belonging to 28 families. But Betula stands studied exhibited a high vulnerability to disturbances in terms of anthropogenic activities viz. lopping/cutting trees for fodder and fuelwood. These latent productive areas rendered non-productive by biotic pressures till today, should be given protection from such interferences. The Betula forest should therefore be declared as reboisement areas where nature needs to be aided to restock them by artificial planting collection at least till sufficient regeneration establishment is attained.

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