SPECIES DIVERSITY AND VEGETATION STRUCTURE FROM DIFFERENT CLIMATIC ZONES OF TEHSIL HARIGHEL, BAGH, AZAD KASMIR, PAKISTAN ANALYSED THROUGH MULTIVARIATE TECHNIQUES

The phytosociological survey of western Himalayan subtropical and moist temperate forests of Tehsil Harighel, District Bagh Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan was carried out during 2015-2017. Sampling was done by using random stratified sampling technique at 12 different sites. Based on importance value twelve plant communities were recognized. They were merged into three plant associations using cluster analysis and Detrended correspondence analysis viz. Olea -Dodonea - Micromeria association, Pinus- Oxalis-Dactylis association and Pinus-Diospyros -Myrsine association. The average number of species per site varied between 17-48, Species richness 3.00 to 7.01; Shannon Diversity 2.49 to 3.82; Evenness 0.46 to 0.72 and Equitability 0.73 to 0.91. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) revealed that altitude and edaphic characteristics like potassium, organic matter, saturation, electrical conductivity and pH play a significant role in controlling the distribution pattern of plant species. Low value of species diversity and associated components clearly reflect that forest structure is deteriorated in the investigated area with poor regeneration potential. Therefore, immediate conservation measures by integrating local populations' perceptions are urgently recommended.