Assessment of forest vegetation and conservation priorities of communities in part of Nanda Devi biosphere reserve, west Himalaya. part I

In most protected areas of the Indian Himalayan region site/habitat characteristics, community diversity and distribution pattern, vegetation composition (richness of native and endemic species), structural patterns, economic importance of forest communities and community priorities have rarely been studied. Therefore, the present study has focused on these in the buffer zone of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. Seventy-six woody species (trees: 24; shrubs: 52) and 13 forest communities have been recorded between 2300-3800 m asl. Tree density ranged from 533-1220 ind ha(-1), tree basal area from 14.68-80.28 m(2) ha(-1) and shrub density from 1490-6695 ind ha(-1). Mean density of trees was significantly lower in temperate forests in comparison to sub-alpine forests. Richness of trees ranged from 3-18 and shrubs from 5-29. Species diversity (H') of trees ranged from 0.45-2.08 and shrubs from 0.90-3.14. In the temperate zone, species richness and altitude had significant positive correlations whereas in the sub-alpine zone the two variables were negatively correlated. The native species were high in the area (>65% species) and in communities (>70% species), and was highest for the Picea smithiana-Pinus wallichiana mixed community, whereas the maximum numbers of natives and endemic species were recorded in the Pinus wallichiana community. The density and richness of non-natives were found to be significantly lower in comparison to the natives. Economic importance and conservation value of the communities were assessed and communities prioritized. Monitoring of the identified habitats, species, populations and communities, and development of appropriate strategies for their conservation and management are suggested.