Patterns of plant species distribution in the Trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh, India

We studied the vegetation distribution in eight landscape types distinguished along an altitudinal gradient in the Trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh, India. The point-intercept method was used for vegetation sampling. Six plant communities were distinguished by cluster analysis. Of these 6 communities, three communities were dominated by shrub species. Table lands are the landscape type with the highest species diversity followed by undulating areas and river beds. Most plant species were restricted to one landscape type.