Structure, Diversity and Regeneration Potential of Oak Dominant Conifer Mixed forest along an Altitudinal Gradient in Garhwal Himalaya

Temperate forest structure, species composition, dispersion, diversity and regeneration behaviour in relation to the physico-chemical properties of soil were studied in the Oakmixed coniferous forest in a part of Garhwal Himalaya during the year 2000. The study indicated that the total density and basal cover values in the tree layer varied from 630 to 1,590 stems/ ha and 20.04 to 82.51 m²/ha respectively. The maximum number of saplings and seedlings (520 and 720 stems/ha respectively) were observed on the highest altitude (2,100m asl), whereas, the minimum number of saplings and seedlings (200 and 100 stems/ha respectively), on the lowest altitude (1600m asl). The study further revels that the moist temperate forest is characterized by a patchy distribution of species and individuals with mixed species composition and the sites are represented by different dominants and codominant species. The values of diversity and concentration of dominance oscillated between 1.33 to 2.01 and 0.27 to 0.45, respectively. Physico- chemical properties of soils were found to be promising for the growth of forest. Availability of higher average organic carbon and nitrogen contents might have given birth to higher total basal cover values on 1,700m and 1,800m altitudes, whereas, lesser prevalence of these parameters on 1,900m and 2,000m altitudes apparent to lower total basal cover values.