Plant diversity in six forest types of Uttaranchal, Central Himalaya, India

Quercus spp. (oaks) and Pinus roxburghii Sarg. (chirpine) are the major forest-forming tree species in the Central Himalayan region. P. roxburghii forest is generally pure with low total species richness of shrubs and herbs, while mixed-broadleaved forest has high total species richness. Shrubs and herbs show high species richness in P. roxburghii mixed-broadleaved forest and low species richness in Quercus semecarpifolia Sm. forest. Quercus leucotrichophora A. Camus forest has high tree diversity, while shrub and herb diversity is highest in Cupressus – Quercus mixed forest. Anthropogenic disturbances are changing the species richness and diversity, which influence the soil and environmental conditions. Thus, the conservation and management of these forests will be important for the sustainability of human and land in the region. THE most striking feature of the earth is the existence of life, and the most striking feature of life is its diversity 1 . Topography, soil, climate and geographical location of a region influence the vegetation diversity of the forest eco system. The Himalayan forest vegetation ranges from tropical dry deciduous forests in the foothills to alpine meadows above timberline 2 . Forest diversity is the main