PHYTOSOCIOLOGY, STRUCTURE AND PHYSIOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF SOIL IN QUERCUS BALOOT GRIFF, FOREST DISTRICT CHITRAL, PAKISTAN

Phytosociology, structure and soil characteristics were investigated in Quercus forests of Chitral Hidukush range of Pakistan. Eight stands were sampled at four different valleys i.e., Gol National Park (GNP), Bumburate Kalash (BK), Rambor Kalash (RV), and Birir Kalash (BK) ranging from 1770 −2370m.asl. Quercus baloot formed pure vegetation in 5 stands, while at 3 locations Quercus dilatata Lindle. ex Royle, was co-dominant in high altitude with high soil moisture and maximum water holding capacity. The soil pH of oak forest was acidic ranging from 5.5±0.20 to 6.6±0.26. Maximum water holding capacity and soil moisture ranged between 47±2.4% to 62±4.6% and 28±0.57% to 57±0.49% respectively and both were significantly (p<0.001 and p<0.01) correlated with altitude. Among the species Quercus baloot was dominant on all sites. The total density and basal area ranged between 166.42 ha -1 to 351.55 and 12.11 to 30.13 m 2 ha -1 respectively. The low density ha -1 and basal area m 2 ha -1 was obseverd from stands on lower elevation. Circular plot were used to assess the vegetation on the forest floor. A total 60 species including Quercus seedlings were recorded from forest floor. It was also obseverd that in the study area large sized trees of Quercus baloot and Quercus dilatata were at the risk of elimination due to anthropogenic factors.