Phytosociological Analysis in a Part of Western Himalayan Ecoregion Using Satellite Remote Sensing

Abstract

Abstract
The study was carried out in Kalsa watershed, Nainital district, Uttarakhand. Four different forest types viz., temperate broadleaf forest, temperate conifer forest, pine forest and degraded forest were mapped using satellite images of IRS-1D LISS III sensor. Temperate broadleaf forest was composed of different oak communities viz., Quercus leucotrichophora, Quercus floribunda, Quercus lanata besides Daphniphyllum himalense. Temperate conifer forest was dominated by Abies pindrow and was represented by only a single patch. Pine forest showed single species dominance of Pinus roxburghii. Degraded forest was composed of two different communities viz., degraded temperate broadleaf forest and degraded dry deciduous forest at higher and lower altitudes, respectively. Among all the oaks recorded in temperate broadleaf forest, Q. leucotrichophora was dominant followed by Q. floribunda and Q. lanata. Degraded forest showed minimum basal cover and density among all the forest types. Resource use pattern of different forest types was studied through dominance diversity curves. In comparative analysis of results with previous studies, loss of a patch of Quercus lanata community of temperate broadleaf forest has been recorded at one site. Present study concluded that there is an urgent need to regenerate and conserve the stands of Quercus lanata community and degraded forest.
Keywords: IVI, dominance-diversity curves, oak forest, basal area, Kalsa watershed