COMMUNITY STRUCTURE AND PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT: A CASE STUDY OF THE TEMPERATE MIXED CONIFEROUS LATA FOREST IN THE MALARI VALLEY OF GARHWAL HIMALAYA

Abstract

Community structure of the temperate mixed coniferous forest of Lata area in the Malari valley of Garhwal Himalaya was analysed in relation to its geoecological environment. Garnetiferous mica schists and sericite chlorite quartzite are the main rock types in the area. The soil is loam predominating sand, with high average levels of organic carbon (1.2%), low phosphorus (11.28 kg ha"1) and high potash (322.17 kg ha"1) contents. Pinus wallichiana constitutes 41% of the total basal area, followed by Cedrus deodara (35%), Cupressus torulosa (12%), Taxus baccata (9%) and Betula utilis (only 3%) in the tree layer. The total tree density ranges from 33 to 366 trees ha"1, whereas the total basal area is between 1.75 and 24.52 m² ha"'. The commonly associated species of shrubs include Prinsepia utilis, Berberis asiatica and Contoneaster acuminata, which form a heterozygous vegetational cover.