Date of Publication :21st April 2018

Abstract: Four forest habitats varying in important dominant tree species were studied along an altitudinal range of 2200-2500 m asl high altitude forests. These forests were low disturbance by human activities. The stream bank habitat Rhododendron arboreum was the dominant species showing the presence of saplings. The forest was young with preponderance of younger size classes. The relative density of trees of the older size classes was low. The seedling recruitment in all the under canopy tree species (Lyonia ovalifolia, Q. leucotrichophora and Q. semecarpifolia) was low. The dry habitat Quercus leucotrichophora was the dominant species showing the presence of seedlings, saplings and young trees. Seedlings of R. arboreum, Q. semecarpifolia and L. ovalifolia were absent. The seedling relative density of Q. leucotrichophora was low as compared to sapling relative density. The seedling recruitment in all the canopy tree species namely Quercus leucotrichophora, Quercus semecarpifolia and Rhododendron arboreum was low. The ridge habitat Lyonia ovalifolia was the dominant species and presence of seedlings, saplings and young trees. The density of seedlings of R. arboreum was low as compared to sapling density. The forest was young with preponderance of younger size classes. The relative density of the trees in the older size class was low. The moist habitat Rhododendron arboreum was the most dominant tree species and showing the presence of seedlings, saplings and young trees. The seedling density of Lyonia ovalifolia was low compared to the sapling density. The forest was young with preponderance of younger size classes. The under canopy tree species on this habitat were Q. semecarpifolia, Q. leucotrichophora and L. Ovalifolia. The high altitude of all habitats Quercus leucotrichophora and Q. semecarpifolia were dominant. The presence of seedlings and saplings of both the Quercus species at all locations indicates that these oak species are regenerating fairly well in the high altitude habitats.

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