Phytosociology and Resource Utilization by Different Forest Trees in South-Eastern Slopes around Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

In the present study, different forest tree species occurring in south-eastern slopes of Shimla town, Himachal Pradesh were investigated for phytosociological attributes and resource utilization by selecting three sites having slope angle of 30-45 ° and altitude ranging from 1700-2400 m. Pinus roxburghii was recorded as dominant species at Site I and Cedrus deodara at Sites II and III. On the basis of IVI, Quercus incana was recorded as co-dominant in a11 the sites. Gradual decrease in basal cover of trees from top to bottom in different slopes was recorded at Site II while this pattern was irregular at Sites I and III. Maximum basal cover (8193.09 cm²/ 100²) was recorded for Pinus roxburghii at Site I followed by Cedrus deodara (8165.18 cm² /l00²) at Site II indicating that these species are at mature stages in both the sites. In al1 the three Sites, the forests were characterised by preponderance of contagious distribution of trees followed by random while regular distribution was completely absent. The values of species diversity (0.308-2.244) and concentration of dominance (0.235-0.918) lie within the range reported for temperate forests. In general, dominance of one species was recorded for resource utilization except for some slopes where the resources were shared by more than one species.