Niche Width and Diversity Pattern in Different Landscapes of an Alpine Grazingland in Garhwal Himalaya, India

Abstract

Niche width, β-diversity, equatibility and P×F index for important herbs and graminoids of an alpine grazingland in Panwali Kantha (Garhwal, Western Himalaya) at different aspects and altitudes have been discussed. Phleum alpinum among the graminoides exhibited maximum niche width the Bupleurum lanceolatum and Taraxacum officinale showed maximum niche location. Higher β-diversity and equatibility values at stand CDC II indicated rapid change in species composition and community heterogeneity according to species adaptability and growth requirements. The continuum index values showed better impact of environmental gradients on the vegetation.