PJB-2017-89
Ecosystem services and structure of western Himalayan temperate forests stands in Neelum valley, Pakistan
Hamayun Shaheen, Shamshad Aziz and Muhammad Ejaz Ul Islam Dar
Abstract
Forest ecosystem provide valuable services and livelihood support to the rural mountain communities of the Himalayas. Present research was conducted to assess the forest ecosystem services and vegetation structure of Neelum valley in Kashmir, Pakistan. A total of 56 plants species belonging to 32 familes were recorded from the studied forest stands. The dominant species were Pinus wallichiana, Abies pindrow, Cedrus deodara, Vibrunum grandiflorum, Indigofera haterantha, and Agrostris gigantica. The recorded value of species diversity was found to be 2.35; richness as 1.61; species evenness as 0.75; and maturity index as 49.34%. Thirty two plants speices were reported having ethnomedicinal usage. Fourty two percent respondents were using wild vegetables whereas 23% were involved in mushroom collection. Population showed an average family size of 8.80; herd size of 5.26; land holding as 1.59 acres; and grazing area of 0.302 acre/grazing unit. Annual fuel wood consumption of 3.11 kg/ capita/ day was recorded. Forest stands showed an average tree density of 344/ha. An average stem/stump value of 2.01 indicated high tree felling intensity. Regeneration pattern was represented with an average of 85 seedlings/ha. A continuous grazing pressure along with moderate erosion effects was observed. Vegetation structure showed significant disturbance due to deforestation, overgrazing, trampling and environmental changes. Conservation policy should be applied at local and regional levels by authorities for conservation and maintenance of forest services
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