PJB-2020-139
Seedling diversity and spatial distribution of some conifers and broad leaved tree seedlings under highly disturbed western Himalayan regions in Pakistan Afsheen Khan1 1Dr.Moinuddin Ahmed Research Laboratory of Dendrochronology and Plant Ecology. De
Afsheen Khan
Abstract
This article encompasses the impacts of disturbance, regeneration potential of conifers and their seedling dynamics along spatial scale in Murree forest. Seedling status and preferably conifers along with associated broad leaf dominant tree species is determined with a quantitative evaluation of diversity functions. Diversity functions contribute an empirical approach in predicting the future of seedlings under stress as well as the current hypothetical appearance of seedlings in the forest. The need of analyzing diversity in this forest is due a highly disturbed condition therefore, to know the recent trend of species diversity in the area this paper is designed. Species diversity and species abundance at seedling level is estimated by using standard formula of diversity measurement. Thirty stands are used for the evaluation of seedling abundance in highly disturbed condition with the examination of diversity in the area. Seedling density is too low in the forests whereas diversity is also in poor condition. Seedlings from four conifers with three broad leaved species in different stands indicated low density of future trees. The mean density.ha-1 of pine seedlings is consecutively low in Pinus wallichiana (16±2), Pinus roxburghii (11±3), Cedrus deodara (9±3), Abies pindrow (8±3). The correlation co-efficient is as low as 0.76, 0.66 and 0.61 in Pinus roxburghii, Cedrus deodara and Abies pindrow respectively while Pinus wallichiana showed significant correlation i.e. p > 0.5. Hence, this study claims that the survival of forest is in threatened situation as seedling density and diversity are too low. This forest needs serious attention towards preventing and conserving pines and other associated species seedlings for the existence of this forest in future.
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