Content uploaded by Abhaya Prasad Das
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Abhaya Prasad Das on Jul 23, 2015
Content may be subject to copyright.
International Research Journal of Environment Sciences________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414
Vol. 3(10), 14-19, October (2014) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci.
International Science Congress Association 1
Plant species Richness and Phytosociological attributes of the Vegetation in
the cold temperate zone of Darjiling Himalaya, India
Moktan Saurav and Das A.P.
*
Department of Botany, University of North Bengal, Siliguri – 734013, WB, INDIA
Available online at: www.isca.in, www.isca.me
Received 30
th
July 2014, revised 1
st
September 2014, accepted 2
nd
October 2014
Abstract
The present study deals with the species richness and phytosociology in cold temperate zone vegetation of Darjiling
Himalaya. The diversity indices represented the dominant species like Rhododendron arboreum Smith, Daphne bholua var.
glacialis (Smith and Cave) Burtt and Fragaria nubicola (Lindley ex Hooker f.) Lacaita and rare species like Gamblea
ciliata C.B. Clarke, Sambucus adnata Wallich ex DC., Treutlera insignis Hooker f., Arisaema concinuum Schott and
Codonopsis affinis Hooker f. and Thomson. The maximum species diversity (Shannon-Weaver Index) was marked for herbs
(4.332) followed by shrubs (3.577) and lowest for trees (3.131). The highest species richness (Menhinick’s Index) was
estimated for herb layer (3.568) and least for the canopy (1.799). The concentration of dominance was 0.056, 0.032 and
0.014 respectively for the three layers. The species evenness was greater for herb layer (0.980) and least for the canopy
(0.911). Soil parameters exhibited acidic property, the correlation between diversity and importance value indicated
positive relation.
Keywords: Species richness, phytosociology, cold temperate, Darjiling.
Introduction
Species richness in the most commonly used and an easily
interpretable indicator of biological diversity
1
. Many interacting
factors like the competition, geography, plant productivity,
evolution, environmental parameters and anthropogenic
activities are the reason for the pattern of species richness
2
. The
hills of Darjiling are an integral part of the Singalila Range of
Eastern Himalaya and are very much a part of the IUCN
recognized Himalaya Hotspot. This region (Eastern Himalayan)
is one of the three mega-centres of endemic plants harbouring
endemic at maximum
3
. They possess wide species diversity
with rich endemic flora due to its ultra-varied landscape and
geography
4
. The great variation in altitude and wide array of
climatic conditions favours the luxuriant growth of diversified
and rich vegetation throughout the area. The heterogeneity of
climatic and of habitat conditions has created conducive
environment for the development and evolution of species and
the process is still continuing
5
. Differences in the micro-climatic
conditions, inter-specific competition and available space have
resulted into the development of mosaic of forest types where
the occurrence of species diversity is well known
6
. Due to the
rise in the global warming, studies on the vegetation of high
mountains have increased
7
. The present study is to understand
the plant diversity and species richness along with the
phytosociological attributes of the vegetation in the cold
temperate zone (2400 – 3200 m) of the Darjiling part of Eastern
Himalaya.
Material and methods
Study Area: The Darjiling Himalaya extends between 26
o
27'
05" and 27
o
13' 10" N latitude and 87
o
59' 30" and 88
o
53' E
longitude and is exclusively mountainous with the altitude
varying between ca. 132 m (at Sukna) to 3660 m amsl (at
Sandakphu – Phalut region). The major altitudinal vegetation
types are tropical (below 800 m), subtropical (800 – 1600 m),
temperate (1600 – 2400 m), cold-temperate (2400 – 3200 m)
and sub-alpine (3200 – 4000 m) zones
8
. The Darjiling Himalaya
lies between Nepal and Bhutan, and stretches from the plains of
Bengal in the South to Sikkim in the North. It is bordered by
Bhutan in East and Nepal in West as shown in figure -1. It is
basically mountainous with elevation increasing towards the
North. The hills of Darjiling are the extension of Singalila range
of Eastern Himalaya that enters near Phalut from Mt. Ghosla
(3800 m) at Sikkim. The highest points Sandakphu and Tonglu
are the continuation of the Ghosla – Phalut ridge. The two most
important rivers of Darjiling are the Teesta and the Great
Rangeet. Both are glacier fed and have been originated
respectively from Zemu glacier in North Sikkim and Rothong
glacier in West Sikkim.
The present study was conducted during the year 2012 – 2013 in
the cold temperate belt that occurs within an altitudinal range of
2400 – 3200 m in Darjiling Himalaya. An abrupt reduction in
the temperature during winter with hailstones and snowfall for 1
– 3 months in a year characterizes the climate of this zone. The
mean summer temperature varies between 7º to 17º
C, the winter
gets extremely cold from November to March with temperature
dropping down to sub-zero level along with snowfall sometimes
even in the month of March. The average relative humidity
remains between 83 to 96 % with mean annual rainfall of about
330 cm
9
.
International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414
Vol. 3(10), 14-19, October (2014) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci.
International Science Congress Association 2
Figure -1
Map of Darjiling showing study zone
Phytosociological analysis: Phytosociological analysis was
conducted to understand the overall spectrum of vegetation of
the region, to have knowledge about species richness,
dominance, diversity and evenness. Density, distribution,
abundance and dominance are some of the quantitative
measures of the species commonly used to describe community
structure and to understand the vegetation dynamics in shape
and time. For studying phytosociology, nested quadrat method
was used for sampling. Three sizes of quadrats were used in
nested manner with 20 x 20 m plots for trees, 5 x 5 m sampling
plots for shrubs/climbers and 1 x 1 m plots for recording ground
cover based on slope and vegetation
10
. In each quadrat,
individuals with girth size of >15 cm cbh (circumference at
breast height i.e. 1.37 m above the ground) were counted as
trees. Individuals within the cbh range of 10 – 15 cm were
considered as shrubs and individuals with <10 cm cbh were
considered as herbs or seedlings. The location and altitude of
the study area were noted using global positioning system (GPS;
Garmin eTrex H).
The collected voucher specimens were processed into mounted
herbarium sheets following the conventional methodology
11
and
were identified and deposited at the NBU Herbarium. The
vegetation data were computed and analyzed for the
determination of frequency, density and abundance
10,12
. The
Importance Value Index (IVI) for each species was obtained by
summing up the values of relative density, relative frequency
and relative abundance
13
. The species with the highest IVI
scores in the community were grouped as dominant species.
Species other than the dominants were grouped into co-
dominants, associates and rare in the process. The species
diversity was determined using Shannon-Weaver Index H' = - Σ
[(ni/N)ln(ni/N)], where, ‘H’ is the index value, 'ni' number of
individuals of a species, 'N' total number of species in the
habitat type
14
. Species richness was calculated using
Menhinick’s Index D = S/√N, where, 'D' is the index value, 'S'
total number of species, 'N' total number of individuals of all
species
15
. The concentration of dominance was computed by
Simpson’s Index λ = Σ(ni/N)
2
, where, ‘λ’ is the index value, 'ni'
number of individuals of a species, 'N' total number of species
in the habitat type
16
. The evenness index of the community was
estimated following Pielou’s Index J' = H'/log S, where, ‘J’ is
the index value, H' is Shannon index and ‘S’ is the total number
of species
17
.
For soil-quality analysis, soil samples were collected from 5
different altitudinal sites within the study area. For each site,
soils were collected from top layer (0 – 15 cm) and sub-layer
(15 – 40 cm) and were analyzed for different nutrient status.
Estimation of pH by McKeague method
18
, total organic carbon
by Walkley and Black method
19
, Nitrogen by Kjeldahl
method
20
, Potassium by ammonium acetate extraction method
21
and Phosphorus by Bray I method
22
were followed.
Results and Discussion
A total of 157 plant species belonging to 72 families and 114
genera represented in table 3-5 were recorded from the cold
temperate zone of Darjiling Himalaya through quadrat
sampling. Out of these, 3 species were identified up to genus
level only. Tree species encountered 15 families, shrub/climbers
23 families and 34 families for the herb layer. The family with
= Study zone
International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414
Vol. 3(10), 14-19, October (2014) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci.
International Science Congress Association 3
highest number of species in tree and shrub layer was Ericaceae
with 10 species, followed by Rosaceae (8 species). In herb
layer, the highest representation was of Asteraceae with 11
species followed by Polypodiaceae (6 species). The
characteristic of the vegetation in the study area was basically
heterogenous. It has been assumed that the dominating plant
species actually determines the structure of the community and
not characteristics
23
. The most dominant species in the canopy
layer was Rhododendron arboreum (IVI: 26.911). The highest
frequency was also recorded for Rhododendron arboreum
followed by Acer campbellii, and two species of Lithocarpus.
The abundance to frequency ratio was highest for Carpinus
viminea and least for Acer campbellii. The highest density was
recorded for Rhododendron arboreum followed by
Rhododendron arboreum var. cinnamomeum and lowest for
Gamblea ciliata. The abundance was also highest for
Rhododendron arboreum and least for Merrilliopanax alpinus.
In the shrub layer, 43 species of shrubs and climbers belonging
to 31 genera were recorded through the process. The dominant
species was Daphne bholua var. glacialis (IVI: 14.752). The
highest score of abundance to frequency ratio was recorded for
Rubus splendidissimus and Viburnum erubescens and lowest
was calculated for Viburnum mullaha and Rubus paniculatus.
The highest frequency was shown by species like Daphne
bholua, Daphne bholua var. glacialis, Nellia thyrsiflora, Rosa
sericea, Rubus paniculatus and Yushania maling. The density
recorded was highest for Daphne bholua var. glacialis and the
least was for Sambucus adnata and Treutlera insignis. 83
species of plants under 62 genera were recorded from the
ground cover vegetation. The most dominant species was
Fragaria nubicola (IVI: 6.263). The abundance to frequency
ratio was estimated highest for Craniogramme procera and
lowest for Ainsliaea aptera. The frequency recorded was
highest for Ainsliaea aptera, Anaphalis busua, Primula
ianthina, Ranunculus diffusus and Viola hookeri whereas the
abundance was maximum for Fragaria nubicola and least for
Arisaema concinuum and Codonopsis affinis. The results
obtained showed that Rhododendron arboreum var.
cinnamomeum (IVI: 23.879) in trees, Daphne bholua (IVI:
13.222) in shrub layer and Anaphalis triplinervis (IVI: 6.099) in
herbs were the co-dominants in the study area, whereas
Gamblea ciliata (IVI: 2.575) in the canopy, Sambucus adnata
and Treutlera insignis (IVI: 2.636) in shrubs and climbers and
Arisaema concinuum and Codonopsis affinis (IVI: 1.126) in
ground cover were considered scarce in the study area.
Table -1 provides the nutrient status analysis of the soil sample
collected from five different sites. pH ranged from 4.89 to 5.16
with an average pH of 5.0. The soil indicated more acidic
property as the altitude is increased. This increased acidity may
be due to the dominance of conifers, as coniferous canopy
brings about long term changes in soil chemistry through the
acidification of slowly decomposing forest floor litter
24
. The
organic carbon content ranged from 1.38 to 1.61 % with an
average value of 1.45 % indicating suitable for species growth.
The average percent of Nitrogen was 0.20 and Phosphorus and
Potassium were present at 16.5 ppm and 74.4 ppm respectively.
Species richness is one vital aspect for the conservation of an
area
25
. At the study sites, species richness differed with the
change in altitude and slope. Towards the higher belt, above
3000 m, the species richness was low especially in the ground
cover which explains the pattern of decrease in species richness
with the increase of altitude
26
. The increase in the population of
the Yushania maling was quite high inside the forest at certain
areas and this has caused a decline of diversity in the under
storey vegetation resulting low species richness. Even, it creates
difficulty for tree seedlings and saplings to grow up at the initial
establishment phages. Tree species exhibited heterogeneous
pattern of distribution along the altitude as because the higher
zones were dominated mostly by Abies densa and species of
Rhododendron. Species like Lyonia ovalifolia, Berberis aristata
and Fragaria nubicola exhibited wide ecological amplitude
whereas Abies densa, Treutlera insignis and Bistorta emodi
exhibited narrow ecological amplitude showing limited
distribution.
The vegetation of this zone houses numerous medicinal plants
including Rhododendrons, Daphne bholua, Mahonia
napaulensis, Fragaria nubicola and Swertia bimaculata
27
which
are used by the local people for various purposes and also some
poisonous species such as Lyonia ovalifolia
28
Pieris formosa,
Aconitum lethale and Meconopsis paniculata. Few species like
Aconitum lethale, Rosa sericea, Codonopsis affinis and Swertia
bimaculata were found to be in RET categories
27
.
The diversity of species in the study area was high upto an
altitude of 2800 m exhibiting richness in all the three tiers and it
gradually decreased towards the higher zones. The reason may
be due to the slope and aspect of the area. Towards higher belt
there was much wind velocity and therefore the surface soil on
the slope facing the harsh wind were eroded frequently resulting
in the decline of ground cover vegetation. At 3200 m, which
was dominated by conifers like Abies densa, the forest floor was
thickly covered with partially decomposed litter which might be
an important reason for poor vegetation development for shrubs
and ground cover tiers. The low temperature and accumulation
of snow for few months may also be the reason for the poor
ground cover vegetation at this altitude.
The ecosystem can be evaluated on the basis of species
diversity
29
. The species diversity, concentration of dominance,
species richness and evenness for different layers of plant
species determined in the present study has been depicted in
table -2.
International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414
Vol. 3(10), 14-19, October (2014) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci.
International Science Congress Association 4
Table -1
Physicochemical characteristics of soil from different sites of the study area
Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 Site 4 Site 5
Layer Top Sub Top Sub Top Sub Top Sub Top Sub
pH
5.16 5.01 5.08 5.11 5.10 4.96 4.90 4.94 4.89 4.93
O.C (%)
1.41 1.38 1.38 1.40 1.56 1.50 1.61 1.46 1.49 1.38
N (%)
0.19 0.19 0.19 0.19 0.22 0.21 0.22 0.20 0.21 0.19
P (ppm)
18.5 12.5 20.0 15.0 18.5 12.0 20.0 18.0 15.5 15.0
K (ppm)
80.0 74.8 78.0 72.5 79.8 70.0 76.8 74.0 70.2 68.1
Table -2
Determined indices for different habit groups
Layers Species diversity (H') Species richness (D) Concentration of dominance (
λ) Species evenness (J')
Tree
3.131 1.799 0.56 0.911
Shrub/Climber
3.577 2.974 0.032 0.951
Herb
4.332 3.568 0.014 0.983
Figure -2
Dominance-diversity curve for different layers
The species diversity was recorded highest for herbs (4.332) and
lowest for tree layers (3.131). The species richness was also
highest for the herb layer (3.568). Moreover the concentration
of dominance was inversely proportional to the species diversity
showing highest for trees (0.056) and lowest for herbs (0.014).
The greater the value of dominance index, the lower the species
diversity and vice versa in the scale of zero to one
30
. The
evenness pattern for the species was highest for herbs (0.980)
and least for the tree layer (0.911). Figure -2 shows the
dominance-diversity curve that has been plotted on the basis of
IVI. The correlation between species diversity and importance
value index for all the three layers showed a much positive
correlation as shown in figure -3.
Conclusion
The present study from the cold temperate zone of Darjiling
Himalaya revealed quite a good scenario of species richness and
diversity. Many species depicted a very high richness whereas
some were sparsely populated. The study zone is also rich in
possessing medicinal and poisonous plants. Due to the
inconvenience in transportation in the higher belt, the
inhabitants living in and around the region are fully dependant
on the forest for fuel and this causes degradation in the
vegetation, especially in the under-storey. Therefore, it is
expected that the mass of quantitative data produced through the
present study will be useful for the management to build up
appropriate conservation strategies in this zone in participation
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
1
10
19
28
37
46
55
64
73
82
I V I
Species Sequence
TREES
SHRUBS
HERBS
International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414
Vol. 3(10), 14-19, October (2014) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci.
International Science Congress Association 5
with the local inhabitants. Moreover, different parameters like
the altitude, aspect, slope and the climate play important role in
the formation of healthy vegetation in this region of Darjiling
Himalaya.
Figure -3
Correlation between Species diversity and Importance
Value Index: A. Tree species; B. Shrub/climber species; C.
Herb species
Acknowledgement
The authors are thankful to the University Grant Commission,
New Delhi for providing financial assistance.
References
1. Peet R. K., The measurement of species diversity, Annual
Review of Ecology and Systematics, (5) 284-307 (1974)
2. Criddle R. S., Church J. N., Smith B. N. and Hansen L.
D., Fundamental causes of the global patterns of species
range and richness, Russ. J. Plant Physiol., (50) 192-199
(2003)
3. Nayar M. P., Hotspots of endemic Plants of India. Nepal
and Bhutan, Tiruvananthapuram, Kerala, (1996)
4. Behera M. D. and Khuswaha S. P. S., An analysis of
altitudinal behavior of tree species in Subansiri district,
Eastern Himalaya, Biodivers. Conserv., (16) 185-1865
(2007)
5. Das A. P., Floristic studies in Darjeeling Hills, Bull. Bot.
Surv. India, (46) 1-4 (2004)
6. Das A. P., Diversity of the Angiospermic flora of
Darjeeling Hills. In: Taxonomy and Biodiversity (ed.
A.K. Pandey), CBS, Publishers. New Delhi, 118-127
(1995)
7. Gottfried M., Pauli H., Reiter K. and Grabherr G., A fine-
scaled predictive model for changes in species
distribution patterns of high mountains plants induced by
climate warming, Divers. Distrib., (5) 241-251 (1999)
8. Bhujel R. B., Studies on the Dicotyledonous Flora of
Darjeeling district, Ph.D. Thesis, University of North
Bengal, (1996)
9. http//:www.icimod.org/hkhconservation. (2008-2011)
10. Misra R., Ecology Work Book. Oxford and I.B.H.
Calcutta, (1968)
11. Jain S. K. and Rao R. R., A Handbook of field and
Herbarium Methods. Today and tomorrow’s Printers and
Publishers, New Delhi, (1977)
12. Phillips E. A., Methods of Vegetation Study, Henry Holt
Co. Inc. London, (1959)
13. Shukla S. R. and Chandel S. P., Plant Ecology. 4th Edn.
S. Chandel and Co. Ramnagar, New Delhi, 197 (1980)
14. Shannon C. E. and Weaver W., The Mathematical
Theory of Communication, University of Illinois Press,
Urbana, 117 (1963)
15. Menhinick E. F., A Comparison of some species
diversity indices applied to samples of field insects.
Ecology, (45) 858-868 (1964)
16. Simpson E. H., Measurement of Diversity, Nature, 163-
188 (1949)
International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414
Vol. 3(10), 14-19, October (2014) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci.
International Science Congress Association 6
17. Pielou, E. C., The measurement of diversity in different
types of biological collections, J. Theo. Biol., (13) 131-
44 (1966)
18. McKeague J. A., Manual on Soil Sampling and Methods
of Analysis, 2nd edition, Canadian Society of Soil
Science, 189-204 (1978)
19. Walkley A. and Black I. A., An examination of the
Degtjareff method for determining soil organic matter,
and a proposed modification of the chromic acid titration
method, Soil Science, (37) 29-38 (1934)
20. Bremner M. M., Total Nitrogen. In: Methods of soil
analysis, In, (eds. C.A. Black) Madison, Amer. Soc. of
Agr. Inc Pub., (II) 1149-1178 (1965)
21. Pratt P. F., Potassium. In, (eds. C.A. Black) Methods of
Soil Analysis, Soil Sci. Soc. Amer., (II) 1022-1030
(1965)
22. Bray R. H. and L. T. Kurtz., Determination of total,
organic and available forms of phosphorus in soils, Soil
Sci., (59) 39-45 (1945)
23. Odum E. P., Fundamentals of Ecology. W. B. Saunders
Co. Philadelphia, (1971)
24. Berthrong S. T., Jobbagy E. G. and Jackson R. B., A
global meta-analysis of soil exchangeable cations, pH,
carbon and nitrogen with afforestation, Ecol. Appl, (19)
2228-2241 (2009)
25. Khumbongnayun A. D., Khan M. L. and Tripathi R. J.,
Sacred groves of Manipur, northeast India: Biodiversity
value, status and strategies for their conservation.
Biodiversity and Conservation, 14(7) 1541-1582 (2005)
26. Rahbek C., The relationship among area, elevation and
regional species richness in Neotropical birds, Amer.
Naturalist, (149) 875-902 (1997)
27. Yonzone R., Bhujel R. B. and Rai S., Genetic resources,
current ecological status and altitude wise distribution of
medicinal plants diversity of Darjeeling Himalaya of
West Bengal, India, Asian. Pac. Jour. Trop. Biomedicine,
439-445 (2012)
28. Ghosh C. and Das A. P., Some useful and poisonous tea
garden weeds from the Darjiling District of West Bengal,
India, Pleione, 5(1) 91-114 (2011)
29. Ndah N. R., Andrew E. E. and Bechem E., Species
composition, diversity and distribution in a disturbed
Takamanda Rainforest, South West Cameroon, Afr.
Journ. Pl. Sci. 7(2) 577-585 (2013)
30. Misra K. C., Manual of Plant Ecology, 3rd Edn, Oxford
and I.B.H. New Delhi, (198
International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414
Vol. 3(10), 14-19, October (2014) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci.
International Science Congress Association 7
Table -3
Phytosociological characteristics of the Tree Species
TREES FAMILY F D A RF RD RA IVI A/F
Abies densa Griffith Pinaceae 15.0 0.45 3.00 2.752 3.030 3.962 9.745 0.20
Acer campbellii Hooker f. and Thomson ex
Hiern
Sapindaceae 30.0 0.45 1.50 5.505 3.030 1.981 10.516 0.05
Acer caudatum Wallich Sapindaceae 10.0 0.25 2.50 1.835 1.684 3.302 6.820 0.25
Acer pectinatum Wallich ex Nicholson Sapindaceae 10.0 0.20 2.00 1.835 1.347 2.641 5.823 0.20
Acer sikkimense Miquel Sapindaceae 15.0 0.50 3.33 2.752 3.367 4.402 10.521 0.22
Carpinus viminea Lindley Betulaceae 5.0 0.10 2.00 0.917 0.673 2.641 4.232 0.40
Daphniphyllum himalense (Bentham) Müeller
Argoviensis
Daphniphyllaceae 10.0 0.30 3.00 1.835 2.020 3.962 7.817 0.30
Elaeagnus conferta Roxburgh Elaeagnaceae 10.0 0.20 2.00 1.835 1.347 2.641 5.823 0.20
Enkianthus deflexus (Griffith) C.K. Schneider Ericaceae 15.0 0.25 1.67 2.752 1.684 2.201 6.637 0.11
Eurya cavinervis Vesque Pentaphylacaceae 10.0 0.25 2.50 1.835 1.684 3.302 6.820 0.25
Gamblea ciliata Clarke Araliaceae 5.0 0.05 1.00 0.917 0.337 1.321 2.575 0.20
Ilex fragilis Hooker f. Aquifoliaceae 10.0 0.10 1.00 1.835 0.673 1.321 3.829 0.10
Lithocarpus fenestratus (Roxburgh) Rehder Fagaceae 30.0 0.70 2.33 5.505 4.714 3.082 13.300 0.08
Lithocarpus pachyphyllus (Kurz) Rehder Fagaceae 30.0 0.95 3.17 5.505 6.397 4.182 16.084 0.11
Litsea elongata (Nees) Hooker f. Lauraceae 15.0 0.25 1.67 2.752 1.684 2.201 6.637 0.11
Lyonia ovalifolia (Wallich) Drude Ericaceae 20.0 0.60 3.00 3.670 4.040 3.962 11.672 0.15
Magnolia campbellii Hooker f. and Thomson Magnoliaceae 20.0 0.65 3.25 3.670 4.377 4.292 12.339 0.16
Merrilliopanax alpinus (Clarke) C.B. Shang Araliaceae 10.0 0.10 1.00 1.835 0.673 1.321 3.829 0.10
Pieris formosa (Wallich) D. Don Ericaceae 10.0 0.20 2.00 1.835 1.347 2.641 5.823 0.20
Quercus lamellosa Smith Fagaceae 20.0 0.40 2.00 3.670 2.694 2.641 9.005 0.10
Rhododendron arboreum Smith Ericaceae 35.0 1.95 5.57 6.422 13.131 7.358 26.911 0.16
Rhododendron arboreum var. cinnamomeum
(Wallich ex G. Don) Lindley
Ericaceae 30.0 1.65 5.50 5.505 11.111 7.264 23.879 0.18
Rhododendron barbatum Wallich ex G. Don Ericaceae 30.0 0.70 2.33 5.505 4.714 3.082 13.300 0.08
Rhododendron falconeri Hooker f. Ericaceae 30.0 0.75 2.50 5.505 5.051 3.302 13.857 0.08
Rhododendron grande Wight Ericaceae 25.0 0.65 2.60 4.587 4.377 3.434 12.398 0.10
Rhododendron griffithianum Wight Ericaceae 20.0 0.40 2.00 3.670 2.694 2.641 9.005 0.10
Rhododendron hodgsonii Hooker f. Ericaceae 25.0 0.70 2.80 4.587 4.714 3.698 12.999 0.11
Salix daltoniana Anderson Salicaceae 10.0 0.20 2.00 1.835 1.347 2.641 5.823 0.20
Sorbus vestita (Wallich ex G. Don) Loddiges Rosaceae 15.0 0.45 3.00 2.752 3.030 3.962 9.745 0.20
Symplocos dryophila Clarke Symplocaceae 15.0 0.30 2.00 2.752 2.020 2.641 7.414 0.13
Tsuga dumosa ( D. Don) Eichler Pinaceae 10.0 0.15 1.50 1.835 1.010 1.981 4.826 0.15
International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414
Vol. 3(10), 14-19, October (2014) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci.
International Science Congress Association 8
Table -4
Phytosociological characteristics of the Shrub/climber
SHRUBS/CLIMBERS
FAMILY
F
D
A
RA
RD
RA
IVI
A/F
Aristolochia nakaoi
Maekawa
Aristolochiaceae
2.5
0.05
2.00
1.010
0.956
2.297
4.263
0.80
Berberis aristata
DC.
Berberidaceae
7.5
0.20
2.67
3.030
3.824
3.062
9.917
0.36
Berberis insignis
Hooker
f
.
and
Thomson
Berberidaceae
7.5
0.15
2.00
3.030
2.868
2.297
8.195
0.27
Biswarea tonglensis
(C.B. Clarke)
Cogniaux
Cucurbitaceae
5.0
0.13
2.50
2.020
2.390
2.871
7.281
0.50
Buddleja colvilei
Hooker
f
.
Scrophulariaceae
2.5
0.05
2.00
1.010
0.956
2.297
4.263
0.80
Cayratia pedata
(Lamarck)
Gagnepain
Vitaceae
2.5
0.05
2.00
1.010
0.956
2.297
4.263
0.80
Clematis buchananiana
DC.
Ranunculaceae
5.0
0.08
1.50
2.020
1.434
1.723
5.177
0.30
Crawfurdia speciosa
C.B. Clarke
Gentianaceae
5.0
0.10
2.00
2.020
1.912
2.297
6.229
0.40
Daphne bholua
Buch.
-
Ham.
ex
D.
Don
Thymelaeaceae
10.0
0.30
3.00
4.040
5.736
3.445
13.222
0.30
Daphne bholua
var.
glacialis
(Smith
and
Cave) Burtt
Thymelaeaceae
10.0
0.35
3.50
4.040
6.692
4.019
14.752
0.35
Elsholtzia fruiticosa
(D. Don) Rehder
Lamiaceae
7.5
0.15
2.00
3.030
2.868
2.297
8.195
0.27
Gaultheria fragrantissima
Wallich
Ericaceae
7.5
0.15
2.00
3.030
2.868
2.297
8.195
0.27
Gaultheria
nummularioides
D. Don
Ericaceae
7.5
0.25
3.33
3.030
4.780
3.828
11.638
0.44
Holboellia latifolia
Wallich
Berberidaceae
5.0
0.08
1.50
2.020
1.434
1.723
5.177
0.30
Leycesteria stipulata
(Hooker
f
.
and
Thomson) Fritsch
Caprifoliaceae
2.5
0.05
2.00
1.010
0.956
2.297
4.263
0.80
Ligustrum confusum
Decaisne
Oleaceae
5.0
0.08
1.50
2.020
1.434
1.723
5.177
0.30
Lonicera hispida
P.S. Pallas
ex
Schultes
Caprifoliaceae
5.0
0.10
2.00
2.020
1.912
2.297
6.229
0.40
Mahonia napaulensis
DC.
Berberidaceae
7.5
0.15
2.00
3.030
2.868
2.297
8.195
0.27
Neillia thyrsiflora
D. Don
Rosaceae
10.0
0.20
2.00
4.040
3.824
2.297
10.161
0.20
Prinsepia utilis
Royle
Rosaceae
7.5
0.13
1.67
3.030
2.390
1.914
7.334
0.22
Ribes glaciale
Wallich
Grossulariaceae
5.0
0.10
2.00
2.020
1.912
2.297
6.229
0.40
Ribes
sp.
Grossulariaceae
5.0
0.05
1.00
2.020
0.956
1.148
4.125
0.20
Ribes takare
D. Don
Grossulariaceae
7.5
0.13
1.67
3.030
2.390
1.914
7.334
0.22
Rosa sericea
Wallich
ex
Lindley
Rosaceae
10.0
0.23
2.25
4.040
4.302
2.584
10.926
0.23
Rubus lineatus
Reinwardt
ex
Blume
Rosaceae
7.5
0.15
2.00
3.030
2.868
2.297
8.195
0.27
Rubus paniculatus
Smith
Rosaceae
10.0
0.18
1.75
4.040
3.346
2.010
9.396
0.18
Rubus
sp.
Rosaceae
5.0
0.08
1.50
2.020
1.434
1.723
5.177
0.30
Rubus splendidissimus
H. Hara
Rosaceae
2.5
0.08
3.00
1.010
1.434
3.445
5.889
1.20
Rubus wardii
Merrill
Rosaceae
5.0
0.08
1.50
2.020
1.434
1.723
5.177
0.30
Sabia campanulata
Wallich
Sabiaceae
2.5
0.05
2.00
1.010
0.956
2.297
4.263
0.80
Sambucus adnata
Wallich
ex
DC.
Adoxaceae
2.5
0.03
1.00
1.010
0.478
1.148
2.636
0.40
Schefflera rhododendrifolia
(Griffith)
Frodin
Araliaceae
2.5
0.05
2.00
1.010
0.956
2.297
4.263
0.80
Schisandra grandiflora
(Wallich)
Hooker
f
.
and
Thomson
Schisandraceae
5.0
0.08
1.50
2.020
1.434
1.723
5.177
0.30
Senecio scandens
Buchanan
-
Hamilton
ex
D. Don
Asteraceae
7.5
0.20
2.67
3.030
3.824
3.062
9.917
0.36
S
milax elegans
Wallich
ex
Kunth
Smilacaceae
2.5
0.05
2.00
1.010
0.956
2.297
4.263
0.80
Treutlera insignis
Hooker
f
.
Apocynaceae
2.5
0.03
1.00
1.010
0.478
1.148
2.636
0.40
Vaccinium retusum
(Griffith) Hooker
f
.
ex
C.B. Clarke
Ericaceae
7.5
0.23
3.00
3.030
4.302
3.445
10.778
0.40
Vaccinium vacciniaceum
(Roxburgh)
Sleumer
Ericaceae
5.0
0.10
2.00
2.020
1.912
2.297
6.229
0.40
Viburnum cotinifolium
D. Don
Adoxaceae
5.0
0.08
1.50
2.020
1.434
1.723
5.177
0.30
Viburnum erubescens
Wallich
Adoxaceae
2.5
0.08
3.00
1.010
1.434
3.445
5.889
1.20
Viburnum mullaha
Buchanan
-
Hamilton
ex
D. Don
Adoxaceae
7.5
0.10
1.33
3.030
1.912
1.531
6.474
0.18
Yushania
maling
(Gamble) Majumdar
and
Karthikeyan
Poaceae
10.0
0.28
2.75
4.040
5.258
3.158
12.457
0.28
Zanthoxylum oxyphyllum
Edgeworth
Rutaceae
5.0
0.08
1.50
2.020
1.434
1.723
5.177
0.30
International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414
Vol. 3(10), 14-19, October (2014) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci.
International Science Congress Association 9
Table -5
Phytosociological characteristics of the Herb Species
HERBS FAMILY F D A RF RD RA IVI A/F
Aconitum lethale Griffith Ranunculaceae 4.0 0.09 2.25 1.724 1.664 1.149 4.536 0.56
Ainsliaea aptera DC.
Asteraceae 5.0 0.07 1.40 2.155 1.294 0.715 4.164 0.28
Ainsliaea latifolia (D. Don) Schultz-
Bipontinus
Asteraceae 4.0 0.09 2.25 1.724 1.664 1.149 4.536 0.56
Ajuga lobata D. Don Lamiaceae 2.0 0.06 3.00 0.862 1.109 1.532 3.503 1.50
Anaphalis busua (Buchanan-
Hamilton) DC.
Asteraceae 5.0 0.10 2.00 2.155 1.848 1.021 5.025 0.40
Anaphalis triplinervis (Sims) Sims ex
C.B. Clarke
Asteraceae 4.0 0.14 3.50 1.724 2.588 1.787 6.099 0.88
Anemone rupicola J.Cambessèdes Ranunculaceae 3.0 0.08 2.67 1.293 1.479 1.361 4.133 0.89
Arisaema concinnum Schott Araceae 1.0 0.01 1.00 0.431 0.185 0.511 1.126 1.00
Arisaema consanguineum Schott Araceae 2.0 0.03 1.50 0.862 0.555 0.766 2.182 0.75
Arisaema griffithii Schott Araceae 3.0 0.04 1.33 1.293 0.739 0.681 2.713 0.44
Arisaema propinquum Schott Araceae 2.0 0.04 2.00 0.862 0.739 1.021 2.622 1.00
Arisaema speciosum (Wallich)
Martius
Araceae 2.0 0.03 1.50 0.862 0.555 0.766 2.182 0.75
Belvisia henryi (Hieronymus ex C.
Christensen) Raymond
Polypodiaceae 2.0 0.06 3.00 0.862 1.109 1.532 3.503 1.50
Bistorta emodi (Meisner) H. Hara Polygonaceae 2.0 0.05 2.50 0.862 0.924 1.276 3.063 1.25
Boenninghausenia albiflora (Hooker)
Reichenbach ex Meisner
Rutaceae 3.0 0.07 2.33 1.293 1.294 1.191 3.778 0.78
Chlorophytum nepalense (Lindley)
Baker
Asparagaceae 2.0 0.06 3.00 0.862 1.109 1.532 3.503 1.50
Cirsium falconeri (Hooker f.) F.
Petrak
Asteraceae 2.0 0.05 2.50 0.862 0.924 1.276 3.063 1.25
Codonopsis affinis Hooker f. and
Thomson
Campanulaceae 1.0 0.01 1.00 0.431 0.185 0.511 1.126 1.00
Craniogramme procera Fée Hemionitidaceae 1.0 0.03 3.00 0.431 0.555 1.532 2.517 3.00
Cynoglossum wallichii G. Don Boraginaceae 2.0 0.04 2.00 0.862 0.739 1.021 2.622 1.00
Dennstaedtia scabra (Wallich ex
Hooker) Moore
Dennstaedtiaceae 2.0 0.05 2.50 0.862 0.924 1.276 3.063 1.25
Dryopteris redactopinnata Basu and
Panigrahi
Dryopteridaceae 2.0 0.08 4.00 0.862 1.479 2.042 4.383 2.00
Dryopteris sparsa (D. Don) Kuntze Dryopteridaceae 3.0 0.09 3.00 1.293 1.664 1.532 4.488 1.00
Epilobium wallichianum Haussknecht Onagraceae 2.0 0.06 3.00 0.862 1.109 1.532 3.503 1.50
Euonymus frigidus Wallich Celastraceae 2.0 0.04 2.00 0.862 0.739 1.021 2.622 1.00
Euonymus tingens Wallich Celastraceae 2.0 0.03 1.50 0.862 0.555 0.766 2.182 0.75
Fragaria daltoniana J. Gay Rosaceae 3.0 0.09 3.00 1.293 1.664 1.532 4.488 1.00
Fragaria nubicola (Lindley ex Hooker
f.) Lacaita
Rosaceae 3.0 0.14 4.67 1.293 2.588 2.382 6.263 1.56
Fritillaria cirrhosa D. Don Liliaceae 3.0 0.06 2.00 1.293 1.109 1.021 3.423 0.67
Gentiana capitata Buchanan-
Hamilton ex D. Don
Gentianaceae 3.0 0.12 4.00 1.293 2.218 2.042 5.553 1.33
Gentiana pedicillata (D. Don) Wallich Gentianaceae 4.0 0.08 2.00 1.724 1.479 1.021 4.224 0.50
Goniophlebium krameri Panigrahi and
Singh
Polypodiaceae 2.0 0.06 3.00 0.862 1.109 1.532 3.503 1.50
Helwingia himalaica Hooker f. and
Thomson ex C.B. Clarke
Helwingiaceae 3.0 0.08 2.67 1.293 1.479 1.361 4.133 0.89
Hemiphragma heterophyllum Wallich Plantaginaceae 3.0 0.10 3.33 1.293 1.848 1.702 4.843 1.11
Himalaiella deltoidea (DC.) Raab- Asteraceae 3.0 0.06 2.00 1.293 1.109 1.021 3.423 0.67
International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414
Vol. 3(10), 14-19, October (2014) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci.
International Science Congress Association 10
Straube
Hypericum choisyanum Wallich ex
Robson
Hypericaceae 2.0 0.04 2.00 0.862 0.739 1.021 2.622 1.00
Isodon scrophularioides (Wallich ex
Bentham) Murata
Lamiaceae 2.0 0.06 3.00 0.862 1.109 1.532 3.503 1.50
Lepisorus nudus (Hooker) Ching Polypodiaceae 2.0 0.05 2.50 0.862 0.924 1.276 3.063 1.25
Ligularia amplexicaulis DC. Asteraceae 2.0 0.04 2.00 0.862 0.739 1.021 2.622 1.00
Lobelia montana Reinwardt ex Blume Campanulaceae 3.0 0.05 1.67 1.293 0.924 0.851 3.068 0.56
Loxogramme cuspidata (Zenker) Price Polypodiaceae 2.0 0.04 2.00 0.862 0.739 1.021 2.622 1.00
Maianthemum oleraceum (Baker)
LaFrankie
Asparagaceae 3.0 0.09 3.00 1.293 1.664 1.532 4.488 1.00
Meconopsis paniculata (D. Don) Prain Papaveraceae 4.0 0.11 2.75 1.724 2.033 1.404 5.161 0.69
Microlepia sp. Dennstaedtiaceae 2.0 0.04 2.00 0.862 0.739 1.021 2.622 1.00
Mimulus tenellus var. nepalensis
(Benth.) Tsoong
Phrymaceae 2.0 0.06 3.00 0.862 1.109 1.532 3.503 1.50
Myriactis nepalensis Less. Asteraceae 3.0 0.06 2.00 1.293 1.109 1.021 3.423 0.67
Ophiopogon intermedius D. Don Asparagaceae 2.0 0.05 2.50 0.862 0.924 1.276 3.063 1.25
Paris polyphylla Smith Melanthiaceae 3.0 0.05 1.67 1.293 0.924 0.851 3.068 0.56
Parochetus communis D. Don Leguminosae 4.0 0.07 1.75 1.724 1.294 0.893 3.911 0.44
Persicaria chinensis (Linnaeus)
Gross
Polygonaceae 2.0 0.06 3.00 0.862 1.109 1.532 3.503 1.50
Persicaria campanulata (Hooker f.)
Ronse Decraene
Polygonaceae 2.0 0.03 1.50 0.862 0.555 0.766 2.182 0.75
Phymatosorus cuspidatus (D. Don)
Pichi Sermolli
Polypodiacaea 2.0 0.05 2.50 0.862 0.924 1.276 3.063 1.25
Pichisermollodes stewartii (Bedd.)
Fraser-Jenkins
Polypodiacaea 2.0 0.06 3.00 0.862 1.109 1.532 3.503 1.50
Pilea symmeria Weddell Urticaceae 2.0 0.06 3.00 0.862 1.109 1.532 3.503 1.50
Pimpinella diversifolia DC. Apiaceae 2.0 0.04 2.00 0.862 0.739 1.021 2.622 1.00
Pleurospermum dentatum (Bentham)
Clarke
Apiaceae 3.0 0.05 1.67 1.293 0.924 0.851 3.068 0.56
Polygonatum brevistylum Baker Asparagaceae 2.0 0.05 2.50 0.862 0.924 1.276 3.063 1.25
Polygonatum verticillatum (Linnaeus)
Allioni
Asparagaceae 2.0 0.04 2.00 0.862 0.739 1.021 2.622 1.00
Potentilla polyphylla Wallich ex
Lehmann
Rosaceae 3.0 0.10 3.33 1.293 1.848 1.702 4.843 1.11
Potentilla sundaica (Blume) Kuntze Rosaceae 3.0 0.09 3.00 1.293 1.664 1.532 4.488 1.00
Primula capitata Hooker Primulaceae 4.0 0.09 2.25 1.724 1.664 1.149 4.536 0.56
Primula denticulata Smith Primulaceae 3.0 0.08 2.67 1.293 1.479 1.361 4.133 0.89
Primula gracilipes Craib Primulaceae 3.0 0.12 4.00 1.293 2.218 2.042 5.553 1.33
Primula ianthina Balfour f. and Cave Primulaceae 5.0 0.09 1.80 2.155 1.664 0.919 4.738 0.36
Prunella vulgaris Linnaeus Lamiaceae 2.0 0.04 2.00 0.862 0.739 1.021 2.622 1.00
Ranunculus diffusus DC. Ranunculaceae 5.0 0.10 2.00 2.155 1.848 1.021 5.025 0.40
Rubia wallichiana Decne Rubiaceae 3.0 0.08 2.67 1.293 1.479 1.361 4.133 0.89
Sanicula elata Buchanan-Hamilton ex
D. Don
Apiaceae 3.0 0.09 3.00 1.293 1.664 1.532 4.488 1.00
Satyrium nepalense var. ciliatum
(Lindley) Hooker f.
Orchidaceae 2.0 0.03 1.50 0.862 0.555 0.766 2.182 0.75
Selinum wallichianum (DC.) Raizada
and H.O. Saxena
Apiaceae 3.0 0.08 2.67 1.293 1.479 1.361 4.133 0.89
Senecio raphanifolius Wallich ex DC. Asteraceae 2.0 0.05 2.50 0.862 0.924 1.276 3.063 1.25
Strobilanthes wallichii Nees Acanthaceae 3.0 0.06 2.00 1.293 1.109 1.021 3.423 0.67
Swertia bimaculata (Siebold and
Zuccarini ) Hooker f. and Thomson ex
Gentianaceae 4.0 0.11 2.75 1.724 2.033 1.404 5.161 0.69
International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414
Vol. 3(10), 14-19, October (2014) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci.
International Science Congress Association 11
C.B. Clarke
Swertia nervosa (Wallich ex G. Don)
C.B. Clarke
Gentianaceae 4.0 0.06 1.50 1.724 1.109 0.766 3.599 0.38
Swertia paniculata Wallich Gentianaceae 4.0 0.06 1.50 1.724 1.109 0.766 3.599 0.38
Synotis tetrantha (DC.) Jeffrey and
Y.L. Chen
Asteraceae 2.0 0.04 2.00 0.862 0.739 1.021 2.622 1.00
Synotis wallichii (DC.) Jeffrey and
Y.L. Chan
Asteraceae 2.0 0.05 2.50 0.862 0.924 1.276 3.063 1.25
Tiarella polyphylla D. Don Saxifragaceae 4.0 0.12 3.00 1.724 2.218 1.532 5.474 0.75
Trollius pumilus D. Don Ranunculaceae 4.0 0.07 1.75 1.724 1.294 0.893 3.911 0.44
Valeriana jatamansi Jones Caprifoliaceae 4.0 0.05 1.25 1.724 0.924 0.638 3.286 0.31
Viola hookeri Thomson ex Hooker f. Violaceae 5.0 0.08 1.60 2.155 1.479 0.817 4.451 0.32
Viola pilosa Blume Violaceae 4.0 0.07 1.75 1.724 1.294 0.893 3.911 0.44
Viola wallichiana Gingins Violaceae 4.0 0.06 1.50 1.724 1.109 0.766 3.599 0.38
[F = Frequency, D = Density, A = Abundance, RF = Relative Frequency, RD = Relative Density, RA = Relative Abundance, IVI =
Importance Value Index, A/F = Abundance/Frequency]
