Variation of Floristic Diversity along Altitudinal Gradient in Pir Panjal Forests of North Western Himalaya, India

The present study is an attempt to make a floristic inventory in Raithan Range of Pir Panjal Forest Division of, Jammu and Kashmir India. For this purpose, a preliminary study was carried with the aim to know the diversity of flora at different altitudes ranging from 1800-2800m amsl. For study purpose the area was divided into 3 different altitudes viz - 1800m, 2300m and 2800m amsl. The reported results revealed that, a total of 136 species from 58 different families and 113 genera were recorded. Out of 136 species there are 29 tree species (belonging to 16 families), 9 shrub species (6 families), 92 herb species (33 families), 4 climber species (4 families) and 2 fern species (belonging to 2 different families). The Asteraceae and Rosaceae family were dominant in the research area, according to the data. Among different sites in the study area, site 1 (altitudinal range of 1800-2300m) showed maximum diversity of flora represented by 85 species, followed by site 2 (2300-2800m) represented by 71 species and least at site 3 (> 2800m) represented by 49 species. The study is a preliminary one and can be used for management of the species having less population for conservation and sustainable utilization.