QUANTITATIVE COMMUNITY DESCRIPTION FROM CENTRAL KARAKORAM NATIONAL PARK (CKNP), GILGIT-BALTISTAN, PAKISTAN

Abstract

A study was carried out to asses the communities and floristic composition of 32 stands of forest, shrubs and herbs from CKNP. On the basis of phytosociological analysis and maximum important value index, following 1 forest community, 3 pure stands and 6 shrubs and herbs communities are identified and quantitatively described. In forested areas Picea-Pinus wallichiana community, Juniperus excelsa pure stand. Picea smithiana pure stand, Pinus wallichiana pure stand, while at non forested places Rosa-Hippophae community, HippophaeRibes community, Rosa-Ribes community, Rosa-Berberis community, Hippophae-Tamarix community and Berberis-Tamarix community, were dominated. Poor floristic similarities between and within the communities at different elevations and slopes were seen however Rosa-Hippophae and Picea-Pinus wallichiana community showed higher floristic similarities within the community. Pine tree species were also distributed as a pure stand in different areas with higher density and basal area. It is shown that vegetation was deteriorating under anthropogenic disturbance therefore needs special attention to protect these forests and vegetation.