QUANTITATIVE FORESTS DESCRIPTION FROM SKARDU, GILGIT AND ASTORE DISTRICTS OF GILGIT-BALTISTAN, PAKISTAN

Abstract

A quantitative study of forest vegetation was conducted in 40 stands from three District of Gilgit-Baltistan. On the basis of phytosociological analysis and maximum important value index, following 5 pure stands and 5 communities of mixed tree species were recognized and quantitatively analyzed. Pinus wallichiana -Juniperus community, Pinus wallichiana-Betula community, Picea-Juniperus community, Picea-Pinus wallichiana, Pinus wallichiana-Pinus gerardiana community, Picea smithiana pure stands, Pinus wallichiana pure stands, Betula pure stands, Juniperus macropoda pure stand and Abies pindrow pure stand . Eighty three plants species of various herbs, shurbs and tree seedlings were observed and identified on the forest floor. Numbers of seedlings were also counted in each stand. These important forests are existing under anthropogenic threat and environmental disturbances .Some of them may easily be managed as indicated by the presence of large number of seedling, however, stands with paucity of seedlings shall need more serious attention