PHYTOSOCIOLOGY OF SUMMER VEGETATION OF SUDAN GALLI HILLS, DISTRICT BAGH, AZAD KASHMIR, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Four associations: Pinus wallichiana, Abies pindrow, Abies-Pinus and Temperate grassland containing thirteen communities were recognized on the basis of importance values. Pinus wallichiana association consisted of five communities: Pinus-BerberisCarex sempervernse, Pinus-Sarcococa-Hedra, Pinus-Sarcococa-Carex schalgintiweitiana, Pinus-Vibernum-Poa and PinusSarcococa-Carex sempervernse on the south facing slopes. Abies pindrow association comprised of six communities viz: AbiesSarcococa-Fragaria, Abies-Sarcococa-Anogromma, Abies-Sarcococa-Urochloa, Abies-Vibernum-Fragaria, Abies-VibernumGalium and Abies-Vibernum-Viola on the north facing slopes. Abies-Pinus association on the south facing slope and the temperate grassland on top of the hills had one community each. The plant species, communities and associations differed on south and north facing slopes. Grasses dominated the top. The South facing slopes had relatively xeric conditions. In contrast the north facing slopes were mesic and therefore supported different plant communities. Biomass of the forbs increased with altitude up to 2350 m but thereafter it gradually decreased towards the top, on the south-facing slope. Quite opposite behavior has been observed regarding biomass for the grasses on the same slope. Grasses in the foothills and at the peaks of the south-facing slopes had more biomass. The biomass of the forbs was greater than of the grasses on the north-facing slopes.