A PHYTOSOCIOLOGICAL STUDY OF FOREST AND NON-FOREST VEGETATION OF DISTRICT CHITRAL, HINDUKUSH RANGE OF PAKISTAN

Abstract

The present study was carried out in Chitral that presents a complex mosaic of trees, herbs and shrubs vegetation with a wide range of vegetation types reflecting local variations in climate, geological history, permafrost, wildlife grazing and human use. Field data on the floristic composition and vegetation structure were collected at 36 sites in the study area between 1200m to 3300m elevation asl. Tree, herb and shrub species were grouped into 19 major vegetation types using importance value index. Among the communities types 10 were of tree communities including 3 monospecific stands, while, 9 communities were of herbs and shrubs. These communities were described in quantitative terms. The results disclosed that many conifer and broad leaved forests were in bad shape due to anthropogenic factors.