A Study on Phytosociological analysis of Zabarwan Forests, Kashmir, India

Abstract

The present study was carried out in Zabarwan forests of Kashmir valley. The aim of the study was to present the scenario of phytosociology with respect to the importancevalueindex(IVI),speciesdiversity,speciesdominance, and to document the herbal and woody flora. The present study was undertaken from the year 2016 to 2018. Analysis of cumulative data revealed that this area hosts 43 families (40 Angiosperms and 3 Gymnosperms), 74 Genera (70 Angiosperms and 4 Gymnosperms) and 88 species (80 Angiosperms and 8 Gymnosperms) out of which 58 were herbs, 12 were shrubs and 18 were trees. Dicotyledons contribute about 92% of the total angiosperms observed at study site. The study revealed that flora of Zabarwan forests provides information about the total number of species present in the forest area that could be used as a source of basic data including their identification, composition, distribution, medicinal values and their utility for the future management and conservation planning. Furthermore, there is a need to develop awareness programs to replenish this Reserve forest.