Assessment of floristic diversity and community characteristics of Gulmarg Wildlife sanctuary, Kashmir Himalaya

The present study was carried out to assess the floristic diversity and community characteristics in the forest and alpine zone of Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary (GWLS), Kashmir Himalaya. A total of 123 sites were selected along an elevational gradient (2300-4200 m a.m.s.l) in each and every accessible aspect and habitats from July 2018 to June 2022. The present study recorded 364 species of vascular plants belonging to 227 genera and 74 families. Of the total species, 22 were trees, 34 shrubs, 290 herbs and 14 ferns. A total of 18 communities (10 within forest and 8 within alpine zone) were identified. Within the identified forest communities, species richness ranged from 44 to 198; tree density and total basal area ranged from 185-810 Ind ha −1 and 20.28-159.8 m 2 ha −1, respectively. Density of shrubs and herbs in forest zone ranges from 886-2040 Ind ha −1 and 27.79-87.75 Ind m −2, respectively. Within the alpine communities, species richness ranged from 26-93; total density of shrubs and herbs ranged from 1410.0-5540 Ind ha −1 and 31.73-102.2 Ind m −2, respectively. Within the forest zone, diversity of trees, shrubs and herbs ranged from 0.88-1.67, 0.27-1.82 and 3.29-4.81, respectively. Within the alpine communities, species diversity of shrubs and herbs ranged from 0.73-1.33 and 2.21-3.69, respectively. Present study presents a first comprehensive floristic and community assessment of GWLS, and provides a template, which can be replicated in other protected as well as unprotected areas of the Kashmir Himalaya.