Phytosociology of Mai Dhani Hill Near Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir

Abstract

Themeda, Dodonaea-Pinus Themeda, Celtis-Pinus-Dodonaea, Mictorneria-Themeda-Dodonaea, are recognised at various altitudes of Mai Dhani Hill, Muzaffarabad in April, 1995. Index of diversity and its components decrease from low altitude to high altitude. In Dodonaea-Pinus-Themeda community (Alt. 1100 m), species diversity is high (12.5) whereas in Celtis-Dichanthium-Themeda community (Alt. 1050 m), species diversity is low (3.7), species richness decreased from low altitude to high altitude. Similarly equitibility also decreased from low altitude to high altitude, but in Celtis-Dichanthium-Therneda community it increases. Species maturity also decreases from low altitude to high altitude. In Celtis-Dichanthium-Themeda community (Alt. 1050 m), species maturity is the highest (53.36) whereas in Celtis-Themeda Pinus community (Alt. 1200 m) species maturity is the lowest (38.32). The soils vary from sandy loam to loam. The pH varies from 7.6 to 8.0. The organic matter differs from 2.0 to 2.65 percent while CaCO 3 varies from 15.7 to 23.2 percent. The soil temperature decreases as the altitude increases.