Composition and Stratification of Pine Forests of Himalayan Region of North Kashmir

Composition and stratification was examined in Gulmarg area of north Himalayan region of Kashmir division, north India. A total of 848 vascular plants were recorded from the all forest stands randomly, showed dominance of silver fir (Abies pindrow) (44-51%) in the community followed by Taxus wallichiana (11-17%), Picea smithiana (11-16%), Pinus wallichiana (7-16%). The presence of different life forms resulted into a four-layered distribution of plant species in the community. Out of the four layers, the woody species were distributed in two distinct layers, i. e., canopy, and understory layer which was followed by shrub and herb layers in the community.