Vegetation Structure and Diversity Analysis in the Manigam Block of Lidder Forest Division of Kashmir

The study was conducted during April, 2022-August, 2024 at block Manigam of Lidder Forest Division, Anantnag district, Jammu & Kashmir, India to investigate the differences in plant and tree species diversity and community structure. Vegetation sampling was done by the quadrat method, and quadrates were laid down by systematic random sampling methods along the four vertical transects which were 100 m apart. In each transect, quadrates were laid down at definite intervals. The findings showed that a total of 29 plant species from 23 families were found at these four distinct elevations. Of the 29 plant species that were documented, 9 were shrubs from 7 families and 4 were trees, representing 3 families. There were 16 herbaceous species, belonging to 13 families. The main tree at all four elevations was Pinus wallichiana, which had IVI values of 155.4, 156.33, 158.42, and 182.61, respectively. At altitude 1, Parrotia jacquemontiana dominated the shrub population with an IVI score of 83.83. Rosa rubiginosa was prevalent at altitudes three and four, with IVI values of 64.98 and 67.26, respectively, whereas Sambucus wightiana was dominating at altitude two, with an IVI value of 56.56. Among herbs, taraxacum officinale with IVI value of 58.84 was dominant at altitude 1^st. Fragaria vesca was dominant at altitude 2^nd and 3^rd with IVI values of 44.93 and 72.06, respectively. Iris hookeriana with IVI value of 112.69 was dominant at altitude 4^th. Out of four altitudes, altitude 2^nd reported the highest number of species followed by 1^st, 3^rd and 4^th, respectively.