Change in structural and compositional diversity with altitude: a study from Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve (NDBR), West Himalaya, India

A study of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve reveals distinct patterns in plant community structure and composition across temperate (2100–3000 m) and sub-alpine (3000–3600 m) zones, highlighting higher tree, sapling, seedling, and shrub densities in the temperate zone, while herb density peaks in the sub-alpine. Among 344 recorded vascular plant species—comprising 95 families, 227 genera, 40 trees, 64 shrubs, and 240 herbs—the research identifies 13 forest communities, including native, endemic, economically significant, and rare/endangered species. These findings prioritize conservation efforts for the region's biodiversity, emphasizing altitude-driven ecological gradients in plant distribution and abundance.

Joshi, H., & Samant, S. (2014). Change in structural and compositional diversity with altitude: a study from Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve (NDBR), West Himalaya, India. Indian Journal of Forestry, 37(2), 121–136. https://doi.org/10.54207/bsmps1000-2014-km91x3