Effect of altitude and climate in shaping the forest compositions of Singalila National Park in Khangchendzonga Landscape, Eastern Himalaya, India

A rapid decline in species richness with altitude was observed in Singalila National Park (SNP), part of the Khangchendzonga Landscape, revealing a significant relationship between climatic variables—such as actual evapotranspiration and moisture index—and forest community structure. The study identified 70 woody species across a 1636-meter transect (2000–3636 m asl), with young trees dominating the landscape. Climatic factors, which influence environmental energy availability, were found to shape the park's diverse yet altitude-sensitive forest composition. This highlights how extreme altitudinal gradients and climate drive rapid shifts in biodiversity patterns, offering critical insights for conservation efforts in high-altitude ecosystems.

Sinha, S., Badola, H. K., Chhetri, B., Gaira, K. S., Lepcha, J., & Dhyani, P. P. (2018). Effect of altitude and climate in shaping the forest compositions of Singalila National Park in Khangchendzonga Landscape, Eastern Himalaya, India. Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity, 11(2), 267–275. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.japb.2018.01.012