Nardostachys jatamansi DC. and its phyto-associates in different alpine areas of Garhwal Himalaya

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to understand the population and its distribution of Nardostachys jatamansi in response to its associating species in three different sites of alpine region i.e. Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Dayyara of Garhwal Himalaya. Vegetation analysis to determine community composition associating with N. jatamansi was studied using quadrat sampling method. Analysis of vegetation revealed that the community composition of N. jatamansi in different sites did not vary much. Site-1 (Yamunotri) and Site-3 (Dayyara) showed a total of fifteen species each, while Site-2 (Kedarnath) represented by a total of twelve plant species. Species diversity was slightly higher in Site-1 than Site-2 and Site-3. The comparative analysis of total plant density at each site versus the individual contribution of N. jatamansi at Site-1, Site-2 and Site-3 showed the 33.62 %, 25.12%, and 14.92 % contribution in total density of all species.