Population of Nardostachys jatamansi DC. and its phyto-associates in different densities of alpine region in Dayyara meadow of Garhwal Himalaya

Abstract

Study was undertaken to understand the population size and distribution of Nardostachys jatamansi vis-à-vis phyto-associates at three subsites containing highly dense (Subsite-1), moderate (Subsite-2) and lowest population (Subsite-3) of N. jatamansi. The community composition between the sub sites was observed a very little difference with recoding 13, 15 and 12 species respectively in Subsite-1, Subsite-2 and Subsite-3. About 80% species were common in all Subsites, while 6.66% species were common in two Subsites and 13.32% species were observed unique in all subsites. Intra-site comparisons indicate that N. jatamansi and Anaphalis triplinervis had the mutualism type of interaction with one another. Picrorrhiza kurrooa, Anemone obtusiloba, Pyrus sp. and Saxifraga diversifolia showed the negative correlation with N. jatamansi. The populations of these phyto- associates appear to adversely affect with the population of N. jatamansi for utilization of resources. Pedicularis sp., Carex sp., Saussurea sp., Tanacetum longifolium, Saxifraga sp. and Araiostegia sp. showed the neutral type of interaction with N.jatamansi, which indicates that, the population of Nardostachys jatamansi is not affected by association with these species.