forests.pdf
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1. Forests in Nepal are classified based on altitude into 10 major types: tropical, subtropical broad-leaved, subtropical pine, lower temperate broadleaved, lower temperate mixed broad-leaved, upper temperate broad-leaved, upper temperate mixed broad-leaved, temperate coniferous, sub-alpine, and alpine scrub. 2. Tropical forests below 1000m are dominated by Sal trees with associates like Adina cordifolia. Subtropical broad-leaved forests from 1000-2000m include Schima wallichii and Castanopsis indica. 3. Subtropical pine forests from 1000-2200m feature Pinus ro
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forests.pdf
- 1. By:Deepak Gautam, IOF-Pokhara Classification of forest on the basis of ecological zone. Classification of forest is primarily based on altitude. There are 35 types of forest in Nepal (Stainton, 1992). These 35 types are broadly categorized into ten major types. 1. Tropical forest (below 1000m): Sohorea robusta is the dominant species. Common associates’ species Adina cordifolia, Lagrestroemia parviflora, Terminalia species, Syzygium cumini etc. Acacia-catechu and Dalbergia sissoo forest are found in stream and river banks. Terminalia alata and Anogeissus latifolia forest are western foothills. Michelia champaca; Bombax ceiba and Trewia nidiflora (Gutel) are also available in river side. Grasses like Saccharam spontaneum, Phragmites karka, Arundo donax and Eulaliopsis binate are found in the Rapti river of Chitwan National Park and Suklaphanta National Park. 2. Sub-tropical broad-leaved forest (1000-2000m). Schima wallichii and Castanopsis indica are the major dominant species. Above 1200m Castanopsis tribuloides are available. Cedrela toona and Albizia species are found in riverine forest on subtropical foothills. Alnus nepalensis forest is widespread along streams and moist places. 3. Sub-tropical pine forest (1000 to 2200m): Pinus roxburghii forest occurs mainly on the southern facing slopes of Midhills and Siwalik in the central and western Nepal. In transitional area with other types of vegetation it may be mixed with Schima or Shorea Forest. 4. Lower temperate broadleaved forest (1700-2700m). This forest lies between 2000 to 2700m in the west and 1700 to 2400m in the east. Quercus species dominated forest available in this region. Several species of Quercus e.g Quercus floribunda, Q. lamellose etc are more common. Other species like Alnus nitida, Castanopsis tribuloides, C. hystrix etc are also available. Lithocarpus pachyphylla forest occurs in the eastern Nepal. 5. Lower temperate mixed broad-leaved forest (1700-2200 m): Generally confined to the moister north and west-facing slopes, with several tree species of Lauraceae family. Cinnamoum tamala, Listea spp. Machilus spp. Michelia kisopa, Neolistea cuipala etc are frequent. Quercus lamellose are also available in some places. 6. Upper temperate broad-leaved forest (2200-3000 m): Drier south-facing slopes of central and western parts have Quercus semecarpefolia forest, but this is absent in higher rainfall areas such as the Upper Arun and Tamur valleys and hills to the north of Pokhara. Rhodendron arboretum and Ilex dipyrena are common understory species. 7. Upper temperate mixed broad-leaved forest (2500-3500 m): Mostly found in central and eastern regions, mainly on the moister north- and west-facing slopes. Acer and Rhododendron species predominate. Species like Juglans regia, Ulmus wallichiana, Asculus indica, Morus serrata etc are common species. 8. Temperate Coniferous Forest (2000-3000): Species like Pinus wallichiana, Cedrus deodar, Cupressus torulosa, Tsuga Dumosa, Picea smithiana, Juniperus indica and Abies pindrow are common species in this region. 9. Sub-alpine Forest (3000-4100). Species like Abies spectabilies and Betula utilis are dominant here. Rhododendron, Juniperus indica, Acer species are also commonly available in this zone. Caragana species are available in the steppe. 10. Alpine scrub (above 4100 m): Junipers and Rhodendron are the dominant species. Along with them Ephedra gerardiana and Hippophae tibetana are found in the inner valleys. North of the Dhaulagiri-Annapurna massif Caragana versicolor, Lonicera spinosa, Rosa sericea and Sophora moorcroftiana occurs. Alpine meadows (kharkas) are grazed during the summer and rainy seasons. Above 5200m most the places are covered with mosses and lichens.