Regeneration status of spruce(Picea smithiana Wall. Boiss) along the altitudinal gradient in South Kashmir Himalayas (India)

Abstract

The regeneration status of Spruce (Picea smithiana) was assessed with the major focus on regeneration pertaining to the poor recruitment and seedling establishment in south Kashmir of western Himalayas. The study was concentrated along the three altitudinal gradients viz. 2,200 - 2,400 m (Anantnag), 2,400 - 2,600 m (Lidder) and 2,600 - 2,800 m (Shopian), at each altitude two sites were randomly selected for the study. The regeneration at all the sites was poor to fair, but did not show any definite trend along the altitudinal gradient. The maximum density of recruits (1031.25 ha-1), number of un-established regeneration (562.50 ha-1) and number of established regeneration (273.44 ha-1), maximum height of un-established regeneration (5.80 m), weighted average height (99.32 m), stocking index (0.16), establishment stocking per cent (5.64) and regeneration success (17.19%) was recorded at middle altitudinal gradient (2,400-2,600 m), whereas the minimum regeneration was recorded at upper altitudinal gradient (2,600 – 2,800 m).