Species composition of dry-temperate forest as an important habitat for wildlife fauna species

Aim: To determine the present species composition and diversity in dry temperate forest ecosystem, especially trees, shrubs, ground cover, birds, reptiles and mammals. Methodology: The vegetation composition and diversity of dry-temperate forest in Kumrat valley was determined through employing the 20x20 m (0.4 ha) quadrant method. In addition, fauna species were detected through direct visual observations. A total of 100 quadrant plots were randomly selected to determine the vegetation composition and diversity from July, 2017 to August, 2018. Results: A total of 7 tree species, 3 shrubs, and 12 grass species were identified, which were attracted into the study area. The highest tree density was determined for P. wallichiana (3.375 tree ha-1) and the lowest one for J. regia (0.300 tree ha-1). CAP tests indicated that the diversity indices, i.e., Shannon-Winner's Diversity Index (H1=2.908+0.161), Margalef's Richness Index (R1=3.26+0.112) and McIntosh Evenness Index (E=0.9746+0.0206) occured in Kumrat valley. Further, diversity indices of trees varied from species to species, e.g., the highest tree species diversity (H1=2.248) and species richness (R1=2.730) was recorded in Picea smithiana and the lowest one (H1=0.297) and richness (R1=0.4024) in Juglans regia. Taxus baccata (E=0.9763) showed even distribution in the study area as compared to other tree species. The direct observation observed a total of 11 mammal species (6 endangered, 3 data deficient, and 2 species least concern), 41 bird species (mostly least concern), and 6 reptile species (4 least concern, one data deficient, and one vulnerable) simultaneously within the same area where plant cover was determined. Interpretation: The results of this study demonstrated that plant cover structure and composition of dry-temperate forest is the most prominent factor that had formed a wide array of different habitats to attract the higher diversity of fauna.

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