~ 696 ~ Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 2018; 7(3): 696-702 E-ISSN: 2278-4136 P-ISSN: 2349-8234 JPP 2018; 7(3): 696-702 Received: 18-03-2018 Accepted: 19-04-2018 Syed Naseem Geelani Faculty of Forestry, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Benhama, Ganderbal, Jammu and Kashmir, India Gulam Nabi Bhat Faculty of Forestry, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Benhama, Ganderbal, Jammu and Kashmir, India Arshid Mughal Faculty of Forestry, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Benhama, Ganderbal, Jammu and Kashmir, India Mohit Husain Faculty of Forestry, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Benhama, Ganderbal, Jammu and Kashmir, India QN Qaiser Faculty of Forestry, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Benhama, Ganderbal, Jammu and Kashmir, India PA Khan Faculty of Forestry, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Benhama, Ganderbal, Jammu and Kashmir, India Correspondence Syed Naseem Geelani Faculty of Forestry, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Benhama, Ganderbal, Jammu and Kashmir, India Phytosociological status of trees and shrubs of Romshi range of Shopian forest division in Kashmir valley Syed Naseem Geelani, Gulam Nabi Bhat, Arshid Mughal, Mohit Husain, QN Qaiser and PA Khan Abstract The present investigation entitled “Phytosociological status of trees and shrubs of Romshi Range of Shopian Forest Division in Kashmir valley, India” was conducted in Shopian district in Jammu and Kashmir India during 2015-2016. A total of 16 plant species were recorded from the study area out of which 8 were trees and 8 were shrubs. The maximum average density in case of trees was found for Picea smithiana (400/ha), whereas in case of shrubs it was recorded in Parrotiopsis jacquemontiana (622/ha). Among trees Abies pindrow exhibited highest frequency value of 100% at Walkhain (2600- 2800m). In case of shrubs Parrotiopsis jacquemontiana were the most frequent species at Kooler (2200- 2400m). The maximum average basal area in case of trees was found for Abies pindrow (158.76 m 2 /ha) at Walkhain (2600-2800m). In shrubs it was found maximum for Parrotiopsis jacquemontiana (3.65 m 2 /ha) at Kooler (2200-2400m). The IVI of the tree species indicated that Abies pindrow was most dominant species atWalkhain (2600-2800m) with IVI value of (172.41). In case of shrubs the maximum IVI was recorded in Viburnum grandiflorum with IVI value of (168.11). Among trees the maximum value of Shannon Weiner diversity index was (1.66) at Gadder (2400-2600m) whereas the minimum value (0.69) was recorded at Walkhain (2600-2800m). In case of shrubs Shannon Weiner diversity index shows a decreasing trend from Kooler (2200-2400m) to Walkhain (2600-2800m) with maximum value of (1.74) at Kooler (2200-2400m). In trees the maximum value of the species richness index (1.15) was at Gadder (2400-2600m), whereas in case of shrubs the maximum value of the index was (0.96) at Gadder (2400-2600m). Keywords: Phytosociological, trees, shrubs, Romshi range, Shopian forest division, Kashmir valley Introduction The State of Jammu and Kashmir with a total area of 10.13 million hectare inside line of control, forms an important phytogeographical region in the North Western Himalaya. The state is known for its rich biodiversity and for this reason it has been designated as the “Biomass State’’. The valley of Kashmir is bestowed with a lush green of forests. The State is located in North-Western extremity of India between 32°-17´ and 38°-58´ North latitude and 73°-35´ and 80°-36´ East longitude with an average altitude of 1,586 metres from the mean sea level and annual precipitation of about 794.7 mm. From North to South, it extends over 640 km in length and from East to West over 480 km in breadth [2] . The total geographical area of Jammu and Kashmir is 2,22,236 sq. km, which constitutes about 6.47 per cent of the total area of the country. The total forest area of Jammu and Kashmir is 20,230 Sq. kms, in the provinces of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. Out of the total geographical area 15,948 km 2 of Kashmir about 51 per cent (8128 km 2 ) of its land area is occupied by forests. Forests occupy a place of considerable importance in the economy of the state and are more popularly known as green gold. They restore ecological balance of all ecosystems, maintain biological diversity, act as catchments for soil and water conservation and prevents floods also. According to many authors plant sociology (or phytosociology) is defined as the discipline which concerns itself with the study of vegetation as such, with its floristic composition, structure, development and distribution, whereas the term ecology is restricted to the study of the habitat [15] . Phytosociological studies are essential for protecting the natural plant communities and biodiversity as well as understanding the changes experienced in the past and continuing on into the future. A key component of these biodiversity studies is the phytosociological analysis, with the aid of sampling techniques; the organization and structure of communities can be studied and expressed quantitatively both in absolute terms of species with respect to all other plant species of the area.