Distribution and structure of conifers with special emphasis on Taxus baccata in moist temperate forests of Kashmir Himalayas

Coniferous forests play important role in sustaining biodiversity and providing ecological services. present study was conducted in pir panjal range,western himalayas to assess the present status of the conifers,in particular taxus baccata population. field data was obtained systematically using quadrate method. environmental data including coordinates,altitude,slope gradient,aspect and intensity of anthropogenic disturbance was recorded by field survey method. the quantity of fuel wood consumption was measured using weight survey method. three conifer species viz.,abies pindrow,pinus wallichiana and taxus baccata were found in 5 communities at different aspects in 1800 to 3000 m altitudinal range. conifer stands showed an average tree density of 306 trees/ha with a regeneration value of 76 seedlings and saplings/ha and deforestation intensity of 82 stumps/ha respectively. t. baccata showed zero regeneration having no seedling or sapling in the whole study area. the stem to stump value was calculated as 4.08. a. pindrow was dominant in all the 5 communities with an importance value percentage of 72.8% followed by p. wallichiana (19.5%). t. baccata was recorded sporadically throughout the altitudinal range having an ivi value of 7.9%. the t. baccata tree density was 26/ha whereas dead tree and stumps density was 27/ha with a stem/stump value of 0.98.the average fuel wood consumption recorded for the area was 4.08kg/capita/day. pressure is increasing on conifers due to high level of fuel wood consumption as well as overgrazing due to limited available grazing area. the conifer species,especially t. baccata,demand immediate attention of forest management and policy makers for the conservation of these under pressure species. © 2015,pakistan botanical society. all rights reserved.