Influence of environmental and anthropogenic factors on the species distribution in alpine rangelands of Gurez valley, Kashmir, India

This study attempts to establish correlation between species assemblages and environmental factors (biotic as well as abiotic) in the alpine rangelands of Gurez valley, Kashmir Himalaya. Data were collected from 35 sites of three grasslands and processed using direct gradient analysis. Vascular flora, altitude, degree of slope, human disturbance and edaphic variables were recorded from each site. Along the first canonical axis, species distribution was mainly correlated with altitude and anthropogenic disturbances while to the second axis soil pH, soil moisture and degree of slope were important. On a smaller spatial scale, these factors strongly affected species distribution. Of these, degree of slope was overriding as it governed nature and depth of soil, moisture availability and intensity of use by livestock.