Population assessment and distribution of Trillium govanianum Wall. ex D. Don in the inner Himalayas of Himachal Pradesh, India Singh Jagdish*, Singh Joginder, Prashad Jawala Himalayan Forest Research Institute, Conifer Campus, Panthaghati, Shimla-171013, Himachal Pradesh, India *Corresponding author e-mail: jaggy1964@gmail.com
Online published on 23 September, 2021. Abstract Population assessment of the species provides a basis for devising suitable strategies for the conservation of plant resources. Studies on the population status of Trillium govanianum were carried out in Himachal Pradesh, covering its zone of occurrence in a temperate region of the state by quadrat method, using random sampling and following vertical belt transects approach. Extensive field surveys were conducted at different geographical locations/habitats of the species and 11 sites falling in five districts of Himachal Pradesh were selected to assess the density, frequency, abundance of the species. The study revealed that the population of the species was very less at each site (<01 ind.m−2). The density of species was maximum at Kathnag, Chamba (0.93 ind.m−2) and minimum at Jamathu, Chamba (0.35 ind.m−2). The frequency of occurrence varied from 13.34 to 26.67%. Abundance and Frequency ratio at studied sites ranged from 0.09 to 0.19 and Coefficient of Variation ranged from 1.02 to 1.98. All the sites had contiguous distribution patterns. Keeping the importance and demand of the species in view, there is an urgent need to initiate conservation programs for this species. Further, propagation techniques of the species need to be developed and people should be encouraged to grow the species on their land so that increasing demand of the species is fulfilled, besides conservation and protection in the natural habitat. Top Keywords Population assessment, Density, Trillium govanianum, Conservation. Top |