Phenological succession of herbaceous communities in the sub-alpine and alpine pastures of Great Himalayan National Park, Western Himalaya

摘要

The flowering stages of herbaceous species of high altitude plants were recorded during the survey of 1996-98 in the sub-alpine and alpine pastures (thaches) of Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP). GHNP is located in the Western Himalaya, in district Kullu of Himachal Pradesh. The flowerings of various high altitude species were recorded monthly in this area. The initiation of flowering was synchronized with the beginning of spring or rise in temperature and snowmelt. The flowering starts in late March in sub-alpine and in late April in alpine zone. In these high altitude pastures, the peaks of various phenophases succeed one after the other during the snow free period. It was noticed that plants complete their various growth cycles within a shortperiod of favourable conditions, to ensure the survival of their progeny. The flowering phase of these species varied from (10-15) days to (1-3) months.