Regeneration status of Chir pine at various altitudes

A study to understand and assess the impact of altitudinal gradients on the regeneration of Pinus roxburghii (Chir pine) under Champion and Seth's Himalayan Chir pine Forests region (9/C_1b) in Solan Forest Division, HP was carried out during the year 2012–2013. The altitudinal gradient in the present case varied from 900 to 2100 m amsl. The survey was conducted for recruits, unestablished and established regeneration. The perusal of data for regeneration status of Chir pine forest revealed that recruits, unestablished and established regeneration of Chir was present at all the altitudes. Number of recruits showed a decreasing trend with altitudinal variation from 3958.33 to 902.78/ha. The unestablished seedlings showed equal values at 1200–1500 m and 1500–1800 m elevation and then showed a decreasing trend. In case of established seedlings/ha values increased upwards up to 1500–1800 m and then decreased at 1800–2100 m. Established stocking per cent and regeneration success per cent also showed similar trend as established seedlings/ha.