Taxonomic Diversity of Understorey Vegetation in Kumaun Himalayan Forests (This is the template – do not put these words about template in your paper)

Abstract: Taxonomic diversity of understorey vegetation (herb species) was studied in two evergreen forests, viz. oak and pine in the Kumaun Himalaya. In terms of taxonomic diversity, Asteraceae and Lamiaceae were the two dominant families in the sampling forest types. Maximum number of species was found at hill base and minimum at hill top in both the forests. The number of families, genera and species ratio observed for pine forest was of course higher with compared to the oak forest showed about the higher taxonomic diversity. Perennials form had higher contribution as compared to annuals forms indicated better ability to store up soil. Very few species (9 species) were found to be common indicates higher dissimilarity in both type of forests. Species richness (per m2) was higher in the pine forest than the oak forest. A high value of beta-diversity in the oak forest point out that the species composition varied from one stand to another. However, low concentration of dominance value in the pine forest with compare to the oak forest point towards the dominance, which is shared by many species