POPULATION STRUCTURE AND NATURAL REGENERATION POTENTIAL OF JUNIPERUS EXCELSA (M.BIEB) IN NORTHERN BALOCHISTAN PAKISTAN

A quantitative study was conducted in 66 mono-specific stands of juniper (juniperus excelsa, M. Bieb) forests in four adjacent districts of northern Balochistan. Only 33 species were found along with juniper among which the frequency of sharubs were accounted (28%) followed by herbs (non grasses) (57%) while grasses contributed only (15%) the density of juniper trees (>6cm dbh) ranged from 88-376 stem/ha with a mean of 214 individuals/ha. The average basal area was 33.77 m2ha-1 Higher densities were recorded for relatively undisturbed stands and on the north facing slopes. Juniper density and basal area was significantly correlated (r=0.73, P<0.001). Diameter distributions within the stands were mostly skewed and uni-model with gaps appearing in the large size classes.\ud \ud Adequate recruitment of Juniper seedlings were observed. Seedling and sapling (