Bisht, S.Adhikari, B.S.Shrivastava, A.K.2025-05-302018https://digitalrepository.wii.gov.in/handle/123456789/857The study was conducted from January 2013 - October 2017 between 1000-3900 m in Gori and Dhauli sub-watersheds in Askot landscape in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand under Biodiversity Conservation and Rural Livelihood Improvement Project (BCRLIP). A preliminary information was collected regarding vegetation community in the landscape through existing knowledge and reconnaissance surveys. Vegetation plots were laid to study the structure, composition and regeneration pattern in various forest communities in the landscape. Questionnaire survey was conducted in different villages to study the use pattern of various Non-Timber Forest Products and state of traditional knowledge among local communities. A checklist of 596 species of plants was prepared including some rare and endangered species, of which 132 trees, 121 shrubs, 24 climbers, 36 orchids and 283 herbs were recorded after carrying out a reconnaissance of the landscape. The collected vegetation data was analyzed and 11 forest communities were identified based on TWINSPAN viz, P. roxburghii, Q. floribunda, Q. leucotrichophora, Q. lanuginosa, A. nepalensis, T. dumosa, Q. semecarpifolia, M. duthiei, A. pindrow, P. wallichiana and B. utilis. Lopping, weed infestation, forest fire and grazing are some of the threats to the plant biodiversity in the landscape. A Species richness map and disturbance level map was prepared in Arc Gis for the landscape. Based on collected information, a list of nine potential indicator species (Polygonum, Strobilanthes, Diplazium, Ageratina adenophora, Alnus nepalensis, Quercus leucotrichophora, Quercus lanuginosa, Macaranga pustulata, Rhododendron arboreum and Pinus roxburghii) were prepared. Three plant species (Ageratina adenophora, Alnus nepalensis, and Quercus leucotrichophora) were selected as indicator species, which will be used for long-term monitoring protocol to detect biodiversity change in the landscape by the local communities.enPeople dependencyForest communitiesAskot landscapeNon Timber Forest ProduceUttarakhandTechnical Report