Biodiversity / Plants
Trees
Trees largely predominate the temperate belt of GHNP. The conifer species are widely distributed at various altitudes (e.g., blue pine, cedar, spruce, and fir) in the successive low to high altitudinal zones. Each of the upper coniferous belt has its characteristic oak which provide acorns for birds and rodents. The white-oak is associated with Pinus roxburghii and blue pine; green-oak with fir and spruce. Brown-oak mainly forms the pure community at the treeline.
A number of lichens and fungi occur on the oak trees which in turn provide food material for mammals and birds. Himalayan yew is most abundant in the fir forest where they give an appearance of an old forest and provide a distinct cool microclimate. Rhododendron arboreum dominates between 1500-3000 m with a tendency of preference for the lower elevation on the north side. Four species of Maple occur with a wide range of altitude from 1500-3500 m. Aesculus, alder, poplar, birch, and willows are common near the streams.
List of trees found at various altitudes
| Species/ Botanical Name | Common Name | Elevation Range (m) |
|---|---|---|
| Abies spectabilis (D.Don.) Mirbel | Himalayan high altitude fir | 3,000-4,000 |
| Abies pindrow Royle | Silver fir/ Tosh | 2,500-3,200 |
| Acer acuminatum Wall. ex D.Don. | Maple | 2,500-3,200 |
| Acer caesium Wall. ex Brandis | Maple | 2,200-3,000 |
| Aesculus indica Kk. f. & Th. | Horse chestnut/ Khnor | 1,800-3,000 |
| Alnus nepalensis D. Don. | Alder | 1,500-2,000 |
| Betula utilis D. Don. | Birch/ Bhoj patra | 3,000-4,000 |
| Buxus wallichiana Baillon | Boxwood/ Shamshad | 2,500-3,000 |
| Cedrus deodara G. Don. | Deodar/ Cedar | 2,000-3,000 |
| Cornus capitata Wall. | Dogwood | 1,800-2,800 |
| Corylus jacquemontii Decne. | Hazelnut/ Bhuti badam | 2,500-3,200 |
| Cupressus torulosa D.Don. | Pencil cedar | 1,800-3,000 |
| Ilex dipyrena Wall. | Holly/ Kaluchha | 2,000-2,800 |
| Machilus duthie King ex Hk. f. & Th. | 1,500-2,000 |
