Composition and Diversity Pattern of Climbers in Tropical Forest of Langchenphu, Jomotshangkha Wildlife Sanctuary

Abstract

Since early civilization, climbers are well known and valued as non-wood forest products as well as medicinal plants. The study was conducted to determine the composition and diversity pattern of climbers along altitudinal gradient in the forest of Agoorthang and Jangsa Chiwog under Langchenphu Gewog. Three elevational transects with 10 x 10 m plots were assessed for presence of climbers.
A total of 152 plant species from 30 plots were recorded. Asteraceae, Rosaceae, Fabacea and Viteacea were dominant families. Mean richness ranged from 0.78-1.28 between three elevational zones. Species richness and Shannon index were high in the lowest elevation and vice versa. Oneway ANOVA showed a significant difference in climber richness and diversity at different elevations (p < .05). No significant relationship was found between the diversity indices of climbers and the diversity indices of associated species. Diversity of climbers was high in lower elevational zone where temperature was higher (23.89 0C). Exploitation of medicinal climbers is high in the study area. Conservation of climbers in the study area will be accelerated through attentions of proper management and monitoring process