Anomalous distribution of Cedrus deodara and Pinus roxburghii in Parbati valley, Kullu, Western Himalaya: An assessment in dendroecological perspective

The dendroecological potential of two conifers, Pinus roxburghii Sargent (Chir pine) and Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) G. Don, (Deodar) growing at Kasol, Kullu, western Himalaya, is discussed here. These two trees in this site, in contrast to their normal distribution along an altitude gradient, exhibit reversed orientation i.e., deodar trees are replaced by chir pine trees at higher altitude. A dendroecological approach was applied to investigate the distribution pattern in this area. Both trees exhibit clear datable tree-ring sequences, sensitive to climate change. Availability and amount of soil moisture during the early part of the growing period has an important role in the growth of both taxa. At lower elevations, retention of higher soil moisture for a longer duration from snow melt forms a suitable environment for the growth of deodar over chir pine. At higher elevations, steep slope, shallow soil depth or almost barren rock surface, and low water infiltration along with prevalence of ground fire provide an inhospitable situation for deodar, but chir pine can adapt to such conditions.