Stand Structure and Dynamics of the Naturally Managed Oak-Dominated Forests and Their Relation to Environmental Variables in Swat Hindu Kush Range of Pakistan

Although oak woodlands are a characteristic landscape component in the Swat Hindukush Mountain ranges, little is known about their current or historical stand population structure and regeneration dynamics related to environmental variables. Therefore, present study assessed structure, status, relationship of communities with The 30 oak-dominated forest sites using quadrates method, sampling 300 for evaluating phytosociological structures forests were dominated by four species, i.e., Quercus incana, baloot, dilatata, semecarpifolia, distributed along elevation. lower elevation most diverse Q. having higher parameters, importance value index, basal area, density. In contrast, higher-elevation parameters moderate measures, while those at intermediate elevations have parameters. variables negatively correlated structures, (r = −0.51), precipitation −0.47), relative humidity −0.77), whereas soil nutrients such as Potassium concentration significant negative relation stands −0.66) indicating vital role sustaining communities. fairly regenerated, an age between 12–36 years, young These results concluded that observed wide range variability characteristics reflects mechanisms shaped them. recent anthropogenic factors, military operations natural hazards flood 2010, deliberately affected under restoration.