Typology of Pure Deodar Forests Driven by Vegetation–Environment Relations in Manoor Valley, Northwestern Himalaya

The current research was carried out to characterize the phytosociology of forests one Pakistan’s most valuable tree species (Deodar) across its native range. In this context, our main hypothesis that, along altitudinal gradient, we would find different plant communities that be driven by environmental variables (climatic, edaphic, and physiographic). Therefore, assess vegetation structure pure Deodar unexplored Manoor Valley (Northwestern Himalaya), Pakistan, frequent field visits were during seasons 2015–2018. Ecological methods: Line transects sampling (23 stands) phytosociological attributes evaluated in relation geographical variables. Various statistical software applications (i.e., PCORD, RStudio 4.0, R 3.6.1) used examine all gathered data A total three (Cedrus–Isodon–Cynodon, Cedrus–Cynodon–Dryopteris, Sambucus–Cedrus–Desmodium) identified grouping 162 23 stands under influence geographic, slope, climatic variables, ranging from 1580.8 2373.8 m. altitude (1936–2373 m), slope angle (25–85°), sandy (29–48%) loamy soil texture, wind speed (1.45 ms−1), temperature (25.8 °C) had a strong on Sambucus–Cedrus–Desmodium community. contrast with this, Cedrus–Cynodon–Dryopteris community showed positively significant relationship northeastern silty (32–58%) (15.8–55%) barometric pressure (814.3 pa). Nonetheless, Cedrus–Isodon–Cynodon revealed positive association southwestern pH (6.3), wet bulb (19.7), dew point (17.7). We found differences (p < 0.001) among four diversity indexes. has maximum number plants (129 species), Shannon’s (H’ = 3.7), Simpson’s dominance (0.98) values recorded communities. Pielou’s evenness index value led (0.97). Beta dissimilarity lower than 50% Simple term effects canonical correspondence analysis model 0.05) altitude, angle, (southeastern), present investigation sheds light pattern contribution as function gradients provides baseline for future studies.