Community Structure and Regeneration of Sub-alpine Abies spectabilis

Community structure and regeneration of Abies spectabilis (D.Don) Mirb was studied in Abies spectabilis forest located between Chandanbari and Lauribina area (3100-4000m)of Langtang National Park, Central Nepal. Vegetation sampling was done by quadrat method, and the sample quadrats were located by systematic random sampling method. Altogether 80 quadrats were sampled. Abies spectabilis was the dominant tree species and Rhododendron campanulatum was the co-dominant species. Species diversity of the forest was relatively low, which might be due to anthropogenic factors such as cattle grazing, fire wood collection and logging. Total tree density declined with increasing elevation between 3100 m and 3550 m but it increased from 3550 m towards treeline (4000 m).