Distribution, diversity and phytosociology of Berberis lycium– a medicinally important and economically valuable plant species along a riparian gradient in Jammu and Kashmir

The present communication deals with the distribution, diversity and phytosociology of an important medicinal shrub Berberis lycium along Neeru stream, a major left bank tributary of river Chenab with an elevational gradient of 848 m to 2200 m. Berberis lycium, during our phytosociological surveys has emerged as the most dominant species amongst its understorey associates. The highest values of IVI (180.2 & 160.6) in the riparian zone (Zone-I) were recorded for site 7 (left bank, Dranga) and site 8 (right bank upslope, Zone-II, Amiranagar), respectively. The diversity parameters revealed the highest value (H’ 2.60) at Zone-II along the left bank. The soil parameters (pH, moisture content, Nitrogen, Phosphorous & Potassium) too had a profound effect on the distribution of the plant species, which has been discussed in the paper.