Biomass Variation in The Alpine Pastures of Mandi District, Himachal Pradesh

The present study deals with seasonal variation in the biomass dynamics of different plant compartments at six sites, varying in elevation from 2550 to 3350 m of Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh.In the present study, the aboveground biomass and belowground biomass at all the six study sites were recorded maximum in rainy season and minimum in the winter season while the standing dead vegetation and litter biomass at all the six study sites were recorded maximum in winter season and minimum was recorded in the rainy season during the year.The aboveground biomass varied from 42 ± 6 gm -2 to 290 ± 25 gm -2 while belowground biomass varied from 66 ± 5 gm -2 to 374 ± 37 gm -2 while standing dead vegetation varied from 8.6 ± 2 gm -2 to 36 ± 7 gm -2 and litter biomass varied from 11.2 ± 2 gm -2 to 31.4 ± 7 gm -2 at six different alpine pasture sites.The differences in the biomass dynamics of different plant compartments were mostly due to variations in climate, elevation and the intensity of biotic interferences.