title: Exploring the patterns of alpine vegetation of Eastern Bhutan: a case study from the Merak Himalaya.
abstract: A survey was conducted from March to September 2012 along the altitudinal gradient of the Jomokungkhar trail in the Merak Himalaya of Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary to study the floristic compositions and the patterns of alpine vegetation of Eastern Bhutan. The vegetation of the sampled plots is classified into five types of communities based on the hierarchical cluster analysis at similarity index 63% viz., (1) Riverine Community; (2) Abies-Rhododendron Woodland Community; (3) Juniperus Scrub Community; (4) Rhododendron Krummholz and (5) Alpine Meadow, based on the floristic compositions. In addition, it was noticed that the fragile alpine environment of the Merak Himalaya has high plant diversity and important plants that are susceptible to the anthropogenic pressures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Science, Nganglam Higher Secondary School, Nganglam, Pemagatshel 44102 Bhutan.
authors.forename: Karma
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jamtsho
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90112 Thailand.
authors.forename: Kitichate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sridith
keywords: Alpine floristic community; Eastern Bhutan; Himalaya; Merak; Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary; Vegetation