Community level phenology of grassland above treeline in Central Himalaya, India

Abstract

The developmental stages of 142 alpine plant species were observed during 1984/85 in the grassland site of Rudranath bughiyal (30°28'N, 79°20'E; 3250 to 4200 m) in the Central Himalayan region. The growth initiation synchronized with the beginning of the spring temperature rise and the resultant snowmelt, and peaked after 30 to 40 d. In this alpine grassland, the peaks of the various phenophases succeeded one after another over about 4 mo, from early June to early October. This study supports the notion that in the unfavorable environment of the high elevations the primary plant strategy is to complete the growth cycle rapidly in order to assure the survival of the species.