Montane Temperate Forests of India
These forests thrive in temperate zones (altitude: 1500–3300+ m) of Himalayan and high southern hill regions, where temperature is around 15°C and precipitation is moderate to high.
They are categorized into three main types:
1. Montane Wet Temperate Forests
🌦️ Climatic Conditions
- Altitude: 1800–3000 m
- Rainfall: 150–300 cm
- Temperature: 11–14 °C
- Humidity: ~80%
📍 Distribution
- Higher hills of Tamil Nadu & Kerala (e.g., Anamalai, Nilgiris)
- Eastern Himalayas
🌳 Characteristics
- Dense, closed evergreen forests
- Low trees (~6 m) with thick girths
- Trees are covered in mosses, ferns, epiphytes — appear ancient and lush
- Key species: Deodar, Chilauni, Chestnut, Birch, Blue Pine, Oak, Hemlock
2. Himalayan Moist Temperate Forests
🌦️ Climatic Conditions
- Altitude: 1500–3300 m
- Rainfall: 150–250 cm
- Temperature: ~15 °C
📍 Distribution
- Entire Himalayan range: Kashmir, Himachal, Uttarakhand, Darjeeling, Sikkim
🌳 Characteristics
- Tall coniferous trees (30–50 m), often in pure stands
- Open forests with shrubs, oaks, rhododendrons, bamboo below
- Dominant trees: Cedar, Silver Fir, Pine, Spruce
🪵 Timber Use
- Excellent for construction, furniture, railway sleepers
3. Himalayan Dry Temperate Forests
🌦️ Climatic Conditions
- Precipitation < 100 cm, mostly snow
- Dry due to rain-shadow of Himalayas
📍 Distribution
- Inner dry valleys: Ladakh, Lahul-Spiti, Kinnaur, Chamba, Garhwal
🌳 Characteristics
- Open coniferous forests with xerophytic shrubs
- Dominant species: Deodar, Oak, Ash, Olive
✅ Comparison Table: Montane Temperate Forests
| Forest Type | Altitude (m) | Rainfall (cm) | Dominant Species | Location | Notes |
| Wet Temperate | 1800–3000 | 150–300 | Deodar, Oak, Chestnut, Ferns, Epiphytes | TN, Kerala hills; Eastern Himalayas | Closed canopy, lush, moss-covered |
| Moist Temperate | 1500–3300 | 150–250 | Pine, Cedar, Fir, Spruce, Rhododendrons | Western & Central Himalayas | Tall trees, important for timber |
| Dry Temperate | 1800–3300 | <100 (Snow) | Deodar, Oak, Olive, Ash | Inner Himalayas: Ladakh, Lahul, Kinnaur | Sparse, dry-adapted conifers/shrubs |
