Oaks (Family: Fagaceae) Diversity From Moist Temperate Forests of Lesser Himalayas, Pakistan

A detailed survey was conducted in five national parks and game reserves of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan to assess the biodiversity of family Fagaceae. Identification of the species was done using literary sources and comparison of samples with herbaria from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad and Pakistan Museum of Natural History, Islamabad, Pakistan. A total of eight different species belonging to two genera were identified, including Quercus spp., Castanea sativa, Quercus glauca, Quercus baloot, Quercus incana, Quercus velutina, Quercus alba and Quercus dilatata. The greatest biodiversity was found in Banjosa Game Reserve (BGR) and Tolipir National Park (TNP), while Pir Chinasi National Park (PCNP), Pir Lasura National Park (PLNP) and Dhirkot National Reserve (DNR) had the least number of species.