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{{Short description|none}}
{{Infobox ecoregion
{{Infobox ecoregion
| name = Western Himalayan subalpine conifer forests
| name = Western Himalayan subalpine conifer forests
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==Flora==
==Flora==
Several distinct forest types are found in this ecoregion. Fir trees (''[[Abies spectabilis]]'') in places grow in nearly pure stands. In other areas they mix with oaks (''[[Quercus semecarpifolia]]''). ''[[Rhododendron campanulatum]]'', ''Abies spectabilis'', and birch (''[[Betula utilis]]'') form another common assemblage. Elsewhere mixed-conifer forests are made up of ''Abies spectabilis'', blue pine (''[[Pinus wallichiana]]'') and spruce (''[[Picea smithiana]]''). ''[[Cupressus torulosa]]'' and ''[[Cedrus deodara]]'' are also found here.
Several distinct forest types are found in this ecoregion. Fir trees (''[[Abies spectabilis]]'') in places grow in nearly pure stands. In other areas they mix with oaks (''[[Quercus semecarpifolia]]''). ''[[Rhododendron campanulatum]]'', ''Abies spectabilis'', and birch (''[[Betula utilis]]'') form another common assemblage. Elsewhere mixed-conifer forests are made up of ''Abies spectabilis'', blue pine (''[[Pinus wallichiana]]'') and spruce (''[[Picea smithiana]]''). ''[[Cupressus torulosa]]'' and ''[[Cedrus deodara]]'' are also found here. Some parts like the [[Deva Vatala National Park]] have shrubbier forests consisting of [[mangifera indica]], [[Senegalia senegal]] and others.
A recently published major new monograph, Conifers Around the World, treats the high-level western Himalayan fir tree as Abies gamblei (apparently, A. spectabilis does not reach this region!)<ref>[http://conifersaroundtheworld.com/blog/abies_gamblei_gamble_fir Abies gamblei - Gamble Fir | Conifers Around the World<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
A recently published major new monograph, ''Conifers Around the World'', treats the high-level western Himalayan fir tree as ''Abies gamblei'' (apparently, ''[[Abies spectabilis]]'' does not reach this region!)<ref>[http://conifersaroundtheworld.com/blog/abies_gamblei_gamble_fir Abies gamblei - Gamble Fir | Conifers Around the World<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
Following are some notable conifers present in the area:
Following are some notable conifers present in the area:
[[Fir]]: [[Abies pindrow]], [[Abies spectabilis]] and [[Abies gamblei]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-2609866|title=Abies gamblei Hickel — The Plant List|website=www.theplantlist.org|language=en|access-date=2017-12-28}}</ref>
*[[Fir]]: ''[[Abies pindrow]]'', ''[[Abies spectabilis]]'', and ''[[Abies gamblei]]''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-2609866|title=Abies gamblei Hickel — The Plant List|website=www.theplantlist.org|language=en|access-date=2017-12-28}}</ref>
*[[Pine]]: ''[[Pinus roxburghii]]'', ''[[Pinus wallichiana]]'', and ''[[Pinus gerardiana]]''
[[Pine]]: [[Pinus roxburghii]], [[Pinus wallichiana]] and [[Pinus gerardiana]].
*''[[Taxus]]'': ''[[Taxus contorta]]'' and ''[[Taxus wallichiana]]''
*[[File:Lightning struck tree - From the beautiful hiking trails of Ayubia National Park.jpg|thumb|310x310px|[[Deodar forests]] in [[Ayubia National Park]].]][[Ephedra (plant)|Ephedra]]: ''[[Ephedra gerardiana]]'', ''[[Ephedra intermedia]]''
The ecoregion forms a belt of coniferous forest covering 39,700 square kilometres (15,300 sq mi) on elevations between 3,000 and 3,500 metres (9,800 and 11,500 ft). It extends west from the Gandaki River in Nepal, through the Indian states of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir into northern Pakistan. This belt of conifers is the highest expanse of woodland to be found on the slopes of the Himalayas, treeless alpine scrub lying just above its ecotopic frontier. It is a valuable ecosystem as many Himalayan birds and animals migrate seasonally up and down the mountains spending part of the year in the conifer forests, so conservation is a high priority.[1]
A recently published major new monograph, Conifers Around the World, treats the high-level western Himalayan fir tree as Abies gamblei (apparently, Abies spectabilis does not reach this region!)[2]
Following are some notable conifers present in the area:
This ecoregion is home to some fifty-eight species of mammals. Important inhabitants include the brown bear and threatened or endangered species such as Himalayan serow, Himalayan tahr, and the markhor goat, the national symbol of Pakistan. The only endemic mammal is a rodent, the murree vole (Hyperacrius wynnei).
About 285 species of birds have been recorded in this ecoregion, including 9 endemic species and a number of birds that are sensitive to habitat disturbance and therefore likely to be vulnerable to further forest clearance. These include the Koklass pheasant (Pucrasia macrolopha), western tragopan (Tragopan melanocephalus), and the Himalayan monal (Lophophorus impejanus).
