Ecological preferences and soil relationships of Berberis aristata, Cinnamomum tamala and Zanthoxylum armatum along altitudinal gradients in Western Himalayas, India

The Himalaya is the important sources of valuable medicinal plants. In the present study, few medicinal plants ( B. aristata, C. tamala and Z armatum ) were taken for the study. In Garhwal Himalaya the occurrence and soil characteristics of the habitat for best growth is recognized. Therefore, the present study was carried out in Kirtinagar block of Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand along species-specific elevational gradient comprising to analyze the soil physicochemical indicators (characteristics) suitable for the natural growth of selected three medicinal multipurpose species, having various demands to the local inhabitants. The study covered elevational ranges of 800–2000 m for Z. armatum , 1200–1800 m for B. aristata , and 900–1700 m for C. tamala , in lower (LE), middle (ME), and higher elevational (HE) zones. These species has high medicinal and multipurpose value, frequent occurrence across elevational zones with local livelihoods in the Garhwal Himalayan region. In the soil indicator physico-chemical parameters, texture of soil was dominated by sandy-to-sandy loam. BD and soil moisture varied across species and elevations. Soil pH was near neutral for Z. armatum and C. tamala , while, B. aristata exhibited a wider range of tolerance including acidic conditions at higher elevations. Nutrients availability showed higher mean N (387.56±17.81), P (8.18±0.51), K (371.39±25.90) and SOC (2.28±0.89) at LE to ME under C. tamala and Z. armatum. B. aristata exhibited maximum growth at LE to ME (1200–1600 m) in coarse, nutrient-rich soils, showing very strong positive correlations with soil pH ( r = 1.00) and nitrogen ( r = 0.99). C. tamala grew best in coarse, well-drained soils, strongly associated with sand content ( r = 0.87, p < 0.001), while fine-textured, moisture-rich soils limit its height. Z. armatum reached greater heights at mid-elevations, positively correlated with SOC ( r = 0.88, p < 0.001), whereas higher moisture, fine texture, and compacted nutrient-rich soils reduced growth. The study highlights overall strong linkages between vegetation structure, soil properties, and elevation, and identifies species-specific edaphic preferences that are critical for conservation planning, and livelihood-oriented interventions in the Garhwal Himalayan region.