Abstract
The present study was conducted to assess temporal climate changes and climate, vegetation productivity
potential of Galies Forest Division-Abbottabad (GFD) over time span of 1962-2011. The climate parameters,
including: temperature (maximum, minimum, mean) and precipitation were used, both on annual and
seasonal basis, to assess climate regimes and climate changes. The results showed temperature regime of
16.36±0.08°C, 6.08±0.08°C and 11.21±0.07°C for maximum temperature, minimum temperature and mean
temperature, respectively. Monsoon was the warmest season, while winter was the coldest season. The
mean precipitation regime was 889.48±19.43 mm/annum. Monsoon was the wettest season and autumn
was the driest season. A highly significant increase in mean temperature, maximum temperature and
minimum temperature was observed. The winter got the highest increase in minimum temperature. The
lowest increase was estimated in minimum temperature during monsoon. The increase in minimum
temperature was relatively greater compared to maximum temperature. An overall increase of 1.39% in
precipitation was recorded. The precipitation increased during monsoon, autumn and winter. Conversely,
the precipitation decreased during spring and summer. Climate, Vegetation Productivity Index (CVPI) ranged
between 4,362 and 9,091 with an increasing trend. The highest Climate Vegetation Productivity Index was
recorded during 2003, while the lowest during 1971. Based on these results, it is concluded that climate has
changed significantly, both vertically and horizontally over GFD. This changing climate has considerable
effects on vegetation productivity in the Forest Division. The increase in vegetation productivity within
certain temperature ranges is an encouraging sign for management of the forests in the GFD.
