STATUS OF PLANT DIVERSITY IN DIFFERENT SUB-TROPICAL ECOZONES OF PAKISTAN
IQRA PARVEZ *
Department of Botany, University of Sargodha, Sargodha 40100, Pakistan.
IFTIKHAR AHMAD
Department of Botany, University of Sargodha, Sargodha 40100, Pakistan.
MANSOOR HAMEED
Department of Botany, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad 38040, Pakistan.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The aim of present study was to evaluate the current status of plant diversity in different subtropical ecozones of Pakistan. There was mainly twelve ecozones (Kanhatti garden, Daip shareef, Kaghan, Balakot, Khewra, Nathiagali, Wild life Murree, Air base sakesar, Islamabad, Sheringal, Upper dir and Abbottabad) that belonging to three provinces of Pakistan. These ecozones were selected on various geophysical attributes, vegetation type and geographical location. The total numbers of species were calculated in aforementioned areas with the help of quadrat method. The data for density frequency, cover and importance value were recorded by using the CCA (Canonical Correspondence Analysis). The results showed the significant variation at various sites. Cynodondactylon was abundant present almost all the sites due toits superior tolerance. While, Erioscirpus comosus was frequently present at mountainous areas because of high moisture content in the soil and environment. It was concluded that high altitude areas had more organic matters and moisture contents in the soil as compared withlow altitude. While, mountainous (High altitude) areas such as Abbottabad, Upper Dir, Murree, Islamabad and Sakesar sites cover the more species diversity. Moreover, Kanhatti garden also had more organic contents that supports the more diversity.
Keywords: Plant diversity, ecozones, quadrat method, density frequency, cynodondactylon