Floristic composition and vegetation structure of subtropical pine forest of district Buner, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

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J. Bio. Env. Sci. 2016 Justicia adhatoda and Cymbopogon jwarancusa with 57.97, 80.69 and 68.06 IV (Table 1). Mallotus phillipensis, Olea ferruginea, Maytenus royleana, Rubus fruticosus, Rumex hastatus and Euphorbia helioscopia were co-dominant species. Phanerophytes followed by therophytes were dominant life forms. Microphyll leaf form was dominant. This community had sandy loam soil with 7.2 pH, high organic matter (3.93), phosphorus (7.27 ppm), potassium (120 ppm) and EC of 0.7 dSm -1 (Table 3). Discussion The results indicate highly degenerated condition of the area due to deforestation, over-grazing and soil erosion. These factors influence the vegetation structure of an area (Malik et al., 2007). Time of sampling and seasonal activities may also be involved in changing the shape of the communities (Malik, 2005). The communities can be conserved by enhancing number of seedlings and reducing disturbance (Siddiqui et al. 2009). Four different communities were reported from the study area. Diplachne-Olea-Cynodon community located at high altitude (1046-1206m) having different climatic conditions as compared to other established communities. Altitude is an important factor for the determination of the vegetation type. The change in altitude consequently changes the floristic composition and community setup (Sakya and Bania, 1998). Mallotus phillippensis, Pistacia integrima, Berberis lyceum, Maytenus royleana and Otostegia limbata, made the tree and shrub layers respectively while Anagallis arvensis, Plantago lanceolata and Alliaria petiolata contributed to herb layer. Mallotus phillippensis and Otostegia limbata are unpalatable species which increase under biotic stress like grazing and deforestation of associated species (Malik and Malik, 2004). Small proportion of herbaceous plants (11) occur in the community might be due to man set fires in the area. Cynodon-Dodonaea-Ailanthus community was established at low altitude ranges from 765-898m showing high species diversity. Pinus roxburghii, Ficus glomerata, Morus serrata, Olea ferruginea constituted the tree layer while Capparis spinosa, Myrsine africana, Reinwardtia trigyna, Rubus fruticosus, Rumex dentatus, Dicliptera bupleuroides represented the shrub and herb layers respectively. As a result of dry habitat conditions Dodonaea viscosa dominated in the area forming Dodonaea Scrub. The area is protected up to some extent by the elders of the area thereby dense vegetation was found. Prevailed domesticated animals contribute highly organic matter to the soil of the community. Rubus-Cymbopogon-Ailanthus community was developed at the lowest altitude of 553-590m. Acacia modesta, Morus nigra, Broussonetia papyrifera, Prosopis glandulosa, Asparagus gracilis, Dodonaea viscosa, Maytenus royleana, Cannabis sativa, Oxalis corniculata and Rumex dentatus were present. Justicia-Cymbopogon-Ailanthus community was characterized by Mallotus phillipensis, Olea ferruginea, Maytenus royleana, Rubus fruticosus, Rumex hastatus and Euphorbia helioscopia. Phoenix dactylifera found only in this community reflects the conservation practices of inhabitants of the area. Allelopathic potentials might be correlated with the spread of Justicia adhatoda (Malik and Malik, 2004). Differences occurred in phytosociological attributes; however floristic composition in all the communities remained the same as reported by Hussain et al., 2010 and Ahmed et al., 2006. For instance, Pinus roxburghii was present almost in all the communities but it had low IV, because of its use by the local inhabitants for different utilities which caused the degradation of the species. The associated ground flora was poor and comprised of only a few species probably due to the periodic fires, overgrazing and soil erosion (Siddiqui et al. 2009). Gradual degradation of the communities might be correlated with increased population of the area. So it is tempting to speculate the conservation measures of the precious plant diversity. 8 | Ahmad et al.
J. Bio. Env. Sci. 2016 References Ahmad K, Khan ZI, Ashraf M, Hussain M, Ibrahim M, Valeem EEI. 2008. Status of plant diversity at Kufri (Soone valley) Punjab, Pakistan and prevailing threats therein. Pakistan Journal of Botany 40, 993-997. Ahmed M, Husain T, Sheikh AH, Hussain SS, Siddiqui MF. 2006. Phytosociology and structure of Himalayan forests from different climatic zones of Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Botany 38, 361-383. Ali SI, Qaiser M. (Ed). 1995-2010. Flora of Pakistan. Fakhri printing Press Karachi. Badshah L, Hussain F, Mohammad Z. 1996. Floristic and ethnobotanical study some plants of Pirgarh Hills, South Waziristan Agency, Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Plant Sciences 2, 167-177. Cain SA, de Oliveria Castro GM. 1959. Manual of Vegetation Analysis. Harper & Brothers, New York. Malik NZ, Malik ZH. 2004. Present status of subtropical Chirpine vegetation of Kotli hills, Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Journal of Research (Science) 15, 85-90. Malik NZ, Arshad M, Mirza SN. 2007. Phytosociological Attributes of Different Plant Communities of Pir Chinasi Hills of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. International Journal of Agriculture and Biology 9, 569-574. Nasir E, Ali SI. (Eds). 1971-1995. Flora of Pakistan. Fakhri Printing Press Karachi. Perveen A, Sarwar GR, Hussain I. 2008. Plant biodiversity and phytosociological attributes of Dureji (Khirthar Range). Pakistan Journal of Botany 40, 17- 24. Qadir SA, Tareen RB. 1987. Life form and Leaf size spectra of the flora of Quetta District. Mod. Trends Pl. Sci. Res. Pak. 59-62. Cox GW. 1967. “Laboratory Mannual of General Ecology”, W.M.C. Brown Co, Publ. Dubuque, Lowa, U.S.A. pp. 165. Hussain A, Farooq MA, Ahmad M, Akbar M, Zafar MU. 2010. Phytosociology and Structure of Central Karakoram National Park (CKNP) of Northern Areas of Pakistan. World Applied Sciences Journal 9, 1443-1449. Hussain F. 1989. Field and Laboratory Manual for Plant Ecology. Univ. Grants Commission, Islamabad. Hussain M, Shah M, Jan S, Murad W, Shah GM, Bibi N. 2006. Vegetation analysis of Machiara National Park, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). Sci. Khy 19, 79-87. Malik RN, Hussain SZ. 2006. Spatial distribution of ecological communities using remotely sensed data. Pakistan Journal of Botany 38, 571-582. Qureshi R, Bhatti GR. 2008. Diversity of microhabitats and their plant resources in Naradesert, Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Botany 40, 979-992. Raunkiaer C. 1934. The Life Forms of Plants and Statistical Plant Geography. Clarendon Press Oxford. Sakya SR, Bania AMS. 1998. Natural vegetation of Chandragiri region. Ecoprint 5, 51–5. Sher Z, Khan Z. 2007. Floristic Composition, Life Form and Leaf Spectra of the Vegetation of Chagharzai Valley, District Buner. Pakistan Journal of Plant Sciences 13, 55-64. Siddiqui MF, Ahmed M, Wahab M, Khan N, Khan MU, Nazim K, Hussain SS. 2009. Phytosociology of Pinus roxburghii Sargent. (Chir Pine) in Lesser Himalayan and Hindu Kush Range of Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Botany 41, 2357-2369. 9 | Ahmad et al.
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Floristic composition and vegetation structure of subtropical pine forest of district Buner, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

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