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PHYTOSOCIOLOGY OF SUMMER VEGETATION OF SUDAN GALLI HILLS,
DISTRICT BAGH, AZAD KASHMIR, PAKISTAN
ZAMAN SHER1, FARRUKH HUSSAIN2
AND LAL BADSHAH2
Abstract: Four
associations: Pinus wallichiana, Abies pindrow, Abies-Pinus and
Temperate grassland containing thirteen communities were recognized on
the basis of importance values. Pinus wallichiana association
consisted of five communities: Pinus-Berberis-Carex sempervernse,
Pinus-Sarcococa-Hedra, Pinus-Sarcococa-Carex schalgintiweitiana,
Pinus-Vibernum-Poa and Pinus-Sarcococa-Carex sempervernse on
the south facing slopes. Abies pindrow association comprised of
six communities viz: Abies-Sarcococa-Fragaria,
Abies-Sarcococa-Anogromma, Abies-Sarcococa-Urochloa,
Abies-Vibernum-Fragaria, Abies-Vibernum-Galium and
Abies-Vibernum-Viola on the north facing slopes. Abies-Pinus
association on the south facing slope and the temperate grassland on top
of the hills had one community each. The plant species, communities and
associations differed on south and north facing slopes. Grasses
dominated the top. The South facing slopes had relatively xeric
conditions. In contrast the north facing slopes were mesic and therefore
supported different plant communities. Biomass of the forbs increased
with altitude up to 2350 m but thereafter it gradually decreased towards
the top, on the south-facing slope. Quite opposite behavior has been
observed regarding biomass for the grasses on the same slope. Grasses in
the foothills and at the peaks of the south-facing slopes had more
biomass. The biomass of the forbs was greater than of the grasses on the
north-facing slopes.
1Govt.
Degree College, Lahor, District Swabi, Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, Pakistan
2Department
of Botany, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
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