PJB-2021-766
SPATIAL AND SEASONAL VARIATIONS IN VEGETATION COVER OF KIRANA HILLS, PAKISTAN MAINLY ASSOCIATED WITH DUST POLLUTION OF STONE CRUSHING INDUSTRY
MUHAMMAD ASIM SULTAN
Abstract
Present study was conducted to explore the spatial and seasonal variations in the vegetation cover on selected study sites at Kirana Hills Sargodha, Pakistan. The concerned vegetation is growing under extreme dust polluted environment due to presence of stone crushing industry. Through extensive survey study sites were selected and floristic composition of the area was also completed. Native flora included medicinal and fodder plants. Dust, soil and vegetation data was collected from all study sites during four seasons of the year for exploring seasonal variations in the vegetation cover and the factors responsible for these variations. Highest dust concentration was measured at Site 3 and lowest at Site 1. Heavy metal analysis of the dust revealed that all heavy metals were higher at extreme dust sites particularly in winter. Soil analysis revealed that soil attributes fluctuated with each site and season. Vegetation data was collected by using quadrate method. It was revealed that dust pollution had deleterious impact on vegetation by significantly decreasing vegetation cover at extreme dust site specifically in winter. However some plants e.g Aerva jawanica, Aristida mutabilis, Cenchrus ciliaris and Fagonia indica were found at all study sites in all seasons which show the resistance of local vegetation to extreme dust pollution of the area.
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