PJB-2022-495
FIRST INSIGHT INTO THE FLORISTIC COMPOSITION, BIOLOGICAL SPECTRA, AND ECOLOGICAL FEATURES
Khaista Rahman
Abstract
The present study was conducted to explore the floristic composition, biological spectrum, and ecological characteristics of the vegetation of Sultan Khail valley, Dir Upper, Pakistan. Regular trips were arranged during 2017–2019 to collect plant specimens and prepare a checklist of the flora of the area. The life form and leaf size spectra of vegetation were determined. The area is home to 332 species belonging to 234 genera and 96 families. Asteraceae (32 species, 9.7%) was the dominant family in the area, followed by Rosaceae (28 species, 8.5%) and Lamiaceae (21 species, 6.4%). Herbaceous flora (220 species) was found to be dominant in the region, followed by shrubs (54 species) and trees (48 species). Seasonal variation indicated that maximum numbers of species were found in the summer season. Therophytes were found to be dominant (126 species, 38%) in the area, followed by phanerophytes, while microphylls (107 species, 32.2%) were dominant in leaf size classes, followed by nanophylls (99 species, 29.8%). Seasonal variation in life forms showed that the spring, autumn, and winter season’s flora was dominated by phanerophytes (104 species, 41.8%), while therophytes were found dominant in the summer season. Seasonal variation in leaf size spectra showed that microphylls were dominant in the spring and summer seasons, while in the autumn and winter seasons, nanophylls were dominant. The highest numbers of species were found in dry places, followed by forests. The flora of the area is subjected to severe anthropogenic stress and needs proper conservation.
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