Open AccessFloristic composition, biological spectrum and conservation status of the vegetation in Nikyal valley, Azad Jammu and Kashmir
Author(s) -
Muhammad Amjad,
Muhammad Arshad,
Huma Mehreen Sadaf,
Durr-e-Shahwar,
Faraz Akrim,
Adnan Arshad
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
asian pacific journal of tropical disease
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.208
H-Index - 33
ISSN - 2222-1808
DOI - 10.1016/s2222-1808(15)60986-0
Subject(s) - floristics , quadrat , geography , endangered species , vegetation (pathology) , plant community , ecology , conservation status , fabaceae , flora (microbiology) , detrended correspondence analysis , critically endangered , taxon , biology , ordination , species richness , habitat , shrub , medicine , genetics , pathology , bacteria
Objective: To analyze floristic compositions, biological spectrum and conservation status of\udthe existing vegetation in valley.\udMethods: A quantitative phytosociological survey was conducted using quadrat method at\uddifferent sites. Sampling was done by using quadrat method. A complete floristic list of the\udplant communities of the study area was compiled on the basis of plant collection. Life form\udand leaf spectra were constructed using the complete list of the plant communities collected from\udstudy area. Conservation status of each species was established on the basis of International\udUnion for Conservation of Nature criteria.\udResults: The flora of Nikyal valley consisted of 110 species belonging to 51 families and 98\udgenera. Poaceae (18 spp.), Asteraceae (10 spp.), Lamiaceae (8 spp.) and Fabaceae (7 spp.)\udwere the leading families in the area. Biological spectrums of 13 different plant communities\udwere grouped into four plant associations on the basis of cluster analysis and detrended\udcorrespondence analysis. The data showed that hemicryptophytes (32.73%) were the dominant\udlife form in the area followed by therophytes (23.64%) and nanophanerophytes (22.73%)\udduring monsoon season. Similarly, nanophyllous species (37.27%) followed by microphyllous\udspecies (29.09%) remained dominant during monsoon in the investigated area.\udConclusions: The majority of important plant species of Nikyal valley are critically\udendangered, therefore effective measures for conservation of plant resources of the valley\udare urgently needed. We recommend the floristic life-form spectrum technique if working in\udsufficiently large areas, because it could provide an indication of the prevailing phytoclimate