FLORISTIC COMPOSITION AND DIVERSITY ANALYSIS OF KERI HILLS OF DISTRICT KOTLI AZAD JAMMU AND KASHMIR PAKISTAN

  • Nafeesa Zahid Malik Malik
  • Musfirah Anjum
  • Maria Gulraiz
  • Zahid Hussain Malik Malik
  • Qumqum Noshad and Sadia Jehangir

Abstract

The investigated area has need to protect from pressure of local inhabitants and deforestation. The Floristic composition and vegetation analysis of Keri Charhoi hills were analysed. The study found 66 plants species belonging to 36 families. There were 20 plant communities in spring. The soil texture of studied area was loamy to clay loamy. The total soluble salt ranges from 0.02-0.09%, pH from 7.15-7.62, Organic matter ranges from 0.96- 1.8%, Phosphorus ranges from 2.5-10.5ppm and Potassium ranges from 104-170ppm. 58 species were palatable and 25 species were non-palatable. Index of diversity was 3.10 in spring and species richness was 0.85 in spring. The species richness was low at base and increases again then decreases at high altitude. In spring, only one community was homogenous and remaining 9 were heterogenous. Similarly, in monsoon, 4 communities were homogenous and other 6 were heterogenous. Biological spectrum shows that in spring Megaphanerophytes and Hemicryptophytes were dominant. Leaf size classes were Nanophylls and Microphylls. On the basis of cluster analysis, four associations were detected in Charhoi hills. All communities were immature in both seasons.
Published
2018-12-01
Section
Articles