Examining relationship between environmental gradients and Lesser Himalyan forest vegetation of Nikyal valley, Azad Jammu and Kashmir using ordination analysis

OBJECTIVE@#To report the relationship of vegetation structure and environmental gradient and physiochemical properties of soil at Nikyal valley, Azad Jammu and Kashmir .@*METHODS@#A survey of natural vegetation and soil of Nikyal valley was undertaken. Phytosociological survey was conducted by using Braun-Blanquet's approach. The study also investigated the vegetation structure and its relationship with altitude and edaphic factors. The floristic data was analyzed by cluster anlaysis, detrended correspondence analysis and canonical correspondence analysis using CANACOO 5.0.@*RESULTS@#A total of 110 plant species and 13 stands were merged into five major associations as dema rcated by cluster analysis and detrended correspondence analysis. The associations were Olea-Pinus-Themeda association, Myrsine-Rhus-Quercus association, Quercus-Rubus-Pinus association and Quercus association. Soil organic matter, saturation, pH and altitude play the major role in distribution of species.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The variation in vegetation structure is controlled by the altitudinal gradient and physiochemical properties of soil. These results indicate a deteriorated forest structure and reduced regeneration pattern, demanding immediate attention of forest management authorities.

Examining relationship between environmental gradients and Lesser Himalyan forest vegetation of Nikyal valley, Azad Jammu and Kashmir using ordination analysis

Objective: To report the relationship of vegetation structure and environmental gradient and physiochemical properties of soil at Nikyal valley, Azad Jammu and Kashmir Methods: A survey of natural vegetation and soil of Nikyal valley was undertaken. Phytosociological survey was conducted by using Braun-Blanquet's approach. The study also investigated the vegetation structure and its relationship with altitude and edaphic factors. The floristic data was analyzed by cluster anlaysis, detrended correspondence analysis and canonical correspondence analysis using CANACOO 5.0. Results: A total of 110 plant species and 13 stands were merged into five major associations as dema rcated by cluster analysis and detrended correspondence analysis. The associations were Olea- Pinus- Themeda association, Myrsine- Rhus- Quercus association, Quercus- Rubus- Pinus association and Quercus association. Soil organic matter, saturation, pH and altitude play the major role in distribution of species. Conclusions: The variation in vegetation structure is controlled by the altitudinal gradient and physiochemical properties of soil. These results indicate a deteriorated forest structure and reduced regeneration pattern, demanding immediate attention of forest management authorities.

Palynological studies of some problematical medicinal plants of Pakistan

Morphology of pollen grains of each species is based on specimens selected at random. Proposed characters i.e. grain, shape of pollen grain, equatorial view, polar view, equatorial diameter [E], polar diameter [P], P/E ratio, length of colpus, exine surface, exine thickness, number of spines between colpi in each species were recorded for comparison. At species level, micro-morphological differences and distribution of surface pattern, shape and size of pollen have been found to exist. The pollen grains are consistently echinate, trizonocolporate. This study demonstrates the potential of pollen studies in distinguishing some taxonomic groups in the Asteraceae. The present research project is confined to the palynological studies of some of the problematical medicinal plants of Pakistan. Sixteen different genera: acacia, Agrimonia, Allium, Anthemis, Asparagus, Berberis, Centella, Colchicum, Cotula, Delphinium, Gentiana, Lactuca, Matricaria, Nigella, Phyllenthus, Viola have been examined in this study. Matricaria chamomilla, Anthemis nobilis, and Cotula aurea have been differentiated with the help of palynology. The palynological studies of Lactuca dissecta [with white flowers] and Lactuca dissecta [with purple flowers] showed many characteristic differences

Potential threats involved in the decline of some medicinal plants of Margalla Hills, Islamabad

The importance of medicinal plants and their use in research work cannot be overemphasized. Their existence is vital for the production of various drugs and curing diseases. The habitat of some medicinal plants at Margalla Hills, was studied in order to find out potential threats to these plants. Their diversity was also noted. It was observed that Carissa opaca Stapf. ex Haines and Dodonaea viscose [L.] Jacq. were the major species exploited as fire wood and grazing material. Among other factors, forest fire was monitored the most perilous one, involved in decline of these species. It is recommended that sustainable use of these natural reserves by controlled grazing and cutting would help in reducing the stress, which is an imminent problem faced by the medicinal plants of Margalla Hills