Abstract Detail

Conservation Biology

Ali, Kishwar [1], Khan, Nasrullah [2], Rehman, Inayat Ur [3], Jury, Stephen [4], Ahmad, Habib [4].

Multivariate analysis and vegetation mapping of District Swat, Northern Pakistan.

 Multivariate, ordination analysis of species was carried out to explore and understand the floristic composition of Swat District. DCA and CCA methods of the Conoco software were applied to analyse tree-tree, tree-herbaceous plants and plants-physical and environmental factors relationships. In the CCA different environmental factors were used as determining factors for the distribution of flora. DCA ordination for the tree species indicates that Taxus baccata has the lowest correlation response and is thus not associated with the other tree species. Picea smithiana, Cedrus deodar and Abies pindrow were positioned just below the Taxus baccata, in the ceonospace of the Canoco diagram, showing a good degree of association with each other and a moderate to high altitude range of occurrence. The DCA ordination plot for the locations-only analysis indicates that location 18 (Sulatanr and Rodingar) provide distinct environmental conditions for the flora and can be termed as superior biodiversity hotspots. It is also concluded that all the lowland species i.e. Acacia modesta, Euclyptus spp, Morus spp, Olea ferruginea and Alnus nitida show very high positive correlation response to rock, water body, field, and paths and thus possess close association among them. The response of the different tree species on the distribution of the herbaceous species was also tested and it was concluded that Pinus roxburghii is ecologically associated with no immediate sub-flora. This species is observed to be a favourite plant used for re and afforestation purposes in the area. Species like, A. pindrow, P. smithiana and P. wallichiana were found to be closely associated and thus can support a distinct type sub-flora. Species selection for the reforestation projects should be revisited, if the ultimate aim of the projects is to improve the forest services.

1 - Salford University, Manchester, Biological Sciences, 12 Rookery Walk, Shefford, Bedfordshire, SG17 5HW, United Kingdom
2 - University of Malakand, Department of Botany, Chakdara, Dir Lower, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
3 - University of Malakand, Department of Botany, Chakdara, Dir Lower, KPK, Pakistan
4 - Hazara University, Department of Genetics, Mansehra, KPK, Pakistan

Keywords:
Multivariate Analysis
Swat
Pakistan
Conservation
medicinal
Flora
Forest Ecosystem.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Topics
Session: 16
Location: Firs North/Boise Centre
Date: Tuesday, July 29th, 2014
Time: 8:30 AM
Number: 16003
Abstract ID:87
Candidate for Awards:None