Differential responses of Vegetation along Effective Soil Gradients in Mughal Garden Wah, Pakistan

Abstract

Vegetation plays significant role in ecology and is limited to their ecological optimum. Vegetation composition is function of changing habitat conditions along the soil gradients. Soil gradients affect distribution, growth and composition of vegetation within space and time. The vegetation data of Mughal Garden Wah was collected along with soil samples for determining impact of soil parameters on plants growth and survival. A total of 50 quadrat each measuring 1×1 square meter were applied for vegetation sampling. The soils at a depth of 5-15cm were also collected from the study area. The ordination, CCA biplot and its sub-technique t-value biplot were established to determine correlation between identified species and environmental parameters. The T-value bi-plot of organic matter (O.M) revealed that Ziziphus nummularia, Adiantum capillus-veneris, Sisymbrium irio and Solanum nigrum were strongly correlated with it. There was strong relationship of the most abundant species such as Cannabis sativa, Oxalis corniculata, Cynodon dactylon and Digitaria setigera; while there was negative relationship with infrequent speciesviz., Anagallis arvensis and Acacia modesta with soil variables was determined by data attribute plot. This study will help in conservation of indigenous and rare flora and reclamation of study area by recommending adaptable species.

Keywords

• Bi-plots
• attribute plot
• vegetation.
• Soil gradients
• vegetation.