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Plants Profile of Sultan Khail Valley, Hindukush Range of Pakistan: Floristic Composition, Biological Spectrum and Its Seasonal Variation

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22 September 2023

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Abstract
The present study was conducted to explore the floristic composition, life form, and leaf size spectrum of vegetation, seasonality, and habitat condition of the Sultan Khail valley, Hindu Kush range, Pakistan. Regular trips were arranged during 2017–2019 to collect plant specimens and prepare a checklist of the flora of the area. The life form and leaf size spectrum of vegetation were determined. The plant species were also classified based on their habitat. The area is home to 332 species belonging to 234 genera and 96 families. Asteraceae (32 species) was the dominant family in the area, followed by Rosaceae (28 species) and Lamiaceae (21 species). Therophytes were found to be dominant in the area, followed by phanerophytes, while microphylls were the dominant leaf size class, followed by nanophylls. Seasonal variation in life forms showed that the spring, autumn, and winter seasons' flora was dominated by phanerophytes, while therophytes were dominant in the summer season. Seasonal variation in leaf size spectra showed that microphylls were dominant in the spring and summer, while in the autumn and winter seasons, nanophylls were dominant. The highest numbers of species were found in dry places, followed by forests. The flora of the study area is diverse. The habitat condition of the area is dry. The area's phytoclimate is thero-phanerophytic. The flora of the area is subjected to severe anthropogenic stress and needs proper conservation.
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Subject: Biology and Life Sciences  -   Other

1. Introduction

Flora is an assembled checklist of all plant species growing in a particular geo-graphical region [1]. The floristic composition of a region represents the type, number, composition, population size, and distribution of plant species. For the study of biodiversity and understanding the prevailing climate, the knowledge of the flora of any area is important [2] and offers an effective starting point for more systematic studies [3]. A Floristic inventory is a taxonomic analysis of a major division of flora in a given area [4]. Floristic diversity describes physiognomy and ecological relations in a variety of environments [5]. The life form of the plant is defined as the form that the vegetative body of the plant takes as a result of all life processes affected by the climate, whereas the biological spectrum is the proportion of various life form classes combined [6]. The life form reflects the adaptation of plant species to particular ecological conditions. Species that have identical morphological characteristics are grouped under the same life form in response to environmental factors [7]. Life form and leaf size spectra are the key physiognomic features that indicate the micro and macroclimatic state and association of plants, as well as the anthropogenic disturbance in a specific region [8]. Comprehensive life form research gives an idea of the physiological processes of plant communities [9]. The leaf size spectrum also provides an understanding of the floristic version, which is useful for exploring plant relationships about dominant climatic features and for studying flora at the local level [10]. The physiognomic properties of plants, such as life form and leaf size spectra, have been frequently used in vegetation research [7]. The life form represents climate adaptability and, therefore, the entire vegetation will be an indication of the dominant climate in particular [11]. However, biotic impacts such as overgrazing, agricultural operations, trampling, and deforestation may alter the percentage of different life forms [12]. Various researchers have investigated the floristic and biological spectrum in Pakistan and abroad [6,11,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20]. However, no such work has been conducted in the Sultan Khail valley, Dir Upper, Pakistan. The present study aimed to explore the floristic inventory, ecological characteristics, and biological spectrum of vegetation in the Sultan Khail valley and Hindu Kush range of Pakistan. Such information is scanty, and so no such study is conducted in the target area. This study provides baseline information on the flora of the area and will be helpful for further research in the fields of forestry, taxonomy, ecology, ethnobotany, and conservation of vegetation.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Description of Study Area

The beautiful Sultan Khail valley is situated in Dir Upper, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. It lies in Pakistan's subtropical dry temperate zone [21]. It lies between 34°59’339", 35°59’870" North latitude and 71°00’176", 72°00’036"East longitude. The area is mostly dominated by hills and mountains that are a part of the Hindu Kush range of Pakistan. The altitude of the area varies from 1015 meters to 3230 meters. The highest peak in the valley is Shekly Top. The valley is bordered by the rivers Panjkoro and Nehag Dara in the East, Dir Lower (Maidan) in the West, Jelar Valley in the South, and Kair Dara in the North (Figure 1). The climate of the study area is influenced by various topographic and ecological variables. Spring, summer, autumn, and winter are the four distinct seasons of the year in the area. The winter season is very cold and severe and starts in the middle of November when the temperature falls abruptly. The summer season in the valley is typically moderate, with June and July being the hottest months of the year. The average maximum temperature reaches 35.5 C to 35.9 C in June and July, while in January the mean minimum temperature falls below zero (-1.3) degrees centigrade. The relative humidity is moderately high throughout the year. The area receives maximum rainfall in February (6.7mm), March (8.2mm), and August (8.6mm). Snow usually begins to fall in the upper parts of the valley in December and gradually descends as the temperature decreases in January and February. Depending on elevation, snowmelt starts in the valley in March and continues into April [22].

2.2. Data Collection and Analysis

From 2017 to 2019, regular trips were arranged in different seasons of the year to conduct data for the preparation of a floristic checklist of Sultan Khail valley, Dir Upper, Pakistan. The collected specimens of plant species were preserved and identified with the help of the flora of Pakistan, compiled in alphabetical order, and deposited at the Herbarium, Department of Botany, Islamia College, and Peshawar, Pakistan. The collected plant species were divided into different life form classes [23,24] using the formulas:
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Plant species were also classified based on their habitat [16].

3. Results

3.1. Floristic Diversity

The flora of Sultan Khail Valley is found to be diverse and home to 332 species belonging to 234 genera and 96 families (Table S1). Gymnosperms (8 species, 3 families) and pteridophytes (22 species, 6 families) were less prevalent in the area. Angiosperms were represented by 302 species belonging to 215 genera and 87 families, including dicots (275 species, 76 families) and monocots (27 species, 11 families). Asteraceae was the dominant family in the area (32 species, 9.7%), followed by Rosaceae (28 species, 8.5%), Lamiaceae (21 species, 6.4%), Fabaceae, and Poaceae (12 species, 3.6%) (Figure 2). In gymnosperms, Pinaceae was the leading dominant family while Dryopteridaceae was the richest family of Pteridophytes (Table 1). The herbaceous flora was dominant (220 species, 66.3%), followed by shrubs (54 species, 16.3%), and trees (48 species, 14.5%) (Table 1).

3.1. Subsection

3.2. Raunkiaer Life Form and Leaf Size Classification of Vegetation

In the present study area, therophytes (126 species, 38.0%) were found dominant, followed by phanerophytes (104 species, 31.3%) and hemicryptophytes (58 species, 17.5%) (Table 2), indicating that the phytoclimate of the area is of the thero-phanerophytic type. The results of leaf size spectrum of vegetation revealed that the area was dominated by microphylls (107 species, 32.2%), while megaphylls and aphyllous were the least abundant leaf size classes (Table 2).

3.2.1. Seasonal Variation in Life Form and Leaf Size Spectra of Vegetation

Seasonal variation in life form reveals that Phanerophytes (104 species, 41.4%) dominated the spring flora, followed by Therophytes (80 species, 31.9%), and Hemicryptophytes (38 species, 15.1%). In summer, therophytes (109 species, 35.4%) were the most abundant life form class, while in autumn and winter, phanerophytes were dominant (Figure 3). Seasonal variation in leaf size spectra shows that microphylls were dominant in the spring (34.3%) and summer (31.2%) seasons, while in autumn and winter, nanophylls were dominant (Figure 4).

3.3. Habitat Types

The plants species were also classified on their habitat. The results revealed that the maximum number of species (92 species) was found in dry places, followed by forests (83 species), and moist places (78 species) (Figure 5).

4. Discussion

The total number of wild and cultivated plants species found in any geographical area is called the floristic composition. Floristic study provides baseline information for further detailed taxonomical and ecological research and planning for sustainable management and conservation of plants resources [25]. The flora of Sultan Khail valley is found to be diverse as compared to other areas [16,17,26,27] and homed to 332 species belonging to 234 genera and 96 families. Gymnosperms and pteridophytes were less predominant in the area. Asteraceae was the dominant family in the area with 32 species (9.7%) followed by Rosaceae, Lamiaceae, Fabaceae and Poaceae. A similar study was conducted by [11] in the Riyadh region Saudia Arabia and Asteraceae (17.4%) was reported as the most widespread family, followed by Poaceae, Brassicaceae and Fabaceae, while [18] reported 154 plant species from Karkhasa (Baluchistan) with Asteraceae being the predominant family, followed by Poaceae. [17], explored the flora of Takht Bhai and listed 140 species, 63 families. Asteraceae was found to be the dominant family in the area, followed by Poaceae and Solanaceae, while [28] conducted similar research in Lajbouk (Dir Lower). [16] reported 250 species within 77 families, in which Asteraceae and Lamiaceae were the leading dominant families. Our findings strongly coincide with those of [6], who found Asteraceae as a dominant family followed by Rosaceae, Lamiaceae, and Poaceae in Jammu and Kashmir. Similarly, [29] also found Rosaceae, the largest family, followed by Asteraceae and Lamiaceae in the Keran Valley, in the northwestern Himalaya. The dominance of Asteraceae families in the target area as well as in the world represents its wide range of ecological amplitude [11,30,31]. In the present study area herbaceous flora was dominant, followed by shrubs and trees. The dominance of herbaceous flora is due to the overexploitation of trees and shrubs species by the inhabitants of the valley, due to which the population of trees and shrub species is decreasing day by day. Similar findings were also reported by [3] while exploring the flora of Swat Ranizai, [32] from district Nowshera, [33] from Ghalegay Hills, Swat, [34] from Karak, [35] from darra Adam Khel, [36] from Miandam, Swat, [16] from Jelar Valley, and [18] from Baluchistan.
The biological spectrum is an indicator of the physiognomy of flora, vegetation and their relation to the prevailing climatic conditions of the region [37,38,39]. In the present study area, therophytes were found dominant, followed by phanerophytes (Table 3.2), indicating that the phytoclimate of the area is thero phanerophytic type. Normally therophytes are the indicators of arid phytoclimate [40], hemicryptophytes of temperate region [6] while, chamaephytes are the indicator of high altitudinal zones and arctic regions [41] while Phanerophytes are the indicators of moist regions [42]. The dominance of therophytes in the area reflects that the flora is under heavy biotic pressure such as deforestation, overgrazing, and overexploitation [26] of the plants species for fuel, timber, medicinal purposes, and agricultural practices [43]. [11] conducted a similar study, and therophytes and chamaephytes were reported dominant. [44], conducted similar research and found therophytes dominant, followed by phanerophytes, and stated that the environmental condition of the area is dry and hot. Similar results were also reported from Koont [45], Gadoon, Swabi by [46]. The present findings are strongly supported by [16,28,29] who reported the dominance of therophytes in the area and stated that the flora is under heavy biotic pressure such as deforestation, overgrazing, and overexploitation of the plants species for fuel, timber, and medicinal purposes.
Leaf size is also an important physiognomic trait that influences different functions of plants, such as photosynthesis and transpiration. The knowledge of leaf size among plants species may help to know about the physiological processes of plants and their communities [9]. The results revealed that the vegetation of Sultan Khail valley is dominated by microphylls, while megaphylls and aphyllous were least contributed leaf size classes in the area (Table 3.4). The present findings are in line with [34,47] who also reported microphylls and nanophylls as the dominant leaf size classes. Our results are strongly supported by [16] who reported microphylls as dominant, followed by nanophylls and mesophylls, in Jelar Valley. The present findings are also in line with [43,48], who reported the same leaf size classes dominant in Kashmir and Quetta. Seasonal variation in leaf size spectra shows that in the spring and summer seasons, microphylls were dominant, while in the autumn and winter seasons, nanophylls were dominant.
Seasonal variation in life forms shows that phanerophytes dominated the spring flora. In summer, therophytes were the most abundant life form class, while in the autumn and winter seasons, phanerophytes were dominant. The seasonal variation in life forms is due to the presence of short-lived species. The present findings are line with [12,35,37], [16,28,49]. The difference in seasonal variation of leaf size classes is due to the presence of geophytes and short lived therophyte species; however, altitude also plays an important role in the distribution of leaf size classes, as reported by [16,28,48,50]. The habitat condition of the area is mostly dry as maximum numbers of species were found in dry habitat followed by forests. Various researchers such as [16,51,52] also conducted similar studies. They classified plants species based on habitat types. Therefore, our findings are in correlation with them.

5. Conclusions

From the present study, it is concluded that the flora of the Sultan Khail valley is diverse. The phytoclimate of the area is of the therophytic type. The vegetation of the investigated area is under heavy biotic pressure in the form of grazing, fuel wood collection, medicinal plant collection, timber smuggling to other areas, and some natural phenomena such as soil erosion and land sliding, due to which the vegetation of the area is decreasing day by day and needs proper conservation. The habitat condition of the area is mostly dry, as the maximum numbers of species were found in dry habitats. This study provides baseline information on the flora of the Sultan Khail valley, and further studies will be needed to assess the conservation status of wild flora and obtain quantitative information on vegetation.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, Khaista Rahman and Naveed Akhtar; Data curation, Khaista Rahman,; Formal analysis, Naveed Akhtar,; Funding acquisition, Khaista Rahman; Investigation, Khaista Rahman; Methodology, Khaista Rahman and Naveed Akhtar; Project administration, Naveed Akhtar; Software, Khaista Rahman, Supervision, Naveed Akhtar; Validation, Khaista Rahman, Naveed Akhtar; Visualization, Khaista Rahman, Naveed Akhtar; Writing—original draft, Khaista Rahman; Writing—review & editing, Naveed Akhtar. Both the authors approved the final submission this manuscript.

Funding

This research received no external funding.

Data Availability Statement

Not applicable.

Acknowledgments

This article is a part of the Ph.D. research project of Mr. Khaista Rahman (Ph.D. scholar). The authors are thankful to the local inhabitants of Sultan Khail valley for their cooperation during data collection. Special thanks are also due to the Prime Minister of Pakistan for the initiation of laptop and fee reimbursement schemes for M.Phil/Ph.D. scholars from rural areas.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Figure 1. Location map of Sultan Khail valley, Dir Upper, Pakistan, representing detailed information such as sampling sites, elevation range, boundaries and area in Km2.
Figure 1. Location map of Sultan Khail valley, Dir Upper, Pakistan, representing detailed information such as sampling sites, elevation range, boundaries and area in Km2.
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Figure 2. Top twelve plant families and their contribution to species in the study area.
Figure 2. Top twelve plant families and their contribution to species in the study area.
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Figure 3. This figure represents the seasonal variations in life form and Leaf size spectrum of vegetation of Sultan Khail valley, Hindu Kush range of Pakistan.
Figure 3. This figure represents the seasonal variations in life form and Leaf size spectrum of vegetation of Sultan Khail valley, Hindu Kush range of Pakistan.
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Figure 4. This figure represents seasonal variations in leaf size spectra of vegetation of Sultan Khail valley, Hindukush range of Pakistan.
Figure 4. This figure represents seasonal variations in leaf size spectra of vegetation of Sultan Khail valley, Hindukush range of Pakistan.
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Figure 5. Classification of plants species of Sultan Khail valley, Dir Upper Pakistan based on their habitat.
Figure 5. Classification of plants species of Sultan Khail valley, Dir Upper Pakistan based on their habitat.
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Table 1. This table represents floristic composition of the valley, biological spectrum, seasonality and habitat conditions of Sultan Khail valley, Hindukush range of Pakistan.
Table 1. This table represents floristic composition of the valley, biological spectrum, seasonality and habitat conditions of Sultan Khail valley, Hindukush range of Pakistan.
S. no. Taxon Habit Life form Leaf form Habitat Seasonality
Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Pteriddophytes
1 Adiantaceae
1 Adiantum capillus-veneris L. H Hem Nan Mp-Rc + + + +
2 Adiantum incisum Forssk. H Hem Lep Mp-Rc + + + +
3 Adiantum venustum D.Don. H Hem Nan Mp-F + + + +
2 Aspleniaceae
4 Asplenium adiantum-nigrum L. H Hem Nan Mp-Rc + + + +
5 Asplenium septentrionale (L.) Hoffmann. H Hem Lep Wp + + + -
6 Asplenium trichomanes L. H Hem Lep Mp-Rc + + + +
7 Ceterach dalhousiae (Hk.) C. Chr. H Hem Nan Mp-F + + + +
3 Cystopteridaceae
8 Cystopteris fragilis (L.) Bernh. H Geo Mic Wp + + + +
4 Dryopteridaceae
9 Dryopteris odontoloma (Moore.). H Hem Lep Mp-F + + + +
10 Dryopteris serrato-dentata (Bedd.) Hayata. H Hem Lep Mp-Rc + + + -
11 Dryopteris sieboldii L. H Hem Lep Wp + + + -
12 Hypodematium crenatum (Forssk.) Kuhn. H Hem Lep Mp + + + -
13 Polystichum discretum (D. Don) J. Sm. H Hem Nan Mp-Rc + + + +
14 Polystichum lonchitis (L.) Roth. H Hem Nan Mp-Rc + + + +
15 Polystichum wilsonii Christ. H Hem Nan Wp-Rc + + + +
5 Equisetaceae
16 Equisetum arvense L. H Hem Lep Wp + + + -
17 Equisetum ramossimum Desf. H Geo Aph Mp + + + -
6 Pteridaceae
18 Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn. H Geo Mic Wp-F + + + +
19 Pteris cretica L. H Hem Mic Mp + + + +
20 Pteris vitata L. H Hem Mic Mp-Rc + + + +
21 Onychium Contiguum Wall ex. Hope H Geo Mic Wp + + + -
22 Cheilanthes pteridioides (Reichard.) C. Chr. H Hem Nan Wp + + + +
Gymnosperm
1 Cupressaceae
23 Cupressus sempervirens L. T Phen Lep CU + + + +
24 Juniperus communis L. S Phen Lep F + + + +
2 Pinaceae
25 Picea smithiana (Wall.) Boiss. T Phen Nan F + + + +
26 Pinus roxburghii Sargent T Phen Nan Drp-Rp + + + +
27 Pinus wallichiana A.B. Jackson. T Phen Nan F + + + +
28 Abies pindrow Royle. T Phen Nan F + + + +
29 Cedrus deodara (Roxb. Ex. D. Don) G. Don T Phen Nan F + + + +
3 Taxaceae
30 Taxus wallichiana Zucc. T Phen Nan F + + + +
Angiosperm
Monocotyledonae
1 Alliaceae
31 Allium cepa L. H Geo Mes CU + + - +
32 Allium sativum L. H Geo Mes CU + + - +
2 Amaryllidaceae
33 Narcissus tazetta L. H Geo Mic G + - - +
3 Araceae
34 Arisaema flavum (Forssk.) Schott H Geo Mes Mp-Sp + + - -
35 Arisaema jacquemontii Blume. H Geo Mes F + + + -
36 Sauromatum venosum (Dryand. ex Aiton) Kunth H Geo Mes Drp + + - -
4 Asparagaceae
37 Asparagus gracilis Royle S Ther Lep Drp + + + +
5 Colchicaceae
38 Colchicum luteum Baker. H Geo Nan Drp + - - +
6 Commelinaceae
39 Commelina benghalensis L. H Ther Mic Mp-Sp - + - -
7 Cyperaceae
40 Cyperus rotundus L. H Ther Nan Mp + + - -
8 Liliaceae
41 Gagea elegans Wall. ex Royle H Geo Nan Af-Drp + - - -
42 Polygonatum verticillatum All. H Geo Mic Mp + + - -
43 Tulipa stellata HK. H Geo Lep Af + - - -
9 Orchidaceae
44 Aristida cyanantha Nees ex steud. H Hem Mic Drp + + - -
10 Poaceae
45 Apluda mutica L. H H Nan Af-Drp - + - -
46 Avena fatua L. H Ther Mic Af + + - -
47 Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. H H Lep Drp-Af - + + -
48 Dicanthium annulatum (Forssk.) Stapf. H Hem Nan Af + - - +
49 Hordeum vulgare L. H Hem Mic Af + - - +
50 Oryza sativa L. H Ther Mic CU - + + -
51 Setaria viridis (L.) P. Beauv. H Ther Nan Drp - + + -
52 Sorgham helipense (L.) Persoon H Hem Mic Af + + - -
53 Themeda anathera ( Nees) Hack. H Hem Nan Drp - + + -
54 Triticum aestivum L. H Ther Mic CU + - - +
55 Zea mays L. H Ther Mes CU - + - -
56 Cenchrus ciliaris L. H Ther Nan Drp + + + +
11 Smilacaceae
57 Smilax glaucophylla Klotzsch. C Phen Mes Epi + + + +
ii. Dicotyledonae
1 Acanthaceae
58 Dicliptera bupleuroides Nees H Hem Mes Wap + + + -
2 Aceraceae
59 Acer Caesium Wall ex Brandis T Phen Mac G + + + +
3 Amaranthaceae
60 Achyranthes bidentata Blume. H Ther Mic Wap + - - +
61 Alternanthera pungens Kunth. H Ther Mic Wap + + - -
62 Amaranthus caudatus L. H Cham Mic Wap - + + -
63 Amaranthus spinosus L. H Therer Mic Wap + + - -
64 Amaranthus viridis L. H Therer Mic Drp + + - -
4 Anacardiaceae
65 Pistacia chinensis Bunge. T Phen Mic F-G + + + +
66 Rhus punjabensis J. L. T Phen Mes F + + + +
5 Apiaceae
67 Aegopodium burttii Nasir. H Hem Mic F - + + -
68 Bupleurum atroviolaceum (O.E.Schulz) Nasir H Ther Mic F - + + -
69 Bupleurum falcatum L. H Ther Mic F - + + -
70 Bupleurum longicaule Wall. ex DC. var. ramosum Nasir H Ther Mic Drp - + + -
71 Chaerophyllum Reflexum Aitch. H Hem Mic Rc + + - +
72 Coriandrum sativum L. H Ther Lep CU - + + -
73 Foeniculum vulgare Mill. H Ther Nan CU - + + -
74 Scaligeria indica Wolff H Cham Nan F + + - -
6 Apocynaceae
75 Nerium oleander L. S Phen Mes Mp + + + +
7 Araliaceae
76 Hedera nepalensis K. Koch. C Phen Mes F + + + +
8 Asclepiadaceae
77 Oxystelma esculentum R. Br. H Cham Lep Drp - + + +
78 Calotropis procera (Willd.) R. Brown S Cham Mes Drp + + + +
79 Periploca aphylla Dcne. S Phen Aph Rp + + + +
9 Asteraceae
80 Anaphalis boissieri E. Georg. H Ther Nan Drp - + + -
81 Anaphalis margaritacea (L.) Benth. H Hem Nan Af-Drp + + + -
82 Anaphalis nepalensis (spring). Hangs.-Mazz H Ther Nan Drp + + + -
83 Anaphalis triplinervis (Sims.) C.B. Clarke. H Geo Mes Af-Drp - + + -
84 Artemisia absintnium L. H Cham Nan Drp - + + -
85 Artemisia biennis Wild. H He Mic Drp + + + -
86 Artemisia dubia Wall.ex Besser H Cham Lep Drp + + + -
87 Artemisia santolinifolia Turez ex Krasch H Cham Nan Rp-G - + + -
88 Artemisia scoparia Waldst. & Kit. H Ther Nan Drp + + - +
89 Aster flaccidus Bunge H Ther Nan Drp + + + -
90 Aster mulliuscus Wall. H Ther Mic Drp + - - -
91 Bidens biternata (Lour.) Merrill & Scheriff H Ther Mic Mp + + + -
92 Calendula arvensis L. H Ther Mic Drp + - - -
93 Cirsium falconeri (Hook. F.) Petrak H Ther Mes Drp + + - +
94 Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten. H Ther Mes Drp + + - +
95 Conyza canadensis (L.) Corgn. H Ther Nan Mp-Wap + + + -
96 Erigeron multiradiatus (Lindl.) Benth H Ther Lep Drp - + + -
97 Filago hardwarica (Wall ex DC.) Wagenitz H Ther Lep Drp + + + -
98 Galinosoga parviflora Cav. H Ther Mic Af - + + -
99 Helianthus anus L. H Ther Mes CU - + - -
100 Helianthus tuberosus L. H Ther Mes Drp + + + +
101 Lentopodium himalayanum DC. H Hem Lep F - + + -
102 Onopordum acanthium L. H Ther Mes Af-Drp + + - -
103 Prenanthes stewartii Roohi Bano & Qaiser H Ther Nan F + + + -
104 Senecio chrysanthemoides DC. H Ther Mes Rp + + - -
105 Solidago virgaurea L. H Hem Mic Wap - + - -
106 Sonchus arvensis L. H Ther Mes Af - + - -
107 Sonchus asper (L.) Hill. H Ther Mes Mp-Wap + + - -
108 Sonchus oleraceus L. H Ther Mic Wp-Mp + + - -
109 Tagetes minuta L. H Ther Mic Drp and F + + - -
110 Taraxacum officinale Weber. H Ther Mic Wap + + - -
111 Xanthium strumarium L. H Ther Mes Wap + + - -
10 Balsaminaceae
112 Impatiens bicolor Royle. H Ther Mes Mp-Rp - + + -
113 Impatiens brachycentra Kar. & Kir. H Ther Mic Mp-Rp - + - -
114 Impatiens egeworthii Hook. f. H Ther Mes Wp + + - -
115 Impatiens fliemingii Hook. F. H Ther Mes Mp - + + -
11 Berberidaceae
116 Berberis lycium Royle S Phen Nan Rp-F + + + +
117 Berberis pseudumbellata Parker ssp pseudumbellata S Phen Nan Rp-F + + + +
12 Betulaceae
118 Alnus nitida (Spach). Endl. Tree Phen Mes Wp + + + +
119 Betula utilis D. Don. T Phen Mes F-Rp + + + +
13 Boraginaceae
120 Cynoglossum glochidiatum Wall. Ex Benth. H Ther Mic Drp + + - -
121 Cynoglossum lanceolatum Forssk. H Ther Mic Drp + + - -
122 Heliotropium undulatum var. suberosa Clarke. · H Geo Lep Drp - + + -
123 Myosotis alpestris F. W. Schmidt var. albicans (H.Riedl) Y.Nasir. H Hem Mic F + + - -
124 Onosma dichronata Boiss. H Ther Mic Drp + - - +
125 Onosma hispida Wall e G. Don, Gen. H Ther Mic Drp + - - +
126 Pseudomertensia nemorosa (A. DC.) Stewart & Kazmi H Ther Nan F + + + -
14 Brassicaceae
127 Coronopus didymus (L.) Sm. H Ther Nan Wap-Af + + + +
128 Farsetia jaquemontii Hook.f. & Thomson. H Cham Nan F + + - +
129 Nasturtium officinale R. Br. H Geo Mic Wp + + + +
130 Raphanus sativus L. H Ther Mac CU + - - +
131 Thlaspi arvense L. H Ther Nan Wap + + - +
132 Thlaspi griffithianum Boiss H Ther Nan Wap + + - +
133 Verbascum thapsus L. H Ther Meg Drp + - - +
15 Buxaceae
134 Sarcococca saligna (Don) Muell. S Phen Mic Mp-Sp + + + +
16 Caesalpinaceae
135 Cleome viscosa L. H Ther Mic Mp + + + -
17 Campanulaceae
136 Campanula aristata Wallich H Hem Nan Af-Drp + + - -
18 Cannabaceae
137 Cannabis sativa L. H Ther Mic Wap + + + -
19 Caprifoliaceae
138 Viburnum grandiflorum Wall. ex DC. S Phen Mes F + + + +
139 Viburnum cotinifolium D.Don. S Phen Mic F + + + +
140 Viburnum mullaha Buch. Ham . ex D.Don. S Phen Mes F + + + +
20 Caryophyllaceae
141 Arenaria serpyllifolia L. H Ther Lep Mp - + + -
142 Gypsophila cerastioides D.Don H Ther Nan Mp + + + -
143 Silene vulgaris (Moench) Garcke H Ther Nan Drp + + - -
21 Celastraceae
144 Maytenus royleanus (Wall. ex Lawson.) Cufedintis. S Phen Mic Drp + + + +
145 Maytenus Wallichiana (Springe) Raju & Bull. S Phen Mic Drp + + + +
22 Chenopodiaceae
146 Chenopodium foliosum Aschers. H Ther Nan Drp + + - -
147 Chenopodium album L. H Ther Mes Wap + + - -
148 Chenopodium ambrosioides L H Ther Mes Wap + + - -
149 Chenopodium botrys L. H Ther Mic Wap + + - -
23 Crassulaceae
150 Sedum hispanicum L. H Hem Nan Mp - + - -
24 Cucurbitaceae
151 Luffa cylindrica (L) Roem C Ther Mes CU - + + -
152 Cucumis melo var. agrestis Naudn, Ann. C Ther Mic Drp - + + -
153 Cucumis sativus L. C Ther Mac CU - + - -
154 Cucurbita maxima Duch. Ex Lam. C Ther Meg CU - + - -
155 Cucurbita pepo L. C Ther Meg CU - + - -
25 Ebenaceae
156 Diospyros kaki L. T Phen Mes Mp + + + +
157 Diospyros lotus L. T Phen Mes Mp + + + +
26 Ericaceae
158 Gaultheria trichophylla Royle S Cham Lep F + + + +
159 Rhododendron hypenanthum Balf. f. S Phen Mic F + + + +
27 Euphorbiaceae
160 Chrozophora tinctoria (L.) Raf. H Ther Mic Drp + + - +
161 Euphorbia helioscopia L. H Ther Nan Af-Drp - - + +
162 Euphorbia peplus L. H Ther Lep Af-Drp - - + -
163 Andrachne cordifolia (Wall.ex Dcne.) Muell. Avg. S Phen Mic Mp-Sp + + + +
164 Ricinus communis L. S Phen Mic Drp + + + +
28 Fagaceae
165 Quercus baloot Griffth. T Phen Mic F-Drp + + + +
166 Quercus dilatata Royle. T Phen Mic Drp-Rp + + + +
167 Quercus incana Roxb. T Phen Mic F-Drp + + + +
29 Fumaraceae
168 Fumaria indica (Hausskn.) H.N. H Ther Lep Drp + - - +
30 Gentianaceae
169 Swertia cordata (G.Don) Clarke H Ther Lep Drp-F - + + -
31 Geraniaceae
170 Erodium cicutarium L. H Ther Mes Wp + + - +
171 Geranium colinum Sweet. H Hem Mic F - + + -
172 Geranium ocellatum Camb. H Ther Mic F + + - -
173 Geranium pussillum Burm. H Ther Mic F + + - -
174 Geranium wallichianum D. Don. Ex Sweet H Ther Mic F + + + -
32 Grossulariaceae
175 Ribes alpestre Dcne. S Phen Nan F + + + +
33 Hamamelidaceae
176 Parrotiopsis jacquemontiana (Dcne.) Rehder. S Phen Mes F + + + +
34 Hippocastinaceae
177 Aesculus indica (Wall Ex. Camb.)Hk. F.) T Phen Mes Mp + + + +
35 Hypericaceae
178 Hypericum oblongifolium Choisy S Phen Nan F + + + +
179 Hypericum perforatum L. H Cham Nan F - + + -
36 Juglandaceae
180 Juglans regia L. T Phen Mic Drp + + + +
37 Lamiaceae
181 Ajuga bracteosa Wall. ex Benth. H Hem Mic Drp + + + -
182 Calamintha umbrosa (M.Bieb.) Fisch. & Mey. H Ther Nan Mp-F + + + -
183 Mentha arvensis L. H Ther Mic Drp-Wap - + + -
184 Clinopodium umbrosum (M. Bieb.) C. Koch. H Hem Nan Mp + + - -
185 Clinopodium vulgare L. H Hem Mic Drp + + - -
186 Leucas cephalotes (Roth.) Spreng. H Ther Mic Drp + + - -
187 Lycopis europis L. H Cham Mes Drp + + - -
188 Marrubium vulgare L. H Ther Mic F + + - -
189 Mentha longifolia (L.) Huds. H H Nan Mp + + + -
190 Micromeria biflora Benth. H Cham Lep M-Sp + + + -
191 Nepeta discolor Royle ex Benth. H Cham Mic Mp-F - + + -
192 Ocimum basilicum L. H Cham Nan Drp + + + +
193 Origanum vulgare L. H Hem Nan Rp - + + -
194 Phlomis spectabilis Falc. ex Benth. H Phen Mic Drp + + + +
195 Salvia moorcroftiana Wall. ex Bth. H Ther Mac Drp + - - +
196 Salvia nubicola Wall. Ex Sweet. H Ther Mes Drp - + + +
197 Teucrium royleanum Wall. ex Bth. H Ther Mic Drp + + - -
198 Teucrium stocksianum Boiss. H Ther Mic Drp + + - -
199 Thymus linearis Bth. Ssp. linearis Jalas H Hem Nan Mp - + + -
200 Isodon rugosus (Wall. ex Bth.) Codd. S Phen Mes Drp + + + +
201 Rabdosia rugosa Benth. S Phen Mes Drp-F + + + +
38 Malvaceae
202 Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench. H Ther Mes CU - + + -
203 Malva neglecta Wallr. H Ther Mic Wap-Af + + - -
39 Meliaceae
204 Cedrela serrata Royle T Phen Mic Mp + + + +
205 Melia azedarach L. T Phen Nan Drp + + + +
40 Moraceae
206 Ficus johanis Boiss. T Phen Mes Drp + + + +
207 Ficus palmata Forssk. T Phen Mes Drp + + + +
208 Morus alba L. T Phen Mes Mp + + + +
209 Morus macroura Miq. T Phen Mes Mp + + + +
210 Morus nigra L. T Phen Mes Mp + + + +
41 Myrsinaceae
211 Myrsine africana L. S Phen Nan Drp-F + + + +
42 Myrtaceae
212 Myractis wallichii Less. H Ther Nan F - + + -
213 Myrtus communis L. S Phen Mic Mp + + + +
43 Nyctaginaceae
214 Boerhavia procumbens Banks ex Roxb. H Hem Nan Mp - + + -
215 Mirabilis jalapa L H Ther Mes Drp + + - -
44 Oleaceae
216 Fraxinus hookeri Wenzig T Phen Mes F + + + +
217 Jasminum humile L. S Phen Mic Mp + + + +
218 Jasminum officinale L. S Phen Nan Drp-F + + + +
219 Olea ferruginea Royle. T Phen Mic Drp-G + + + +
45 Onagraceae
220 Epilobium hirsutum L. H H Nan M-Sp + + + -
221 Oenothera rosea L.her.ex.Ait. H Hem Mic Wp - + + -
46 Oxalidaceae
222 Oxalis corniculata L. H Ther Nan M-Sp + + + -
47 Papaveraceae
223 Desmodium elegans DC. S Phen Mes Drp + + + +
48 Fabaceae
224 Vicia sativa L. C Ther Nan Af + - - +
225 Lespedeza juncea (L.F.) Persoon. H Ther Lep Drp + + + +
226 Medicago minima (L.) Grufb. H Ther Nan Af + - - +
227 Medicago sativa L. H Hem Nan Mp-F + + - +
228 Melilotus officinalis (Linn.) Desr. H Ther Nan Mp-F - + + -
229 Phaseolus vulgare L. H Cham Mes CU - + - -
230 Pisum sativum L. H Ther Mic CU + - - -
231 Trifolium repens L. H Ther Nan F + + - +
232 Trigonella gracilis Benth. H Ther Nan Mp-Af + + - -
233 Indigofera gerardiana (Wall. ex Baker) Ali S Phen Lep Drp + + + +
234 Indigofera heterantha Wall. ex Brand. S Phen Lep Drp + + + +
235 Robinia pseuo-acacia L. T Phen Mic CU + + + +
49 Philadelphaceae
236 Deutzia staminea R. Br .ex Wall. S Phen Mic Drp + + + +
50 Plantaginaceae
237 Plantago himalaica pilger. H Ther Mic Drp - - + -
238 Plantago lanceolata L. H Ther Mic Mp - + - -
239 Plantago major L. H Ther Mes Mp - + + -
51 Platanaceae
240 Platanus orientalis L. T Phen Mes F + + + +
52 Plumbaginaceae
241 Limonium cabulicum (Boiss.) O. Kuntze.Rev.gen. H Phen Mes Drp + + + +
53 Polygalaceae
242 Polygala abyssinica R. Br. ex Fresen. H Cham Nan F + + + -
243 Polygala sibirica L. H Ther Nan F + + + -
54 Polygonaceae
244 Rumex dentatus L. H Hem Mes Mp - + + +
245 Rumex hastatus D.Don H Cham Nan Drp + + - +
246 Bistorta amplexicaulis (D. Don) Green H H Mes Mp-F - + + -
247 Polygonum aviculare L. H Ther Nan Wp - + + -
248 Polygonum barbatum L. H Ther Nan Mp - + + -
249 Polygonum capitatum Buch.-Ham. Ex D. Don. H Ther Nan Wap - + + -
250 Polygonum maculosa S. F. Gay. H Ther Mic Wap - + + -
251 Polygonum paronchioides C. A. Mey. Ex Hohen. H Hem Nan Mp - + + -
55 Primulaceae
252 Androsace rotundifolia Hardwicke H Hem Mes Drp-F + + - -
253 Primula denticulata Wight. H Hem Mes Mp-F + - - +
254 Primula floribunda Wall. H Hem Mes Wp-Mp - + + -
255 Primula vulgaris Huds H There Mic F-Mp + + + -
56 Punicaceae
256 Punica grantaum L. T Phen Mic Drp + + + +
57 Ranunculaceae
257 Clematis graveolens Roxb. ex. D.C. C Ther Mic Drp + + + -
258 Aconitum heterophyllum Wall. Ex Royle H Cham Mes F - + + -
259 Actaea spicata L. H Hem Mac F + + + -
260 Anemone obtusiloba D.Don H Hem Lep F - + + -
261 Ranunculus hirtellus Royle. H Ther Nan Wp - + - -
262 Ranunculus laetus Wall. Ex Hk. F. & Thoms. H Geo Nan Wp - + - -
263 Ranunculus muricatus L. H Geo Mic Wp + + - -
58 Rhamnaceae
264 Rhodiola himalensis (D. Don) S. H. Fu H Ther Nan F - + + -
265 Rhamnus pentapomica Fisch. & C.A.Mey. S Phen Nan Drp-F + + + +
266 Sageretia thea (L.) Brongn. S Phen Nan Drp + + + +
267 Ziziphus nummularia (Burm. f.) Wight & Arn. S Phen Nan Drp + + + +
268 Ziziphus mauritiana Lam. T Phen Nan Drp + + + +
59 Rosaceae
269 Duchesnea indica (Andr.) Focke H Ther Mic M-Sp + + + +
270 Filipendula vestita (Wall. ex G. Don.) Maxim. H Ther Mes F - + + -
271 Fragaria nubicola Lindl. H Hem Nan M-Sp - + + -
272 Potentilla nepalensis Hook. H Hem Mic F - + - -
273 Poterium sanguisorba Waldst.& Kit. H Ther Nan Wp + + - -
274 Sibbaldia cuneata Edgew. H Cham Nan Mp-F - + - -
275 Cotoneaster bacillaris Wall.ex Lindl. S Phen Mic F + + + +
276 Cotoneaster microphyllus Wall. Ex Lindl. S Phen Nan F + + + +
277 Cotoneaster affinis (Lindl.) Schn. S Phen Nan Drp + + + +
278 Cotoneaster nummularia Fish and Mey. S Phen Nan F + + + +
279 Prunus jacquemontii Hk. f. S Phen Nan F + + + +
280 Rosa alba L. S Phen Nan CU + + + +
281 Rosa brunonii Lindl. S Phen Nan Wp + + + +
282 Rosa canina L. S Phen Nan Mp-F + + + +
283 Rosa webbiana Wall. ex Royle S Phen Nan F + + + +
284 Rubus ellipticus Smith S Phen Nan F + + + +
285 Rubus fruticosus L. S Phen Mes Mp + + + +
286 Rubus sanctus Schreber S Phen Mic Mp + + + +
287 Rubus ulmifolius Schott S Phen Mic Mp + + + +
288 Sorbaria tomentosa (Lindl.) Rehdr S Phen Mic Wp + + + +
289 Spiraea vaccinifolia D.Don. S Phen Mic F + + + +
290 Malus pumila Mill. T Phen Mes CU + + + +
291 Prunus armeniaca L. T Phen Mes CU + + + +
292 Prunus cornuta (Wall. Ex. Royle.) Steud. T Phen Mes F + + + +
293 Prunus domestica L. T Phen Mes CU + + + +
294 Prunus persica L. Batsch. T Phen Mes CU + + + +
295 Pyrus communis L. T Phen Mic CU + + + +
296 Pyrus pashia Ham. Ex. D.Don. T Phen Mic CU + + + +
60 Rubiaceae
297 Galium aparine L. H Ther Nan Wap-Af + + + -
61 Rutaceae
298 Skimmia laureola (DC.) Sieb. & Zucc. ex Walp S Phen Mes F + + + +
299 Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck. T Phen Mes CU + + + +
300 Zanthoxylum armatum DC. T Phen Mes Drp + + + +
62 Salicaceae
301 Salix denticulata var. hazarica (R. Parker) Ali S Phen Mes Mp-F + + + +
302 Populus alba Wall. T Phen Mes CU + + + +
303 Populus nigra L. T Phen Mac CU + + + +
304 Salix babylonica L. T Phen Mic Wp + + + +
305 Salix tetrasperma Roxb. T Phen Mes Wp + + + +
63 Sambucaceae
306 Sambucus wightiana Wall Ex Wight and Arn H Ther Mes F - + - -
64 Sapindaceae
307 Dodonaea viscosa (L.) Jacq. S Phen Mic Drp + + + +
65 Saxifragaceae
308 Bergenia ciliata (Haw.) Sternb. H Geo Mes Mp-F + + - -
309 Bergenia stracheyi (H. & T.) Engl. H Geo Mes Mp-F + + - -
66 Scrophulariaceae
310 Scrophularia umbrosa Dumort. H Cham Nan Drp - + + -
311 Veronica polita Fries. H Ther Nan Mp + + + -
67 Simaroubaceae
312 Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle T Phen Mes Wap + + + +
68 Solanaceae
313 Datura innoxia Mill. H Ther Mes Wap - + + -
314 Datura stramonium L. H Ther Mes Wap - + + -
315 Lycopersicon esculentum Miller H Ther Mes CU + + + -
316 Solanum nigrum L. H Ther Mic Drp-Wap + + + -
317 Solanum pseudo-capsicum L. H Ther Mic G - + + -
318 Solanum surattense Burm. f. H Ther Mic Wap + + - -
319 Solanum tuberosum L. H Geo Mes CU - + - -
69 Thymeleaeceae
320 Wikstroemia canescens Meisn. S Phen Nan F + + + +
321 Daphne mucronata Royle S Phen Nan Rp + + + +
70 Trilliaceae
322 Trillium govanianum Wall. ex Royle. H Cham Mes F - + - -
71 Ulmaceae
323 Celtis australis L. T Phen Mic Drp + + + +
324 Celtis caucasica Willd. T Phen Mic Drp + + + +
72 Urticaceae
325 Gerardinia palmata Blume. H Ther Meg M-Sp + + + -
326 Urtica dioica L. H Ther Mic Mp + + + -
327 Debregessia salcifolia (D. Don) Rendle. S Phen Mic Mp-Wp + + + +
73 Valerianaceae
328 Valeriana jatamansi Jones. H Geo Mic Mp-F + + - -
74 Verbenaceae
329 Verbena officinalis L. H Ther Mic Mp-Rp + + + +
75 Violaceae
330 Viola canescens Wall. Ex Roxber H Hem Mic M-Sp + + + -
76 Vitaceae
331 Vitis vinifera L. C Phen Mes CU + + + +
77 Zygophyllaceae
332 Tribulus terrestris L. H Hem Lep Wap - + - -
Table 2. Summary of ecological characteristics of vegetation of Sultan Khail valley Dir, Upper, Pakistan.
Table 2. Summary of ecological characteristics of vegetation of Sultan Khail valley Dir, Upper, Pakistan.
S.No. Characteristics Number Percentage
1 Vegetation
Families 97 -
Genera 234 -
Species 332 -
2 Habit
Herbs 220 66.3
Shrubs 54 16.3
Trees 48 14.5
Climbers 10 3.0
3 Seasonality
Spring 251 26.4
Summer 308 32.4
Autumn 231 24.3
Winter 162 17.0
4 Life form spectra
Therophytes 126 38.0
Phanerophytes 104 31.3
Hemicryptophytes 58 17.5
Chamaephytes 21 6.3
Geophytes 23 6.9
5 Leaf size spectra
Microphylls 107 32.2
Nanophylls 99 29.8
Mesophylls 83 25.0
Leptophylls 31 9.3
Macrophylls 6 1.8
Megaphylls 4 1.2
Aphyllous 2 0.6
6 Habitat type
Wet places 25 6.4
Rock crevices 10 2.5
Forests 83 21.1
Moist places 79 20.1
waste places 27 6.9
Agriculture fields 23 5.9
Graveyards 6 1.5
Rocky places 16 4.1
Dry places 92 23.4
Epiphytes 1 0.3
Cultivated 31 7.9
Key: Habit: T= Tree, S= Shrub, H= Herb, C= Cliber. Life form: Ther= Therophyte, Phen= Phanerophyte, Hem= Hemicryptophyte, Geo= Geophytes, Cham= Chamaephyte. Leaf form: Lep= Leptophyll, Mes= Mesophyll, Mic= Microphyll, Meg= Megaphyll, Nan= Nanophyll, Mac= Macrophyll, Aph= Aphyllous. Habitat type: Wap= Waste places, CU= Cultivated, Mp- Moist places Sp= shady places, Rp= rocky places, F= Forest, Drp= Dry places, G= Graveyards, Af= Agricultural fields, Rc= Rock crevies, EPI= Epiphyte, WP= Wet places.
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