Multivariate approach to the classification and ordination of the forest ecosystem of Nandiar valley western Himalayas |
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| Institution: | 1. School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, NO.2 North Cuihu road, Kunming, Yunnan 650091, PR China;2. Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science, Northeast Normal University, Jilin, PR China;3. Institute of Ecology and Geobotany, School of Ecology and Environmental Science Yunnan University, NO.2 North Cuihu road, Kunming, Yunnan 650091, PR China;4. Department of Entomology, The University of Agriculture KP-, Pakistan;5. Department of Microbiology, University of Swabi, KPK, Pakistan;6. School of Life Science, Northeast Normal University, Jilin 130024, PR China;7. Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystem, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 7320020, PR China;8. Department of Biological Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia;9. Department of Botany, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Pakistan;10. Department of Botany, Qurtaba University Peshawar, KPK, Pakistan;1. Department of Botany, Hazara University, Mansehra 21300, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan;2. Department of Plant Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan;3. Missouri Botanical Garden, P.O. Box 299, St. Louis, MO 63166-0299, USA;1. Department of Environment Science, Babasahab Bhimrao Ambedker University, Lucknow, UP, India;2. Mohammad Ali Jauhar University, Rampur, UP, India;3. Department of Environment Science, University of Kashmir, Jammu & Kashmir, India;4. Department of Forestry Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Pundibari, West Bengal , India;5. College of Horticulture and Forestry, Rani Lakshmi Bai Central Agricultural University, Jhansi, UP, India;6. Division of Forest Biology & Tree Improvement, SKUAST-K, Jammu & Kashmir, India |
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| Abstract: | QuestionsDoes the vegetation composition of the forests of Nandiar Valley correlate with climatic, topographic and edaphic variables? Is it possible to identify plant communities through indicator species in relation to environmental gradients? Can this approach of classification and ordination will be helpful for conservation planning?LocationForests of Nandiar Valley, Moist temperate Western Himalayas Pakistan.MethodsEighty stands were selected for quantitative and qualitative characteristic of vegetation between an elevations of 525–3817 m. Species composition was recorded by using 400 m long transects. GPS, climatic, edaphic and topographic data were recorded for each sampling site. The relationship between habitat types, species composition and distribution along with climatic, edaphic and topographic variables were analyzed using TWINSPAN, Cluster analysis and DCA ordination.ResultsSum 325 vascular plants species belonging to 97 families were recorded. Diversity index and species richness was maximum in the moist temperate zone. Classification and ordination showed that the variance in species data was 7.07. Two-ways indicator species analysis classified the vegetation into eight plant communities. Indicator species analysis revealed that slope aspect, wind speed, temperature, dew point, wet bulb, pH, organic matter and phosphorous were the strongest parameters (p ≤ 0.05) determining plant community composition and indicator species in each habitat. The results also show the strength of the environment – species relationship using Monte Carlo procedures. DCA ordination grouped different species having similar habitat and habitats having common species.ConclusionsThe multivariate analysis of the vegetation along with environmental variables of Nandiar valley confirmed the indicators of each sort of vegetation communities/microclimatic zones which could further be used in conservation planning and management not only in studied area but also in the adjacent regions as well as in the areas exhibit similar sort of climatic, edaphic and topographic conditions. |
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| Keywords: | TWINSPAN Ordination Indicator species Plant communities Environmental variables Nandiar valley Western Himalayas |
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