Structure, diversity, and regeneration potential of Monotheca buxifolia (Falc.) A. DC. dominated forests of Lower Dir District, Pakistan

Abstract

This study reports on the multivariate analysis of the vegetation of Hindukush Range in Pakistan, concentrating on the structure and regeneration potential of Monotheca buxifolia and associated tree species. Twenty stands at different locations in the Dir District of the Hindukush Range in Pakistan were chosen for the study. A point centered quarter method for trees and 5 m  5 m size quadrats were used for the sampling of understorey vegetation, including shrubs, seedlings, and saplings, respectively. The underlying group structure in vegetation was exposed by an agglomerative clustering technique, while major trends were disclosed by DCA ordination. Size class structure and regeneration potential of M. buxifolia and associated tree species were also examined, which reflects the future trend of species and, consequently, the forests where they dominate. The relationships between environmental factors and vegetation were investigated.The arboreal vegetation was mostly dominated by broad leaved species including Monotheca buxifolia, Olea ferruginea, Acacia modesta, Punica granatum, Quercus baloot, and Ficus palmata. Among the understorey vegetation, the abundant species were Dodonea viscosa, Justicia adhatoda, Otostegia limbata, Indigofera gerardiana, Plantago lanceolata, Rumex dentatus, Marrubium vulgaris, Fragaria nubicola, Geranium rotundifolium, Daphne oleoides, Solanum nigram, Ajuga bracteosa, Oxalis corniculata seedlings of Monotheca buxifolia, Quercus baloot, and Punica granatum. At the seedling and sapling stage, the maximum number was observed for Monotheca buxifolia (27±5.75 and 38±7.1), followed by Quercus baloot (18±2.2 and 12±1.0) and Olea ferruginea. As far as regeneration status is concerned, 34% species showed good regeneration, 50% species were facing the problem of poor regeneration while, and only 16% species were not regenerating. Five groups of tree vegetation that emerged from Ward's cluster analysis could readily be superimposed on DCA ordination. These groups were associated with particular elevation and, to a lesser extent, with edaphic variables, such as pH and nutrients. Some of the topographic and edaphic variables, such as soil nutrient, showed significant or weak linear relationships with one or more ordination axes. The size class structure of M. buxifolia and associated tree species for individual stands exhibited a few gaps. Relationships between density and basal area were significant, but the density and basal area with altitudinal and slope gradient showed an insignificant relation. Some recommendations are outlined for future research and sustainable management of these forests species.

Density and Taxonomic Diversity of Understory Vegetation in Relation to Site Conditions in Natural Stands of Acacia modesta in Malakand Division, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

“…Several workers have emphasized the role of aspects on the specific vegetation distribution in different areas of Pakistan and even in the world. Khan et al (2011) reported that Monotheca buxifolia grow well on eastern aspects, Quercus baloot on the South-East (Khan, 2012) and Pinus roxburghii on Northern aspects (Siddiqui et al, 2009;Khan et al, 2014) with specific understory species in northern Pakistan. Somewhat similar findings were also reported by Shariatullah (2013) in Justicia shrub-land and most recently by Ali (2016) in Olea ferruginea dominated forests from Malakand division.…”

Traditional uses of wild medicinally important plants of Batkhela, kpk, Pakistan

“…Most of the medicinal plants are currently found facing threat of extinction due to natural and Ecologically Pakistan is alienated into 9 regions having 6000 plant About 10 to 12 % of these are used for medicinal purposes [5]. According to Hocking (1985) 84% of Pakistani villagers are still practicing from practitioners of traditional drugs [16], either due to lack of proper health facilities of elders from several decades [18] in Pakistan with time as significant amount of work has been carried out in different parts of the country literature study confirms that previously no such work has carried out on the present study area. This precious kn transmitted from generation to generation verbally.…”

The influence of environmental variables on Punica granatum L.assemblages in subtropical dry temperate woodland in the districtof Lower Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

“…These forests have provided a wide variety of ecological and economic services to the local human populations over centuries (Khan et al, 2011). The species is known for its edible fruits with fleshy red, pink, or whitish external layers (Lama et al, 2001).…”

“…It is frequently distributed below the pine zone and is rarely found in association with Pinus roxburghii (personal observations). Monotheca buxifolia and Olea ferruginea are the most common and economically important species associated with Punica granatum forests (Khan et al, 2011) between 700 and 1800 m of altitude, whereas P. roxburghii grows between 700 and 2200 m above sea level and has no association with Punica.…”

“…The dried seeds is locally known as anardana in Pashto/Urdu and is available on the market for the price of 500-800 rupee per kilogram (Ibrar et al, 2003) depending on the quality. However, there is a growing concern that the uncontrolled harvest of fruits for human consumption depletes the seed bank and threatens the natural regeneration of the species, as the commercial source of anardana is said to be the wild trees of Punica (Khan et al, 2011). Other overriding factors leading to low population recruitment are the natural low production of fruits per adult tree each year (personal observation), insect damage to fruits (Orwa et al, 2009), climate change, and primary forest fragmentation and anthropogenic perturbation, including expansion of the agricultural frontline (Siddiqui et al, 2009).…”