Vegetation diversity pattern during spring season in relation to topographic and edaphic variables in sub-tropical zone

Abstract

Background The present study was conducted to explore the diversity pattern of spring vegetation under the influence of topographic and edaphic variables in sub-tropical zone, District Malakand. In the present vegetation study, 252 species of 80 families were recorded in the study area. It included 39 species of trees, 43 species of shrubs, 167 species of herbs and 3 climber species. As a whole, 12 communities were established on the basis of topographic and edaphic characteristics in 12 different stations. Results The results of the present study revealed that all diversity indices (species diversity, evenness index, species richness index, maturity index) during spring showed that the communities in plains lying at lower altitudes had higher diversity while the communities formed at high altitudes had lower diversity. The results of the similarity index showed that there was low similarity (below 50%) amongst the communities in different stations. Conclusions It can be concluded that variations in topographic and edaphic factors affect species diversity and communities pattern.

Integrated Phytobial Remediation of Dissolved Pollutants from Domestic Wastewater through Constructed Wetlands: An Interactive Macrophyte-Microbe-Based Green and Low-Cost Decontamination Technology with Prospective Resource Recovery

“…Phytoextraction (also known as phytoaccumulation or phytosequestration) refers to the natural contaminant-removal ability (e.g., metal(loid)s or other inorganics) of algae or plants from ambient soil or water into a harvestable pollutant-rich plant biomass [53]. Hyperaccumulators (i.e., organisms capable of high concentrations of pollutant uptake) are typically regarded as ideal candidates for phytoextraction.…”

“…Hyperaccumulators (i.e., organisms capable of high concentrations of pollutant uptake) are typically regarded as ideal candidates for phytoextraction. Hyperaccumulators uptake high amounts of metal(loid)s, TEs, or other inorganics through their roots, shoots, and leaves from surrounding soil and water, transport, and accumulate or concentrate them above ground in their foliage or other aerial vegetative and reproductive plant parts [53]. However, most hyperaccumulators are slowly growing, increasing the overall phytoremediation time [54].…”