Floristic composition, biological spectrum and phenological pattern of vegetation in the subtropical forest of Kotli District, AJK, Pakistan
Main Article Content
Abstract
A comprehensive floristic survey of Kotli District, Azad Jammu and Kashmir was conducted during 2014-2016 to analyse phytodiversity and ecological characteristics of plant resources. The flora comprised of 202 plant species distributed among 71 families and 176 genera. Of these, 6 species were pteridophytes, 1 species was a gymnosperm, 159 species were dicotyledons and 36 species were monocotyledons. Based on species numbers, Asteraceae (23 Spp), Poaceae (20 Spp), Fabaceae (15 Spp), Labiatae (11 Spp), and Euphorbiaceae (07 Spp) were the leading families. Based on biological spectrum, therophytes (73 Spp., 36.14 %) were dominant followed by hemicryptophytes (19.31%), nanophanerophytes (13.37%), geophytes (10.40%), lianas (7.92%), chamaephytes (7.43%) and megaphanerophytes (5.45%). Nanophylls (36.14%), leptophylls (26.73%) and microphylls (26.24%) were the major leaf size classes. Phenological study revealed four different flowering seasons, with April the peak flowering month during which 122 species blossomed. This current study will provide essential baseline information for ecologists, taxonomists and conservationists to carry out more detailed ecological investigations and conservation management planning for the plant resources of this area.
Keywords: Floristic list; Life form; Leaf spectra; Phenology; Kotli