Floristic composition, biological spectrum and conservation status of the vegetation in Nikyal valley, Azad Jammu and Kashmir

ObjectiveTo analyze floristic compositions, biological spectrum and conservation status of the existing vegetation in valley.MethodsA quantitative phytosociological survey was conducted using quadrat method at different sites. Sampling was done by using quadrat method. A complete floristic list of the plant communities of the study area was compiled on the basis of plant collection. Life form and leaf spectra were constructed using the complete list of the plant communities collected from study area. Conservation status of each species was established on the basis of International Union for Conservation of Nature criteria.ResultsThe flora of Nikyal valley consisted of 110 species belonging to 51 families and 98 genera. Poaceae (18 spp.), Asteraceae (10 spp.), Lamiaceae (8 spp.) and Fabaceae (7 spp.) were the leading families in the area. Biological spectrums of 13 different plant communities were grouped into four plant associations on the basis of cluster analysis and detrended correspondence analysis. The data showed that hemicryptophytes (32.73%) were the dominant life form in the area followed by therophytes (23.64%) and nanophanerophytes (22.73%) during monsoon season. Similarly, nanophyllous species (37.27%) followed by microphyllous species (29.09%) remained dominant during monsoon in the investigated area.ConclusionsThe majority of important plant species of Nikyal valley are critically endangered, therefore effective measures for conservation of plant resources of the valley are urgently needed. We recommend the floristic life-form spectrum technique if working in sufficiently large areas, because it could provide an indication of the prevailing phytoclimate.