Abstract:
Plant invasion is attaining popularity due to the vast variety of environmental ramifications it has invaded ecosystems. Invasive species additionally demonstrated improved development in contaminated environment and a greater ability to invade harsh habitats. This investigation explores the influence of invasive species on vegetation and pollution in Rawat Industrial Estate, which is located in Potohar region of Rawalpindi District. To determine phytosociological features, the stratified random vegetation sample method was employed with 90 quadrats in 30 sampling sites along the industries. Soil samples were collected and analyzed to evaluate the physiochemical properties of the soil. The study identified 36 invasive plant species from 32 genera and 23 families, including 25 herbs, 6 shrubs, and 5 trees. Poaceae was the most abundant taxonomic family, with seven plant species, followed by Asteraceae and Convolvulaceae, which had three and two species, respectively. Euclyptus citrodora with (IVI=1659.05), Broussonetia papyrifera (IVI=1142.87), Datura metel (IVI=1037.14), Cannabis sativa (IVI=2567.74), Cynodon dactylon (IVI=1536.33), and Parthenium hysterophorus (IVI=1214.7) were the dominant invasive species. CANOCO software was used to perform Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) and Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) on invasive species and soil characteristics in order to determine the direct and indirect relationship between them. Soil pH, Ec, and TDS were significant edaphic factors in vegetation determination. Invasive species can regenerate the land and have quick development, great tolerance to contaminants such as heavy metals, and high adaptation to sustain ecological changes. Invasive plants exhibited self-protective responses when susceptible to heavy metals (HMs), that had either a favorable or negative impact on HM bioavailability and toxicity. Indicator plant species may be employed as phytoremediators to remove pollutants from contaminated soil, water, sludge and sedimentation
Page(s):
108-108
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Abstract Book on Second International Conference on Recent Approaches in Plant Sciences (RAPS-23) 4-5 May 2023 , Volume: 0, Issue: 0, Year: 2023
Keywords:
heavy metal
,
phytoremediation
,
Invasive species
,
contaminants
,
industrial pollution