An assessment of edaphic factors and grass diversity in Cholistan desert (Pakistan). | [Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Sciences • 2015]

Author(s):

1. Muhammad Rafay: Department of Forestry, Range & Wildlife Management, Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan

2. Muhammad Abdullah: Department of Forestry, Range & Wildlife Management, Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan

3. Tanveer Hussain: Department of Forestry, Range & Wildlife Management, Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan

4. Farrakh Nawaz: Department of Forestry, Range Management and Wildlife, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan

5. Tahira Ruby: Department of Forestry, Range & Wildlife Management, Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan

6. Muhammad Akram: Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Vehari, Pakistan

Abstract:

A phyto-sociological study of grasses vegetation was undertaken in Cholistan desert during 2010-11. Twenty releves were recorded from twenty different sites. The analysis of twenty releves delineated three plant associations inhabiting the sandy dune, inter-dune sandy and clayey saline habitats. Overall, twenty grass communities were documented based on importance value index of each species. Out of which eight were inter-dune sandy communities and four were sandy dune and clayey saline communities each. Physio-chemical analysis of soil has revealed that texture of sandy dune habitat was sandy; interdune was sandy loam while clayey saline was clayey. Results exposed that organic matter, and soil nutrients were better at inter-dune sandy habitat whereas pH, EC, Na, and soil moisture were high at clayey saline habitat and minimum at sandy dune habitat. Further, climatic extremities, overgrazing and anthropogenic actions were observed to be continuous threats to indigenous species. It was also observed that the studied rangeland was unstable, degraded and would vanish if not maintained properly. So, this needs proper protection, management and rehabilitation through ecological approaches. This would be only possible with the participation of government and native peoples to make these range resources sustainable.

Page(s): 755-765

DOI: DOI not available

Published: Journal: Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Sciences, Volume: 52, Issue: 3, Year: 2015

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