Corresponding Author: Asghar Khan, Laboratory of Plant Ecology, Department of Botany, University of Malakand, Pakistan E-mail: Malakand35@gmail.com

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Science, Technology and Development 36 (2): 61-78, 2017 ISSN 0254-6418 / DOI: 10.3923/std.2017.61.78 © 2017 Pakistan Council for Science and Technology

An Assessment of the Floristic Diversity, Life-Forms and Biological Spectrum of Vegetation in Swat Ranizai, District Malakand, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Asghar Khan, Nasrullah Khan, Kishwar Ali and Inyat-ur-Rahman

Laboratory of Plant Ecology, Department of Botany, University of Malakand, Pakistan

Abstract: An inventory of the plant species in Swat Ranizai of District Malakand, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan was made during March 2013 to October 2015. A total of 264 plant species belonging to 90 families and 202 genera were recorded, including five ferns, one gymnosperm, 42 monocots and 216 dicots. Poaceae was found to be the most dominant family that contributed 20 species to the overall floristic composition followed by Labiatae (16 spp.), Asteraceae (14 spp.), Solanaceae (11 spp.), Papilionaceae (10 spp.) and Rosaceae (10 spp.), respectively. The remaining families shared less than 10 species to the overall floristic composition. It was observed that most of the taxa were perennials (172 spp.) and annuals (86 spp.), whereas, biennial were merely 06 species of the total. Based on habit, herbs were the most frequent (123 spp.), whereas, the representation of climbers and grasses were comparatively high then sedges. The results show that Phanerophytes were the most abundant life-form and Microphyll had the most dominant leaf size spectrum in the total floristics. The 2 test demonstrated significant differences (2 = 56.68, p ≤ 0.001), with the highest deviation for therophytes (40.69) from normal Raunkiaer’s spectrum. It was concluded that the dominance of Phanerophytes and Microphyll leaf size is due to the influence of typical climate of subtropical regions, though receive a significant amount of precipitation and the area is under heavy biotic pressure. The present study will be helpful in the restoration and conservation plans of the ecologically and medicinally important plants in Malakand Division. Key words: Biological spectrum, Floristic diversity, Life-forms, Swat Ranizai.

INTRODUCTION

Floristic diversity reflects the variety of vegetation of a specified geographical location, which provides a platform for proper identification and sustainable utilization of plants (Rafay et al., 2013). The knowledge of flora of any region is significant for the study of biodiversity and understanding of the prevailing environment (Thakur et al., 2012). Such studies are not only a good source of botanical information of a geographic region but may also provide a suitable starting point for further comprehensive studies. Hence, floristic inventory is a taxonomic study of a major division of flora in a specified area (Panda et al., 2014). Biological spectrum, as proposed by Raunkiaer (1934), is the percentage distribution of different life-forms for a given flora. It can be used as an index for comparing geographically separated plant communities, determines layering and stratification pattern of a community, nature of phytoclimate and its ambient stress factors (Gazal and Raina, 2015). The occurrence of similar biological spectrum in different regions indicates similar environmental conditions

and is considered as an indicator of micro and macro climate of a region (Tooba and Abedi, 2015).

Plants are classified into life-form based on similarities in structure, function and ecological conditions, which is the sum of all adaptation response to the pre-dominant climatic conditions (Sher et al., 2014). The life-form classification is an important physiognomic attribute that expresses the harmony between plant and its surroundings. So, it is used in vegetation studies, ranking next to floristic composition (Shimwell, 1971). Similarly, leaf size spectrum provides an idea of the floristic adaptation and is useful for exploring plant associations in relation to the prevailing climatic factors and thus can help in studying vegetation at regional level (Rashid et al., 2011). Different systems of classification and description of plant life-forms have been developed by many ecologists so far (Sharma et al., 2014). Of them the Raunkiaer (1934) system is the most popular and worldwide accepted based on the position, degree of protection of the renewing buds, which are more protected during unfavorable seasons and assumes growth when the seasons become favorable (Abusaief

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and Dakhil, 2013). According to this system, all types of plant species can be classified into five main groups, i.e. phanerophytes, therophytes, cryptophytes, hemicryptophytes and chamaephytes (Ullah et al., 2015). District Malakand, a biological corridor in the great Hindukush mountains range of Pakistan, lacks such type of studies as most of the natural forest resources of Pakistan also lie here (Murad et al., 2011). The Floristic inventories for other mountains’ ranges of Pakistan that contributed to local flora were recorded by several workers (i.e., Tareen and Qadir (1993), Marwat and Qureshi (2000), Shah and Khan (2006), Ajaib et al. (2010), Haq et al. (2010), Khan et al. (2011), Amjad (2012), Badshah et al. (2013), Malik et al. (2013), Tanvir et al. (2014) and Mehmood et al. (2015). However, Swat Ranizai is entirely lacking in studies on floristic diversity life-forms and biological spectrum of vegetation. Only few studies on the ethno-botanical aspects of plants were reported by Zabihullah et al. (2006), Murad et al. (2011, 2012), Ullah and Ibrar (2011), Ullah et al. (2015), respectively. Therefore, it was important to conduct studies, focusing on these aspects of ecology of the area to provide baseline information of vegetation in the study area for biologists, foresters and conservationists.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Study area: Geographically, the valley Swat Ranizai of District Malakand, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, lies between 34°37'18" N longitudes and 72°2'42" E latitudes. The valley is bounded in the north-east by the district Swat and in the West, river Panjkora parted it from Bajaur Agency. In the North, it is delineated by river Swat from the territory of district Dir (lower) (Fig. 1). In the South, it is surrounded by Tehsil Dargai of Sam Ranizai and, in the south-west, it is spread up to the Charsadda district and Mohmand Agency (Chaghtai and Ghawas, 1976). The mountains of the valley are floristically rich, receiving a mean annual rainfall of 600 to 650 mm per annum (Ullah and Ibrar, 2011). The maximum summer temperature reaches to 41 °C, whereas the minimum winter temperature may drop to –2 °C. The hottest months of the year are June and July, with an average temperature of 40 °C and 38 °C, respectively (Jan et al., 2012). Hazar Noe forest was located on the highest peak in the study area, which extends up to 2727 meters above the mean sea level (Zabihullah et al., 2006).

Fig. 1: A detail Map of Swat Ranizai, District Malakand.

Field survey: The study area was explored on regular basis for two consecutive years from March 2013 to October 2015, during flowering seasons. Collection of flora is made from foot-hills, mid-hill and top-hills on different aspects, using field instruments. Global Position System (GPS) and clinometer was used to record geographical coordinates and slope inclination in the study area. Elevation and aspect was recorded with the help of Altimeter and magnetic compass. The

collected plant specimen of each species was pressed, dried, preserved and mounted on standard herbarium sheets. The plant specimens were identified with the help of available literature and flora of Pakistan, developed by Ali and Qaiser (1995-2007), Nasir and Ali (1971-1994). These specimens were confirmed at the University Herbarium and deposited in the Botanical Garden Herbarium, University of Malakand.

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Floristic list compilation and classification of flora: After identification, a complete list of the flora was compiled along with taxonomic and ecological characteristics (Table 1). The flora was classified into different life-form, leaf-size classes by following Raunkiaer (1934), Mueller-Dombois and Ellenberg (1974) and Hussain (1989). Biological spectrum of the flora was calculated, using the following formulas.

Life form spectra = N T / × 100

Leaf size spectra = N T / × 100

Statistical analysis: To summarize and interpret the floristic data, percentile was used. For verification of significant differences between the Raunkiaer’s normal spectrum and life-form spectrum of the flora, a Chi-square test was used, following Zar (1999). The following formula for Chi-square result was applied:

2 = ∑(O E)E .

where O is the observed values, E is the expected values and the sigma sign means that everything that follows is summed.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Floristic composition: Floristic diversity, as described by Ali et al. (2016), is the sum of all plants present in any geographic area, both wild and cultivated, which reflects the prevailing climatic conditions, edaphic characteristics, anthropogenic pressure and other natural stresses. The flora of Swat Ranizai comprises 264 plant species, which belong to 90 families and 202 genera (Table 1), as recorded during a detailed floristic inventory from March 2013 to October 2015.

Table 1: Floristic diversity and ecological characteristics of plants of Swat Ranizai, Pakistan. Family/Species Name Local name Habit Life- span Life-form Leaf size T a x o n 1. Acanthaceae Justicia adhatoda L. Baiker Shrub P NP Mic D 2. Alliaceae Allium cepa L. Piaz Herb B Cr Mic M Allium sativum L. Ooga Herb B Cr Mic M 3. Adiantaceae Adiantum capillus-veneris L. Sumbal Herb P Cr Na Pt Adiantum incisum Forsk. Sumbal Herb P Cr Na Pt 4. Aizoaceae Portulaca oleracea Linn. Warkhari Herb A Th Le D 5. Amaranthaceae A e r v a j a v a n i c a ( B u m . f . ) J u s s . e x S c h u l t Kharboti Herb P Ch Mic D Achyranthus aspera L. Speyboti Herb P Th Mic D Amaranthus caudatus L. Chalwai Herb A Th Mes D Amaranthus spinosus L. G h a n o C h a l w a e Herb A Th Mic D Amaranthus viridis L Ghanher Herb A Th Mic D Celosia argentea Linn. Sor guli Herb A Th Mic D 6. Amaryllidaceae Narcissus tazetta L. G u l - e - n a r g i s Herb P Cr Mic M 7. Anacardiaceae Pistacia integerrima J . L. Stewart ex Brandis Shnai Tree P MP Mic D 8. Apiaceae Ammi visnaga (L.). Lam Spaikai Herb A Th Le D 9. Apocyanaceae Caralluma fimriata Wall Pamankai Herb P Hem Na D Nerium indicum L. Gandari Shrub P NP Mic D Rhazya stricta Decne Ghandairi Shrub P NP Mic D 10. Araceae Acorus calamus L. Skhawaja Herb P Cr Mes M Arisaemajacquemontii Blume,Rumphia. Marjarai Herb A Cr Mes M 11. Araliaceae H e d e ra n ep a l en s i s K . Ko c h , H o r t . D en d ro l Prewatai Liana P NP Mes D 12. Arecaceae Phoenix dactylifera L. Kajoor Tree P MP Mes M Nannorrhops ritchiana Griff Mayzarai Shrub P NP Mes M 13. Asclepiadaceae C a l o t r o p i s p r o c e r a ( W i l l d . ) R . B r . Spalmai Shrub P Ch Mes D Periploca aphylla L. Barara Shrub P NP Le D 14. Asteraceae A r t e m i s i a s c o p a r i a W a l d s t & K e t Jaukai Herb P Ch Le D Calendula arvensis L. Ziar gulai Herb A Th Mic D Carthamus lanatus L. Kariza Herb A Th Mic D Carthamus oxycantha Bieb Kariza Herb A Th Na D Cichorium intybus L. Shengulai Herb A Th Mic D Conyza bonariensis L. D h a n y a b o t a i Herb A Th Mic D Echinops echinatus Roxb. O a n t k a t a r a Herb A Ch Mic D Eryngium biebersteinianum Nervski ex Bobrov M a n z a r i p a n j a Shrub P Th Na D L a u n a e a a r b o r e s c e n s ( B a t t . ) M u r b Shodapai Herb P Th Ap D Parthenium hysterophorus L. Tarkha Herb P Th Mic D Sonchus asper L. Shodapai Herb A Th Mic D Tagetus minuta L. Hamesha Herb A Th Mic D

Contd…

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Concld… Taraxacum officinale L. Ziargulai Herb A He Mic D Xanthium strumarium L. Geshai Herb A Th Mes D 15. Berberidaceae Berberis lycium Royle. Kwarai Shrub P NP Mic D 16. Betulaceae Alnus nitida (Spach)Endl Geyrai Tree P MP Mes D 17. Bombacaceae Bombax ceiba L. Sumbal Tree P MP Mes D 18. Boraginaceae Buglossoides arvensis (L.) Herb A Th Na D Ehretia obtusifolia Hoches G h a t a b o t a i Shrub P NP Mic D Ehretia serrata Roxb. Puran Tree P MP Mes D Cordia myxa L. Laswara Tree P MP Mes D O n o s m a h i s p i d a W a l l . E x G . D o n . Ratanjot Herb P He Na D Trichodesma indica (L.) R.Br. G h w a j a b a i Herb A Ch Na D 19. Brassicaceae Isatis costata C.A. Mey. Herb A Th Mic D Lepidium sativum L. Halam Herb A Th Na D C a p s e l l a b u r s a p e s t o r i s ( L ) . M e d i g . Bimpaisa Herb A Th Mic D Nasturtium officinale R.Br. Tarmera Herb P Th Na D 20. Buddlejaceae Buddleja crispa Benth Shrub P NP Mic D 21. Buxaceae Buxus wallichiana Baill Shamshad Shrub P NP Mic D S a r c o c o c c a s a l i g n a ( D . D o n ) M u e c l l Ladda Shrub P NP Mic D 22. Cactaceae O p u n t i a d i l l e n i ( K e r G a w l . ) H a w . Kamala Herb P NP Ap D O p u n t i a m o n a c a n t h a ( W i l l d . ) H a w . Zuqam Shrub P NP Ap D 23. Caesalpinaceae Bauhinia variegata L. Kolyar Tree P MP Mes D Cleome viscosa L. Herb A Th Mic D 25. Canabaceae Cannabis sativa L. Bhang Herb B Th Mic D 26. Caryophyllaceae Silene conoidea L. Mangotai Herb A Th Na D Stellaria media (L.) Vill T e g h s t a r g a i Herb A Th Le D 27. Celastraceae G y m n o s p o r i a r o y l e a n a W a l l . E x L a w s o n Sorazghai Shrub P NP Mic D 28. Chenopodiaceae Chenopodium album L. Saarmai Herb A Th Mic D Chenopodium botrys L. Skhabotai Herb P Hem Na D Chenopodium ambrosiodes L. Skhabotai Shrub B Th Mic D 29. Commelinaceae C o m m e l i n a p a l u d o s a B l u m e , E n u m . Herb A Cr Mes M 30. Convolvulaceae Convolvulus arvensis L. Prewatai C l i m b e r A Th Mic D Ipomea hedracea L. Prewatai C l i m b e r A Th Mes D I p o m o e a e r i o c a r p a R . B r . , P r o d r . C l i m b e r A Th Mic D Ipomea pupurea L. Prewatai C l i m b e r A Th Mes D 31. Cucurbitaceae C i t r u l l u s c o l o c y n t h n t h i s ( L . ) S c h r a d K h r o H i n d w a n a C l i m b e r P Th Mes D C u c u r b i t a m a x i m a D u c h . e x L a m Kado C l i m b e r A Th Mic D Cucumis melo L. ssp. Agrestis (Naud.) Grebensc. var. agrestis Naud

C l i m b e r A Th Mac D

Momordica charantia Linn. Karela C l i m b e r A Th Mes D Luffa Cylindrica (Linn.) Roem Torai C l i m b e r A Th Mes D Solena amplexicaulis (Lam.) Gandhi Kakora C l i m b e r P Th Mic D 32. Cuscutaceae Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. M a r a z b o t a i C l i m b e r P Ph Le D 33. Cyperaceae Cyperus niveus Retz. Dela Sedge P Cr Le M Cyprus rotundus L. Dela Sedge P Cr Le M Erioscirpus comosus (Wall.) Sedge P Cr Le M Fimbristylis squarrosa Vahl Barwaz Sedge A Cr Mic M Hetropogon contortus (L.) Sormal Sedge P Hem Mic M 34. Dryopteridacaea D r y o p t e r i s c r e n a t a ( F o r s s k . ) K u n t z . Sumbal Herb P Cr Mic Pt Dryopteris jaxtaposta Christ. Sumbal Herb P Cr Mic Pt 35. Ebenaceae Diospyros lotus Linn. T o r a m l o o k Tree P MP Mic D Diospyros kaki Linn. Z i a r a m l o o k Tree P MP Mes D 36. Euphorbiaceae Andrachne cordifolia (Wall. ex Decne.) Muell. Krachai Shrub P NP Mic D Euphorbia granulate Forssk Warmaga Herb P Hem Na D Euphorbia helioscopia L. Mandanro Herb A Th Na D Euphorbia hirta L. Paybotai Herb A Th Na D Euphorbia indica Lam., Encycl. Herb A Th Na D

Contd…

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Concld… Euphorbia prostrata L. Warmaga Herb P Th Le D M a l l o t u s p h i l l i p e n s i s ( L a m . ) M u c l l . Kambaila Tree P MP Mes D Phyllanthus emblica L. . Aamla Tree P Ph Le D Ricinus comunis L. Aranda Shrub P NP Mes D 37. Equisetaceae Equesetum arvensis L. Bandakai Herb P Cr Le Pt 38. Fagceae Quercus incana Roxb. Spin banj Tree P MP Mic D 39. Flacourtiaceae F l a c o u r t i a i n d i c a ( B e r m . ) M e r i l l . Katai Tree P NP Mic D 40. Fumariaceae Fumaria indica (Hausskn.) H.N. Papra Herb A Th Le D 41. Geraniaceae G e r a n i u m W a l l i c h i a n u m D . D o n E x S w e e t Sra zaila Herb P Th Mic D Geranium rotundifolium L. solan Herb A Th Mic D 42. Hyperiaceae Hypericum perforatum L. Shin chai Herb P Th Le D 43. Juglandaceae Juglans regia L. Ghwaz Tree P MP Mes D 44. Lamiaceae/ Labiatae Ajuga bracteosa Wall. ex. Benth Gutey Herb P Th Mic D Ajuga parviflora Benth. Botey Herb P Th Mic D Anisomeles indica (L.) Herb P Ch Mic D C o l e b r o o k e a o p p o s i t i f o l i a S m i t h . Banda Shrub P NP Mic D Marrubium vulgare L. Herb P Th Mic D Micromeria biflora (Buch. -Ham. ex D. Don) Benth. N a r i s h a m a k a i Herb P Ch Le D E r e m o s t a c h y s s u p e r b a R o y l e e x B e n t h . Herb He Mes D Mentha longifolia (L.) Huds. Venalai Herb P Cr Mic D Mentha spicata L. Podina Herb P Cr Mic D Origanum vulgare L. Shamakai Herb P Ch Mic D Otostegia limbata (Benth.) Bioss S p i n a z g h a i Shrub P Np Mic D P l e c t r a n t h u s r o g o s u s W a l l . e x B e n t h Spaikai Shrub P Np Mic D Salvia lanata Roxb. Matarjari Herb P Th Mic D Salvia moorcroftiana Wall. Khardag Herb P Ch Mes D Salvia plebeia R.Br. Gwarmai Herb A Th Mic D Teucrium stocksianum Bioss K h w a n d a b o t a i Herb P Th Mic D Neolitsea pallens (D. Don) M e d a c h o b Tree P Ph Mes D 46. Liliaceae Aloe barbadensis Mill. Kamala Herb P Ch Mac M Asparagus adscendens L. Tendonai Shrub P Cr Le M Asparagus gracilis Royle Tendoni Shrub P Cr Le M Asparagus plumosusBaker. Tendonai C l i m b e r P Cr Le M

Asphodelus tenuifolius Cavan Piazakai Herb A Cr Mic M

Tulipa stellata Hk.f. Ghantol Herb A Cr Le M 47. Lythraceae Ammannia multiflora Roxb. Herb A Th Na D W o o d f o r d i a f r u i t i c o s a ( L . ) S . K u r z Z a n g a l i a n a r Shrub P NP Mic D 48. Malvaceae Malva neglecta Wallr. Panerak Herb A Th Mic D Abelmoschus esculentus (Linn.) Moench, Meth Bindai Herb A Th Mic D 49. Meliaceae Melia azedarach L. Bakrana Tree P MP Mic D 50. Menispermaceae Tinospora cordifolia Miers Praiwatai Shrub P Ph Mes D 51. Mimosaceae Acacia modesta Wall Palusa Tree P MP Le D Acacia nitotica L. Kikar Tree P MP Le D Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth. Srikh Tree P MP Le D Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) Kiker Tree P MP Le D 52. Moraceae Ficus benghalensis L. R a b a r b o t a i Tree P MP Mes D Ficus carica L. Inzar Tree P MP Mac D Ficus palmata Forrsk. Inzar Tree P MP Mes D Ficus pumila L. C l i m b e r P MP Mes D Ficus recemosa L. Ormal Tree P MP Mac D Ficus religiosa L. Peepal Tree P MP Mes D Ficus foveolata Wall. Ex Miq. Inzarbotai C l i m b e r P He Mic D Morus alba L. Spaintoot Tree P MP Mes D Morus nigra L. Tortoot Tree P MP Mes D 53. Myrsinaceae Myrsine africana L. Tartarai Shrub P NP Na D 54. Myrtaceae Eucalyptus camadulensis L. Lachi Tree P MP Mic D Myrtus communis L. Manro Shrub P NP Mic D 55. Nyctaginaceae

Boerhavia diffusa L. Ensat Herb A Th Mic D Contd…

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Concld… 56. Oleaceae Jasminum humule Linn Rambail chambail Shrub P NP Mic D Jasminum officinale L. Rambail chambail Shrub P NP Mic D Olea ferruginea Royle Khona Tree P MP Mic D 57. Oxalidaceae Oxalis corniculata L. Tarokai Herb A Th Na D Paeoniaceae Paeonia emodi Wall. ex Royle Mamaikh Herb P Cr Mes D 58. Papaveraceae P a p a v e r p a v o n i n u m S c h r e n k , E n u m . Soregulai Herb A Th Na D Papaver rhoeas L. R e d a i g u l a y Herb A Th Mic D Papaver somniferum Linn. Qashkash Herb A Th Mic D 59. Papillionaceae B u t e a m o n o s p e r m a ( L a m . ) P . K u n t r a Palai Tree P MP Mes D Dalbergia sisso Roxb. Shawa Tree P MP Mic D Indigofera hetrentha L. Ghwarija Shrub P NP Le D Lathyrus aphacaL. K a r k u m a n a i C l i m b e r A Th Na D Lathyrus cicera L. M a r g h a i k h p a C l i m b e r A Th Na D Lathyrus sativus L. Chiloe C l i m b e r A He Mic D Lotus corniculatus Linn. Kasnai Herb P Th Na D Medicago minima (L.) Gurb Peshtarai H A He Na D Robinia pseudocacia L. Kaikar Tree P MP Mic D Vicia sativa L. M a r g h a i k h p a C l i m b e r A Th Na D 60. Pinaceae Pinus roxburghii Sergent Nakhtar Tree P MP Le GM 61. Plantaginaceae Plantago lanceolata L. Jabai Herb A Th Mic D Plantago major Linn. Jabai Herb A Th Mes D 62. Platanaceae Platanus orientalis L. Chinar Tree P MP Mac D 63. Poaceae Apluda mutica L. S p e n w a k h a i Grass P Hem Le M A r i s t i d a c y a n a n t h a N e e s e x S t e u d . Mashkeza Grass P Hem Mic M Arundo donax L. Nalaan Herb P NP Mac M Avena sativa L. . Jamdar Grass A Th Na M Brachiaria ramose (L.) Stapf. Shamokha Grass A Th Na M B r o m u s j a p o n i c u s T h o m e s e x m u r r Jaukai Grass A Hem Le M Cenchrus ciliaris L. Barwaza Grass P Th Na M Chrysopogan aucheri(Bioss.) Stapf S p a i n w a k h a i Grass P He Le M Cmybopogon jwarancusa (jones) Schult Sirgarai Grass P He Le M Cynodon dactylon (L.) pers. Kabal Grass P He Na M D e s m o s t a c h y a b i p i n n a t a ( L . ) S t a p f Drab Grass P He Mes M Hordeum murinum L. W a r b a s h k a i Herb A Th Na M Hordeum vulgare L. Warbasha Herb A Th Na M Imperata cylindrical (L.) Beauv. P e s h o l a k a i Grass P He Le M Dicanthium annulatum(Forsk.) Stapf Wakha Grass P He Na M Poa annua L. Wakha Grass A Th Na M Saccharum bengalense Retz. S h a r g h a s h e Grass P He Mes M Saccharum griffthii Munro.Ex Bios. Bogara Grass P He Mic M Saccharum spontaneum L. Kahai Grass P He Mic M Sorgham helipense (L.) Persoon Dadum Grass P He Mic M 64. Polygonaceae B i s t o r t a a m p l e x i c a u l i s ( D . D o n ) G r e e n e p Anjabar Herb P Th Mes D Polygonum aviculare L. Bandakai Herb A Th Mic D Polygonum barbatum L. Pulpholak Herb A Ch Mic D Rumex dentatus L. Shalkhai Herb A Th Mes D Rumux hastatus D.Don Tarokai Herb A Th Na D 65. Primulaceae Anagallis arvensis L. Gulbotai Herb A Th Na D 66. Punicaceae Punica granatum L. Anangorai Tree P MP Na D 67. Ranunculaceae Ranunculus arvensis L. Ziargulai Herb A Th Na D Ranunculus muricatus L. Ziargulai Herb A Th Mic D Clematus grata Wall. Zailai Shrub P Cr Mic D 68. Rhamnaceae S a g e r e t i a t h e a ( O s b e c k ) M . C . J o h n s t o n . M u m a n a r a Shrub P NP Na D Ziziphus maurtiana Lam Baira Tree P MP Na D Z i z i p h u s n u m u l a r i a ( B u r m . f ) W . & A Karkanara Shrub P NP Na D Ziziphus sativa Gaertn. M a r k h a n a i Tree P MP Na D Ziziphus oxyphyla Edgew. Enalai Tree P MP Na D 69. Rosaceae Cotoneaster nummulariaFischer &C.A.Meyer Kharawa Shrub P NP Mic D Duchesnea indica (Andr.) Focke Z m a k i t o o t Herb P Th Mic D Fragaria nubicola (Hook.f.) Lindl. ex Lacaita Z m a k i t o o t Herb P He Mic D Prunus persica (L.) Batch. Shaltalu Tree P MP Mic D

Contd…

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Concld… Pyrus pashia Hom. Ex.D. Tango Tree P MP Mic D Rosa brunonii Lindl., Ros. Shrub P NP Mic D Rosa moschata J.Herm Z a n g a l i g u l a b Shrub P NP Mic D Rosa Webbiana Wall ex Royle Pirwarrai Shrub P NP Mic D Rubus ellipticus Smith. Karwara Shrub P NP Mic D Rubus fruticosus L. Karwara Shrub P NP Mic D 70. Rutaceae D Zanthoxylum armatum DC. Prodr. Dambara Small tree P NP Mic D 71. Salicaceae Populus nigra L. Spaida Tree P MP Mes D Salix babylonica L. Wala Tree P MP Mes D Salix alba L. Wala Tree P MP Mic D Salix tetrasperma Roxb. Wala Tree P MP Mic D Salix acmophylla Boiss. Wala Tree P MP Mic D 72. Sapindaceae Dodonea viscosa (L). Jacqa G h w a r a s k a i Shrub P NP Mic D 73. Sapotaceae M o n o t h e c a b u x i f o l i a ( F a l c ) A . D C . Gurgura Tree P MP Mic D 74. Scropulariaceae Verbascum thapsus L. K h a r g h w a g Herb A Th Mes D 75. Simarubaceae A i l a n t h u s a l t i s s i m a ( M i l l ) s w i n g l e . Shandai Tree P MP Mic D 76. Solanaceae Datura innoxia Miller Bathora Shrub P NP Mes D Hyoscymus niger L. Bargag Herb A o r B Th Na D Lycopersicon esculentum Miller, Tamatar Herb A Th Na D Nicotiana tabacum L. Cigarette tamaku Herb A Th Mes D Nicotiana rustica L. N a s w a r t a m b a k u Herb A Th Mes D P h y s a l i s d i v a r i c a t a D . D o n , P r o d r . Herb A Th Mic D Solanum nigrum L. K a c h m a c h u Herb A Th Mic D Solanum surrattense Burm. F M a r a g h o n a i Herb B Th Mic D Solanum incanum L. Shrub P Ch Mes D W i t h a n i a c o a g u l a n s ( S t o c k s ) D u n a l S p a i a r a b o t a i Shrub P Ch Mic D Withania somnifera (L.Dunal) Kotilaal Herb P Ch Mes D 77. Sterculiaceae Helicteres isora L. C h a m y a r a i Shrub P NP Mes D 78. Tamaricaceae T a m a r i x a p h y l l a ( L . ) K a r s t . , D e u t s c h e Ghaz Tree P MP Le D 79. Tiliaceae Corchorus tridens Linn., Mant. Amara Herb A Th Mic D Grewia optiva J.R. Drum. P a s t a w o o n a i Tree P MP Mic D 81. Thymeliaceae Daphne mucronata Royle Laighonai Shrub P NP Mic D 82. Typhaceae Typha angustifolia L. Lokha Herb P Cr Mes M 83. Ulmaceae Celtus australis L. Tagha Tree P MP Mic D Celtis tetrandra Roxb. Tawan Tree P MP Mic D 84. Urticaceae Debregeasia salicifolia Forssk. Ajlai Shrub P NP Mic D Frosskaolea tenacissima Linn. S t a i k a r b o t a i Herb A He Mic D Urtica dioica L. Sezunkai Herb P Th Mic D 85. Valerianaceae V a l e r i a n a j a t a m a n s i J o n e s i n A s i a t . M u s h k - e - b a l a Herb A Cr Mic D 86. Verbenaceae Lantana camara L. A m r o o d g u l a i Shrub P Ch Mic D Phyla nodiflora (Linn.) Makra Herb P Th Le D Vitex negundo L. M a r w a n d a i Shrub P NP Mic D Verbena officinalisLinn. Shamakai Herb P He Mic D 87. Violaceae Viola canescens wall.ex.Roxb. Banoesha Herb P He Mic D Viola betonicifolia Sm. Banoesha Herb P He Mic D Viola odorata L. Banoesha Herb A He Mic D 88. Vitaceae Vitis jacquemontii R. Parker. G e d a r k w a r C l i m b e r P MP Mes D 89. Zingiberaceae Curcuma longa Linn. Karkuman H P Cr Mes M Zingiber officinale L. Adrak H P Cr Mic M 90. Zygophylaceae Fagonia cretica L. Azghakai Herb A Th Na D Fagonia olivieri DC., Azghakai Herb A Th Na D Peganum harmala Linn. Speylane Herb A He Le D Tribulus terrestris L. M a l k u n d a i Herb A Th Na D

Key: A = Annual, B = Biennial, P = Perennial, M = Monocot, D = Dicot, Pt = Pteridiophyte, Gm = Gymnosprem, MP = Mesophanerophyte, NP = Nanophanerophyte, Th = Therophyte, He = Hemicryptophyte, Cr = Cryptophyte, Mac = Macrophyll, Mes = Mesophyll, Mic = Microphyll, Na = Nanophyll, Le = Leptophyll, Ap = Aphyllous

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Dicotyledons contributed (216 species, 82%)

followed by monocotyledons (42 species, 16%) and Pteridophytes (05 species, 2%), respectively. Gymnosperms were represented by a single species in the overall floristic composition. Dicots were

represented by 77 families (85%) followed by monocot with 9 families (10%), whereas, Pteridophytes were represented by 3 families (4%), slightly higher than gymnosperm with 1 family (1%) in the study area (Table 2).

Table 2: Taxonomic diversity of flora of Swat Ranizai. Taxonomic group Number of species Percentage Taxonomic distribution Number Percentage Dicot 216 82% Dicot family 77 85% Monocot 42 14% Monocot family 09 10% Pteridophytes 05 3% Pteridophytes family 03 04% Gymnosperm 01 1% Gymnosperm family 01 01% Total 264 100% 90 100%

Poaceae was leading family in the investigated

area, having 20 species (8%), followed by Labiatae (16 species, 6%), Asteraceae (14 species, 5%) and Solanaceae (11 species, 4%), respectively. Papilionaceae and Rosaceae, each has 10 species (3.7%). Euphobiaceae, Moraceae, each has 9 (3%) species (Fig. 2). Amaranthaceae, Boraginaceae, Cucurbitaceae and Liliaceae, each has contributed 06 species. Cyperaceae, Polygonaceae, Rhamnaceae and Salicaceae, each has contributed 05 species. Brassicaceae, Convolvulaceae, Mimosaceae, Verbenaceae and Zygophylaceae, each shared with 04 species, while Apocynaceae, Chenopodiaceae,

Oleaceae, Papaveraceae, Ranunculaceae, Urticaceae, Verbinaceae and Violaceae contributed each with 03 species, respectively. Remaining 61 families were poor in terms of floristic composition and contributed less than 03 species each, in the floristic composition (Table 1).

Life span of different plant taxa shows that perennials were the dominated group, consisting of 172 species (65%), followed by annuals with 86 species (33%), whereas, biennials were found to be less than 5% of the total flora (Fig. 3).

Fig. 2: Families contribution with five or more than five plant species.

Fig. 3: Relative proportions of annuals, biennials and perennials in Swat Ranizai.

Similarly, herb species were observed as the leading class, consisting of 123 species (47%), followed by trees (52 species, 20%) and shrubs (47 species, 18%). Climbers and grasses were

represented, each with 20 species (7%) and 17 species (6%), respectively, whereas, the relative proportion of sedges was only 5 species (2%), which is very less, as compared to the prior categories (Fig. 4).

0%

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25

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70%

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50

100

150

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Annual Perennial Biennial

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Fig. 4: Morphological diversity of plant taxa of Swat Ranizai.

The present list had a good similarity with the floristic composition of Chakisar Valley, District Shangla published by Shah et al. (2013), who reported that Poaceae is the dominant family, followed by Asteraceae and Lamiaceae. Similarly, Yemeni and Sher (2010) reported 189 species, belonging to 74 families, for the Asir mountain of Saudia Arabia, in which Asteraceae was the dominant family, followed by Lamiaceae and Poaceae, closely support our current results. The results, published by other workers that coincide with our findings, are Qureshi et al. (2014), who reported Poaceae, as the dominated family at Khanpur Dam of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In addition, Ilyas et al. (2013) had recorded Poaceae as the leading family (22 spp.), followed by Asteraceae (16 spp.), Rosaceae (15 spp.), Lamiaceae (14 spp.), Polygonaceae and Ranunculaceae 07 species each, while Pteridaceae 06 species respectively in Qalagi hills Kabal valley of Swat. Qureshi et al. (2011) reported that Poaceae (30 spp) was the dominating family followed by Asteraceae (17 spp.), at Pir Meher Ali Shah Arid Agriculture Research Farm Koont and its surroundings, in Rawalpindi.

Life form spectrum: A life-form spectrum indicates climatic and human disturbances in a geographic area and is characterized by plant adaptation to certain ecological conditions (Cain and Castro 1959; Durrani et al., 2010). The biological spectrum was analysed which shows that Phanerophytes, the leading life-form, consisted of 96 species (36%), followed by Mesophanerohytes 58 species (22%) and Nanophanerophytes 38 species (14%). Therophytes were observed as the second largest life-form, comprising 95 species (35.9%). In the study area, Hemicryptophyte contributed 30 species (11.1%), Cryptophyte 28 species (11%), which show that both are comparatively higher than Chamaephytes (Table 3). In addition, the observed flora was compared with Raunkiaer (1934) normal spectrum, which accounts for homogenous climatic conditions and has been created for world flora (Raina and Sharma, 2010). The 2 test demonstrated a significant difference (2 = 56.68, p < 0.001) between the observed flora and Raunkiaer’s normal spectrum. Therophytes exhibited marked deviation (40.69%) from normal Raunkiaer’s spectrum based on individual values (Table 3).

Table 3: Comparison of Normal Raunkiaer’s (1934) spectrum to the observed life-form spectrum of Swat Ranizai. Noramal Raunkiaer (1934) spectrum for 400 species

Observed life-form spectrum of Swat Ranizai for 264 plant Species

2

Therophyte 13% Therophyte 95 35.9% 40.69230769 Phanerophyte 46% Mesophanerophyte

Microphaerophyte Nanophanerophyte

58 - 38

22% - 14%

2.173913043 96 36%

Chamaephyte 9% Chamaephyte 15 6% 1.00 Hemicryptophyte 26% Hemicryptophyte 30 11.1% 8.653846154 Cryptophyte 6% Cryptophyte 28 11% 4.166666667 Total 100 264 100 56.68673356

Similar results for the vascular flora of Brazil with a difference of 45.20% of the flora and Raunkiaer’s spectrum were reported by Mendes et al. (2010) that strongly support our current findings. However, the differences from Raunkiaer’s spectrum may be the variation in climatic and phyto-

geographical regions. Life-forms reflect bio-climate of an area in an intensively cultivated and arid regions, bio-climate is of therophytic type. In humid regions bio-climate is of Phanerophytic, whereas in temperate, high altitudinal and arctic regions, it is of Chamaephytic type (Homji, 1964). In District

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Karnataka of India, Kambhar and Kotresha (2012) have reported that therophytes is the most leading life-form followed by Phanerophytes. The conclusion drawn from the study was that, the climate is of Thero-Phanerophytic type characterized of hot and dry environment. Similarly, in Chakesar Valley of Pakistan, Shah et al. (2013) have recorded Therophytes as the dominant life-form, followed by Cryptophytes, along an altitudinal gradient of humid temperate forests. They concluded that vegetation in lower zones is of the subtropical type, although, Meso-phanerophytes were found dominating in the

elevation ranging from 1900 to 2500 m, above mean sea level. A similar study was carried out by Qureshi et al. (2011) at Knoot Rawalpindi and Sher et al. (2014) Gadoon, Swabi Pakistan reported that Thero-phanerophytes was the leading life form and a representative spectrum of subtropical to tropical life-forms. This might be a response to the harsh climate, overgrazing, deforestation and anthropogenic pressure on flora. The dominance of therophytes in the study area reflected that the flora was of subtropical type and was under heavy biotic pressure, deforestation and overgrazing (Fig. 5).

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

(f)

Fig. 5: (a) and (b) portray making of agriculture field in foothills, (c) and (d) reflect overgrazing, (e) and (f) representing deforestation in Swat Ranizai.

Phanerophyte being the dominating life form (96

species, 36%) (Table 3) indicated that the study area had a great potential to grow forest dominated tress, i.e., Pinus roxburghii, Olea ferruginea, Monotheca buxifolia, Acacia modesta, Quercus incana, Butea monosperma, Alnus nitida, Ficus sarmentosa, Melia azedarach, Phyrus pashia and Pistachia integerrima, etc., as these plant species grow well in their natural habitat.

Leaf size spectrum: The relationship between leaf size to ecological factors is quite important and plays a significant role to help for studying vegetation at regional scale (Floret et al., 1990). The leaf size spectrum shows that microphyll, the dominant leaf size class in study area, comprises 123 species (46%), followed by mesophyll (52 species, 20%), nanophyll (47 species, 18%), leptophyll (33 species, 12%), macrophyll (06 species, 2%) and aphyllous (06 species, 2%), respectively (Fig. 6).

As reported by Grubb and Stevens (1985), leaf size increases with increasing precipitation, humidity and soil fertility, whereas tends to decrease with increasing irradiance and elevation. Mesophyll and

notophylls dominates in mid-elevational forests, while proportion of microphyll increases in tree-line forests (Julio et al., 2003). Cain and Castro (1959) had reported that mircophylls are characteristics leaf size of steppes, nanophyll and leptophyll are characteristics of hot deserts. In the present study, microphyll was reported the dominant leaf size class, followed by mesophyll, and their numbers were found to increased gradually from 594 to 2500 m, above sea level in Northern. The analysis indicated that mesophyll was high in number in plains at an elevation up to 1600 m. Leptophyll and nanophyll were high in numbers at an elevation of 1200 m, on eastwards slopes. The dominance of microphyll shows the study area, receiving a significant amount of precipitation and bears highest individual values for Phanerophytes. The dominance of therophytes indicated that the ecological condition was distressed due to high anthropogenic pressure. Current findings also revealed that the climate is Thero-Phanerophytic type, a characteristic climate of warm and semi-arid regions (Dansereau, 1957). Henceforth, our results strongly support those of Cain and Castro, (1959), Julio et al. (2003), Sringeswara et al. (2010), Ali et al.

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(2016) who also observed similar patterns of leaf size in their studies.

Photographs of all plant species of Swat Ranizai regime are shown as Plate-1.

Fig. 6: Indicate the percentage (%) of leaf size spectrum of plant taxa in Swat Ranizai.

CONCLUSION

It is concluded from the analysis of vegetation that the Thero-Phanerophytic type of climate is governing the ecology of the study area, which is the characteristic climate of warm and semi-arid regions. From the analysis, it is also concluded that the vegetation of the area is under heavy biotic and anthropogenic pressure which are in the form of deforestation, overgrazing and forest fire, etc.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The author (Asghar Khan) thanks to the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for providing financial support under the scholarship program “Faculty Development Scholarship for College Teachers of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Special thanks are also due to the Prime Minister of Pakistan for initiation of laptop and fee reimbursement schemes for M.Phil/PhD scholars of rural areas.

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Plate-1: Photographs of plant species of Swat Ranizai

Abelmoschus esculentus

Acacia modesta

Achyranthes aspera

Ailanthus altissima

Ajuga bracteosa Alnus nitida

Amaranthus viridis

Anagallis arvensis

Arisaema jacquemontii

Asparagus plumosus

Asphodelus tenuifolius

Bauhinia variegata

Berberis lyceum

Bombax ceiba

Butea monosperma

Calendula arvensis

Calotropisprocera

Cannabis sativa

Chenopodium ambrosioides

Clematis grata Contd….

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Concld….

Colebrookea oppositifolia

Convolvulus arvensis

Conyza bonariensis

Cuscuta reflexa

Cyperus rotundus

Datura stramonium

Dichanthium annulatum

Diospyrus lotus

Daphne mucronata

Duchsnea indicia

Echinops echinatus

Eruca sativa

Euphorbia helioscopia

Euphorbia hirta

Euphorbia prostrata

Equesetum arvensis

Ficus palmata

Flacourtia indica

Fragaria nubicola

Fumaria indica

Contd….

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Concld….

Grewia optiva

Heteropogon contortus

Indigofera heterantha

Ipomoea hederacea

Justicia adhatoda

Lantana camara

Lathyrus aphaca

Lotus corniculatus

Mallotus philippensis

Melia azedarach

Micromeria biflora

Morus alba

Morus nigra

Myrsine africana

Nannorrhops ritchiana

Narcissus tazzeta

Nerium indicum Olea ferruginea

Opuntia dillenii

Opuntia monacantha

Contd….

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Concld….

Otostegia limbata

Oxalis corniculata

Papaver somniferum

Periploca aphylla

Pinus roxburghii

Pistacia chinensis

Plantago lanceolata

Platanus orientalis

Polygonum aviculare

Polygonum barbatum

Punica granatum

Pyrus pashia

Quercus incana

Ranunculus muricatus

Ricinus communis

Rubus fruticosu

Rumex dentatus

Rumex hastatus

Saccharum spontaneum

Saccharum benalense

Sageretia thea

Salvia moocroftiana

Silene conoidea

Solanum nigrum

Contd….

Sci. Technol. Dev., 36 (2): 61-78, 2017

78

Concld….

Solanum surratense

Solena amplexicaulis

Sonchus asper

Stellaria media

Tagetes minuta

Taraxacum officinale

Tribulus terrestris

Trichodesma indica

Verbascum thapsus

Vicia sativa

Viola canescens

Vitex negundo

Vitis vinifera

Urtica dioica

Withania somnifera

Woodfordia fruiticosa

Xanthium strumarium

Zanthoxylum armatum

Ziziphus numularia

Ziziphus oxyphylla