Spatio-temporal effects on species classification of medicinal plants in Soone Valley of Pakistan.

Abstract

Soone Valley of Salt range in Pakistan was investigated to determine the distribution pattern of vegetation especially medicinal plant diversity at different sites and seasons. Six sites were selected on the basis of variation in their environmental [elevation, slope, aspect (western/northern), altitude, topography and soil composition] and community attributes [habitat, vegetation type & plant community structure]. The ecological data for autumn, winter, spring and summer seasons were recorded during last weeks of September, December, March and June, respectively. Results revealed that most of the species were frequent during summer as compared to other seasons, which was correlated with suitable temperature, enough moisture and availability of macronutrients during summer. Among sites most of the species were more frequent in Khabeki and Khoora sites, which seemed to be associated with high macronutrient availability and field capacity. Salt and drought tolerant species were associated with Jallar site. On the other hand, moisture loving and moderately moisture requiring species were found equally distributed between the Knotti Garden and Dape Sharif. Justicia adhatoda was the only frequently occurring medicinal plant during most of the seasons and at maximum sites, whereas the distribution of other species was mainly restricted to a particular season or site. It was concluded that soil moisture, salts and availability of macro-and micronutrients were the major determinants of species distribution in the studied area.