Floral diversity of District Bagh, Azad Jammu and Kashmir Pakistan

The study showed the floral diversity and variation in the structure of vegetation in District Bagh, AJ&K. A total of 200 plants belong to 65 families and 170 genera were documented from seven localities. The most species richest site was found Mahmood Galli with 101 species (dicots 55, monocots 35, pteridophytes 10 and gymnosperm 1) followed by Toliper 100 spp. (dicots 55, monocots 31, pteridophytes 13 and gymnosperms 1), Lasdana, 85 spp. (dicots 47, monocots 35, pteridophytes 6 and gymnosperms 2), Plungi 81spp. (dicots 51, monocots13, pteridophytes 16 and gymnosperm 1), Khurshidabad, 74 spp. (dicots 34, monocots 21, pteridophytes 19), Kahutta, 70 spp. (dicots 36, monocots 15, pteridophytes 19 ) and Kiran 46 Spp. dicots 34, gymnosperm 3). Among pteridophytes, Polystichum squarrosum had highest distribution percentage 85.71 % while Lepisorus clathratus and Pyrrosia mollis have least percentage distribution 4.28 %. Among gymnosperms, Pinus wallichiana had highest distribution percentage 57.14 % while Cedrus deodara and Pinus roxburgii have least distribution percentage 14.28. Aristida abnormis had highest distribution percentage with 71.42 % while Zizania aquatica and Themeda anathera have least distribution percentage with 14.28 %. In dicots, Amaranthus viridis, Amaranthus spinosus and Cucumis sativus had highest distribution percentage with 85.71 % and Oxalis corniculata, Quercus incana and Fragaria nubicola had least frequency with 14.28 %. Species diversity was high in the tree layer in the middle part of the altitudinal gradient. It decreases both towards upper and lower altitude, which was due to deforestation, human interaction, encroachment pressure, low number of species and soil erosion.


Introduction
Composition, distribution and classification of plant communities are the spirit of vegetation science for centuries, [1]. Altitude, aspect and annoyance from human settlements have linear relationship with vegetation attributes such as species richness, diversity and maturity [2]. Topography is the principal controlling factor in vegetation growth and that the type of soils and the amount of rainfalls play secondary roles at the scale of hill slopes. Elevation, aspect, and slope are the three main topographic factors that control the distribution and patterns of vegetation in mountain areas [3]. Several studies acknowledge the relationship among plant species diversity, richness, climate and spatial variables in the area [4,5]. The identification and description of local flora is very important, because it can show specific species of the local area and their occurrence, growing season, species hardness, distinct species, finding new species and the effect of climatic conditions like drought and over-grazing on vegetation [6].
An effective conservation plan cannot be implemented without knowing the status of indigenous plant species, ecology of habitat types, and factors affecting the population of plant species, particularly those of vulnerable and threatened either locally or internationally [7]. Knowledge on biodiversity of the study area is still fragmentary and requires deep studies to disclose all of its components. Flora of the Bagh region is currently under heavy pressure like anthropogenic activities, population pressure and grazing pressure. The objective of this study was to reveal the concealed anthropogenic and environmental factors disturbing the plant species diversity and richness. Present study will be helpful to ecologists, conservationists, forest managers and future researchers to compare any change in the species and species composition of plant communities of this hilly area.

The Study Area
The state of Azad Jammu and Kashmir is located between 2 Floral diversity of District Bagh, Azad Jammu and Kashmir Pakistan 73°-75° longitude and 33°-36° latitude (figure 1). It is located in the Pirpanjal sub range of the western Himalayan foothills. The total area of District Bagh is 1368 square kilometres which is about 10% of total land area of Azad Jammu & Kashmir. Average annual temperature is 21°C, ranging from 2°C in January to 40°C in July. The annual precipitation is about 1500 mm [8].

Field Surveys
Extensive vegetation surveys of different ecological zones ranging from subtropical to alpine zones were conducted during 2009-10 to assess the floral diversity and community structure in the District Bagh. The area under research had great altitudinal variation exhibiting different zones such as subtropical, temperate and alpine. Seven different localities including Tauliper, Lasdana, Mahmood Gali, Khurshidabad, Plungi, Kahutta and Kiran were selected, considering altitudinal variations.

Vegetation Sampling
Quadrat method was used for vegetation sampling. A transect of 200 m length was used at each sampling site, where each sampling point was separated by 50 m from the next. Ten quadrats (10 m 2 for trees, 5 m 2 for shrubs and 1m 2 for herbs and grasses) were laid perpendicularly along a straight line at each sampling point, 5 on each side of the sampling point. Plant specimens were critically examined and identified with the help of literature and authentic specimens at the Department of Botany University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Flora of Pakistan [9,10], was followed for the proper identification. The number of the plants scored with reference to its ecological amplitude, occurrence, distribution and relative frequency of plant species were listed in ( Table 1). The collected specimens were deposited in herbarium Department of Botany University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The percentage distribution of plant species in different localities was determined by using following formula;

Floristic Composition
During the study, the whole flora was explored from subtropical foothills of Kahutta to alpine pasture of Kiran. A total of 200 plant species of 170 genera and 65 families were reported from study area. The study area was divided into seven subunits (Figure 1) The checklist comprised of 167 angiosperms, (dicots 118 and monocots 49), 29 pteridophytes and 4 gymnosperms (Figure 3). Dominating life forms in all seven sites were herbs (156 spp.), followed by shrubs (29 spp.) and trees (15 spp., Figure 2). The leading family was Poaceae with 42 species (Figure 4) followed by Rosaceae and Asteraceae (14, 11 spp.), other families were with fewer number of species.

Altitudinal Variation
It was observed that percentage distribution (frequency) decreases with the increase in altitude while it was high in the low altitude. Similar findings were reported by [11]. The experiential decrease in species distribution is due to deforestation, human interaction, collections of medicinal plants and quick disappearance of annual plants because of cold conditions [12]. Species diversity was high in the tree layer in the middle part of the altitudinal gradient. It decreases both towards upper and lower altitude, which was due to deforestation, human interaction, encroachment pressure, low number of species and soil erosion.

Threatened Flora of Kashmir
Medicinal flora of Senhsa, District Kotli (adjacent area of District Bagh) is under serious threats [1]. Ajuga bracteosa, Mallottus philippinensis, Butea monosperma, and Zanthoxylum armatum are critically endangered not only locally, but also in the whole region. Among endangered species, Cissus carnosa, Juglans regia, Olea ferruginaea,, Phyllanthus emblica, Viola canescens are the notable species, which are at high risk of being endangered [13]. An effective conservation plan cannot be implemented without knowing the indigenous flora, habitat ecology and anthropogenic factors, affecting the population of plant species, particularly those of vulnerable and threatened either locally or internationally [14]. In Neelum valley, Saussurea lappa, Aconitum heterophyllum, Geranium wallichianum, Jurinea dolomiaea, Ajuga bracteosa, Bistorta amplexicaule, and Berberis lyceum are on the verge of extinction due to high rate of utilization [15]. There has been a rapidly increasing interest in the effects of species richness on community productivity in recent years. The relationship between species diversity and ecosystem function, combined with the worldwide loss of species, has become one issue that has attracted substantial attention [16]. Decreasing primary productivity and changes in the structure of plant communities have been caused by the destruction of biodiversity, unreasonable exploitation and overgrazing of grassland resources in some areas, with consequent impacts on human society. Productivity is one of the important modalities by which to weigh up ecosystem functions [17], so a healthier knowledge of the association between plant-species diversity and ecosystem functioning would help to indulgent whole ecosystems.

Conclusion
The interest behind the selection of the area was its thick vegetation and great altitudinal variation, ranging from subtropical to alpine. The area lies in temperate zone, Universal Journal of Plant Science 2(1): 1-13, 2014 13 characterized by cold climate. Plant resources are limited that require efficient, wise and sustainable management and conservation strategies. Necessary steps should be taken not only to store the original vegetation but also to improve it. Overgrazing and deforestation should be abridged. Forest management practices that benefit biodiversity conservation should be encouraged. Awareness programs at grass root level should be introduced.