Floristic composition and phenology of vegetation in district Dir Lower, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

The present study explores the floristic composition and phenology of vegetation in district Dir Lower, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. This district features diverse biological and climatic conditions, creating a unique environment for ecological studies. The research was conducted from May to November in 2018 and 2019, documenting 206 plant species across 182 genera and 82 families. The dominant families were Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, and Poaceae. Using Raunkaier’s life form classification, the study found a dominance of therophytes (41%) and nanophanerophytes (13%), indicating the local ecosystem’s adaptation to annual climatic changes. In terms of leaf size spectrum, microphylls were the most abundant (39%), followed by mesophylls (27%) and Nanophylls (22%). The distribution of plant species in the research area reflects the adaptation of the local flora to specific environmental conditions. Phenological observations revealed two distinct flowering seasons: the primary season from May to August and the secondary season from September to November. During the first season, the majority of plants (85%), predominantly herbs, were in bloom. In contrast, the second season showed a smaller diversity of blooming plants, including six fern species. Fruiting patterns mirrored the flowering trends, with a higher fruiting rate observed from May to August (106 species) compared to September to November (100 species). This research provides a comprehensive overview of the floristic diversity, biological spectrum, and phenological patterns in district Dir Lower, contributing valuable information to plant ecology and conservation in the region.