Vegetation Diversity in Nebkhas of Phog (<i>Calligonum polygonoides</i> L.) in the Thar Desert of India

Pakistan is a subtropical country spread over an area of 79.6 million hectares (mha) lying between 24° and 37° N and 61° and 75° E. Most of the area is semiarid to arid, extending over 70 mha (87.94% of its land mass), receiving 250 mm annual rainfall. The deserts of Pakistan cover 11 mha (13.82%) of the land situated in the central and southeastern regions. These areas are broadly separated and are located between 100 and 1000 m above sea level. These deserts are monsoon in type, referring to a wind system marked with seasonal fluctuation in response to temperature variations between continents and oceans. The southeast-directed winds of the Arabian Sea supply heavy summer rains. The aridity is characteristic of a desert, with erratic rainfall occurring in clusters. The most dominant and frequent tree species in the desert habitat include Acacia senegal, Acacia nilotica, Azadirachta indica, Capparis decidua, Prosopis cineraria, Salvadora oleoides, Tamarix aphylla, and Tecomella undulata, with Prosopis cineraria being the most dominant and frequent. Among shrubs, Acacia jacquemontii, Aerva javanica, Calotropis procera, Calligonum polygonoides, Dipterygium glaucum, Euphorbia caducifolia, Fagonia indica, Haloxylon salicornicum, Leptadenia pyrotechnica, and Crotalaria burhia are dominant. Ephemerals are an important component of the desert habitat, here represented mostly by Boerhavia procumbens, Convolvulus prostratus, Gisekia pharnaceoides, Heliotropium strigosum, Indigofera argentea, Indigofera cordifolia, Indigofera linifolia, Limeum indicum, Mollugo cerviana, Senna ialica, and Tephrosia purpurea. Grasses are very prominent inhabitants in deserts, including Aristida spp., Cenchrus biflorus, Cenchrus ciliaris, Eragrostis spp., Panicum turgidum, Pennisetum divisum, Saccharum spontaneum, and Stipagrostis plumosa. Abutilon bidentatum, Abutilon pakistanicum, Alysicarpus monilifer, Alysicarpus tetragonolobus, Caralluma edulis, Cenchrus prieurii, Commiphora wightii, Convolvulus scindicus, Gisekia pharnacioides, Ephedra ciliata, Gynandropsis gynandra, Monsonia heliotropioides, Rhynchosia schimperi, and Tecomella undulata are some of the threatened species that are used by the inhabitants to meet their various socioeconomic needs. Pragmatic conservation measures are required to protect such habitats, because they represent threatened or rare and endemic species that are of economic importance to the local communities and thus are used unsustainably.

Forest structure and regeneration of Betula utilis (D. Don) was studied in birch forestlocated in Samagaun valley (3500 – 4000 m) of Manaslu Conservation Area. Vegetationsampling was done by quadrat method. Altogether 40 quadrats were sampled to determinethe Importance Value Index (IVI) of tree species, and distribution pattern of seedlings andsaplings. Regeneration was assessed by density - diameter curve. Four tree species wererecorded from the forest. Betula utilis was the dominant tree species with the highestImportance Value Index (173.22) in mixed Betula forest and 262.96 in pure Betula forestand Abies spectabilis was the co – dominant species (65.95) in mixed Betula forest whileRhododendron campanulatum was the co-dominant species (37.03) in pure Betula forest.Density of Betula utilis increased with increase in elevation where as density of other treespecies decreased with increase in elevation. Mixed Betula forest at lower elevation wasyoung. The density diameter curve of the tree population of Betula utilis, both on mixed andpure forests, deviated slightly from the typical reverse J shaped structure and hence did notshow the sustainable regeneration. The sapling density was higher than seedling density.The distribution of seedlings and saplings were not uniform among the sampling plots.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/eco.v20i0.11472ECOPRINT An International Journal of EcologyVol. 20, 2013page: 107-113

For phytosociological studies of Lal Suhanra National Park, Bahawalpur five vegetationstudy sites viz., old irrigated plantation, new irrigated plantation, natural vegetation withinold demarcated desert area, new demarcated desert area and Patisar Lake area wereevaluated on the bases of varied ecological conditions. Old irrigated plantations consistedof mixed species plantations, mostly of Dalbergia sissoo, Acacia nilotica and Eucalyptuscamaldulensis. Forest plantations had specific type of flora, consisted of Prosopisglandulosa, Saccharum bengalense and Imperata cylindrica. New irrigated plantationpossessed mixed type plantations but monocultures of Dalbergia sissoo and sometimesEucalyptus camaldulensis are practiced in few blocks. The ground flora comprised ofagriculture weed like Conyza ambigua, Desmostachya bipinnata, Imperata cylindrica andtall grasses like Saccharum bengalense and Saccharum spontaneum with few nativetrees/large shrubs like Tamarix aphylla and Prosopis cineraria. Dense plantations almosttotally eliminated the ground flora, perhaps due to poor light intensity and last-seasonednon-decomposed plant material of deciduous trees. Natural vegetation is of desertic natureconsisted of Acacia jacquemontii, Haloxylon recurvum, Lasiurus scindicus, Ochthochloacompressa and Prosopis cineraria. Habitat diversity was the maximum in demarcated area,containing saline or sodic patches, low sand dunes and sandy clayey soils. Aeluropuslagopoides, Cymbopogon jwarancusa and Suaeda fruticosa generally confined to salinesoils. Ochthochloa compressa, Tamarix dioica, Cymbopogon jwarancusa and Prosopiscineraria restricted to interdunal sandy clayey soils and Aristida adscensionis, Calligonumpolygonoides, Lasiurus scindicus and Haloxylon recurvum were typified to sandy habitat.Non-demarcated area showed high grazing pressure, the vegetation was more or lessshrubby, but clusters of grasses like Cenchrus pennisetiformis, Cymbopogon jwarancusaand Lasiurus scindicus can be seen. Dominant species among dicots were Calligonumpolygonoides, Dipterygium glaucum, Leptadenia pyrotechnica, Haloxylon recurvum andSalsola baryosma. Vegetation inside the Patisar Lake was dominated by Phragmites karkaand Typha domingensis at shallow water whereas, Nelumbo nucifera and Vallisneria spiralisin the deeper waters. Cynodon dactylon with Phyla nodiflora dominated the bank buttussocks of Saccharum spontaneum and Saccharum bengalense were also recorded. Thehabitat has the ample potential to support a number of wildlife species including gamespecies like waterfowl, grey and black francolins, houbara bustard and sand grouses.

A study was carried out to assess tree diversity, forest carbon stock and carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration in Nambor tropical semi-evergreen forest. A total of 53 tree species from 47 genera and 32 families were recorded in the forest. Vatica lanceifolia was the dominant tree species with maximum 33.78 importance value index (IVI), 0.30 Shannon diversity index (H′) and 0.03 Simpson’s index (D) followed by Lagerstroemia reginae (20.75 IVI, 0.18 H′ and 0.004 D), Dysoxylum excelsum (17.70 IVI, 0.20 H′ and 0.006 D), Sterculia villosa (14.15 IVI, 0.09 H′ and 0.0007 D) and Toona ciliata (11.60 IVI, 0.07 H′ and 0.0004 D) as codominant species. Among the forest carbon pools, maximum 50.32% carbon was stored in soil followed by 39.42% in above ground biomass and 10.21, 0.03 and 0.02% in below ground, leaf litter and dead debris pools, respectively. Total ecosystem carbon stock in Nambor forest was estimated to be 244.78 Mg ha−1. The estimated carbon stock was extrapolated over 3700 hectare area and found to be 905186.50 Mg. The total forest carbon stock was also converted into CO2 equivalents and estimated as 3,322,034.46 Mg. The study observed that forest ecosystem offsets significant amount of atmospheric CO2; therefore, conservation and management of forest resources are imperative to combat global climate change.

Vegetation analysis of the Aswan–Allaqi road in the Southern Eastern Desert of Egypt indicates the dominance of Morettia philaeana, Aerva javanica, Fagonia indica, Salsola imbricata, Pulicarica crispa, Crotalaria aegyptiaca, Lotononis platycarpa, Citrullus colocynthis, Pulicaria incisa, Astragalus vogelii and Zygophyllum simplex. Four vegetation clusters are recognized after the application of the Two‐Way Indicator Species Analysis (TWIN‐SPAN). These clusters are named after the dominant species as follows: Fagonia indica – Aerva javanica, Salsola imbricata – Zilla spinosa, Salsola imbricata – Morettia philaeana and Salsola imbricata – Aerva javanica. Among the estimated soil variables in the present study, silt, clay, pH, EC, HCO3, CI−, and Ca2+ are important in characterizing the vegetation clusters.

Cholistan desert located in the southeast of the Punjab province, Pakistan, covering an area of 25,800 km 2 is a part of Greater Thar desert. The soil types characteristically include: sand dunes, sandy soils with patches of non-saline non-sodic loamy soils and sodic clayey soils. Vegetation structure and density are greatly influenced by the rainfall. During low rainfall years even drinking water gets scarce and both the plant and animal communities are adversely affected. Biodiversity assessment survey was carried out during 1997-98. The dominant species of the lesser Cholistan among grasses were Aristida adscensionis, Ochthochloa compressa, Lasiurus scindicus, Cymbopogon jwarancusa, Cenchrus biflorus, Sporobolus ioclados and Aeluropus lagopoides, whereas that of Greater Cholistan Aeluropus lagopoides, Aristida adscensionis, Cenchrus biflorus, Cenchrus pennesetiformis, Cymbopogon jwarancusa, Lasiurus scindicus, Panicum antidotale and Panicum turgidum. Like other deserts, the major problem in the area is the scarcity of good quality water. The subsoil water in most places of Cholistan is brackish and unfit for normal plant growth. It is highly probable that by adopting biological approach the vast area of Cholistan can be economically exploited. Salinity tolerance of four potential forage grass species, Cenchrus pennesetiformis, Panicum turgidum, Pennisetum divisum and Leptochloa fusca, including one highly tolerant exotic grass species Puccinellia distans was assessed after 6 weeks growth at four salinity treatments, 2.4 (control), 8, 16 and 24 dS m -1

This study aimed to assess the potential vegetation of trees in the Lake Mooat tourist area and identify the dominant tree species in this attraction. The research employed a descriptive quantitative approach and was conducted in October-November 2018. The study area featured a plateau topography at an approximate elevation of 1,090 meters above sea level, as indicated in the Lake Mooat Potential Study Report 2013. The survey method was used, and plots were established with dimensions of 20 meters by 20 meters. Data collected included tree density, relative density, frequency, relative frequency, dominance, and the Important Value Index (INP). The findings revealed the presence of 242 individual trees and identified 15 tree species. Among these species, Mahogany had the highest Important Value Index, reaching 156.29%, indicating its ecological significance in the area. Mahogany also emerged as the most dominant tree species at the Lake Mooat tourist attraction, with a dominance value of 55.51%. In conclusion, the study highlighted the rich diversity of tree vegetation in the Lake Mooat tourist area, with Mahogany as the most significant and dominant species. On the other hand, the tree species with the lowest Important Value Index was Trembesi (Albizia saman), registering a value of 1.563%. These findings contribute to understanding the ecological composition and potential conservation efforts for the vegetation in this region.

The indigenous forage grasses Lasiurus scindicus and Panicum turgidum are candidate species for the restoration of degraded desert rangelands. The impact of five dormancy regulating chemicals on overcoming salinity-induced germination inhibition was assessed under the best germination conditions in the two species. Seeds were germinated in a series of NaCl concentrations: 0–200 mM NaCl for P. turgidum, and 0–300 mM NaCl for L. scindicus. Lasiurus scindicus seeds were more tolerant to salinity than those of P. turgidum. Twenty percent of P. turgidum seeds germinated in 100 mM NaCl and none in the higher levels, but 47.5% and 8.8% of L. scindicus seeds germinated in 100 and 200 mM NaCl, respectively. The five studied chemicals (fusicoccin, GA3, kinetin, nitrate and thiourea) did not succeed in improving germination of non-saline treated seeds of the two species, compared to the control, except thiourea in P. turgidum. The salinity-induced germination inhibition in P. turgidum was completely alleviated by the application of gibberellic acid (GA3), partially alleviated by the application of fusicoccin, kinetin and thiourea, but not affected by nitrate. In L. scindicus, the germination inhibition was completely alleviated by fusicoccin, GA3, nitrate and thiourea, but partially alleviated by kinetin. For using the two grass species in restoration of degraded rangelands affected by higher salinity, the results suggest using fusicoccin, GA3, nitrate and thiourea with L. scindicus and GA3 with P. turgidum seeds as a preseeding treatment can overcome the problem of reduced germination.

The spatial distribution and floristic composition of an area is the outcome of various environmental factors, and needed to be studied for assessing the macro-ecological biodiversity patterns and framing a strategy for biological conservation. The present study was conducted in three Zanthoxylum armatum DC inhabited sites located in Kathua (Bhaddu and Sukrala) and Udhampur (Dhandal) districts of Jammu and Kashmir with aims of studying the distribution, ecological status, composition, and diversity of overstorey vegetation, especially Zanthoxylum armatum , and to define the soil attribute/s responsible for these characteristics of vegetation. The results of the study show that aggregate distribution (68.4 - 84.2%) was more common than random distribution pattern (15.8 - 31.6%). Ecological status of more than 50% of the species, including Zanthoxylum armatum , was rare in all the three sites. Quercus leucotrichophora , Pinus roxburghii and Pyrus pashia recorded the highest values for importance value index (IVI) in Bhaddu, Sukrala and Dhandal, respectively. As per Dominance-Diversity Curves, the most dominant species were following the geometric curve and hence utilizing bulk of the resources in the respective sites whereas other species were log normally distributed. Dhandal was the most diverse site having the highest values for species richness (19) and Shannon-Wiener’s index (2.59). The Canonical Correspondence Analysis depicted that Zanthoxylum armatum along with Cu at Axis I and available K at axis II were the driving variables responsible for the distribution, diversity, and floristic composition of overstorey vegetation in the present study.

Abstract. Anhar A, Erida G, Siregar AW, Rahmah H, Muslih AM, Hanafi I, Hayati D. 2025. Vegetation diversity in the Geumpang Protected Forest Area, Pidie District, Aceh, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 26: 4490-4499. Forests, as complex ecosystems, play a vital role in maintaining global environmental balance by providing critical ecosystem services such as biodiversity conservation, climate regulation, and water management. The Geumpang Protected Forest Area (PFA) in Pidie District, Aceh, Indonesia, is a key area for ecological stability and community benefits, making biodiversity research essential to inform conservation efforts and sustainable forest management policies. The research was conducted in the Geumpang PFA. This study employed vegetation analysis techniques with 63 plots of varying sizes established to collect data on species, individual counts, stem diameters, and tree heights. Data analysis included indices for diameter distribution, Importance Value Index (IVI), species dominance (C), species diversity (H'), evenness (E), and richness (R) to assess forest composition and structure. The results highlighted species composition across growth stages, with indices providing insights into dominance, diversity, and distribution patterns within the forest ecosystem. The Geumpang PFA contains a wide variety of vegetation diversity, comprising 14 species at the seedling stage, 30 species at the sapling stage, 32 species at the pole stage, and 39 species at the tree stage, with a total of 46 vegetation species across all growth stages. The tree diameter distribution in the Geumpang PFA forms an inverted J-shaped curve. The highest IVI is recorded for Lithocarpus sp. in tree (77.18%) and pole (32.92%) stages, Ficus hispida in sapling stage (24.83%), and Coffea canephora in seedling stage (65.43%). In general, the C in Geumpang PFA is low across all growth stages, with values approaching 0. The H’ ranges from medium to high, with a high value in the pole stage (3.12) and medium values in the tree, sapling, and seedling stages (2.94, 2.89, and 2.10, respectively). The E shows the pole stage with the highest value (0.90) and the seedling stage with the lowest (0.79). The R shows high species richness at the tree (R: 6.31), pole (R: 5.77), and sapling stages (R: 5.28), while the seedling stage has low richness (R: 2.86). The high vegetation diversity and early-stage regeneration challenges in the Geumpang PFA underscore the urgent need for conservation succession, ecosystem resilience, and local community benefits.

The grasses Lasiurus scindicus and Panicum turgidum are among the most important forage species of the Arabian deserts. Both are ‘glycophytic’ or salt‐intolerant species, where seed germination becomes reduced by salinity effects. Here, we report experimental effects of light/darkness, temperature and NaCl salinity on seed germination and ‘recovery’ germination in these two species, after seeds had been transferred from saline solution to distilled water. Seeds were germinated in a range of salinities and incubated at a range of temperatures, in both light and darkness. Seeds of P. turgidum germinated significantly more in darkness than in light at temperatures 15–25°C, but the reverse was true at higher temperatures. Seeds of L. scindicus germinated well across a wide range of temperatures and in both light and darkness. In both species, germination decreased with the increase in salt concentration, and in P. turgidum germination was almost completely inhibited at a concentration of 200 mm. In saline solution, germination in darkness was significantly greater than in light at all the temperatures. Seeds of both species ‘recovered’ their germination capacity after transfer from saline solutions to distilled water. Germination recovery depended on both light and temperature of incubation in both species.

Beljai M, Worabai MS. 2018. The structure and composition of vegetation and amphibian diversity in Arfak Mountain, West Papua. Pros Sem Nas Masy Biodiv Indon 4: 1-12. The forest formation around Didouhu River, Arfak Mountain District, West Papua Province, Indonesia is a habitat for a number of species of plants and animals of the class of amphibians that are not yet known scientifically. Therefore, information and data on vegetation structure and composition and amphibian diversity in the area are needed. The purpose of this research is to know the structure and composition of vegetation and the diversity of amphibian species in the forest area around Didouhu River. Vegetation data were collected using a combination method of path method and line plot systematic method, while amphibian type data were collected using visual encounter survey method. Vegetation data were analyzed using vegetation analysis method, while amphibian diversity was analyzed by using Shannon-Wiener index (index of species diversity), evenness index, and Jaccard similarity index (similarity index). From the result of vegetation analysis, there are 65 types of vegetation covering 50 types of seedlings with a density of 17,500 individuals/ha, 50 types of sapling with a density of 4,085 individuals/ha, 42 types of pole with density of 506 individuals/ha, and 28 species of tree level with a density of 108 individuals/ha. There were eight types of vegetation with the highest importance value index (IVi) which dominates between three and four growth phases, namely Dodonaea viscosa (IVi=166,80%), Lithocarpus ruvofilosus (IVi=83,68%), Lithocarpus aspericulata (IVi=69,47%), Rhus lamprocarpa (IVi=54.44%), Melicope sp. (IVi=40,41%), Drimys piperita (IVi=39,91%), Pouteria sp. (IVi=34.29%), and Galbulimima belgraveana (IVi=31.85%). The eight types of vegetation are the principal founders of plant communities in forest ecosystems around the Didouhu River. Amphibians are found in four types, namely Litoria arfakiana, Asterophrys sp., Rana grisea, and Lechriodus platyceps. The diversity of amphibian species in the study sites was moderate (H '= 3.14) with low species inter-species similarity (S = 0.17). The level of evenness is high (E = 0.91), where there is one type of L. arfakiana found in two research sites (locations A and B). Overall, the location of the study is quite damp, lots of puddles, riparian vegetation quite dense, and has rocky soil conditions and litter, making it a suitable habitat for amphibians of the Order of Anura.

The study was conducted on March 2018 in two locations study, i.e. Mount Tunak Nature Tourism Park (NTP) (6400 m2 plot area) and Keramat Forest (4800 m2 plot area), Central Lombok District, West Nusa Tenggara Province. The objective of the study was to find out the diversity of tree species and its distribution which can be used for forest area management by the local government and can support the establishment of a Special Economic Region in Mandalika as a place for conservation, research, education and scientific tourism. In the total plot of 1.12 hectare, we recorded 1560 individuals, representing 56 species, 47 genera and 19 families. All stems ≥ 5 cm in diameter were measured and identified. In the plot of Mt. Tunak NTP, we recorded 992 individuals, representing 41 species, basal area was 11.4 m2, 31.7 m3of estimated bole volume, 78.3 tons biomass, 39.2 tons carbon stock and 143.7 tons CO2 sequestration. Five dominant tree species (trunk diameter ≥ 5 cm) recorded with the highest Importance Value Index (IVI) were Aglaia argentea (IVI= 34.3%), Schoutenia ovata (IVI= 33.3%), Drypetes neglecta (IVI= 25.4%), Glycosmis pentaphylla (IVI= 16.4%) and Grewia koordersiana (IVI= 14.9%). The level of diversity of tree species in the Mt. Tunak NTP was classified into a midle level with a Diversity Index (H')= 3.3, while in the Keramat Forest we recorded 568 individuals, representing 37 species, basal area was 19.9 m2, 51.1 m3 of estimated bole volume, 149.8 tons biomass, 74.9 tons carbon stock and 274.9 tons CO2 sequestration. Five dominant tree species were recorded; Dalbergia latifolia (IVI= 69.4%), Grewia koordersiana (IVI= 34.5%), Schoutenia ovata (IVI= 34.3%), Cupaniopsis macropetala (IVI= 18.2%) and Rhus succedanea (IVI= 14.2%). The level of diversity recorded (H')= 2.9 and classified as midle level. The composition of vegetation in Mt.Tunak NTP and Keramat Forest is different (Jaccard Similarity Index was 39.3%).

Plant communities of a protected area in the desert of Bahrain island

Climate change is affecting the forest ecosystems worldwide. Impacts of climate change are more perceptible at higher altitudes and can be easily detected along the elevational gradient. The main aim is to study the impact of elevation on the population structure of Rhododendron campanulatum D. Don and associated trees species at Manaslu Conservation Area, central Nepal. A total of 30 quadrats were sampled from 3600-4100 meter above sea level (m asl.) at altitudinal difference of 100 m with 5 quadrates in each altitude. The present study showed that R. campanulatum, Betula utilis, Abies spectabilis and Sorbus microphylla are the treeline species. R. campanulatum was the most dominant species with highest importance value index (IVI) along the altitudinal gradient. At 4000 m asl. S. microphylla was the codominant species. B. utilis was the codominant species at 3600 -3900 m asl followed by S. microphylla and A. spectabilis. R. campanulatum and A. spectabilis showed a sustainable regeneration. No seedling of B. utilis was found along the altitudinal gradient indicating that the regeneration of this species might be affected by unfavourable micohabitat (eg. deep shade). R. campanulatum and S. microphylla were found above the treeline indicating that the climatic conditions were favourable for their growth. The height, diameter and density of the species differed along the elevational gradient and showed a species specific trend. Journal of Institute of Science and TechnologyVol. 21, No. 1, 2016, page: