Phytosociological Analysis and Vegetation Structure in Tehsil Timergara, District Dir Lower, Pakistan: A Comprehensive Study of Five Distinct Plant Communities

Abstract

Biodiversity is the variation of life on the soil surface and includes differences in biotic structure at every level, from genes to species and vary to every ecological system. This study explores the phytosociology and vegetation structure in Tehsil Timergara, District Dir Lower, Pakistan, focusing on five distinct plant communities. The investigation utilizes TWINSPAN classification to categorize these communities, revealing their composition, dominance, and ecological attributes. The identified communities include <i>Monotheca-Persicaria-Nerium</i> (MPN), <i>Punica-Indigofera-Isodon</i> (PII), <i>Myrtus-Dodonaea-Origanum</i> (MDO), <i>Berberis-Cornus-Teucrium</i> (BCT), and <i>Dodonaea-Salix-Pennisetum</i> (DSP). The dominance of Megaphanerophytes and the prevalence of Microphylls in leaf spectra highlight the ecological dynamics of the region. In each community, the study examines the importance of values, and soil characteristics, providing insights into the environmental conditions influencing plant distributions. Additionally, the study calculates similarity and dissimilarity indices between these communities, revealing the degrees of overlap and uniqueness. The highest similarity is observed between <i>Myrtus-Dodonaea-Origanum</i> and <i>Dodonaea-Salix-Pennisetum</i> communities. This comprehensive phytosociological analysis enhances our understanding of the vegetation dynamics in Tehsil Timergara, offering valuable insights for conservation and sustainable management. The findings underscore the significance of considering multiple plant communities to formulate effective environmental management strategies.