PHYTOCLIMATE ANALYSIS AND SEASONAL VARIATION IN LIFE FORM AND LEAF SIZE SPECTRA OF FLORA OF DISTRICT SWABI, PAKISTAN

Abstract

This study was carried out in eight different stands in District Swabi during the four consecutive seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter in 2019-2020. These stands were selected on basis of physiognomic contrast, floristic composition and edaphic factors for the study of ecological characteristics of flora. The objective of this study was to explore seasonal variation in phytoclimate and leaf size spectrum in the research area. A total of 145 species were identified in spring (March-May) followed by 131 species in summer (June-August), 126 species in autumn (September-November) and 77 species in winter (December-February). The life forms and leaf size spectra of flora in research area were studied with the help of the Raunkiaer’s classification. Therophytes were the dominant life form in all four seasons: spring (66.3%), summer (48.8%), autumn (50.8%), and winter (46.7%), followed by hemicryptophytes and megaphanerophytes. Similarly, microphylls were the most common leaf size spectra in all four seasons: spring (40.0%), summer (45.8%), autumn (44.5%), and winter (35.0%), followed by nanophylls, leptophylls, and mesophylls. Therophytes and microphylls were found to be the most common life forms and leaf size spectra in all four seasons of the study. The dominance of therophytes and microphylls indicated that the area is under biotic pressure due to deforestation and overgrazing and has extreme climatic conditions. Further study is needed to enumerate the data and suggest plans for the biodiversity and conservation of the area. These findings underscore the need for integrated conservation strategies to manage grazing pressure and deforestation.