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Journal of Medicinal Plants
Research Vol. 5(4), pp.
599–603,
18 February, 2011
ISSN 1996-0875 ©2011 Academic
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Full Length Research Paper |
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Vegetation types of
Sheosar lake and surrounding landscape in Deosai plains of North
Pakistan, Western Himalayas
Hamayun Shaheen* and Rizwana Aleem Qureshi
Department of Plant Sciences, Quaid-i-azam University Islamabad,
Pakistan.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
hamayunmaldial@yahoo.com.
Accepted 19 January, 2011 |
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Abstract |
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Sheosar Lake is located in Deosai plains of great Himalayas,
Northern Pakistan at an altitude of 4142 m. Due to its exiting
and isolated geographic location and diverse climatic
conditions, area harbors very peculiar, highly endemic and
unique vegetation. Phytosociological expeditions were carried
out to study the vegetation dynamics of the area. A total of 114
plant species belonging to 28 families were reported from the
area. Carex-Geranium-Bistorta and
Sibbaldia-Saxifraga-Eragrostis communities were found to be
the dominant associations. Primary data was analyzed by
deterrended correspondence analyses (DCA) which revealed strong
correlation between vegetation distribution and the moisture
gradient. Regular and integrated explorations are further
recommended for conservation management of endemic flora.
Key words: Deosai plains, deterrended correspondence analyses, Himalayas,
Sheosar Lake, vegetation dynamics.
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