Impact of Urbanization on Vegetation: a Survey of Peshawar, Pakistan

This paper analyzes a phytosociological study and urbanization in Regi Model Township (RMT) in Peshawar, Pakistan. The study was conducted during spring 2015 and a total of 32 plant species were identified belonging to 19 families. The Asteraceae family had the highest number of species 5 spp. while Fabaceae, Polygonaceae, and Brassicaceae had 3 spp. each. Poaceae and Solanaceae had 2 spp. each, while Plantiginaceae, Malvaceae, and Caryophyllaceae had 1 spp. each. In zone 1, a total of 27 plant species were reported in which the Cynodon-Carthamus-Datura community was established on the basis of the importance value index. The soil of this zone was silty clay loamy in texture with a pH of 8.3, nitrogen 0.017%, phosphorus 7.4%, and organic matter (OM) was (0.34 ppm). In zone 2, a total of 23 plant species were reported, and the Xanthium-Parthenium-Cyperus community was established. The soil in this zone was loamy sandy with pH of 8.1, nitrogen 0.020%, phosphorus 3.1%, and OM 0.04. In zone 3 a total of 21 plants species were reported and the Cynodon-Prosopis-Xanthium community was established. The soil in this community was silty clay loamy having a pH of 8.1, nitrogen 0.034%, phosphorus 4.1%, and OM of (0.068 ppm)%. In zone 4, a total of 13 plant species were recorded and the Xanthium-Lepidium-Amaranthus community was established. The soil in this zone was silty clay loamy with a pH of 8.3, nitrogen 0.029%, phosphorus 6.2%, and OM 0.058%, and similarly in zone 5, a total of 11 plant species were recorded in the area where the Cynodon-Parthenium-Cyperus community was established. The soil in this community was loamy sand having a pH of 8.1, nitrogen 0.002%, phosphorus 3.1%, and OM (0.03 ppm). The construction work at RMT was causing the extinction of vegetation and there would be no more wild vegetation in the near future in that particular area.