Plant diversity and communities pattern with special emphasis on the indicator species of a dry temperate forest: A case study from Liakot area of the Hindu Kush mountains, Pakistan

Plant species diversity patterns and vegetation structure are influenced by climatic and other environmental factors. We hypothesized that a combination of edaphic and topographic factors affect not only plant community patterns, vegetation structure and heterogeneity but also the indicator species in the dry temperate zone of the Liakot forests, Hindu Raj series of Hindu Kush Mountains, Pakistan. Quadrat along the elevation gradient were used for vegetation sampling. Soil samples were collected from each quadrat and analyzed by using standard protocols. All the collected data were analyzed using Cluster Analysis, Indicator Species Analyses and Data attribute plots via Canonical Correspondance Analyses. Cluster Analysis using Sorensen distance measurements grouped the plant species into three communities based on microclimatic indicators. These communities were: (1) Celtis caucasica-Lonicera hispida-Pennisetum orientale, (2) Juglans regia-Rubus idaeus-Tragopogon gracilis, and (3) Abies pindrow-Parrotiopsis jacquemontiana-Agrostis gigantea. Elevation, aspect, organic matter, electrical conductivity and potassium were the strong ecological factors responsible for different communities’ formation and their associated indicators in the region. Techniques and criteria used in the current study for communities formation and their respective indicator identification could be used further for management and conservation of the Liakot forest of the Hindu Raj series of Hindu Kush Mountains and other adjacent ecosystems of the northern Pakistan. Findings of the study can also be utilized in the reforestation drives.