A comparison between plant diversity of reserved and Guzara forests of Murree hills
A comparison between plant diversity of reserved and Guzara forests of Murree hills
Ghayyas Ahmad, Mian Muhammad Shafiq, Muhammad Shabir Mughal and Mahr Muhammad Asif
ABSTRACT
Biodiversity is a term commonly used to describe all kinds of life forms on earth. Sub-topical Chir Pine forests of Pakistan support a wide variety of plant and animal life. These forests are facing an increasing problem of forest degradation and species loss. This study is aimed at the assessment and comparison of plant diversity of a Reserve forest with a Guzara forest in the Chir pine zone of Murree hill, so as to see which forest is richer and more diverse in plant diversity.
Systematic sampling design was used to record the plant species found in the Reserved and Guzara forests. Sample plots of sizes 500 m2 and 102 m were laid out to collect the data regarding tree & shrub species respectively. A total of 10 sample plots were measured in each forest. Later on, the data from these plots were combined to arrive at a single figure for each plant species found at two sites of study. The plant diversity of both types of forests was assessed and compared by computing two diversity indices viz. Species richness and Shannon diversity and evenness indices.
Results indicated higher plant species richness for the Reserved forest as compared to the Guzara forest. Similarly, the Shannon diversity indices suggest that the Reserved forest was more diverse in flora than the Guzara forest. The Reserved forests are better protected and managed in contrast to the Guzara forests which suffer from problems related to management issues and local rights in the forest.
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