ASSESSMENT OF PLANT COMMUNITIES AND IDENTIFICATION OF INDICATOR SPECIES OF AN ECOTONAL FOREST ZONE AT DURAND LINE, DISTRICT KURRAM, PAKISTAN

There must be unique indicator vegetation at Ecotonal Zone in the border region of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Keeping this hypothesis in mind the forest zone of District Kurram at Durand Line was ecologically surveyed. Stations were established, GPS readings, environmental gradients were recorded and soil samples were collected. Data was statistically analysed using PC-ORD version-5 and CANOCO version-4.5. Indicator Species Analysis (ISA), constancy and fidelity level were used to find indicator species of communities. Preliminary results showed that study area hosts 195 vascular plant species belonging to 145 genera and 60 families. Cluster Analysis classified vegetation into four plant communities; (a) Elaeagnus angustifolia-Rosa chinensis-Seriphidium kurramense (b) Platanus orientalis-Rosa moschata - Epilobium hirsutum (c) Quercus baloot - Jasminum auriculatum-Foeniculum vulgare (d) Quercus dilatata-Hedera nepalensis-Calamintha umbrosa. Nitrogen, Sodium and Potassium were the strongest Physico-chemical factors (P <= 0.05) determining plant communities composition. Interestingly, Vincetoxicum cardiostephanum was reported as narrow endemic species. Distinguished indicator species had significant environmental preferences. Variables like grazing and fodder chopping were the major vegetation drivers. Altitude was one of the most important determinants, influencing directly species distribution; Current study could be potentially used elsewhere for vegetation management and conservation strategies.