Vegetation Of Pakistan

Pakistan is a south Asian country. Situated between 23° to 30° and 37°
to 45° east longitude. It’s length from north to south is over 1000 miles
and from east to west is about 550 miles . Total area of Pakistan is
310400 squares miles.

The vegetation of Pakistan is divided into the following five basic

categories on the basis and altitude.

1. Dry Tropical Forest Vegetation

2. Vegetation of waterlogged and saline areas
3. Vegetation of sandy Tracts
4. Vegetation of irrigated plantation
5. Vegetation of Salt Range

1.Dry Tropical Forest Vegetation

The dry tropical forest are mainly distributed in the coastal region. This
vegetation consists on scattered low statured xerophytic riverian plants.

Vegetation has developed due to certain edaphic factors found in the

sandy tracts.
Dry tropical forest vegetation is classified into following catagories.

a) Dry Tropical Thorn Forest

The dry tropical thorn forest vegetation is mainly distributed in the alluvial
plain of Indus basin Punjab and Sindh. The climax communities of these
dry tropical thorn forest are Capparis deciduas.

b) Vegetation of Riverian Tracts

The tracts are classified in the following three types.

i)Riverian Tracts

The riverian tracts are comparatively wider in lower Indus plain then in
upper. The study of succession of these edaphic communities that
shows in the low lying areas, The areas with moist soil are dominated by
(Populous euphratica and Acacia nilotica).

ii) Vegetation of The Dry Stream Beds

These remain dry for the large part of the year but their soil is alluvial
having high soil moisture and vegetation is mesophytic type. Common
plants are (Nerium odorum).

iii) Vegetation Of The Indus Delta

In the Indus delta of Keti bunder area where only silk banks are found
vegetations are (Tamarix indica and Phragmites karka).

2. Vegetation of Water logged and Saline Areas

The vegetation of water logged and saline areas is divided into two
types.
a) Vegetation Of Water logged Areas

In the water logged ditches, ponds and lakes of Sindh and Punjab and
frontier provinces edaphic communities undergo succession.
Common plants are (Cynodendactylon and Azzolla pimnata).

b) Vegetation Of Saline Tracts

In the saline parts of interior Indus plains Salsola baryosma, Tamarix

indica are found. It is observed that pioneer plants on saline plains are
Cressa cretica.

3.Vegetation Of Sandy Tracts

Sandy Tracts includes areas of Thal, Thar, Cholistan and coastal sandy
tracts of Makran and Sindh.
a) Thal

This region mainly consists of Mianwali, Sargodha and Multan. The

dominant plants in these tracts are ( Salvadora olecides and Capparis
decidus) etc.

b) Cholistan

Cholistan is the desert area which covers about 15000 square miles of
Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan. Vegetation of this
region is similar to thar. Dominant species are ( Calligonum
polygoncides and Eleusine compressa ) etc.

c) Thar Desert

The thar desert includes the districts of Hyderabad, Sanghar, Tharparkar

and Sukhar. In thar desert Acacia Senegal is found as dominant tree
species. The common plants on the sand hills are Senegal and
Euphorbia.

d) Coastal Sandy Tracts

Along coastal area are found sand duens on the gradually sloping sea
shore these coastal duens are common within the region between
Hyderabad and Karachi.

Duens are colonized by the pioneer plants. Vegetation present on these

duens differs with the vegetation in sandy tracts. Sand duens are
colonized by ( Zizphus nummularia and Panicum antidotale ) etc.

4. Vegetation Of Irrigated Plantation

The canal system of Pakistan for irrigation is the most extensive in the
world. Indus basin region , tropical thorn forest used to prevail but now
due to the extensive canal irrigation system these are converted into
irrigation forest plantation for timber, fuel and orchards.
Dominant species are ( Morus alba and Dalbergia sisso ) etc.

a) Dry Sub Tropical Sub-mountainous Vegetation

Dry sub tropical sub-mountainous vegetation is distributed throughout

the country at suitable elevation . In these areas average rainfall is 10 –
40 inches.
b) Siwalik Hill Dry Scrub Vegetation

This type of vegetation is distributed in the northern region of the

country.

5. Vegetation Of Salt Range

The salt ranges take its name from the important salt deposits. This
range includes Khewra, Warchak and Kalabagh. Salt range forest of
Shahpur and Mianwali consists of two dominant species ( Olea
cuspidate and Acacia modesta ) etc.

a) Vegetation of Potohar Plateau and Dry Hills of KPK

Potohar Plateau includes Himalyan foothill consisting of Margala,
Kalachita and Gujar Khan hills.

Vegetation of this region includes (Acacia modesta and Pistacia

integrrima)

In Ayub national park of Rawalpindi ( Zizphus nummularia and Lantana )

are dominant species.
In Malakand ( Mallotus phillipinensis and Rumex hastatus ) are followed
by bushes of Acacia modesta.

b) Baluchistan Plateau Dry Scrub Vegetation

Vegetation is distributed in dry hills and coastal low hills of Baluchistan.

The deserted character of Baluchistan gave rise to a xerophytic type of
scrub vegetation.

Haloxylon griffithii , Salsola kali and species of Tamarix are dominant.

c) Dry Temperate Forest Vegetation

These region includes Sulaiman range, Koh hindu Kush range,

Karakoram range and lower part of Neelum valley.

Dominant trees includes ( Juniperus excelsa , Sophora griffithii and

Pinus gerardiana ) etc.
d) Moist Temperate Forest Vegetation

Moist temperate forest are found along the moist Himalayan Mountains
between the dry temperate and sub alpine zone. The moist temperate
forest is found in Kashmir, Murree, Hazara hills tracts, Sawat, Dir, Gilgit
and Baltistan.

Important features of moist temperate forest are the coniferous tress of

(Pinus roxburghii , Pinus wallichina and Cedrus deodara ).

Some evergreen shrubs such as Sarcococca saligna , Skimmia laureola

etc. are found.

e) Sub-Alpine and Alpine Vegetation

Vegetation zone above the temperate coniferous forest is known as sub-

alpine and alpine zone. Found in Himalayan mountains of Kagha,
Baltistan, Dir, Chitral and Koh Safaid vegetation includes ( Ephedra
gerardiana , Spiraea lycoides ) etc.

Classification and Description of World Formation Types

There are two main types of vegetation.

1. Natural vegetation

2. Cultural vegetation

1) Natural Vegetation

Natural vegetation is defined as vegetation where ecological process

primarily determines species composition and stand structure that is
composed of a set of plant species growing spontaneously and is
shaped by both abiotic and biotic process.

2) Cultural Vegetation

Cultural vegetation is defined as vegetation with a distinctive structure ,

composition and development determined by regular human activity.
The distinctive physiognomy floristic and dependence on human activity
for its persistence set cultural vegetation apart from natural and semi
natural vegetation.

These attributes includes:

a) Dominant herbaceous vegetation is spaced in rows usually
determined by tillage or chemical treatment.

b) Dominant vegetation has highly manipulated growth forms.

c) Dominant vegetation is comprised of species not native to the site or
area that would not persist without active management by humans.

Formation Class
A vegetation classification unit of high rank defined by broad
combinations of dominant general growth forms adapted to basic ranges
of moisture, temperature, substrata or aquatic conditions.

Terminology for Formation Names

Because our growth forms emphasize primarily morphological

adaptations we use term morphic to name formation types as in
hydromorphic, mesomorphic, xeromorphic. Other researchers have used
terms such as hydrophyte, mesophyte, xerophyte.

Zonal and Azonal Vegetation

Zonal vegetation refers to vegetation that reflects a close relationship to

the current climatic conditions of a region and that develop without
significant human interference with non-extreme properties.

e.g: mesic mixed beech maple forest in northeastern united states and
southeast Canada.

Azonal vegetation is found on site subject to excessive moisture or

drought within that climatic region.

e.g: Rocky woodlands, Corn fields, Orchards etc.

Six Natural Formation Classes

The formation class is the top level at which users enter the
classification, thus a small set of clearly defined types is helpful the six
types are defined by broad combinations of dominant general growth
forms.

1. Forest to Open Woodland (Mesomorphic) Tree Vegetation

2. Shrubland and Grassland (Mesomorphic) shrub and herb vegetation
3. Polar and High Mountain shrub and Grassland (Cryomorphic)
4. Desert and Semi-desert vegetation (xeromorphic)
5. Aquatic Vegetation (Hydromorphic)
6. Rock vegetation ( Lithomorphic)

1.Forest to open woodland(Mesomorphic) Tree vegetation

Tropical, temperate and boreal forests, woodlands and trees

characterized by broadly mesomorphic tree growth forms including
broad leaves, needle leaves, palm, bamboo trees and tree ferns with at
least 10% cover irregular horizontal spacing of vegetation structure.
The term Savanna is restricted to two broad vegetation patterns.

For temperate regions it is applies to grassland or shrubland with

scattered trees ( typically 10 – 30% ) and primarily limited to fire
maintained upland types. Temperate grasslands without scattered trees
are referred to either as grasslands or prairies.

For tropical vegetation it is applied to classical sense as interchangeable

with tropical grasslands with or without scattered trees.

2.Shrubland and Grassland (Mesomorphic) shrub and Herb

Vegetation

Shrub and herbs growth form including broad leaved, needle leaved and
Sclerophllous shrubs with an irregular horizontal canopy structure.

Shrublands and grassland are combined here because in many non

forested vegetation types these two growth forms may occupy the same
upper strata.

3. Polar and High Mountain shrub and Grassland (Cryomorphic)

vegetation
Tundra, alpine and tropical high mountain habitats dominated by
cryomorphic growth forms including dwarf shrubs associated herbs
lichens and mosses with low height and open to closed canopy.

Tropical thorn woodland is based on explicity defined xeromorphic

growth forms. e.g. succulents, leafless thorntrees etc. Vegetation is
around 1% cover , there may be patches that vary between <1 and
>1% , and some with no cover.
4. Desert and Semi-desert (xeromorphic) vegetation

Cool and warm semi-desert dominated by xeromorphic growth forms

including succulent and small leaved shrubs and trees, desert grasses
and other xeromorphic growth form with an irregular horizontalcanopy
spacing that is often open to very space.

5.Aquatic Vegetation ( Hydromorphic)

Open fresh water and salt water wet lands dominated by aquatic
vegetation either rooted with leaves rising up to or near the surface or
floating freely on water surface . Stands typically have surface water
generally upto 2m in length along ocean, lake, pond and river margins in
non tidal , tidal and intertidal habitats. e.g. Seagrasses.

6. Rock Vegetation ( Lithomorphic)

Lichen , bryophytes, algae or fern dominated rocky habitats such as

cliffs, parement, boulderfields. Overall this class may be ecologically
disparate and some time might me assigned to the formation class with
best matching growth forms features as these rocks often take a
characteristics of the vegetation in surrounding landscape . e.g. fern
such as selaginella

Formation Sub-Class
Temperate, Boreal and Mountain Vegetation

Temperate and boreal vegetation are combined at the sub-class level,

because they share many of the same broad growth forms. Mountain
forests, shrub, lands and grassland in the temperate and boreal regions
do not contain distinctive growth forms from lower elevation vegetation
until reaches the alpine zone.

Temperate and Mediterranean Vegetation

This Bioclimate include only Mediterranean scrub vegetation but also

vegetation that we place in cool semi-desert e.g. North America the
great basin vegetation . At the level of formation sub-class we typically
combined temperate and boreal units, despite the differences in
microclimate , where as tropical types are more distinctive from either
temperate or boreal. Separate temperate and boreal types are
recognized at the formation level.e.g. Cedrus atlantica
Formation Issues
Tropical Humid Forest

Commonly called tropical rain forests, we chose this term to ensure that
users understand that both moist and wet or seasonal evergreen and a
seasonal evergreen rain forests are include in this concept.

Cultural Class

A vegetation classification unit of high rank (1st level) defined by broad

combinations of dominant general growth forms.

Cultural Sub-Class

A vegetation classification unit of high rank (2nd level) defined by

combination of general growth forms that reflect global human activities.

Cultural Formation

A vegetation classification unit of high rank (3rd level) defined by

combination of general and dominant growth forms that reflect global
scale human activity.

Upper level Nomenclature Rules

The HRWG has advocated scientific and translated names. These

names are provided in English and in many other languages.

Formation types at level 1 – 3 are named defined and recognized by

vegetation structure and physiognomy reflected by site and climate
factors.
A convenient way is to use the name of habitats they live.

Level 1 ( Formation)

Class names are based on very broad growth forms that represent to
global moisture. A parenthetical set of names in include to guide a user.
e.g. Mesomorphic tree vegetation
Level 2 ( Formation Sub – Class )

The sub – class name reflects the structure physiognomy and

environmental factors that characterize the sub – class. The primary
environment factor is macro climate. e.g. Tropical forest

Level 3 ( Formation )

The formation reflect the structure, physiognomy and environmental

factors that characterized the formation. The primary environmental
factor are the primary macroclimate with soil moisture conditions.e.g
Tropical low land humid forest.