CLASSIFICATION OF PLANT COMMUNITIES IN FAISALABAD DISTRICT, PUNJAB, PAKISTAN, AND THE INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABLES ON THEIR DISTRIBUTION

Abstract

The present study provides information about soil and watercharacteristics, floral composition and plant communities in Faisalabad District. An inventory of the study area’s vegetation was prepared and physical and 
chemical characteristics of soil and water samples were analyzed. The relationship of environmental factors in the distribution of plant communities was determined. For statistical analysis of the data multivariate techniques i.e., Two Way Indicator Species Analysis and Canonical Correspondence Analysis were used. In total 48 species related 
to 31 families were recorded. Most abundant species were Cynodon Dactylon, Salvia plebeian, Calotropis Procera, Ficus Religiosa and Melia Azedarach. For analysis of floristic data Two Way Indicator Species Analysis 
(TWINSPAN) and to determine relationship between vegetation distribution and environmental parameters Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) was applied. TWINSPAN classified the vegetation into 2 major and six 
minor communities whereas CCA analysis reflected that water EC, water pH and soil pH played significant role in controlling plant distribution.