Ecological Indicators 71 (2016) 336351

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Ecological Indicators
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/ecolind

Vegetation mapping and multivariate approach to indicator species of

a forest ecosystem: A case study from the Thandiani sub Forests
Division (TsFD) in the Western Himalayas
Waqas Khan a , Shujaul Mulk Khan b, , Habib Ahmad c , Zeeshan Ahmad b , Sue Page d
a

Department of Botany, Hazara University, Mansehra, Pakistan

Department of Plant Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
c
Department of Genetics, Hazara University, Mansehra, Pakistan
d
Department of Geography, University of Leicester, UK
b

a r t i c l e

i n f o

Article history:
Received 25 April 2016
Received in revised form 23 June 2016
Accepted 29 June 2016
Keywords:
Cluster analysis
Indicator species analysis
Plant community
Species composition
Two way cluster analysis
Vegetation mapping
Thandiani sub Forests Division (TsFD)

a b s t r a c t
Questions: Does the plant species composition of Thandiani sub Forests Division (TsFD) correlate with
edaphic, topographic and climatic variables? Is it possible to identify different plant communities in
relation to environmental gradients with special emphasis on indicator species? Can this approach to
vegetation classication support conservation planning?
Location: Thandiani sub Forests Division, Western Himalayas.
Methods: Quantitative and qualitative characteristics of species along with environmental variables were
measured using a randomly stratied design to identify the major plant communities and indicator
species of the Thandiani sub Forests Division. Species composition was recorded in 10 2.5 2 and
0.5 0.5 m square plots for trees, shrubs and herbs, respectively. GPS, edaphic and topographic data were
also recorded for each sample plot. A total of 1500 quadrats were established in 50 sampling stations along
eight altitudinal transects encompassing eastern, western, northern and southern aspects (slopes). The
altitudinal range of the study area was 1290 m to 2626 m above sea level using. The relationships between
species composition and environmental variables were analyzed using Two Way Cluster Analysis (TWCA)
and Indicator Species Analysis (ISA) via PCORD version 5.
Results: A total of 252 plant species belonging to 97 families were identied. TWCA and ISA recognized
ve plant communities. ISA additionally revealed that mountain slope aspect, soil pH and soil electrical
conductivity were the strongest environmental factors (p 0.05) determining plant community composition and indicator species in each habitat. The results also show the strength of the environment-species
relationship using Monte Carlo procedures.
Conclusions: An analysis of vegetation along an environmental gradient in the Thandiani sub Forests
Division using the Braun-Blanquet approach conrmed by robust tools of multivariate statistics identied
indicators of each sort of microclimatic zones/vegetation communities which could further be used in
conservation planning and management not only in the area studied but in the adjacent regions exhibit
similar sort of environmental conditions.
2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction
Across a range of different scales, vegetation structure is
controlled by environmental gradients (Leonard-Barton, 1988).
Discovering and understanding the association between the biotic
and environmental components of an ecosystem and particularly

Corresponding author.
E-mail addresses: shuja60@gmail.com, smkhan@qau.edu.pk,
smulkkhan@gmail.com (S.M. Khan).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2016.06.059
1470-160X/ 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

the variation in species diversity and abundance along environmental gradients, are critical branches of ecological research
(Daubenmire, 1968; Grytnes and Vetaas, 2002; Tavili and Jafari,
2009). For example, the effect of soil pH on the species composition and richness of plant communities is a well-known ecological
phenomenon (Ellenberg 1988 Moldan et al., 2012; Haberl et al.,
2012; Ullah et al., 2015), while in mountainous regions, aspect and
altitude show the greatest effects in limiting plant species and community types (Chawla et al., 2008; Khan and Ahmad, 2015). In terms
of identifying the effects of environmental gradients on vegetation,

W. Khan et al. / Ecological Indicators 71 (2016) 336351

the use of computer-based statistical and multivariate analytical

programs can help ecologists to discover structure in vegetation
data sets and enable them to analyze the effects of environmental gradients on whole groups of species in a more efcient way
(Massberg et al., 2002; Hair et al., 2006). Statistical programs reduce
the complexity of data by classifying vegetation data and relating it to environmental components (Dufrne and Legendre, 1997;
McCune and Mefford, 1999 Khan et al., 2011a,b Haq et al., 2015;
Chahouki et al., 2010). Classication also overcomes problems of
comprehension by summarizing eld data in a low-dimensional
space by bringing species with similar requirements together in
various groups (Khan et al., 2013a,b). Such approaches have, however, rarely been used in vegetation studies in Pakistan (Malik and
Malik 2004; Malik and Husain, 2006; Saima et al., 2009; Wazir
et al., 2008; Malik and Husain, 2008 Khan et al., 2011a,b). Ecological groups can be dened on the basis of indicator values for
different environmental gradients like light, moisture, soil reaction and nitrogen content (Anderson et al., 1992). In addition, the
occurrence of certain associated vascular plant species may indicate vegetation history, illustrated, for example, by those species
termed ancient woodland indicator plants that are recognized as
the species elements denoting continuity of woodland cover in the
United Kingdom (Glaves et al., 2009). Species can be grouped on the
basis of their indicator values and the nature of the assemblage;
such assemblages are usually a mixture of eurytopic (wide ecological tolerance) and stenotopic (restricted ecological tolerance)
species (Kremen et al., 1993; Shah et al., 2015). In support of this
approach, a large data set on the distribution of species in open
habitats in Belgium was used as a case study to illustrate the utility
of a new method of identifying species assemblages and indicator species (Dufrne and Legendre, 1997), which may be useful for
planning of regional conservation priorities.
The aim of this study is to achieve an empirical model of vegetation using plant species combinations to characterize vegetation
types in the study area (Weber et al., 2000). Most of the Western Himalayan Forests, such as those in the Thandiani sub Forests
Division (TsFD) area, have not been investigated using recently
developed analytical methods for vegetation characterization. In
part this is because these forests are located in remote areas with
poor access, uneven terrain and adverse geopolitics. But, in addition, previous accounts of montane vegetation in this region have
tended to be descriptive with a lack of quantitative approaches,
including computer-based vegetation data analysis. This study was
designed, therefore, to quantify the abundance of plant species,
analyze and dene the communities and place them in an ecological
and vegetation framework in order to better understand indicator
groups for different microclimatic conditions within this mountainous region. The specic research objectives were to explore the
inuence of aspect, elevation and soil chemistry on the vegetation
assemblages of TsFD and to identify indicator species for each habitat using multivariate statistical analyses. The study contributes
to wider efforts to systematically describe the plant communities of the mountainous regions of north-western Pakistan using
a phytosociological approach supported by robust statistical analyses (Khan et al., 2011a,b) which will form the basis for strategic
conservation planning.

2. Study area
The Thandiani sub Forests Division (TsFD) encompasses the
Galis Forest Division of Abbottabad, the east Siran Forests Division,
the north Muzaffarabad & Garhi Habibullah in the south Abbottabad
sub forests division and the east Berangali forests range, between
3329 to 3421 North latitude and 7255 to 7329 East longitude
(Fig. 1).

337

The TsFD covers an area of 24987 ha in which 2484 ha are classied as Reserve Forests and 947 ha as Guzara Forests (Khan et al.,
2012a,b). The whole area is protected under the Guzara Forests
Division of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government in order to preserve the valuable ora and fauna of the area. The highest point is
Thandiani top (Sikher) having an elevation of 2626 m. The dominant
vegetation cover is pine forest which may be divided into three elevation ranges namely upper range (22002600 m), medium range
(1700 m2200 m) and lower range (1200 m1700 m). This study
was designed to record species composition pattern, quantify the
abundance of plant species across this elevation range and to establish the plant communities based on robust statistical approaches
in order to understand the environmental factors responsible for
determining the distribution of both species and communities with
special focus on indicator species. The research hypothesis was that
altitude, aspect, soil electrical conductivity and soil pH all have a
signicant impact on species and community diversity of vascular
plants in the TsFD of the western Himalayas, Pakistan.

3. Materials and methods

In order to test the hypothesis, a phytosociological approach
(Rieley and Page, 1990; Kent and Coker, 1994 Khan et al., 2011a,b)
was used to record quantitative and qualitative attributes of vascular plants in quadrats along edaphic, topographic and climatic
gradients during the summer months of 2012 and 2013. The study
area was divided into eight altitudinal transects covering a range of
12902626 m, along each of transects, sampling commenced from
the lowest elevation (forest bottom) and continued to the mountain
summit. Data collection stations were established at 100 m intervals (total of 50 stations) along each transect with the help of a
GPS. At each station, 30 quadrats were enumerated: 5 for recording trees, 10 for shrubs and 15 for herbs, each having an area of
10 2.5 2 and 0.5 0.5 m square, respectively. The quadrats were
positioned randomly at each station (Cox 1985; Malik 1990 Khan
et al., 2013a,b). Species composition and abundance in each quadrat
were recorded onto Excel data sheets. Absolute and relative density,
cover and frequency of each vascular plant species at each station
were subsequently calculated through the formulae designed by
Curtis and McIntosh (1950) using Microsoft Excel on an Asus palmtop computer. The plant specimens were mostly identied with
the help of the Flora of Pakistan (Nasir and Ali, 1970 Nasir and
Ali, 19701989; Khan et al., 2014; Ali and Qaiser, 19932009) and
preserved in the Herbarium of Hazara University Pakistan (HUP).
Altitude was measured by GPS and slope aspect i.e., East (E), West
(W), South (S) and North (N), was determined with the help of a
digital compass. The soil was collected from each site up to a depth
of 15 cm and thoroughly mixed to make a composite sample. The
soil samples were kept in polythene bags and labeled appropriately
prior to analysis for a range of physical and chemical characteristics.
Particle-size analysis was determined following the destruction or
dispersion of soil aggregates into discrete units by mechanical or
chemical means, and then the separation of the soil particles by
sieving or sedimentation methods (Gee et al., 1986). Chemical dispersion was accomplished by rst removing cementing substances,
such as organic matter and iron oxides, and then replacing calcium
and magnesium ions (which tend to bind soil particles together
into aggregates) with sodium ions (which surround each soil particle with a lm of hydrated ions). The calcium and magnesium ions
were removed from solution by complexion with oxalate or hexametaphosphate (Calgon) anions (Baver et al., 1972; Sheldrick and
Wang 1993; Monteith et al., 2014). Soil texture was determined by
the hydrometer method (Sarir et al., 2006; Bergeron et al., 2013;
the texture class was determined with the help of a textural triangle (Adamu and Aliyu, 2012). For determination of pH, soil samples

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W. Khan et al. / Ecological Indicators 71 (2016) 336351

Fig. 1. GIS generated map showing location of the study area with reference to the Western Himalayas of Pakistan.

were mixed with an equal volume of deionized water, allowed to

equilibrate for at least an hour, and then the electrode of the pH
meter was immersed into the soil suspension and a reading was
directly recorded (Jackson, 1963). Electrical conductivity (EC) of
a soil extract was used to estimate the level of soluble salts. The
standard method is to saturate the soil sample with water, vacuum
lter to separate water from soil, and then measure EC of the saturated paste extract (Hussain et al., 1999a,b; Jackson, 1963; Wilson
and Bayley, 2012). The soluble P was extracted from N mineralization samples with hydrochloric-ammonium uoride solution,
and determined calorimetrically (Kitayama and Aiba, 2002). The
organic matter was determined using the Walkley and Blacks titration method (Jackson, 1963; Hussain et al., 1999a,b).
Organic Matter% =

ST
6.7
S

where S = Blank reading, T = Volume used of FeSO4 .

4. Data analysis
Vegetation and environmental data sets were processed in MS
Excel in accordance with the PCORD V.5 requirements. The data
collected from the 50 sampling stations (1500 quadrats) revealed
the presence of 252 plant species. These species data along with
information on the six environmental variables (namely, altitude,
aspect, soil organic matter, soil pH, soil electrical conductivity, soil
phosphorous content and soil texture) were analyzed using PCORD version 5 (McCune and Mefford, 1999). The Cluster Analysis
(CA) and the Two Way Cluster Analyses (TWCA) identied signicant habitat and plant community types using Sorensen measures,
based on presence/absence data (Greig-Smith, 1983) and were carried out to identify pattern similarity in the species and station data.
Indicator Species Analysis (ISA) was subsequently used to link the
oristic composition and abundance data with the environmental variables. This combined information provided knowledge of
the concentration of species abundance in a particular group and
the faithfulness (delity) of occurrence of a species in that group.
Indicator values for each species in each group were obtained and
tested for statistical signicance using the Monte Carlo test. Indi-

cator Species Analysis evaluated each species for the strength of its
response to the environmental variables, from the environmental
matrix (50 stations 7 environmental gradients). A threshold level
of indicator value of 30% with 95% signicance (p value 0.05) was
chosen as the cut off for identifying indicator species (Dufrene and
Legendre, 1997; Ter Braak and Prentice 1988) and the identied
indicator species were used for naming the communities.
5. Results
In total, 252 plant species belonging to 97 families were identied, comprising 51 trees, 48 shrubs and 153 herbs. Cluster and
Two Way Cluster Analyses broadly divided the plant species into 5
habitat types/communities which could be clearly seen in two main
branches of the dendrogram; (i) a lower altitude (1290 m1900 m)
cluster including 3 communities/habitat types dominated by subtropical vegetation and (ii) a higher altitude (1900 m2626 m)
cluster including 2 communities/habitat types dominated by moist
temperate elements (Figs. 3 and 4 ).
Indicator Species Analysis (ISA) identied indicator species for
each habitat type under the inuence of variables responsible
for those communities. The ISA results show that aspect, soil
pH and soil electrical conductivity have the strongest inuence
on species occurrence. The results also show the strength of the
environment-species relationship using Monte Carlo procedures.
The ve plant communities/habitat types established in TsFD are
described below, along with respective environmental variables.
5.1. Melia azedarach, Punica granatum and Euphorbia
helioscopia community
This community occurred at 12 stations (360 quadrats/releves)
at the lowest elevations (12991591 m asl). The tree, shrub and
herb layers were characterized by Melia azedarach, Punica granatum
and Euphorbia helioscopia respectively, which are the top diagnostic
(indicator) species (Table 1). Other indicator species of this community are Ziziphus vulgaris Lam. Euclaptus globulus, Rosa moschata,
Zanthoxylum alatum, Cnicus argyracanthus, Medicago denticulata,
Poa annua, Themeda anathera, Rumex hastatus, Taraxacum ofcinale

W. Khan et al. / Ecological Indicators 71 (2016) 336351

339

Fig. 2. Cluster Dendrogram of 50 stations based on Sorensen measures showing 5 plant communities/habitat types (For more details see Table 8).

Table 1
The indicator species of the Melia azedarach, Punica granatum and Euphorbia helioscopia Community with their indicator values.

Table 2
The indicator species of the Ziziphus vulgaris, Zanthoxylum alatum and Rumex
nepalensis Community with their indicator values.

Top indicator of the community

IV

P*

IVI

TIVI

Top Indicator of the community

IV

P*

IVI

TIVI

Melia azedarach L.
Punica granatum L.
Euphorbia helioscopia L.

85.7
58.9
40.3

0.0406
0.0008
0.0222

36.53
80.1
103.98

61.11
69.5
72.14

Ziziphus vulgaris Lam.

Zanthoxylum alatum Roxb.
Rumex nepalensis Spreng.

40.4
60.9
52.2

0.0126
0.0006
0.0188

43.4
63.26
97.52

41.9
62.08
74.86

IV = Indicator Value, P = Probability, IVI = Importance Value Index in the community.

TIVI = Total Importance Value Index (Average Importance Value).

and Cynodon dactylon (Figs. 24 and Tables 7 and 8). The most
important environmental variables determining the gradient of this
community were low electrical conductivity (0.261.03dsm1 ), low
soil organic matter content (0.5%1.24%) and low soil pH (4.85.5),
coupled with associated co-variables of aspect (W-S), soil phosphorous content (58 ppm) and soil texture (silty loam) (Figs. 24 and
Tables 67).
Being located at lower elevations this community occurs in the
vicinity of human settlement and is therefore under pressure from
a range of anthropogenic activities, i.e., deforestation for fuel wood
and timber, expansion of agricultural land, grazing and multipurpose plant collection.
5.2. Ziziphus vulgaris, Zanthoxylum alatum and Rumex
nepalensis community
This community was found at the altitudinal range of
16001900 m asl and was represented by 16 different stations (480
quadrats). The tree, shrub and herb layers are characterized by the
indicator species Ziziphus vulgaris, Zanthoxylum alatum and Rumex
nepalensis (Table 2).
Other indicator species of this community are Abies pindrow,
Punica granatum, Rosa moschata, Rubus fruticosus, Achillea millefolium, Cnicus argyracanthus, Poa annua, Rumex hastatus, Nepeta
erecta, Taraxacum ofcinale, Medicago denticulata, Senecio chrysan-

IV = Indicator value, P = Probability, IVI = Importance value Index.

TIVI = Total Importance Value Index (Average Importance Value).

themoides, Cynodon dactylon, Chenopodium album and Capsella

bursa pastoris (Figs. 24 and Tables 7 and 8). North-West aspect was
one of the main environmental determinants of this community
indicating that this community receives comparatively less direct
sunlight. Other strong environmental variables were low soil pH
(4.96.6) and only trace amounts of organic matter (0.5%1.24%)
coupled with low soil electrical conductivity (0.240.62dsm1 ),
sandy loam and clay loam soil textures (Figs. 24 Tables 68).
5.3. Quercus incana, Cornus macrophylla and Viola biora
plant community
This
community
occurs
at
mid-altitude
elevations
(19002150 m asl) and was present at 11 stations and 330
quadrats (Table 3). In addition to the three main indicator species,
the additional characteristic species of this community are Abies
pindrow, Viburnum grandiorum, Chrysanthemums cinerariifolium,
Euphorbia wallichii, Plantago lanceolata, Actaea spicata, Nepeta
erecta, Rumex nepalensis, Viola biora and Achillea millefolium
(Figs. 24 and Tables 7 and 8). This community shows its best
development on south-east facing slopes where it is exposed to
direct solar radiation. Other strong inuencing factors were higher
soil phosphorous content (57 ppm), moderate soil organic matter
(0.6%1.18%), a weakly acidic soil pH (4.0), low soil electrical con-

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W. Khan et al. / Ecological Indicators 71 (2016) 336351

Fig. 3. GIS map showing the 3D-DEM View (SRTM) of project areaThandiani sub forests division with sampling localities (GIS based, stations distribution), graph and
elevation prole for the stations of all altitudinal transacts.

Table 3
The indicator species of the Quercus incana, Cornus macrophylla and Viola biora
Community With their indicator values.

Table 4
The indicator species of the Cedrus deodara, Viburnum grandiorum and Achillea
millefolium Community with their indicator values.

Top Indicator of the community

IV

P*

IVI

TIVI

Top Indicator of the community

IV

P*

IVI

TIVI

Quercus incana Roxb.

Cornus macrophylla Wall. Ex Roxb.
Viola biora L.

42.7
48.6
54.4

0.018
0.021
0.008

36.78
41.38
47.17

39.74
44.99
50.79

Cedrus deodara Rox ex Lamb.

Viburnum grandiorum Wallich.
Achillea millefolium L.

34.5
49.9
47.2

0.0574
0.0016
0.019

88.2
31.44
47.43

61.35
40.67
47.315

IV = Indicator value, P = Probability, IVI = Importance Value Index.

TIVI = Total Importance Value Index (Average Importance Value).

IV = Indicator Value, P = Probability, IVI = Importance Value Index.

TIVI = Total Importance Value Index (Average Importance Value).

ductivity (0.20.62dsm1 ) and a sandy loam soil texture (Figs. 24

and Tables 68).
5.4. Cedrus deodara, Viburnum grandiorum and Achillea
millefolium community
This community can be found at relatively high elevations
(21502400 m asl) occurring at six stations (180 quadrats). This is
a tree-dominated community comprising of moist temperate vegetation including the principal indicator species Cedrus deodara,
Viburnum grandiorum and Achillea millefolium from the tree, shrub

and herb layers, respectively (Table 4). Abies pindrow was the other
notable indicator tree found in this community. The most important
environmental variables responsible for the formation of this community are mildly acidic soil pH (6.36.8), high soil organic matter
(1.07%1.25%), low soil electrical conductivity (0.260.73dsm1 ),
moderate soil phosphorous contents (56 ppm) and a sandy loam
soil texture (Figs. 24 and Tables 68).
The main anthropogenic pressure observed on this community
was the collection of medicinal and fodder plants.

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341

Fig. 4. Two Way Cluster Dendrogram generated through PC-ORD Version 5 based on Sorensen measures, showing distribution of 252 plant species in 50 stations and 5 plant
communities (associations).

Table 5
The indicator species of the Abies pindrow, Daphne mucronata and Potentilla fruticosa
Community with their indicator values.
Top Indicator of the community

IV

P*

IVI

TIVI

Abies pindrow Royle.

Daphne mucronata Royle.
Potentilla fruticosa L.

40.5
75
44.4

0.007
0.0002
0.0102

179.18
31.43
89.27

109.84
53.215
66.835

IV = Indicator Value, P = Probability, IVI = Importance Value Index.

TIVI = Total Importance Value Index (Average Importance Value).

5.5. Abies pindrow, Daphne mucronata and Potentilla

fruticosa plant community
This was the highest elevation community described in TsFD at
altitudes of 24002626 m asl. It was described from ve stations
(150 quadrats). Abies pindrow, Daphne mucronata and Potentilla
fruticosa are the characteristic indicator species of this community (Table 5). Other diagnostic indicator species are Berberis
orthobotrys, Viburnum grandiorum, Rumex nepalensis, Drypteris
spp., Euphorbia wallichii, Plantago major and Pteris vittata (Figs. 24
and Tables 7 and 8). Due to the high altitude, low temperatures
prevail throughout the growing season. The important environmental variables were soil pH (6.67.2), soil phosphorous content
(68 ppm), soil electrical conductivity (0.20.39dsm1 ) and soil
organic matter (0.55%0.75%).
This high altitude plant community has low species richness (
diversity) with fewer plant species in comparison with the other
four communities. The near neutral soil pH in the range 6.67.0 was
one of most important environmental variables for this community.
Other associated variables were slightly higher soil phosphorous
contents, lower soil organic matter, lower soil electrical conductivity and sand dominated soil (Figs. 24 and Tables 68 ).

6. Discussion
The multivariate analyses carried out as part of this study established ve distinct plant communities in the TsFD study area. Being
located in the Western Himalayan Province, the vegetation was
mainly Sino-Japanese in nature and the communities were classied on the basis of environmental factors/gradients i.e., soil pH,
soil organic matter, soil phosphorous contents, soil texture, aspect,
altitude and soil electrical conductivity. This allows our results to
be compared with the studies already undertaken in other adjacent locations in the Sino Japanese Region (Takhtadzhian, 1997; Ali
and Qaiser 1986; Champion et al., 1965 Khan et al., 2011a,b, 2014;
Mehmood et al., 2015; Shaheen et al., 2015). At lower elevation
ranges the vegetation was of a sub-tropical nature with indicator species including Dodonea viscosa, Punica granatum, Berberis
lyceum and Pinus roxburghii. A similar community was described by
Siddiqui et al. (2009) during a phytosociological survey of the lesser
Himalayan and Hindu Kush ranges of Pakistan. At upper altitudinal ranges, the vegetation contains characteristic species of moist
temperate types of forests, e.g., Pinus wallichiana, Abies pindrow,
Aesculus indica, Prunus padus, Indigora heterantha, Viburnum grandiorum, Paeonia emodi, Bistorta amplexicaule, Euphorbia wallichii
and Trifolium repens; which could be compared with the assemblage reported in the moist temperate Himalaya by Saima et al.,
2009 and Ahmed et al., (2006). Species diversity reached an optimum at middle elevations (1700 m2200 m), as compared to the
lower locations where there was greater impact of anthropogenic
activities, while at high elevations (2200 m2626 m) diversity was
lowest mainly due to extreme conditions. Such kinds of species
distributional phenomena have also been observed in other mountainous ecosystems (Anderson et al., 1992; Ahmad et al., 2015).
Moreover an increase in herbaceous vegetation is positively correlated to increase in elevation which seems to be a function of
eco-physiological processes associated with these higher eleva-

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W. Khan et al. / Ecological Indicators 71 (2016) 336351

Table 6
Inuence of various environmental variables on top indicator species of each community.
1st Community
BN
SNO
Aspect
1
Ziziphus vulgaris Lam.
Cnicus argyracanthus (DC) Hk.f.
2
Euphorbia helioscopia L.
3
Poa annua L.
4
Soil Electrical Conductivity
1
Melia azedarach L.
2
Themeda anathera (Ness) Hack.
Soil organic matter Content
Punica granatum L.
1
Rumex nepalensis Spreng.
2
Soil Phosphorous
Cnicus argyracanthus (DC) Hk.f.
1
2
Taraxacum ofcinale Weber.
Soil pH
Euclaptus globulus L.
1
Punica granatum L.
2
3
Rosa moschata non J. Herrm.
Zanthoxylum alatum Roxb.
4
Capsella bursa pastoris Moench.
5
Cynodon dactylon L.
6
Euphorbia helioscopia L.
7
8
Medicago denticulata Willd.
Poa annua L.
9
10
Rumex hastatus D.Don.
2nd Community
Aspect
Ziziphus vulgaris Lam.
1
Chenopodium album L.
2
3
Cnicus argyracanthus (DC) Hk.f.
Poa annua L.
4
Soil Electrical Conductivity
Themeda anathera (Ness) Hack.
1
Soil Organic matter contents
Punica granatum L.
1
Rumex nepalensis Spreng.
2
Soil Phosphorous
Cnicus argyracanthus (DC) Hk.f.
1
2
Taraxacum ofcinale Weber.
Soil pH
Abies pindrow Royle.
1
2
Punica granatum L.
Rosa moschata non J. Herrm.
3
4
Rubus fruticosus Hk.f.
Zanthoxylum alatum Roxb.
5
Achillea millefolium L.
6
Capsella bursa pastoris Moench.
7
Cynodon dactylon L.
8
Medicago denticulata Willd.
9
Poa annua L.
10
Rumex hastatus D.Don.
11
Soil texture
Achillea millefolium L.
1
Nepeta erecta Bh Bth.
2
Senecio chrysenthemoides DC.
3
3rd Community
Aspect
Quercus incana Roxb.
1
Soil organic matter contents
Rumex nepalensis Spreng.
1
Soil phosphorous
Quercus incana Roxb.
1
Soil pH
Abies pindrow Royle.
1
Cornus macrophylla Wall. Ex Roxb.
2
Viburnum grandiorum Wallich.
3
Achillea millefolium L.
4
Actaea spicata L.
5
Chrysanthimum cenarifolium Trey
6
Euphorbia wallichii Hk.f.
7
Plantago lanceolata Linn.
8
Viola biora L.
9

(IV)

P*

I.V.I-1

T.I.V.I

40.4
35.5
40.3
43.3

0.0126
0.0488
0.0222
0.014

40.66
71.49
103.98
91.00

40.53
53.50
72.14
67.15

85.7
85.7

0.0406
0.0358

36.53
114.72

61.11
100.21

38.7
52.2

0.039
0.0188

80.11
125.71

59.40
88.96

34.6
39

0.0324
0.047

71.49
127.33

53.05
83.16

51.3
58.9
53
60.9
54.7
60.8
50.2
55.8
54.1
48.6

0.006
0.0008
0.001
0.0006
0.017
0.0008
0.0316
0.0006
0.0158
0.0348

44.41
80.11
51.86
33.29
48.63
115.76
103.98
92.86
91.00
73.75

47.85
69.50
52.43
47.09
51.66
88.28
77.09
74.33
72.55
61.17

40.4
37.9
35.5
43.3

0.0126
0.0328
0.0488
0.014

43.4
82.08
62.66
47.63

41.9
59.99
49.08
45.465

85.7

0.0358

36.5

61.1

38.7
52.2

0.039
0.0188

54.04
97.52

46.37
74.86

34.6
39

0.0324
0.047

62.66
83.28

48.63
61.14

40.5
58.9
53
41.9
60.9
47.2
54.7
60.8
55.8
54.1
48.6

0.007
0.0008
0.001
0.0364
0.0006
0.019
0.017
0.0008
0.0006
0.0158
0.0348

98.94
54.04
56.38
42.54
63.26
58.45
56.95
55.92
83.36
47.63
81.3

69.72
56.47
54.69
42.22
62.08
52.825
55.825
58.36
69.58
50.865
64.95

44.9
45.4
36.8

0.0276
0.0196
0.0428

58.45
68.16
50.25

51.675
56.78
43.525

35

0.0306

36.79

35.89

52.2

0.0188

40.41

46.31

37.3

0.0392

36.79

37.04

40.5
48.6
49.9
47.2
42.9
60.9
58.3
44.2
42.9

0.007
0.021
0.0016
0.019
0.0362
0.0044
0.0006
0.0186
0.0384

133.84
41.38
52.64
92.76
46.94
35.00
89.31
36.74
47.17

87.17
44.99
51.27
69.98
44.92
47.95
73.80
40.47
45.04

W. Khan et al. / Ecological Indicators 71 (2016) 336351

343

Table 6 (Continued)
Soil texture
Quercus incana Roxb.
1
Viburnum grandiorum Wallich.
2
3
Achillea millefolium L.
4
Actaea spicata L.
5
Nepeta erecta Bh Bth.
Plantago lanceolata Linn.
6
Viola biora L.
7
4th Community
Soil pH
Abies pindrow Royle.
1
Viburnum grandiorum Wallich.
2
Achillea millefolium L.
3
Cedrus deodara Rox ex Lamb.
4
Soil texture
Viburnum grandiorum Wallich.
1
2
Achillea millefolium L.
5th Community
Soil organic matter contents
Rumex nepalensis Spreng.
1
Soil phosphorous
Drypteris spp.
1
Soil pH
Abies pindrow Royle.
1
Acacia arabica (Lam.) Willd.
2
Berberis orthobotyrus Bien. Ex Aitch.
3
Daphne mucronata Royle.
4
5
Viburnum grandiorum Wallich.
Drypteris spp.
6
Euphorbia wallichii Hk.f.
7
Plantago major L.
8
Potentilla fruticosa L.
9
10
Pteris vittata L.
Soil texture
1
Viburnum grandiorum Wallich.

42.7
44.1
44.9
54.4
45.4
54.4
54.4

0.018
0.0288
0.0276
0.0078
0.0196
0.0082
0.008

36.79
52.64
92.76
46.94
38.40
36.74
47.17

39.74
48.37
68.83
50.67
41.90
45.57
50.79

40.5
49.9
47.2
34.5

0.007
0.0016
0.019
0.0574

66.64
31.44
47.44
88.20

53.57
40.67
47.32
61.35

44.1
44.9

0.0288
0.0276

31.44
47.44

37.77
46.17

52.2

0.0188

61.95

57.07

43.5

0.0184

40.70

42.10

40.5
29
69.5
75
49.9
69.7
58.3
38.7
44.4
72

0.007
0.0352
0.0016
0.0002
0.0016
0.0012
0.0006
0.0308
0.0102
0.0006

179.19
89.07
33.83
31.44
30.60
40.70
36.05
42.10
89.28
37.93

109.84
59.03
51.67
53.22
40.25
55.20
47.18
40.40
66.84
54.97

44.1

0.0288

30.60

37.35

tions. The ndings of this study clearly indicate that the lower
elevational ranges exhibit sub-tropical oristic elements which
gradually change on the one hand to moist temperate types in the
upper ranges, i.e. along the latitudinal gradient, and to subalpine
types near the peaks of the mountains in response to the altitudinal
gradient.
The methods applied in this study allow users to compare multiple classication procedures of the same sites, for authentication of
the information resulting from the analysis. However, in mountainous regions, which are difcult to access, vegetation surveys need
to be conducted rapidly and with limited resources, such as for vegetation mapping. In such situations, it may be desirable to survey
the largest possible number of localities, but simplify the eldwork
protocol by focusing on a small subset of species that have high predictive value. The use of indicator species to monitor environmental
conditions or to determine habitat or community types is a rmly
established technique for both theoretical and applied purposes
in vegetation ecology in the recent past. Such indicators are used
as indicative of a specic microclimatic condition or environmental
change. The use of a suite of multispecies ecological or environmental indicators rather than single indicators has been recommended
to increase the reliability of bio-indication systems (Carignan and
Villard 2002; McGEOCH, 1998; Niemi and McDonald 2004; Butler
et al., 2012; Mouillot et al., 2013). In order to determine indicator
species, the characteristic to be predicted is represented in the form
of a classication of the sites, which is compared to the patterns of
distribution of the species found at the sites. For this purpose, Indicator Species Analysis (ISA) takes into account the fact that species
have different niche breadths.
Another important application, of this paper is illustration of
vegetation classication schemes according to the modern rules.
Vegetation types are often dened using the complete composition of vascular plants (Cceres et al., 2012). When complete
composition is available, there are several alternatives for assign-

ing vegetation plot records to predened vegetation types (Van

Tongeren et al., 2008; Tongren and Hennekens 2008; Cceres and
Legendre, 2009), which are preferable to the approach presented
here. When an indicator value index is used, the method provides
the set of site-groups that best matches the observed distribution pattern of the species. When applied to community types, it
allows one to distinguish those species that characterize individual types from those that characterize the relationships between
them. This distinction is useful to determine the number of types
that maximizes the number of indicator species. Consideration of
combinations of groups of sites provides an extra exibility to qualitatively model the habitat preferences of the species of interest
(Acker, 1990). If at a given site, one nds a species combination
with high predictive value, the site can be assigned with condence to the indicated type. If none of the valid indicators is found,
then a full vegetation plot may need to be established. Users of
the method should bear in mind that when site groups have been
dened using species composition data, they are by denition non
independent from species. In these cases, the indicator value statistic will be larger than the value expected under the null hypothesis
of independence, leading to a high rate of rejection in inferential
tests (De Cceres et al., 2010). When condence intervals are being
used to assess the uncertainty of the estimation, however, they
are still valid. A variety of environmental gradients determines the
boundaries of altitudinal zones found on mountains, ranging from
direct effects of temperature and precipitation to indirect characteristics of the mountain itself, as well as biological interactions
of the species. Zonation produces distinct communities along an
elevation gradient (Haq et al., 2015; Khan et al., 2015). In addition
to environmental factors, other factors related to historical plant
geography may also be responsible for the determination of a plant
community (Poore, 1955).
The Western Himalayan TsFD in Pakistan is a highly diverse
region, particularly in terms of the wide range of natural for-

S NO

Abies pindrow Royle.

Acacia arabica (Lam.) Willd.
Acacia nilotica (Linn.) Delile
Acer caesium Wall. Ex Brandis
Aesculus indica (Comb) Hook.
Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle
Broussonetia papyrifera Vent.
Cedrela serrata Royle
Cedrela toona Roxb. Ex Rottl. & Willd.
4
Cedrus deodara Rox ex Lamb.
Celtus australis L.
3
Cornus macrophylla Wall. Ex Roxb.
Cotoneaster minuta Klotz.
Dalbergia sissoo Roxb.
1
Diospyros kaki L.
Diospyros lotus L.
Eucalyptus globulus L.
Ficus carica L.
Ficus palmata Forssk.
Grewia optiva Drum. ex. Burret
Ilex dipyrena Walld.
Jacaranda mimosifolia D. Don.
Juglans regia L.
1
Melia azedarach L.
Morus alba L.
Morus nigra L.
Olea ferruginea Royle.
Pinus roxburghii Sargent.
Pinus wallichiana A.B.Jackson.
Pistacia integerrima J.L.
Platanus orientalis L.
Populus ciliata Wall. Ex Royle
Populus nigra L.
Prunus armeniaca L.
Prunus domestica L.
Prunus padus (Hk) f.
Prunus persica (Linn.) Batsch
Pyrus pashia D.Don.
Quercus dilatata Lindl. Ex Royle
3
Quercus incana Roxb.
Robinia pseudoacacia L.
Salix alba L.
Salix angustifolia Willd.
Salix denticulata N.J. Anderss.
Sarcococca saligna (Don) Muell.
Sorbaria tomentosa (Lindl.)
Staphylea emodi Wall. Ex Brandis.
Taxus wallichiana (Zucc.)
Ulmus wallichiana Planch.

Melia, Punica and Euphorbia

Community

Ziziphus, Zanthoxylum and

Rumex Community

Quercus, Cornus and Viola

Community

Cedrus, Viburnum and

Achillea Community

Abies, Daphne and Potentilla

Community

Group was dened by

value of Electrical
Conductivity

Group was dened by

value of Aspect

Group was dened by

value of Texture Classes

Group was dened by

value of Soil pH

Group was dened by

value of Soil pH

Max val

(IV)

P*

Max val

(IV)

P*

Max val

(IV)

P*

Max val

(IV)

P*

Max val

(IV)

P*

0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0

64.6
46.2
38.7
29.2
18.7
75
38.7
14.6
8.3
72.9
22.9
29.2
27.1
6.2
87.3
29.2
16.7
64
51
14.6
12.5
16.7
25
85.7
81.4
33.3
18.7
37.5
52.1
38.7
6.2
38.7
20.8
36.4
33.3
35.4
10.4
43.7
10.4
31.2
65.8
4.2
29.2
38.7
10.4
31.2
4.2
2.1
14.6

0.1394
0.1212
0.2861
1
1
0.1292
0.2907
1
1
0.0828
1
1
1
1
0.0364
1
1
0.3373
0.2373
1
1
1
1
0.0406
0.0686
0.5541
1
0.3279
1
0.2917
1
0.2971
1
0.3627
0.4585
0.5445
1
0.4931
1
1
0.2861
1
1
0.2901
1
1
1
1
1

3
2
2
3
4
2
1
4
4
1
3
4
4
1
3
2
2
2
2
2
3
3
1
1
3
2
2
2
1
2
1
3
3
3
2
4
2
2
1
4
1
1
3
2
3
4
2
1
4

21.4
12
19.6
19.5
9.8
23
8.7
7.5
16.3
30.4
9.3
17.4
11.9
6.6
7.5
13.5
20.1
28.5
28.5
6.7
10.5
8.3
13.7
9.2
14.9
23.8
21
18.6
24.4
40.4
19.7
10.6
6.9
10.2
13.5
21.3
8.3
20.9
15.3
35
26.3
9.2
13.8
21.7
6.9
20.5
12.3
12.5
8.7

0.8276
0.3653
0.2094
0.3041
0.7197
0.2805
0.7584
0.8522
0.2222
0.2208
0.8506
0.3559
0.8758
0.8262
0.9474
0.6741
0.2034
0.1582
0.1482
0.957
0.4767
0.808
0.6839
0.796
0.4901
0.225
0.1094
0.2729
0.7209
0.0086
0.102
0.6185
1
0.7532
0.6791
0.3533
0.6843
0.3993
0.1896
0.0306
0.3315
0.4423
0.6169
0.1264
0.829
0.2977
0.3013
0.2565
0.7199

3
1
4
2
3
1
4
2
4
3
3
6
3
4
2
2
1
3
5
1
3
2
1
1
4
2
2
4
2
1
4
1
3
1
2
4
4
2
2
3
2
1
2
3
2
3
2
1
3

38
8.7
17
23.6
25.4
14.3
8.3
8
8.5
33.4
23.8
48.6
36.2
4.9
21.5
31
28.6
22.8
4.9
10.7
13.6
17.6
20.5
8.6
14.5
28.5
21
14.7
28
13.8
4.9
13.8
24
18.4
16.9
11.9
6.4
21.2
10.4
42.7
16.7
3.4
27.7
8.3
10
37.6
16.6
5.9
11.7

0.0614
0.7578
0.3651
0.2364
0.1576
0.8458
0.9144
1
0.8486
0.1732
0.173
0.021
0.0592
1
0.2539
0.1158
0.1006
0.6981
1
0.6019
0.2869
0.3257
0.3115
0.8574
0.6681
0.1678
0.2803
0.4597
0.6961
0.4455
1
0.4461
0.207
0.3643
0.5319
1
1
0.4907
0.6963
0.018
0.933
1
0.1248
0.8554
0.8286
0.056
0.2394
0.5203
0.4947

7
4
4
6
7
4
5
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
4
4
4
5
3
6
6
5
6
5
4
5
5
5
6
4
4
7
6
5
5
7
7
5
6
6
5
4
6
7
6
6
5
7
7

40.5
29
17.6
33.5
44.3
32.7
17.5
33.3
10.6
34.5
34.7
48.6
20.1
6.2
16.3
23.9
51.3
38.1
21.9
10.7
28.6
7.9
10.1
32.8
25.1
21.9
21.7
17.9
30.2
17.7
10.5
13.9
47.6
21.8
18.3
60
17.1
21.9
10.2
27.2
18.4
12.8
40.7
14
15.1
32.5
2.6
33.3
17.9

0.007
0.0352
0.2747
0.0696
0.0082
0.0912
0.2833
0.0728
0.5415
0.0574
0.0954
0.021
0.3229
1
0.3527
0.3055
0.006
0.1156
0.3052
0.776
0.0556
0.9198
0.8922
0.1062
0.2753
0.4245
0.15
0.211
0.1942
0.2623
0.5263
0.6587
0.0056
0.2156
0.4079
0.0008
0.3649
0.5643
0.5075
0.2402
0.9662
0.3253
0.0266
0.6089
0.4537
0.0796
1
0.0608
0.2627

7
4
4
6
7
4
5
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
4
4
4
5
3
6
6
5
6
5
4
5
5
5
6
4
4
7
6
5
5
7
7
5
6
6
5
4
6
7
6
6
5
7
7

40.5
29
17.6
33.5
44.3
32.7
17.5
33.3
10.6
34.5
34.7
48.6
20.1
6.2
16.3
23.9
51.3
38.1
21.9
10.7
28.6
7.9
10.1
32.8
25.1
21.9
21.7
17.9
30.2
17.7
10.5
13.9
47.6
21.8
18.3
60
17.1
21.9
10.2
27.2
18.4
12.8
40.7
14
15.1
32.5
2.6
33.3
17.9

0.007
0.0352
0.2747
0.0696
0.0082
0.0912
0.2833
0.0728
0.5415
0.0574
0.0954
0.021
0.3229
1
0.3527
0.3055
0.006
0.1156
0.3052
0.776
0.0556
0.9198
0.8922
0.1062
0.2753
0.4245
0.15
0.211
0.1942
0.2623
0.5263
0.6587
0.0056
0.2156
0.4079
0.0008
0.3649
0.5643
0.5075
0.2402
0.9662
0.3253
0.0266
0.6089
0.4537
0.0796
1
0.0608
0.2627

W. Khan et al. / Ecological Indicators 71 (2016) 336351

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49

BOTANICAL NAME

344

Table 7
Results of Indicator Species Analysis (ISA) through PC-ORD, showing top Indicator plant species (with bold font) of each of the ve plant communities (15) at a threshold level of Indicator 30% and Monte Carlo tests of signicance
for observed maximum indicator value of species (P value 0.05).

Table 7 (Continued)
S NO

Ziziphus, Zanthoxylum and

Rumex Community

Quercus, Cornus and Viola

Community

Cedrus, Viburnum and

Achillea Community

Abies, Daphne and Potentilla

Community

Group was dened by

value of Electrical
Conductivity

Group was dened by

value of Aspect

Group was dened by

value of Texture Classes

Group was dened by

value of Soil pH

Group was dened by

value of Soil pH

Max val

(IV)

P*

Max val

(IV)

P*

Max val

(IV)

P*

Max val

(IV)

P*

Max val

(IV)

P*

0
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1

2.1
38.7
22.9
45.8
16.7
29.2
63.2
25
12.5
10.4
10.4
25
38.7
16.7
20.8
14.6
20.8
8.3
16.7
35.3
36.4
8.3
22.9
67.6
35.4
10.4
35.3
33.3
22.9
4.2
12.5
38.7
12.5
10.4
68.6
25
29.2
30.8
18.7
8.3
12.5
10.4
12.5
16.7
12.5
22.9
50
18.7
28.6
40

1
0.2951
1
0.5013
1
1
0.3557
1
1
1
1
1
0.3043
1
1
1
1
1
1
0.4151
0.3637
1
1
0.2498
0.5485
1
0.3987
0.5533
1
1
1
0.039
1
1
0.2296
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0.4963
1
1
0.2561

3
2
4
3
3
4
2
1
2
4
4
3
3
3
3
2
4
4
4
3
2
3
3
2
4
1
4
4
3
4
3
1
4
3
2
3
4
2
4
3
3
1
2
1
2
1
4
1
4
2

4.5
40.4
25.5
19.6
13.8
10.5
25.1
16.2
8.9
5.1
9
11.2
18.3
9.2
15.9
6.7
17.9
7.9
6.9
10.3
17.2
9.2
19.4
29.1
17.6
16.2
7.9
14.7
17.5
4
4.7
20.8
8.1
13.3
28.9
12.9
13.9
22.9
14.4
9.2
10.5
14.6
7.3
11.1
8.5
7.1
20.5
16.2
60.9
24.7

1
0.0126
0.1018
0.5621
0.3895
0.9616
0.4101
0.3685
0.6181
1
0.5985
0.8686
0.2611
0.6717
0.4223
0.9576
0.2631
0.7516
0.8824
0.7688
0.3503
0.5683
0.1806
0.1618
0.5315
0.1512
0.9562
0.6105
0.2609
1
1
0.4205
0.7493
0.3341
0.183
0.7676
0.6003
0.2585
0.4645
0.5689
0.4841
0.2252
0.8886
0.5403
0.7175
1
0.4685
0.4049
0.0006
0.055

1
2
4
3
2
3
2
2
3
2
3
3
2
2
3
2
1
1
3
2
4
2
2
2
3
1
3
2
4
4
2
1
3
3
4
3
2
1
3
2
2
2
2
4
4
3
3
2
1
1

5.9
7.4
9.9
30.1
22.8
23
25.9
18.1
61.9
10.4
10.3
22.2
18.3
34.3
52.3
24.2
24
6.9
23.1
30.6
10
12.3
35.9
17.4
17.6
20
7
24.8
7.1
8.3
9.4
29.7
12.7
26.1
17.7
19
13.4
16.7
55.3
11.7
9.4
10
9.4
11.2
9.8
20.1
44.1
21
22.2
9.1

0.5067
1
0.7802
0.189
0.2224
0.2623
0.3625
0.4527
0.0026
0.6967
0.7341
0.243
0.2869
0.033
0.0072
0.18
0.1772
1
0.1912
0.0726
0.7027
0.4141
0.0594
0.8532
0.5917
0.1654
1
0.229
0.9468
0.6773
0.8308
0.1894
0.3991
0.1036
0.8222
0.3845
0.8316
0.6253
0.005
0.5573
0.8312
0.8306
0.8406
0.5235
0.7273
0.3045
0.0288
0.2781
0.3861
0.7568

5
4
6
6
4
6
5
7
6
6
7
6
6
5
6
4
7
5
6
6
5
6
4
5
7
4
5
4
6
6
6
4
6
6
4
6
6
4
7
6
5
7
4
6
6
6
7
7
4
5

5
33.3
27.3
37.6
17.7
23.1
28.7
69.5
28.6
23.8
21
20.8
14.6
10.2
30.2
19.2
75
5.1
11.2
20.8
21.8
19
28
28.8
32
7.6
13
22.1
17.1
9.5
28.6
58.9
28.6
23.8
53
25
18.2
41.9
15.5
10.6
7.7
91.3
38.6
16.7
28.6
11.9
49.9
44.1
60.9
19.3

0.5763
0.0962
0.2022
0.098
0.2621
0.3347
0.3465
0.0016
0.058
0.0546
0.239
0.2753
0.4987
0.8562
0.1184
0.1854
0.0002
1
0.8064
0.2753
0.2128
0.2555
0.1786
0.23
0.0844
1
0.6315
0.3799
0.3257
0.6573
0.0584
0.0008
0.0576
0.0516
0.001
0.2412
0.4655
0.0364
0.3913
0.5459
0.8068
0.0004
0.0488
0.2883
0.059
0.6743
0.0016
0.0242
0.0006
0.1232

5
4
6
6
4
6
5
7
6
6
7
6
6
5
6
4
7
5
6
6
5
6
4
5
7
4
5
4
6
6
6
4
6
6
4
6
6
4
7
6
5
7
4
6
6
6
7
7
4
5

5
33.3
27.3
37.6
17.7
23.1
28.7
69.5
28.6
23.8
21
20.8
14.6
10.2
30.2
19.2
75
5.1
11.2
20.8
21.8
19
28
28.8
32
7.6
13
22.1
17.1
9.5
28.6
58.9
28.6
23.8
53
25
18.2
41.9
15.5
10.6
7.7
91.3
38.6
16.7
28.6
11.9
49.9
44.1
60.9
19.3

0.5763
0.0962
0.2022
0.098
0.2621
0.3347
0.3465
0.0016
0.058
0.0546
0.239
0.2753
0.4987
0.8562
0.1184
0.1854
0.0002
1
0.8064
0.2753
0.2128
0.2555
0.1786
0.23
0.0844
1
0.6315
0.3799
0.3257
0.6573
0.0584
0.0008
0.0576
0.0516
0.001
0.2412
0.4655
0.0364
0.3913
0.5459
0.8068
0.0004
0.0488
0.2883
0.059
0.6743
0.0016
0.0242
0.0006
0.1232

345

Vincetoxicum arnottianum Wight.

2
Ziziphus vulgaris Lam.
Abelia triora R. Br.
Andrachne cordifolia (Don) Muell
Arundo donaxL.
Astragalus accidum (Royle)
Berberis lycium Royle.
Berberis orthobotrys Bien. Ex Aitch.
Berberis pachyacantha Koehne, Deutsche Dender.
Berberis parkeriana C.K.Schn.
Buddleja asiatica Lour.
Buddleja crispa Bth.,
Buxus papillosa C.K.Schn.
Clematis amplexicaulis Edgew.
Clematis montana Buch.Cuscuta reexa Roxb Amar.
5
Daphne mucronata Royle.
Debregeasia salicifolia (D. Don) Rendle,
Desmodium gangeticum (Linn) DC.
Desmodium podocarpum DC.
Dodonea viscosa Jack
Euonymus hamiltonianus Wall.
Hedera nepalensis K. Koch.,
Indigofera gerardiana Wall.
Indigofera heterantha Wall. Ex Brandis.
Isodon coetsa (Spr.)
Lonicera hispida Pall. Loony
Lonicerar bicolor KI. & Garcke.,
Lonicerar quinquelocularis Hardw.
Parrotiopsis jacquemontiana (Dcne.)
Paeonia emodi Wall.
1
Punica granatum L.
Rhamnus purpurea Edgew.
Rhus punjabensis Stewart ex Brandis.,
Rosa moschata non J. Herrm.
Rosa webbiana Wall. Ex. Royle.,
Rubus ellipticus Smith in Rees.,
Rubus fruticosus Hk.f.
Rubus macilentus Camb. In Jacq.
Rubus ulmifolius Schott in Oken.,
Sageretia brandrethiana Aitch., J.L.S.
Skimmia laureola D.C.
Solanum pseudocapsicum L.
Spiraea gracilis Maxim.,
Syringa emodi Wall. Ex G. Don.,
Viburnum cotinifolium D.Don.
4
Viburnum grandiorum Wallich.
Vitex negundo Linn.
2
Zanthoxylum alatum Roxb.
Ziziphus jujuba Lam.

Melia, Punica and Euphorbia

Community

W. Khan et al. / Ecological Indicators 71 (2016) 336351

50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99

BOTANICAL NAME

346

Table 7 (Continued)
S NO

Acmountainea millefolium L.
Achyranthus spp
Aconitum violaceum Jacq. ex Stapf
Actaea spicata L.
Adiantum venustum Linn. Sraj,
Aegopodium burttii E.
Ainsliaea aptera DC.,
Ajuga bracteosa L.
Anemone falconeri T. T. in Hk.,
Anemone tetrasepaqla Royle.
Anemone vitifolia Ham. DC.
Aquilegia missouriensis Royle.
Aquilegia pubiora Wall ex Royle
Argemone mexicana L.
Arisaema avum Forrsk.
Arisaema jacquemontii Blume.
Arisaema utile Hk.f.,
Artemisia absinthium L.
Aster molliusculus (DC.)
Atropa acuminata Royle.,
Bergenia ciliata (Haw) Sternb.
Bistorta amplexicaule (D.Don) Greene.
Bupleurum candollei Wall. Ex DC.,
Bupleurum falcatum L.
Bupleurum jacundum Kurz.,
Bupleurum lanceolatum Wall. Ex DC.,
Calamintha vulgaris (L.)
Cannabis sativa L.
Capsella bursa pastoris Moench.
Capsicum annuum L.
Caryopteris odorata (Ham) B. L
Chenopodium album L.
Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium Trey
Cichorium intybus Linn.
Cirsium argyracanthum DC.
Cnicus argyracanthus (DC) Hk.f.
Colchicum luteum Baker
Convolvulus prostratus Forssk
Conyza canadensis (L.)
Coriandrum sativum Linn.
Corydalis diphylla Wall.,
Corydalis stewartii Fedde,
Cynodon dactylon L.
Cyperus rotundusL.
Datura stramonium L.
Dicliptera roxburghiana Nees in Wall.,
Dioscorea bulbifera Linn.
Dipsacus sativus (Linn.) Honck.
Dipsacus strictus D.Don.,
Dryopteris spp

Melia, Punica and Euphorbia

Community

Ziziphus, Zanthoxylum and

Rumex Community

Quercus, Cornus and Viola

Community

Cedrus, Viburnum and

Achillea Community

Abies, Daphne and Potentilla

Community

Group was dened by

value of Electrical
Conductivity

Group was dened by

value of Aspect

Group was dened by

value of Texture Classes

Group was dened by

value of Soil pH

Group was dened by

value of Soil pH

Max val

(IV)

P*

Max val

(IV)

P*

Max val

(IV)

P*

Max val

(IV)

P*

Max val

(IV)

P*

0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0

47.9
20.8
31.6
18.7
14.6
2.1
16.7
39.6
34.3
27.1
18.7
10.4
20.8
10.4
18.7
16.7
4.2
80
16.7
4.2
18.7
25
38.7
14.6
18.7
12.5
10.4
80
30
10.4
12.5
50
29.2
8.3
8.3
73.8
14.6
4.2
14.6
6.2
4.2
16.7
73.8
20.8
10.4
11.4
4.2
6.2
44.4
25

0.4871
1
0.5137
1
1
1
1
0.5121
0.4315
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0.0772
1
1
1
1
0.3021
1
1
1
1
0.0742
1
1
1
0.4993
1
1
1
0.135
1
1
1
1
1
1
0.1414
1
1
1
1
1
0.1632
1

3
1
3
3
1
3
4
2
3
3
4
3
4
3
1
1
3
2
3
4
4
1
1
3
1
3
3
2
1
2
4
1
1
1
3
2
3
4
3
2
4
3
2
2
4
4
4
4
4
1

22.3
7.7
12.9
8.2
12.5
4.5
7.9
20.3
12
14.9
12.4
6.9
14
22.7
9.9
8.4
9.1
14.4
9.2
13.3
16.5
17
8.4
9.4
9.9
8.9
13.3
26.8
23
28.7
11.9
37.9
20.6
5.5
9.2
35.5
7.5
13.3
12.3
13.7
4
18.3
34
17.6
18.2
17.2
4
9.9
7.9
16.6

0.3395
0.911
0.7417
0.826
0.3813
1
0.8616
0.4591
0.8062
0.4967
0.5475
0.8228
0.5655
0.1182
0.6905
0.7846
0.6235
0.5495
0.6837
0.2693
0.3785
0.2999
0.7776
0.6151
0.6775
0.6757
0.3453
0.1288
0.2625
0.0528
0.4107
0.0328
0.2851
1
0.5719
0.0488
0.8028
0.2767
0.4241
0.1622
1
0.2691
0.0756
0.2937
0.1282
0.1182
1
0.5557
0.7455
0.3279

3
2
2
3
2
4
3
1
2
3
3
3
3
2
3
3
4
4
3
4
4
3
3
3
2
3
3
4
1
2
2
2
3
2
3
4
3
1
2
4
4
2
2
4
4
5
1
2
4
3

44.9
15.6
25.5
54.4
8
4.2
8.7
17.8
34.5
19.1
29.1
13.9
7.3
39.6
30.3
8.3
8.3
13.4
8.5
8.3
7.4
19.5
8.3
28.3
16.5
9.9
10.3
17.4
32.5
51.4
9.4
35.8
23.4
12.3
11.7
17.3
8.8
3.4
24.9
4.9
8.3
34.8
22.8
9.2
6.4
9.2
3.4
14.1
16.7
20.9

0.0276
0.5213
0.1904
0.0078
1
1
0.7536
0.5785
0.071
0.3817
0.1042
0.3295
1
0.0116
0.0714
0.8468
0.6669
0.8054
0.803
0.6591
1
0.3529
0.8526
0.0924
0.4129
0.6347
0.7329
0.5403
0.1162
0.0052
0.8358
0.086
0.2216
0.4313
0.4487
0.6019
0.85
1
0.1574
1
0.6663
0.0284
0.3449
0.7634
1
0.8634
1
0.3019
0.1658
0.3021

6
7
5
6
5
6
6
4
5
6
6
6
6
4
7
6
6
5
6
6
6
7
5
6
6
6
6
5
4
4
6
5
7
6
6
4
5
5
6
6
6
6
4
7
6
6
5
6
5
7

47.2
12.4
14.4
42.9
8.7
4.8
29
31.6
20.8
23
18.7
15.1
30.2
7.7
15.5
16.7
9.5
32.5
29
9.5
20.3
35.1
15.9
33.3
14.8
19.7
8.4
28.8
54.7
23.1
12.5
23.3
60.9
10.6
19
31.6
11.7
2.6
7.9
6.2
9.5
29
60.8
14.4
15.1
14.4
2.6
14.3
11.4
69.7

0.019
0.7686
0.6675
0.0362
0.841
1
0.1094
0.109
0.2643
0.3027
0.2132
0.4635
0.1156
0.8108
0.3897
0.2875
0.6489
0.0922
0.1038
0.6601
0.1814
0.0624
0.4691
0.0764
0.5059
0.2068
0.7457
0.1992
0.017
0.1236
0.6353
0.3339
0.0044
0.5469
0.2639
0.1054
0.7119
1
0.9102
1
0.6507
0.1076
0.0008
0.4945
0.4707
0.4945
1
0.3277
0.4325
0.0012

6
7
5
6
5
6
6
4
5
6
6
6
6
4
7
6
6
5
6
6
6
7
5
6
6
6
6
5
4
4
6
5
7
6
6
4
5
5
6
6
6
6
4
7
6
6
5
6
5
7

47.2
12.4
14.4
42.9
8.7
4.8
29
31.6
20.8
23
18.7
15.1
30.2
7.7
15.5
16.7
9.5
32.5
29
9.5
20.3
35.1
15.9
33.3
14.8
19.7
8.4
28.8
54.7
23.1
12.5
23.3
60.9
10.6
19
31.6
11.7
2.6
7.9
6.2
9.5
29
60.8
14.4
15.1
14.4
2.6
14.3
11.4
69.7

0.019
0.7686
0.6675
0.0362
0.841
1
0.1094
0.109
0.2643
0.3027
0.2132
0.4635
0.1156
0.8108
0.3897
0.2875
0.6489
0.0922
0.1038
0.6601
0.1814
0.0624
0.4691
0.0764
0.5059
0.2068
0.7457
0.1992
0.017
0.1236
0.6353
0.3339
0.0044
0.5469
0.2639
0.1054
0.7119
1
0.9102
1
0.6507
0.1076
0.0008
0.4945
0.4707
0.4945
1
0.3277
0.4325
0.0012

W. Khan et al. / Ecological Indicators 71 (2016) 336351

100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149

BOTANICAL NAME

Table 7 (Continued)
S NO

Ziziphus, Zanthoxylum and

Rumex Community

Quercus, Cornus and Viola

Community

Cedrus, Viburnum and

Achillea Community

Abies, Daphne and Potentilla

Community

Group was dened by

value of Electrical
Conductivity

Group was dened by

value of Aspect

Group was dened by

value of Texture Classes

Group was dened by

value of Soil pH

Group was dened by

value of Soil pH

Max val

(IV)

P*

Max val

(IV)

P*

Max val

(IV)

P*

Max val

(IV)

P*

Max val

(IV)

P*

1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0

66.7
10.4
6.2
8.3
2.1
4.2
6.2
42.9
40.3
10.4
37.5
8.3
27.1
31.6
12.5
8.3
2.1
16.7
6.2
4.2
4.2
6.2
4.2
2.1
2.1
10.4
8.3
4.2
12.5
8.3
16.7
2.1
4.2
3.2
16.7
4.2
6.2
25
12.5
70.6
42.9
2.1
10.4
2.1
28.6
2.1
47.9
8.3
7.3
4.2

0.2735
1
1
1
1
1
1
0.198
0.0222
1
0.5433
1
1
0.5245
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0.188
0.1886
1
1
1
1
1
0.4927
1
1
1

2
4
3
4
3
4
1
3
2
1
4
1
1
2
1
4
3
3
3
4
4
3
4
4
1
2
4
1
4
1
2
3
3
3
2
1
4
1
3
2
2
4
4
3
3
4
1
4
4
3

27.5
5.1
5.2
16.3
4.5
13.3
6.6
6.9
40.3
16.2
21.9
5.5
15
27.5
27.5
5.9
4.5
22.8
5.2
4
4
13.6
4
6.7
12.5
9.9
7.9
9.2
11.9
17.3
6.2
4.5
9.1
8.1
6.2
8.2
9.9
17
10.5
30.5
9.4
6.7
5.1
4.5
16.9
6.7
23.2
16.3
15.3
9.1

0.2392
1
1
0.2104
1
0.2693
0.8248
0.8234
0.0222
0.1448
0.3387
1
0.4825
0.0882
0.0236
0.8762
1
0.077
1
1
1
0.2442
1
0.5607
0.2669
0.5267
0.7518
0.4437
0.4019
0.1608
0.9486
1
0.6281
0.5281
0.9432
0.7357
0.5499
0.2963
0.4733
0.136
0.5883
0.5475
1
1
0.6419
0.5607
0.2975
0.2204
0.2104
0.6299

2
2
3
2
4
4
4
3
4
2
3
4
3
2
3
1
3
2
4
4
4
2
2
4
4
3
2
4
3
3
4
2
3
3
3
1
3
2
3
2
4
4
2
4
3
4
3
4
3
3

33.6
10.9
17.8
11.7
4.2
8.3
12.5
66.1
15.2
10.4
31.3
8.5
21.1
15.3
9.4
6.9
25
17.9
4.9
8.3
8.3
14.1
15.5
4.2
4.2
13.9
11.7
8.3
36.6
16.7
11.3
20
13.9
21
10.2
3.4
18.7
14.4
9.4
23.8
6.4
4.2
10.9
4.2
45.4
4.2
25.2
8.5
4.5
50

0.1124
0.5645
0.1696
0.5537
1
0.6591
0.5849
0.0012
0.7281
0.7003
0.1468
0.8264
0.3017
0.6819
0.8522
1
0.0856
0.3011
1
0.6773
0.6613
0.3179
0.3165
1
1
0.3377
0.5535
0.6679
0.0266
0.162
0.5151
0.1836
0.3299
0.1936
0.6793
1
0.0976
0.6871
0.8428
0.3863
1
1
0.5533
1
0.0196
1
0.4055
0.8464
1
0.0052

4
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
4
4
7
4
6
5
6
6
6
5
4
6
6
6
5
6
6
6
6
6
6
4
4
6
6
5
6
6
7
4
6
4
4
5
6
6
5
6
6
6
6
6

39.1
23.8
14.3
19
4.8
9.5
14.3
8.4
50.2
7.6
58.3
25.8
20.1
32.7
8.9
10.6
4.8
15.9
10.4
9.5
9.5
14.3
10
4.8
4.8
23.8
19
9.5
28.6
9
17.5
4.8
9.5
9.2
7.2
9.5
25.9
13.5
12.5
55.8
23.1
5
15.1
4.8
19.4
4.8
18.6
19
4.8
9.5

0.0944
0.0562
0.3287
0.2643
1
0.6601
0.3333
0.7469
0.0316
1
0.0006
0.0612
0.3107
0.0804
0.7117
0.5383
1
0.4655
0.5833
0.6573
0.6503
0.3277
0.4787
1
1
0.0538
0.2563
0.6635
0.0522
0.5709
0.2795
1
0.6633
0.5709
1
0.6603
0.0778
0.5689
0.6399
0.0006
0.116
0.5753
0.4595
1
0.6119
1
0.7864
0.2549
1
0.6529

4
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
4
4
7
4
6
5
6
6
6
5
4
6
6
6
5
6
6
6
6
6
6
4
4
6
6
5
6
6
7
4
6
4
4
5
6
6
5
6
6
6
6
6

39.1
23.8
14.3
19
4.8
9.5
14.3
8.4
50.2
7.6
58.3
25.8
20.1
32.7
8.9
10.6
4.8
15.9
10.4
9.5
9.5
14.3
10
4.8
4.8
23.8
19
9.5
28.6
9
17.5
4.8
9.5
9.2
7.2
9.5
25.9
13.5
12.5
55.8
23.1
5
15.1
4.8
19.4
4.8
18.6
19
4.8
9.5

0.0944
0.0562
0.3287
0.2643
1
0.6601
0.3333
0.7469
0.0316
1
0.0006
0.0612
0.3107
0.0804
0.7117
0.5383
1
0.4655
0.5833
0.6573
0.6503
0.3277
0.4787
1
1
0.0538
0.2563
0.6635
0.0522
0.5709
0.2795
1
0.6633
0.5709
1
0.6603
0.0778
0.5689
0.6399
0.0006
0.116
0.5753
0.4595
1
0.6119
1
0.7864
0.2549
1
0.6529

347

Duchesnea indica (Andr.) Focke.

Echinops niveus Wall. Ex DC.,
Elaeagnus parvifolia Wall
Ephedra gerardiana Wall. ex Stapf
Epilobium royleanumHausskn.,
Epipactis helleborine (L.)
ErIgeron roylei DC.,
Eulophia hormusji Du.
1
Euphorbia helioscopia L.,
Euphorbia hirta L.,
Euphorbia wallichii Hk.f.,
Foeniculum vulgare Mill.
Fragaria nubicola L.
Galium aparine L.
Galium asperifolium Wall.,
Galium elegans Wall. In Roxb.,
Galium hirtiorum DC.,
Geranium wallichianum D. Don ex Sweet,
Girardinia palmata (Forssk.)
Gnaphalium afne D. Don.,
Heliotropium paniculatum (R.Br.)
Heracleum candicans Wall. ex. DC.,
Hyoscyamus niger L.
Hypericum oblongifolium Choisy.,
Hypericum perforatum L.
Impatiens balsamina L.
Impatiens bicolor Royle.
Impatiens edgworthii Hk.f.,
Impatiens emingii Hk.f.,
Jasminum ofcinale Linn
Gerbera gossypina (Royle.)
Lactuca brunoniana (Wall. ex DC.)
Lavatera Cashmeriana Camb.,
Lecanthus peduncularis (Royle.)
Lepidium sativum L.
Lyonia ovalifolia (Wall.)
Malcolmia africana (L.)
Malva neglecta Wallr.
Malva sylvestris L.
Medicago denticulata Willd.
Mentha longifolia (Linn.), Huds
Micromeria biora Benth.
Myosotis asiatica Schischk.
Myrsine africana Linn.
Nepeta erecta Bh Bth.
Nerium oleander Linn.
Oenothera rosea Soland.,
Onychium contiguum Wall. ex Hope.,
Orchid sp.
Otostegia limbata (Benth.) Boiss.

Melia, Punica and Euphorbia

Community

W. Khan et al. / Ecological Indicators 71 (2016) 336351

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152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199

BOTANICAL NAME

Table 7 (Continued)

Oxalis corniculata L.
Papaver somniferum.Linn
Phalaris minor Retz.,
Phytolacca latbenia (Moq.)
Pimpinella acuminata (Edgew.)
Plectranthus rugosus Wall.
Plantago lanceolata Linn.
Plantago major L.
Poa annua L.
Podophyllum emodi Wall. Ex Royle.
Podophyllum hexandrum Royle.
Polygonatum verticillatum All.,
Polygonum amplexicaule D. Don
5
Potentilla fruticosa L.
Potentilla nepalensis Hk. f.
Primula veris L.
Prunella vulgaris L.
Pseudomertensia parviora (Decne.)
Pteris vittata L.
Ranunculus laetus Wall. ex H.
Ranunculus muricatus L.
Reinwardtia indica Dumort.
Rochelia stylaris Bioss.
Rumex dentatus L.
Rumex hastatus D.Don.,
2
Rumex nepalensis Spreng.
Salvia Moorcroftiana Wall.ex Benth
Sauromatum venosum (Ait.) Schott.,
Scrophularia robusta Penn.
Scutellaria linearis Bth.,
Senecio chrysanthemoides DC.
Sibbaldia cuneata Kunze.,
Silene vulgaris (Moench.)
Silybum marianum Gaertn.,
Solanum nigrumL.
Sonchus arvensis (DC.)
Strobilanthes alatus Nees non Blume
Swertia alata (D.Don)
Swertia angustifolia Ham. Ex. D.Don.,
Swertia ciliata (G. Don) B. L. Burtt
Tagetes minuta L.
Taraxacum ofcinale Weber.
Thalictrum cultratum Bl
1
Themeda anathera (Ness) Hack.
Trifolium repens L.
Tussilago farfara L.
Urtica ardens Link, Hort.,
Valeriana jatamansi Jones.
Valeriana ofcinalis (non L.) Hk. F.
Verbescum thapsis L.
Verbena bonariensis L.
3
Viola biora L.
Viola canescens Wall ex Roxb.

Melia, Punica and Euphorbia

Community

Ziziphus, Zanthoxylum and

Rumex Community

Quercus, Cornus and Viola

Community

Cedrus, Viburnum and

Achillea Community

Abies, Daphne and Potentilla

Community

Group was dened by

value of Electrical
Conductivity

Group was dened by

value of Aspect

Group was dened by

value of Texture Classes

Group was dened by

value of Soil pH

Group was dened by

value of Soil pH

Max val

(IV)

P*

Max val

(IV)

P*

Max val

(IV)

P*

Max val

(IV)

P*

Max val

(IV)

P*

1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0

27.9
2.1
6.2
6.2
2.1
2.1
18.7
25
80
6.2
18.7
8.3
36.4
18.7
16.7
4.2
10.4
4.2
22.9
35.3
22.9
6.2
6.2
42.9
30
36.4
6.2
2.1
2.1
2.1
20.8
2.1
10.4
7.3
10.4
8.3
6.2
6.2
8.3
12.5
38.7
64.9
8.3
85.7
6.2
8.3
6.2
12.5
35.4
36.4
10.4
18.7
20.8

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0.0778
1
1
1
0.3615
1
1
1
1
1
1
0.3951
1
1
1
0.1928
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0.2985
0.2995
1
0.0358
1
1
1
1
0.5497
0.3611
1
1
1

2
3
3
1
1
4
3
4
2
1
1
3
1
4
1
4
1
3
4
3
2
3
4
2
2
0
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
1
2
3
4
1
3
2
2
2
1
2
3
3
3
3
1
2
3
3
4

21
4.5
5.2
7.2
6.2
6.7
7.5
25.5
43.3
7.2
7.9
9.2
29.9
12.4
8.7
4
14.6
9.1
14.5
15.7
29.4
13.6
9.9
25.1
22.5
52.2
9.9
6.7
6.7
6.7
15.5
4.5
10.8
11.8
50.6
18.2
9.9
6.6
9.2
8.9
21.7
25.2
17.3
18.1
5.2
9.2
5.2
17.6
25
32.2
6.9
11.2
12.7

0.4087
1
1
0.6429
0.5429
0.5553
0.9476
0.1282
0.014
0.6343
0.9032
0.5653
0.0718
0.5305
0.7441
1
0.2318
0.6423
0.6075
0.4507
0.0724
0.2547
0.5593
0.082
0.3023
0.0188
0.5509
0.5607
0.5649
0.5645
0.4733
1
0.4425
0.5425
0.003
0.1228
0.5527
0.8248
0.5645
0.6135
0.1328
0.4297
0.1592
0.2639
1
0.5575
1
0.2034
0.1576
0.0528
0.821
0.5637
0.5969

3
2
2
4
4
1
3
1
2
3
1
3
4
3
2
4
1
2
2
2
3
3
1
2
1
1
3
4
1
4
2
4
3
3
4
3
2
3
3
2
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
3
1
4
3
3
2

14.7
20
14.1
12.5
4.5
5.9
54.4
9.1
16.2
12.7
9.2
15.3
12.9
29.7
17.6
8.3
20
16.6
18.2
19.4
22.3
18.7
8.7
28.6
32.5
23.4
18.7
4.2
5.9
4.2
36.8
4.2
31.2
4.2
6.4
42.9
12.6
17.8
11.7
9
9.9
22.3
11.1
20.4
12.7
15.9
12.5
63
23.8
12.9
38.9
54.4
21.3

0.9402
0.1836
0.3103
0.5735
1
0.5141
0.0082
0.946
0.6035
0.4313
0.784
0.3045
0.6283
0.0908
0.3191
0.6663
0.1768
0.2476
0.4131
0.3667
0.2484
0.087
0.7558
0.1042
0.1152
0.5779
0.0936
1
0.5239
1
0.0428
1
0.0462
1
1
0.0116
0.4659
0.1764
0.4435
0.9432
0.7149
0.7087
0.6589
0.3031
0.4303
0.2523
0.5765
0.003
0.2891
0.6231
0.0242
0.008
0.2272

5
6
6
6
7
6
7
7
4
6
7
4
7
7
7
6
7
6
7
7
4
6
4
7
4
4
6
6
6
6
5
6
6
5
4
6
6
7
6
5
4
4
7
4
6
5
6
6
7
4
6
6
6

34.6
4.8
14.3
14.3
4.8
4.8
44.2
38.7
54.1
14.3
13.3
8.8
74.3
44.4
14.1
9.5
17.2
9.5
72
40
28
6.2
10.6
20.9
48.6
32
6.2
4.8
4.8
4.8
24.9
4.8
15.1
21.9
41.7
10.6
14.3
25.8
19
7.7
17.5
37.7
23.1
29.5
14.3
11.4
14.3
8.9
27.1
35.6
15.1
42.9
16.8

0.0896
1
0.3355
0.3259
1
1
0.0186
0.0308
0.0158
0.3287
0.5573
0.7936
0.0012
0.0102
0.5227
0.6507
0.3399
0.6557
0.0006
0.0514
0.188
1
0.4023
0.2581
0.0348
0.3243
1
1
1
1
0.1696
1
0.4685
0.1491
0.0322
0.5551
0.3253
0.1372
0.2591
0.817
0.2807
0.1164
0.1944
0.1566
0.3449
0.4227
0.3241
0.7185
0.2851
0.0854
0.4663
0.0384
0.2841

5
6
6
6
7
6
7
7
4
6
7
4
7
7
7
6
7
6
7
7
4
6
4
7
4
4
6
6
6
6
5
6
6
5
4
6
6
7
6
5
4
4
7
4
6
5
6
6
7
4
6
6
6

34.6
4.8
14.3
14.3
4.8
4.8
44.2
38.7
54.1
14.3
13.3
8.8
74.3
44.4
14.1
9.5
17.2
9.5
72
40
28
6.2
10.6
20.9
48.6
32
6.2
4.8
4.8
4.8
24.9
4.8
15.1
21.9
41.7
10.6
14.3
25.8
19
7.7
17.5
37.7
23.1
29.5
14.3
11.4
14.3
8.9
27.1
35.6
15.1
42.9
16.8

0.0896
1
0.3355
0.3259
1
1
0.0186
0.0308
0.0158
0.3287
0.5573
0.7936
0.0012
0.0102
0.5227
0.6507
0.3399
0.6557
0.0006
0.0514
0.188
1
0.4023
0.2581
0.0348
0.3243
1
1
1
1
0.1696
1
0.4685
0.1491
0.0322
0.5551
0.3253
0.1372
0.2591
0.817
0.2807
0.1164
0.1944
0.1566
0.3449
0.4227
0.3241
0.7185
0.2851
0.0854
0.4663
0.0384
0.2841

W. Khan et al. / Ecological Indicators 71 (2016) 336351

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231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252

BOTANICAL NAME

348

S NO

W. Khan et al. / Ecological Indicators 71 (2016) 336351

349

Table 8
Soil (Edaphic) factor analyses of all the sampling sites (stations) of Thandiani Sub Forests Division, Abbottabadquantication in each of the ve different plant communities.
S.No

Stations

PH

EC (dsm-1)

Melia-Punica-Euphorbia Community
Mandroch
5.2
0.63
1
2
Battanga
5.3
0.29
3
Neelor
5
0.31
Bari Bak
5.3
0.28
4
Mand Dar
5.2
1.02
5
Pkhr Bnd
5.4
0.52
6
Lowr Dna
5.4
0.26
7
8
Bandi TC
4.9
0.92
9
Qalndrbd
4.8
0.54
10
Riala
4.8
0.54
Malch Lw
5.5
1.03
11
Malch Up
5.5
0.41
12
Ziziphus-Zanthoxylum-Rumex Community
1
Danna
5.5
0.62
Uper Dna
5.7
0.35
2
Pejjo
5.5
0.48
3
Lowr Bal
5.9
0.4
4
Upr Balo
6.4
0.36
5
Mera Bun
4.9
0.28
6
7
Lonr Pat
5.2
0.34
Gali Ban
5.8
0.27
8
Riala Ca
4.9
0.61
9
Resrv FC
6.6
0.41
10
Upper GB
6.2
0.24
11
12
Chatrri
6.4
0.43
Terarri
5.1
0.37
13
14
Upr Rial
4.9
0.31
15
Terari C
5.4
0.6
16
Mathrika
5.9
0.45
Quercus-Cornus-Viola Community
1
Mthrka T
6.2
0.22
2
Jabbra
6.3
0.49
3
Darral
5.5
0.2
4
Makali
6.5
0.25
Ladrri
6.1
0.62
5
Upper KP
6.5
0.53
6
7
Kakl RFC
5.8
0.51
8
Parringa
6.6
0.44
9
Satu Top
6.8
0.45
Lower KP
6.4
0.33
10
11
Larri
6.5
0.55
Cedrus-Viburnum-Achillea Community
1
Pallu Zr
6.7
0.41
2
Lari Tra
6.3
0.26
Lari Top
6.8
0.73
3
4
Sawan Gl
6.7
0.38
Lower Th
6.6
0.39
5
Upper TC
6.7
0.57
6
Abies-Daphne-Potentilla Community
Mera RKC
6.6
0.22
1
Mera RKT
6.8
0.34
2
Lwr Nmal
7.1
0.2
3
Upr Nmal
7.2
0.36
4
Sikher
7.2
0.39
5

% O.M

% CaCO3

% Sand

% Silt

% Clay

T.Classes

P (ppm)

K (ppm)

0.55
1.04
1.24
0.85
1.06
0.57
1.32
0.5
0.65
0.55
1.08
1.1

11
6.5
9.7
12
6.3
8.6
8
12.5
13.7
8.5
8.7
7.5

25.8
49.8
37.8
39.4
47.8
26.3
51.8
15.8
17.8
26.4
45.8
35.2

52
36
46
42
36
49.5
36
64
64
49.4
30
34

22.2
14.2
16.2
16.2
16.2
24.1
12.2
20.2
18.2
24.2
24.2
30.2

1
4
4
4
4
4
4
1
1
4
4
2

8
6
6
7
5
5
6
6
7
5
5
6

155
125
145
140
130
110
130
135
145
110
125
135

1.15
0.72
1.05
1.07
1.1
0.75
0.65
1.2
0.5
1.15
1.06
1.1
0.7
0.72
0.56
1.24

8.3
1.3
8.2
7.7
6.6
13
8
8
12.7
6.8
8.4
9.2
9.5
1.1
11
6.7

33.8
29.2
27.8
45.8
29.9
39.8
35.8
41.8
21.8
37.8
35.8
21.8
40.4
29.8
33.8
29.8

48
60
52
28
40
44
52
44
54
44
40
58
45.4
60
46
56

18.2
10.2
20.2
26.2
32.1
16.2
12.2
14.2
24.2
18.2
24.2
20.2
14.2
10.2
20.2
14.2

4
1
1
2
2
4
1
4
1
4
4
1
1
1
4
1

6
6
5
7
6
7
8
6
6
6
6
6
7
6
7
6

135
120
115
145
120
140
150
105
105
110
120
115
135
125
130
135

1.2
1.07
0.6
0.55
0.6
1.05
1.18
0.8
0.55
1.08
1.15

7.4
7.3
13
10.5
9.5
7.2
5.8
7.8
12
6.5
8

55.8
69.6
41.8
35.8
16.8
69.2
29.2
21.8
31.8
29.8
35.8

34
20.1
42
50
58
20.6
44.6
56
58
38
50

10.2
10.1
16.2
14.2
26.2
10.2
26.2
22.2
10.2
32.2
14.2

3
3
4
4
1
3
4
1
1
2
4

7
5
5
6
7
5
5
6
5
6
5

145
120
110
120
130
90
140
120
115
115
110

1.2
1.25
1.07
1.2
1.1
1.15

6.9
7
7.4
6
9.2
9

37.1
57.2
45.8
49.2
53.2
45.2

43
26.2
42
28.6
32
44.2

18.1
16.2
12.2
22.2
14.8
10.2

4
3
4
2
4
4

6
5
6
6
5
5

115
110
125
115
110
105

0.7
0.65
0.6
0.55
0.75

10
8
8
6
9

29.8
21.8
35.8
33.8
46.8

44
54
44
60.6
35.2

26.2
24.2
20.2
15.6
18.2

4
1
4
1
1

8
8
6
6
7

140
145
120
125
135

est types that occur there. These forests are, however, under
considerable conversion pressure as land use intensies with
expanding human population and economic development. Conservation strategies based on the geographic patterns of botanical
species richness and diversity, including the identication of meaningful oristic regions and priority areas for conservation, could
improve the effectiveness of forest policy and management. These
strategies should also include current threats of loss due to forest
conversion to address the more urgent challenges for sustainable development. Here, we produce distribution models for 252
plant species using multivariate analysis, collecting geo-referenced
herbarium specimens. Our ndings provide clear priorities for the
development of a sustainable and feasible biodiversity conservation strategy for TsFD through indicator species approach.

7. Conclusions
Plant ecologists have commonly been conscious that vegetation
shows a discrepancy over a broad variety of particular factors and
areas. We have demonstrated that both species composition and
species pattern of vegetation in the TsFD depend more strongly on
soil pH, aspect and soil electrical conductivity than on any other soil
or climatic variables. This relationship even exists across a narrow
range of near-neutral pH values; slopes with north-west and southeast aspects and low electrical conductivity. This study indicates
that environmental factors have a strong inuence on vegetation
gradients and that the association of plant species changed in
response to edaphic, topographic and climatic gradients. There are
three major implications of the current study: (1) How to document
species composition, pattern and abundance at peak growing sea-

350

W. Khan et al. / Ecological Indicators 71 (2016) 336351

son and classify vegetation to potential plant communities using

Cluster Analyses (CA) through PCORD. (2) How to use sampling
methods for nding relationships between plant communities and
complex set of environmental variables using robust statistical
approaches via Two Way Cluster (TWCA) and Indicator Species
Analyses (ISA). (3) These techniques give a way to identify indicator
vegetation of specic habitats and hence directly or indirectly contribute to biodiversity and habitat conservation and management
plans.
Acknowledgements
We are thankful to the curator,Herbarium of Hazara University Mansehra Pakistan, for providing help in identication of all
the plant specimens. We are also thankful to Directorate of Higher
Education Khyber Pakhtun Khwah, Pakistan for nancial assistance
towards this project.
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