Ecological and phenological study of native flora in dynamic habitats of semi-arid subtropical region, district Mandi Baha Uddin of Punjab, Pakistan

Documentation of ecological traits of vegetation and its distribution among various geographical locations is a fundamental criterion for conservation and management of ecosystem. For this, present research was conducted during 2021 to 2023 to explore native vegetation and record their eco-functional traits in district Mandi Baha Uddin (MB Din) of Punjab, Pakistan. Plant species were collected from various microhabitats by applying random stratified sampling method from 90 sampling points having 270 quadrates. Canoco and R packages were practiced to link vegetation and environmental factors. A total of 133 native species linked to 32 families were recorded. Distribution of native species among the dissimilar families was very uneven with the prominent families recorded were Poaceae (38 species) and Leguminosae (16 species). The dominant habit form was herbaceous, which contributed 68 herbs (51%) and 38 (29%) grasses. A total of 77 (58%) annual and 56 (42%) perennial native plants were identified in relation to life form. In relation to biological spectrum of native plants, leading life form spectra was of therophytes with 73 (54%) species followed by chamaeophytes with 29 (21%) species and leading leaf size spectra was of nanophylls with 53 (40%) and microphyll 38 (29%). Phenological pattern uncovered that maximum flowering response was exposed during the months of Aug-Sep (70 species) and Mar-Apr (39 species). Temporal analysis depicted that monsoon (70 species) and spring (41 species) seasons favored the flowering of flora compared to summer (18) and winter (4 species) seasons in the research area and that was greatly influenced by change in temperature among various climatic variables. Vegetation link with different habitats designed 5 vegetation groups in various microhabitats among which grassland, forest land and road side habitats favored maximum native flora whereas barrage land and dry land show minimum diversity.