Studies on Vegetation and Soil Characteristics of Karachi University Campus

Muhammad Shafiq, Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, Jawayria A. Rab, Mohammad Athar

Abstract


A survey of vegetation of Karachi University was conducted. Total numbers of nineteen species were recorded. Aeluropus lagopoides (Linn.) Trin. attained the highest importance value index (260.50) followed by  Suaeda fruticosa   (L.) 228.93, Zygophyllum simplex (L.) 223.15, Prosopis juliflora (Swartz) DC. 194.54, Salvia sentolinifolia L. 148.46 and Calotropis procera  (Willd) 137. 95. Whereas, Digera muricata  (L.) Mart attained the moderate importance value index 81.47. Senna holosericea  (L.) attained further lower importance value index 27.34. P. juliflora attained the leading presence class IV. Four species viz. Aeluropus lagopoides, S. fruticosa, Z. simplex and A. javanica attained Class II. Whereas, fourteen species, A. fruticosum, C. trilocularis, S. holosericea, T. amplexicaule, C. depressus, T. terrestis, F. indica, A. aspera, H. europium, S. baryosma, S. sentolinifolia, C. procera and  D. muricata  attained presence class I.

The physical and chemical soil characteristics of the campus area were related with the vegetation of the areas. The campus area soil was alkaline in nature. The physical properties of Campus soil such as Maximum Water Holding Capacity (23.50 – 41.00 %), bulk density (1.30 – 1.60 g/cc) and porosity (40.60 – 47.60 %) were recorded. Chemical properties of soil for total dissolved salts (0.50 – 1.90 %), extractable sodium (150 - 3100 µg–g), extractable potassium (160 – 310 µg–g ), calcium carbonate (4.10 – 27.10 %), electrical conductivity of soil (0.80 - 2.80 mS cm-1), available sulphur (8.45 – 73.0 µg–g) and chloride (3.60 – 397.50 Meq. l-1) were determined.  


Keywords


Halopytes, Importance Value Index (I.V.I), plant communities, soil characteristics, xerophytes

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References


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