Evaluation of Climatic and Anthropogenic Impacts on Phytosociological Aspects and Conservation Status of Native Flora in One of Protected and Unprotected Habitats of Cholistan Desert, Pakistan

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the long term effects of anthropogenic, climatic, edaphic, and seasonal variations on present floristic and ecological status of two distinct sites i.e., protected (Biodiversity Park) and unprotected (nearby areas) in the Derawar region of Lesser Cholistan Desert. The study was conducted for four years over a seasonal period of spring 2019 (February-March) to fall 2022 (September to October). For the exploration of maximum diversity at both sites, quadrats of 10 × 10 m were placed randomly. Ten soil, twelve anthropogenic, seven environmental and eight seasonal variables were used to assess their relationship with vegetation of both sites during four years of study. For statistical analysis, data was processed in the SPSS for LSD test and R Studio for Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) and heat map preparation. A total of 84 plant species, belonging to 62 genera and 26 families, were identified in the Derawar region. Herbaceous plants comprised the majority, with 42 species, followed by grasses (22 species), shrubs (12 species), trees (7 species), and one sedge species. The protected site exhibited higher species diversity, with 76 species from 23 families, compared to the unprotected site, which had 49 species from 15 families. Species richness, Simpson index, and Shannon index showed significant declines in diversity from the protected to the unprotected site.