Adaptive floristic diversity and ecological responses to environmental gradients in the saline soil ecosystem

Abstract

Floristic diversity of mountainous regions is the depiction of their specific environmental conditions. This study aimed to assess plant diversity, analyze the impact of environmental variables, and identify indicator species across four hill sites. 151 quadrats sampled 117 plant species from 48 families, dominated by Poaceae, Fabaceae, and Asteraceae. Native flora accounted for 79% of species, while non-native plants (21%) indicated anthropogenic influences. Diversity indices revealed significant spatial variability, with KKH showing the highest Shannon and Simpson diversity. At the same time, BSH displayed the lowest diversity and highest dominance, reflecting ecological stress from grazing and anthropogenic pressures. Canonical Correspondence Analysis identified soil saturation, organic matter, and proximity to human settlements as significant drivers of species composition. Beta diversity analysis highlighted compositional turnover as the primary driver of site differences, with BSH and CSH showing distinct clustering due to species replacement. Indicator species analysis identified 22 key species, such as Boerhavia diffusa, Cynodon dactylon, and Justicia adhatoda, as ecological markers of site-specific conditions. Positive correlations between diversity indices and environmental variables, particularly altitude, soil saturation, and organic matter, emphasized their role in shaping species richness and community structure. This study provides critical insights into the ecological patterns of a hypersaline environment, highlighting the need for targeted conservation efforts to mitigate anthropogenic impacts and preserve the region’s unique biodiversity.