Vegetation of Pakistan

1. Topic: Vegetation of Pakistan
Presented by: Ebadet Ali Alvi (M.phil Scholar)
Email: ebadetalvi697@gmail.com
DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY
HAZARA UNIVERSITY MANSEHRA

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Table of Contents
1. General introduction to Pakistan.....................................................................................................3
2. Concept of vegetation .....................................................................................................................3
3. Relationship between the climate and vegetation of Pakistan ........................................................4
4. Littoral and Swamp forests vegetation............................................................................................4
4.1. Distribution .............................................................................................................................4
4.2. Locality factors .......................................................................................................................4
4.3. Floristic ...................................................................................................................................5
5. Tropical dry deciduous forests vegetation ......................................................................................5
5.1. Distribution .............................................................................................................................5
5.2. Locality factors .......................................................................................................................5
5.3. Floristic ...................................................................................................................................6
6. Tropical thorn Forests vegetation ...................................................................................................6
6.1. Distribution .............................................................................................................................6
6.2. Locality factor.........................................................................................................................7
6.3. Floristic ...................................................................................................................................7
7. Sub-Tropical broad-leaved evergreen Forests vegetation...............................................................7
7.1. Distribution ..................................................................................................................................8
7.2. Locality Factors ...........................................................................................................................8
7.3. Floristic ........................................................................................................................................8
8.Sub-Tropical Pine Forests vegetation ..................................................................................................8
8.1. Distribution ..................................................................................................................................9
8.2. Locality factors ............................................................................................................................9
8.3. Floristic ........................................................................................................................................9
9. Himalayan moist temperate forests vegetation .................................................................................10
9.1. Distribution ................................................................................................................................10
9.2. Locality factors ..........................................................................................................................10
9.3. Floristic ......................................................................................................................................10
10. Himalayan dry temperate forests vegetation...................................................................................11
10.1 Distribution ...............................................................................................................................11
10.2. Locality factors ........................................................................................................................11
10.3. Floristic ....................................................................................................................................11
11. Sub-alpine forests vegetation..........................................................................................................12
11.1. Distribution ..............................................................................................................................12
11.2. Locality factors ........................................................................................................................12

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11.3. Floristic ....................................................................................................................................12
12. Alpine Scrub vegetation..................................................................................................................13
12.1. Distribution ..............................................................................................................................13
12.2. Floristic ....................................................................................................................................13
13. Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................13
14. References.......................................................................................................................................14

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1. General introduction to Pakistan
Pakistan is situated in the North West part of south East Asia. It is located just above the
equator. It lies between the latitude of 23.45 degree and 36.75-degree north and longitude 61
and 75.5 degree east. About 59% area is covered by mountains and plateaus. Whereas the
plains and desert region consists of 41% area. Pakistan is also surrounded by three main
mountain regions the Himalayan, Karakoram and Hindukush mountain ranges. Pakistan is
also blessed by five major rivers for the purpose of watering. There are also small canals,
some dams that provides water to forests of Pakistan.
2. Concept of vegetation
In ecology the term Vegetation is applied to explain the overall characteristics of plant cover
in an area by referring to dominant plant growth forms or structural characteristics, e.g.,
forest vegetation, grassland vegetation or using either colloquial or technical descriptors, e.g.,
desert vegetation, cliff vegetation, arctic vegetation; or, referring to specific plant
communities.
Vegetation is a wide term than flora, which refers specifically to the plant diversity of an
area. Vegetation can range from natural to cultural. Spatially, vegetation can be thought of as
the mosaic of plant communities across the landscape. Vegetation integrates the combined
influence of a variety of environmental factors. The main factors determining vegetation
conditions in a specific area are:
• Climate: Macroclimate has a primary effect on the overall flora – the plants that
make up the vegetation.
• Organisms: The vegetation development is affected by plants, animals, fungi, and
microorganisms through various interspecies and habitat relationships
• Topography: The movement of surface and soil water is determined, and therefore
the moisture and some nutrient availability; also influences microclimate, e.g., aspect,
cold air drainage.
• Soil parent material: It has a primary influence on moisture and nutrient conditions
in the substrates within which plants grow.
• Time: The length of development time, since either vegetation establishment or
significant disturbance of existing vegetation, affects the characteristics of current
vegetation.

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3. Relationship between the climate and vegetation of Pakistan
Climate and vegetation exert some degree of influence on each other. Both climate and
vegetation profoundly affect soil development.The vegetation in Pakistan is divided into nine
categories on the basis of climate, altitude and plant types. These are:
• Littoral and Swamp Forests vegetation
• Tropical dry deciduous Forests vegetation
• Tropical thorn Forests vegetation
• Sub-Tropical broad-leaved evergreen Forests vegetation
• Sub-Tropical Pine Forests vegetation
• Himalayan moist temperate forests vegetation
• Himalayan dry temperate forests vegetation
• Sub-alpine forests vegetation
• Alpine Scrub vegetation
4. Littoral and Swamp forests vegetation
These forests occupy at least 14 million hectors and 257500 hectors are found in Pakistan,
one of the 7th largest Littoral and Swamp forests in world. The forest is not important from
the point of view of timber production. Mangrove forests are teeming with life. They are
natural habitat to a large number of insects, microorganisms, birds, different mammals as
well as snakes. Mangrove areas act as physical breeding grounds and nurseries for fish,
shrimp and crabs. During winters, many guest birds from north also come to breed here. It
also protects the coast against tidal erosion.
4.1. Distribution
These forests occur at elevation 0-20 ft. These are more or less gregarious forests of low
height which occur in the Arabian Sea around the coast of Karachi and Pasni in Baluchistan
and along the coast of Gwadar.
4.2. Locality factors
Annual rainfall is 6-8 inches. Temperature varies between 24-25 degree centigrade.
Humidity is 75%.

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4.3. Floristic
The main species is Avicennia marina. Other species like Rhizophora have disappeared
over a period of time due to heavy cutting. According to latest estimates, these forests cover
an area of 207,000 ha. Carious tagal is also present
5. Tropical dry deciduous forests vegetation
These are forests of low or moderate height consisting almost entirely of deciduous species.
Their canopy is typically light though it may appear fairly dense and complete during the
short rainy season.
5.1. Distribution
This type does not occur extensively in Pakistan but there are limited areas in the
Rawalpindi foothills carrying this vegetation type, all much adversely affected by close
proximity to habitation or cultivation. The forests occur at elevation 1200-2000 ft.
5.2. Locality factors
The spring is hot and dry but there is much rain in late summer up to 37 inches in the year.
Its temperature ranges between 21-27-degree C. Humidity is also low in these forest
regions. The humidity is 60%.

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5.3. Floristic
The chief species are:
• Trees include Bombax cieba, Dalbergia sissoo, Cassia fistula, Mallotus and Acacia
catechu.
• Shrubs include Adhatoda, Indigofera and Gymnosporia.
• Grasses include Heteropogon contortus.
6. Tropical thorn Forests vegetation
In upper Indus plains these forests are known as Rakh forest while in lower Indus plains as
Desert forests. In open low forests in which thorny usually hard wood species predominant.
These trees have short bole and low branching crowns. Regeneration occurs by root sucker.
They are primarily used as firewood.
6.1. Distribution
These forests occur at elevation 1200 ft. The types of forest naturally growing over the whole
of Indus plain except for the driest parts and area covered by annual inundation. They are
most widespread in the Punjab plains but also occupy small areas in southern Sindh and
western Baluchistan.

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6.2. Locality factor
Means annual temperature varies from 75 degree Fahrenheit to 80 degree Fahrenheit, while
mean annual rainfall is 30 inch down to 5 inch with variation from year to year.
6.3. Floristic
• Trees include Prosopis cineraria, Capparis deciduas, Acacia niltotica, Populus
euphratica, Zizyphus mauritiana, and Salvadora oleoides.
• Shrub includes Calatropis procera.
• Halophytes includes Suaeda sp.
7. Sub-Tropical broad-leaved evergreen Forests vegetation
These are xerophytes forests of thorny and small-leafed evergreen species. Commonly theses
are known as scrub forests. These forest consist of branchy trees forming a canopy if
complete closure or scattered trees with a shrub growth. These trees and shrubs are mostly
thorny and evergreen, but some, like olive and pomegranate are not thorny.

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7.1. Distribution
These scrub forest occurs at height of 1500-5000 feet. These forests are found in Gujrat,
Margalla Hills, Attock and Malakand. Actually broadly speaking, these forests occur
throughout the country at suitable elevation merging downwards with the sub-tropical pine
forest.
7.2. Locality Factors
Temperature runs high in summer and long dry seasons. The temperature ranges between 10-
29-degree C. Humidity level is low. Humidity is less than 50% or very low up to 15%.
Rainfall is 30 inches or below 5 inches.
7.3. Floristic
• Trees include Pistacia integerrima, P. khinjak, Olea cuspidata and Acacia modesta.
• Shrub includes Sophora griffithii and Dodonaea.
• Gymnosperms also present. The one of the gymnosperm specie includes Ephedra
foliata.
8. Sub-Tropical Pine Forests vegetation
Generally known as Chir pine forests, having canopy which may be up to 120ft. high with
trees up to 7-8ft girth. There are heavy needle falling May and forests are in variously burnt

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unless special protection measures are taken. These are open inflammable pine forests
sometimes with, but often without, a dry evergreen shrub layer and little or no Underwood.
8.1. Distribution
Chir forests found between 3500-5500 ft. or 7000 ft. elevations. They are extended in the
western and eastern Himalayan limits. Mainly these are found inAbbottabad, Manshera,
Kashmir, Dir, Swat.
8.2. Locality factors
Temperature lies between 16 to 22 degree centigrade and monsoon rainfall is 30-50
inches.The humidity level is about 65%-70%.
8.3. Floristic
• Trees include Pinus longifolia, P. roxburghii, and P. wallichiana.
• Angiospermic trees also exist. The main of it is Quercus incana.
• Shrubs include Olea cuspidate, Gymnosporia sp and Rubus fruticosus.
• The dominant Grass is Heteropogon sp.
• Liannas include Smilaxsp and Hedera.
Others includeBerbaris, Caricaspinarum and Rosa mushcata.

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9. Himalayan moist temperate forests vegetation
These forests are located in the outer region whole length of Himalayans. These are the
evergreen forests of conifers. They also extend into dry temperature forest and to small extent
into sub alpine forest. Locally with some a mixture of oak and deciduous broad-leaved trees
fall in this category. Their undergrowth is rarely dense, and consists of both evergreen and
deciduous species. They are located between the forests of Sub Tropical Pine forest and of
the Sub Alpine forests. The forests are divided into Upper zone and Lower zone to which
specific types of vegetation are grown.
9.1. Distribution
These forests occur between 4500 feet to 10,000 feet elevation. Mainly these are found in
Murry, Kaghan, AJK, and Nathiagali.Shogran.
9.2. Locality factors
Rainfall is permanent feature of monsoon and rain is quite unpredictable.Average rain fall per
annum is 30-70 inches. The temperature ranges between 4-22-degree. Humidity of these
region forests is 50-70%.
9.3. Floristic
• In the lower zone the dominating vegetation are of Cedrusdeodara, Pinuswallichiana,
Pinus excels, Taxasbaccata, Abiespindrow, are main coniferous trees of these regions.
• Angiospermic trees involve the Qurcusincana, Aesculusindica.
• Shrubs include Rubussp, Vibernumcotonifolium and Sarcococcasaligna.
• Herbs include the Fragariavesca, and Podophyllum.
• Ferns are also present and the dominating are the Adiantum and Dryopteris.
• A liana includes Hedera helix.

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10. Himalayan dry temperate forests vegetation
These are open evergreen forest with open scrub undergrowth. Both coniferous and broad-
leaved species are present. This type occurs on the inner ranges throughout their length and
are mainly represented in the north-west.
10.1.Distribution
Generally, occur at elevation of 5000-11000 ft. extending to 12000 ft. on southern aspects. In
the inner mountain ranges which are beyond the effective reach of the South-West monsoon.
Areas, where these are growing include Northern Areas Chitral, Neelam, Kaghan valley,
higher parts of Suleiman range Ziarat and Shingarh.
10.2. Locality factors
The annual total rainfall is less than 30 inches and this type of forest it confined to hilly
country and most it on steep rocky slopes. The level of humidity is about 60%.Temperature is
very low in these forests.
10.3. Floristic
• Pinus gerardiana, Cedrus deodara, Quercus ilex, Pistacia khinjak andJuniperus
communis.
• Shrubs include the Rosa webbiana as the dominating shrub.
• Grasses also exists. The main grass type is Dicanthium.
• The Gymnospermic dominating tree is the Ephedra sp.

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11. Sub-alpine forests vegetation
In sub alpine forests Abies pindrow and Pinus wallichiana stand singly and in groups over in
irregular and sometimes dense, lower story is of broad leaved trees in which Betula utilus is
typically dominated at higher elevation. In early days the barks of Betula utilus was used as
writing material because at that time paper was not invented.
11.1. Distribution
Sub-alpine forests zone is topmost tree formation in Himalaya being developed between
11000 to 12000 ft. on northern aspects. It is found Kashmir, upper dir., swat, Chitral and
Hazara.
11.2. Locality factors
Mean annual temperature is 10degree centigrade. The humidity level is 50% in these forests.
The rain fall measurement per annum is just 26 inches. These forests are covered by snow.
The recorded snow fall is 6ft.
11.3. Floristic
• Pinus wallichiana, Abies spectabilis and Betula utilis are the typical tree species.
• The dominating Angiospermic tree is Vibernum salix.
• Short trees also present. One of it is Junipers communis.
• The Gymnospermic plant is the Ephedra spp.

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12. Alpine Scrub vegetation
At this zone quite a limited no. of species exists. The stems are generally flexible and adapted
to snow pressure. Good herbaceous flora is also present. Under this type are included shrub
formations 1 m to 2 m high extending 150 m or more above the sub-alpine forests.
12.1. Distribution
Generally, about 1100 ft. Altitude and above. Alpine are present in Kashmir, Hazara, Upper
dir.
12.2. Floristic
• Shrub includes the Lonicera, salix, Rosa sp. and Berberis sp.
• An herb that dominates in these forests is Anemone sp.
• Short tree Juniperus turkestanica is the typical tree type of these forests.
• Cotoneaster also present with Juniperus and occasionally Rhododendron or Ephedra
present.
13. Conclusion
Pakistan is a blessed country which has 9 different types of Vegetation. Most of the
vegetation type consists of tropical trees because of the location of Pakistan just above the
equator. There is a close relationship between the vegetation and climatic conditions of
Pakistan. Both factors affect each other. In combined form, both exert their influence on soil
development. Different vegetation types are found on the basis of different climatic
conditions. Specific climate is suited for a specific vegetation type. The climate of Karachi,
Pasni and Gwadar is suitable for Littoral and Swamp forest vegetation. Tropical dry
deciduous forests vegetation occurs at an elevation 1200-2000 ft. Tropical thorn forests

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vegetation grows over whole Indus plains. It is also widespread in Punjab plains. Sub-
Tropical broad leaved evergreen forest vegetation is found in Gujrat, Margalla Hills,
Malakand and Attock. Climate of Kaghan, Murree and Shogran is suitable for Himalayan
moist temperate forests vegetation. Northern Areas Chitral, Neelam, Kaghan valley, higher
parts of Suleiman range Ziarat and Shingarh have Himalayan dry temperate forests
vegetation. Kashmir, upper dir., swat, Chitral and Hazara have Sub-alpine forests vegetation.
Alpine are present in Kashmir, Hazara, Upper dir. These vegetation typesare watered by 5
major rivers of Pakistan as well as the season of monsoon brings a lot of water for different
types of vegetation.
14. References
1. https://www.scribd.com/doc/100666760/Forest-Types-of-pakistan
2. http://www.pakstudynotes.com/vegetation-and-forests-of-pakistan/
3. http://www.cssforum.com.pk/css-optional-subjects/group-v/agriculture-
forestry/forestry/33446-forest-types-pakistan.html
4. http://biologyboom.com/local-vegetation-of-pakistan/
5. http://www.answers.com/Q/What_are_natural_vegetation_of_Pakistan