This document provides an overview of plant geography in Pakistan. It begins by defining plant geography and describing Pakistan's geography. It then discusses the major plant types found in Pakistan, including desert, montane, riverine, coastal, and alpine plants. Threats to plant life like deforestation and climate change are also covered. The document outlines Pakistan's main vegetation types and factors influencing plant distribution. It concludes by emphasizing the importance of conserving Pakistan's rich plant biodiversity for economic and environmental sustainability.

2. Department of Environmental Sciences,
NFC Institute of Engineering & Technology Multan
PLANT GEOGRAPHY IN PAKISTAN
by
SIDRA YASEEN
Registration # 2k21-BSES-05
Course Instructor
Sir Arbaz Madni
Sessional Lecturer / Environmental Consultant
Course 19 Presentation | BS (Hons.) Environmental Sciences
Session: 2021-2025

3. Outline:
 Plant Geography
 Geography of Pakistan
 Plant Life in Pakistan
 Threats to Plant Life in Pakistan
 Vegetation Types in Pakistan
 Factors Influencing Plant Distribution in Pakistan
 Conclusion
 Reference

4. Plant Geography in
Pakistan

5. Plant Geography:
■ The study of the spatial distributions of plants and vegetation and of
the environmental relationships which may influence these
distributions.
■ Plant geography (or certain aspects of it) is also known as
phytogeography, phytochorology, geobotany, geographical botany, or
vegetation science.

6. Geography of Pakistan:
■ Pakistan is a country with an area of
881,913 km² and is located in the
western part of South Asia.
■ It shares borders with Afghanistan to the
northwest, China to the northeast, India to
the east, and Iran to the southwest.
■ The country is geographically diverse, with
four main regions: the northern
mountainous region, the Indus River plain,
the Balochistan plateau, and the coastal
strip along the Arabian Sea.

7. Plant Life in Pakistan:
■ Pakistan has a rich variety of plant life due to its
diverse geography and climatic conditions.
■ The country is home to more than 6,000 species
of plants, including trees, shrubs, herbs, and
grasses.
■ The plants in Pakistan can be classified into
different types based on their habitats.
■ For Example: Plants are a kingdom of life forms
that includes familiar organisms such as trees,
herbs, bushes, grasses, vines, ferns and mosses.

8. Desert
Plants
Montane
Plants
Riverine
Plants
Coastal
Plants
Alpine
Plants

9. 1.Desert Plants:
■ The Balochistan plateau and the Thar Desert in Sindh and Punjab are the two main
desert regions in Pakistan.
■ These regions are characterized by arid and semi-arid climates, with temperatures
ranging from 50°C in the summer to below freezing in the winter.
■ Some of the common desert plants in Pakistan include the Acacia, Tamarix, Salvadora,
Calligonum, and Ziziphus species.
2.Montane Plants:
■ The northern mountainous region of Pakistan is home to a diverse range of
montane plants.
■ The region has a temperate climate, with temperatures ranging from below
freezing in the winter to 30°C in the summer.

10. ■ The montane plants in Pakistan can be classified into different types based on their
altitude.
■ The lower montane forests are dominated by conifers such as Pinus wallichiana,
Picea smithiana, and Abies pindrow.
■ The upper montane forests are dominated by broad-leaved trees such as Quercus
ilex, Quercus semecarpifolia, and Betula utilis.
3.Riverine Plants:
■ The Indus River is the lifeline of Pakistan and supports a variety of plant life along its
banks.
■ The riverine plants in Pakistan are adapted to the wet and humid conditions of the
riverbanks.
■ Some of the common riverine plants in Pakistan include the Acacia, Eucalyptus,
Tamarix, and Populus species.

11. 4.Coastal Plants:
■ The coastal strip along the Arabian Sea in Pakistan is characterized by a hot and
humid climate.
■ The coastal plants in Pakistan are adapted to the saline conditions of the sea and
the sandy soil of the coastal region.
■ Some of the common coastal plants in Pakistan include the Mangrove species
such as Rhizophora mucronata, Avicennia marina, and Ceriops tagal.
5.Alpine Plants:
■ The alpine region of Pakistan is located above the tree line and is characterized by
harsh climatic conditions such as cold temperatures, high winds, and low oxygen
levels.
■ The alpine plants in Pakistan are adapted to these extreme conditions and include
species such as Saxifraga, Primula, and Gentiana.

13. Threats to Plant Life in Pakistan:
■ Despite the rich variety of plant life in
Pakistan, there are several threats to its
survival.
■ Some of the major threats to plant life in
Pakistan include deforestation, habitat
destruction, overgrazing, and climate
change.
■ Deforestation has resulted in the loss of
forest.
■ Threats to plant biodiversity include
the increasing human population, pollution,
deforestation, and species extinction.

14. Vegetation Types in Pakistan:
■ Forests
■ Shrub lands
■ Grasslands
■ Deserts

15. 1. Forests:
■ Forests provide natural resources like
timber, fuel wood, and non-timber forest
products that can reduce pressure on
agricultural land.
■ They also regulate water cycles and support
soil fertility, helping to maintain healthy
ecosystems.
■ Moreover, forests can act as carbon sinks,
mitigating the effects of climate change.

16. 2. Shrub Lands:
■ Shrub lands play an important role in managing
agricultural land use in Pakistan.
■ They help to prevent soil erosion by stabilizing the
soil with their roots, which is especially important
in areas prone to droughts and floods.
■ Shrub lands also provide shade and shelter for
crops and livestock, which can help to improve
their productivity.

17. 3. Grasslands:
■ Grasslands are characterized by a mix of
grasses and herbaceous plants, with few
or no trees.
■ In Pakistan, grasslands are found in
various regions, including the Indus River
plain, the Pothohar Plateau, and the
Baluchistan Plateau.
■ They help to prevent soil erosion by
stabilizing the soil with their roots, which is
especially important in areas prone to
droughts and floods.

18. 4. Deserts:
■ Pakistan has several desert regions,
including the Thar Desert and the Cholistan
Desert.
■ Vegetation in these areas is sparse and
adapted to the harsh desert conditions.
■ Some of the common plant species found in
Pakistani deserts include Acacia senegal,
Prosopis cineraria, Tamarix aphylla, and
Ziziphus nummularia.

19. Factors Influencing Plant Distribution in
Pakistan:
■ Climate:
The country has a diverse climate with a range of temperature and precipitation
regimes, which results in a variety of plant communities.
■ Topography:
The country has a diverse topography, with a range of landforms such as mountains,
plateaus, valleys, plains, and deserts. Each of these landforms has its own unique
characteristics that influence plant distribution in different ways.
■ Soil Type:
The country has a wide variety of soil types, ranging from sandy and saline soils in the
arid regions to fertile alluvial soils in the river valleys. Each soil type has unique
characteristics that influence the types of plants that can grow in a particular area.

20. Policy measures:
■ National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.
■ Protected Areas Initiative.
■ Forest Policy.
■ Wildlife Protection Act.
■ Convention on Biological Diversity.
Overall, these policy measures demonstrate the government's commitment to
conserving Pakistan's plant geography and biodiversity. However, there is still much work to
be done to ensure the long-term sustainability of these efforts.

21. Reference:
1. "Vegetation of Pakistan" by M. Qaiser and S.A. Khan: This book provides an
overview of the vegetation types found in Pakistan, including descriptions of their
ecological characteristics and distribution.
2. "Plant Geography of Pakistan" by M. Afzal and M. Arshad: This book provides a
detailed analysis of the plant geography of Pakistan, including information on the
major vegetation types, their distribution, and ecological characteristics.
3. https://www.google.com/search?q=Threats+to+Plant+Life&source=lnms&tbm=is
ch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjE2uKCveD-
AhXOgf0HHQawD6EQ_AUoAXoECAEQAw&biw=1366&bih=625&dpr=1#imgrc=5-
LEUn9xmjjH-M
4. Qureshi, R., & Bhatti, G. R. (2014). Vegetation ecology of Pakistan: A review.
Pakistan Journal of Botany, 46(1), 9-26.
5. Ahmad, S. S., & Ahmad, F. (2015). Ethno botanical and ecological studies of flora of
Cholistan desert, Pakistan. Asian Journal of Plant Science and Research, 5(3), 7-
13.

22. Conclusion:
Overall, the plant geography of Pakistan is an important and complex field of study, with
significant implications for the country's economy, environment, and society. By promoting
sustainable practices and conserving its plant biodiversity, Pakistan can help to ensure a
healthy and prosperous future for its people and its ecosystems.
In conclusion, Pakistan has a rich and diverse plant geography, but the country faces
several challenges in preserving its natural resources. It is crucial for the government, non-
governmental organizations, and individuals to work together to conserve and protect the
country's plant species for future generations.

23. Thank You