Floristic Composition of Barino and Adjacent Region in Relation to Some Ecological Factors

Abstract

The high Barind tract and some adjacent area were investigated with respec'rto the herbaceous flora and some physico-chemical conditions. The study area was divided into 3 study sites A, B and C. Monthly sampling trips were made for the collection of herbaceous plants and to study the phytosociological situation with the help of square quadrate. Some analytic characters which include Frequency, Relative frequency, Density, Relative density, Abundance, Relative abundance and Importance value index (IVI) and some synthetic characters which include Jaccards community co-efficient (J,C,C) and co-efficient of similarities (C,S) of studied plants were determined and at the same time soil moisture (SM), Field capacity (F,C), soil pH and mobile phosphate content were determined from the collected soil samples from the study sites. The analytic characters of the plants particularly Importance value index (lVI) and synthetic characters (J,C,C. and C.S.) were determined for the comparison between the two or more pairs of plant community, and soil moisture, field capacity, soil pH and mobile phosphate content were determined for the evaluation of the seasonal variations from site to site and their role on the existing flora. During the present study period the soil moisture content was found to vary from site to site. The highest value 29 .27% (Table -1 b) of soil moisture was obse,-,ved at site-B in the month of June 1993, while the rest of the study month it varied from 3.89% - 10.92% (Table - 1 b). The highest value of soil moisture at site A and C were observed 24.97% and 27.5% (Table -la & Table -le) . respectively, in June 1993, while the rest of the study month it varied from (4.05% -11.08%) and (4.-·7 - 10.99) (Table la & Table le) respectively. The values indicate a very poor soil moisture content in all the sites and soil can be clas~'~d as a very dry soil. During the study period the Field capacity (EC) was found to vary from site to site. The highest F.C in 3 sites (A,B,C) were observed . 46.93°/o, 38.72% and 42.95% respectively. These value also indicate a very poor field capacity in the study area. Because the study zone is unlike other agroecological zones of the country, it is distinctly showing a sign of desertification as evidenced during the recent years. The soil moisture content and field capacity values obtained during the present study clearly indicate that the soil of the study area is extremely dry. 'l'he pH value was slightly to moderately alkaline. The highest pH value (8.2) was observed in site A. The lowest pII value (6.38) was observed in site D. The mobile phosphate content was found to vary from sire to site. The highest mobile phosphate content 0.05 mg/gm-I was observed in site A (Table- 1 a). The lowest mobile phosphate content (0.0025mg/gm-I) was observed in site C (Table-le). The mobile phosphate content was found to be extremely low at site B and C compared lo site A. The mobile phosphate content of the three study areas indicate that the soil of this area is poor in this nutrient substance.