Floristic Study of Arid Zone (Desert-NARA Region), Sindh, Pakistan

Abstract

One hundred forty-nine plant species belonging to 110 genera and 42 families collected from Nara desert during 1998-2001 were identified. Of them, one species of gymnosperm, three sedges and twenty species of Poaceae (grasses) were determined. Collected plant specimens from the project area were identified and preserved. Botanical names of all the taxa along with their family and local names, life-form and life-span are provided in table-1. The potential uses of plants by local people of Nara desert as folklore in various ways (Ethnobotany) in their daily life were recorded and presented under different research articles. Given under the publications. Statistically, the area containing the plant families ca. 19.81%, genera 5.76% and species 2.75 of the total species of Pakistan so far recorded by Ali et al., 2001. The vegetation in this region is sparse consisting mainly of stunted, thorny or pricky shrubs and perennial herbs capable of drought resistance. Calligonium Polygonoides, Aerva Javanica, Salvadora oleoides, Capparis decidua, Tamaric aphylla, Leptadenia pyrotechnica and Ziziphus nummularia have formed the common vegetation cover in this area. Trees Salvadora oleoides, Prosopis cineria, Capparis decidua and Tamaric aphylla are few scattered. The ephemeral emerges during the rainy season; complete their life cycle before the advent of summer and the bulk of the area is once more transformed into open sandy plain, desolate and barren. Four distinct habitats for plant communities have been recognized in the project area as follows: 1. Crest habitat (top of the sand dune). 2. Slopes/swale/flank habitat. 3. Sandy plains habitat (Tar-Tarai- low lying flat areas). 4. Lake/wetland habitat. Crest habitat (top of the sand dune): Sand dune/ridges are the main characteristic features of the study area. They vary in their height ranges from the few meters to above a hundred meters. Slopes/swale/flank habitat. It has been observed that almost similar types of plant species were growing on the slopes/flanks of sand dunes as that of the crests habitat with few trees. Sandy plains habitat (tar-tarai-low lying flat areas): It is low-lying flat area encircled by sand dunes. There are TARRS (in Sindhi), where dig out wells were situated with permanent settlements. There are WANDHS (in Sindhi), make shift human settlements near TARAIES (in Sindhi), it is low- lying area where water can be stored for sometimes after rainfall. Besides, there are TOBAS/TANKAS (in Sindhi) where rain water stored in man made tanks in Taraies. Lake/wetland habitat: There is no fresh water lake in this area, whereas few ponds/lakes have been observed around. These are formed as a result of seepage of Nara canal, and become a waterlogged habitat.