DETERMINATION OF RELATIVE SPECIES COMPOSITION AND SEASONAL PLANT COMMUNITIES OF NURPUR RESERVED FOREST IN SCRUB RANGELANDS OF DISTRICT CHAKWAL

A detailed research study was conducted during 2004-05 in subtropical subhumid Nurpur rangelands of district Chakwal with main objectives to assess the relative species composition and seasonal plant (major forage species) communities. Sixty nine plant species that were distributed among 29 families, were recorded on the vegetation transects in 4 sites of the rangelands. These included 20 species of grasses, 12 of trees, 31 of shrubs and 6 of undershrubs and herbs. Plant species composition was studied in three consecutive seasons (fall/winter 2004, spring and summer 2005) on the rangelands. Plant density, frequency and cover varied among grasses, trees and shrubs across the three growth seasons. There was highly significant difference in grasses, trees and shrubs in all four range sites. During winter 2004 season, flat areas had highest plant density (44010 plants ha^-1) as compared to sloping areas (42690 plants ha^-1) and nullah beds/channels (21750 plants ha^-1) respectively. In spring and summer season of 2005, same trend was observed in flat areas that exhibited highest plant density as compared to other range sites owing to its topographical features. Lowest plant density was recorded at exposed sandstone areas across the three seasons. Grass composition increased as the season advanced from fall to spring and summer. From species point of view, each plant species exhibited significant values. Twelve communities were identified at various range sites in Nurpur rangelands during winter 2004, spring 2005 and summer 2005.