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Pak. J. Bot., 47(3): 905-910, 2015.

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RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOIL PROPERTIES AND NATURAL REGENERATION PATTERN OF JUNIPERUS EXCELSA FOREST IN ZIARAT, BALOCHISTAN

ATTA MUHAMMAD SARANGZAI¹, MUHAMMAD FAHEEM SIDDIQUI², MOINUDDIN AHMED², MUHAMMAD ISHTIAQ HUSSAIN³, SAADULLAH KHAN LAGHARI¹ AND ALIA AHMED¹

Abstract: In this study relationship of soil properties with the natural regeneration pattern of Juniperus excelsa forests of Ziarat was evaluated. Thirty stands were quantitatively sampled from different areas of Ziarat, Balochistan. Out of 30 stands we observed sufficient recruitment of Juniper seedlings in 27 stands. Diverse regeneration pattern was observed among and within sampling locations. Zizri Tore Sagran occupied highest seedling numbers i.e. 439 plants ha-¹ on north-east facing slope at 2948m altitude. Nishpa valley had 99 plants ha-¹ on south west facing slope at 2660m altitude, which is lowest density. In this study we computed 194±103 plants ha-¹ overall density and 67±21 cm² ha^-1 average basal area. Mild relationship was observed between seedling numbers and stand density while stand basal area and seedling numbers exhibited positive significant correlation (r=0.281, p<.05). Soil characteristics showed significant differences among the variables at significant levels of (p<0.01) and (p<0.05). Generally, the vegetative characteristics of Juniperus excelsa in the study area had significant correlation with the soil characteristics. The combine data showed balanced size class structures of J-shaped distribution.

Key words: Regeneration status, quantitative sampling, ecological characteristics, Juniperus excelsa, Ziarat, Balochistan

¹Department of Botany, University of Balochistan, Quetta-Pakistan

²Department of Botany, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270, Pakistan

³Centre for Plant Conservation, University of Karachi, Karachi 75270, Pakistan

Corresponding author e-mail: mfsiddiqui2011@yahoo.com