PJB-2019-792
STUDY ON IMPACTS OF TEMPERATURE EXTREMES ON GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF FLORA IN PUNJAB
Sidrah Minhas
Abstract
This study was carried out to evaluate the impacts of briskly changing climate on the flora of Northern Irrigated Plains of Punjab Pakistan. To understand the nature and extent of the impacts of climate change on the flora, this study included a closed environment experiment on the three plant species Ficus religiosa, Rosa berberifolia and Morus nigra. These plants were subjected to elevated temperature using thermal bulbs. To complete the natural phenomena of global warming these plants were exposed to Green House Gases (GHG) as well. The major emphasis was on the analysis of physical and compositional changes of the plants. The parameters analyzed for plants showed results which helped in understanding the true nature of change that is likely to occur with the variation in the climate. The study results showed increased nitrogen levels of Rosa berberifolia (3.8 %), Ficus religiosa (3.3 %) and Morus nigra (3.7 %). The phosphorous levels decreased to: Ficus religiosa (0.21%), Morus nigra (0.19%),Rosa berberifolia (0.22%). The concentration of sulphur after the experiment reduced in Ficus religiosa (0.7 %), Morus nigra(0.4%), Rosa berberifolia(0.6%). The concentration of magnesium in the samples was decreased: Ficus religiosa (0.041%), Morus nigra (0.016%), Rosa berberifolia (0.02%). The results of the born test showed that Ficus religiosa (2.2ppm) and Rosa berberifolia (4ppm) had low boron levels whereas Morus nigra (20ppm) had healthy amount of boron. However the experiment conducted during this study have proved that some native temperate environment plant species will adapt to the harsh and rapid climate change whereas the vulnerable plant species might either migrate or extinct.
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