PJWSR_31_2_167-181

Introduction

Foresters and ecologists have both adopted the quadrat method as one of the most accurate ways to examine the occurrence, distribution, and evolution of vegetation since Pound and Clements first brought it to ecological research in 1898 (McIntosh, 1986).

Community is a group of plant species living together in a specific area for example forest and grassland (Gleason, 1926). Plant communities are an association or grouping of plant species that grow together in a particular area (Noble and Slatyer, 1980). A plant community is made up of species of plants that coexist and grow in a certain location while being ecologically connected to one another (Den Hartog and Segal, 1964). Factors that influence species’ ability to colonize new areas as well as those that allow them to endure after colonization are particularly important for understanding how communities of species come together (Cramer et al., 2008). The study of plant community- composition and structure can help conservationists determine the state of plant populations, regeneration, and diversity (Frerker et al., 2014). The best way to understand habit, habitat, niche, vegetation structure, and numerous plant interactions in an ecosystem is to study about plant communities in their natural environment (Silvertown, 2004). AS was done in one study (Hassan et al., 2024). In another study ethnobotanical profile was studied of weeds in maize fields in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Ahmed et al., 2024).

Significance of plant communities is proven by the fact that, ecologically plants are responsible for the production of organic compounds for herbivores, which are at the base of the food chain (Gratton and Denno, 2006). The oxygenated atmosphere that covers the globe is mostly produced by plants. Because they are the biosphere’s primary producers (Galloway et al., 2003).

Vegetation can be defined as the group of plants growing together in a particular locality (Riss et al., 2000). The vegetation that covers an area has a certain structure and composition that has been established as a result of long-term interaction with biotic and abiotic processes (Richardson et al., 2007). Vegetation needs to be adequately examined in relation to its environment at both the species and community levels since it is the expression of environment in a certain habitat at a Specific moment (Harrison et al., 2006). A region’s vegetation can be categorized using its component species that distinguish the plant’s physical appearance, physiognomy, and functional combination (Ustin and Gamon 2010). Plant associations represent the average of the world’s biggest biomes. It teaches us about the vegetation, habitat, behaviour, niche, etc. (Archibold, 2012).

Vegetative sampling is a quantitative, integrative, and adaptable method for sampling various types of vegetation in the field is vegetative sampling (Tholl, 2021). It can be used to sample grasslands, marshes, and woods (Pennings and Callaway, 1996). Vegetative sampling employs scientifically rigorous fixed-area sample techniques that are both practical, simple to apply, and repeatable. It produces standardized, quantifiable data that is flexible and valuable for a range of academic and practical purposes (Stehman and Czaplewski, 1998). For vegetative sampling following methods can be applied Line intercept, Line transect, Bisect and Quadrate methods, etc.

Characteristics of plant community are classified into three main groups, these are: Analytical, synthetic and physiognomic. Out of above-mentioned groups, this research is based on analytic and Physiognomic characteristics.

Analytical characteristic of the community are those that can be observed or quantified from all angles. These include species types and numbers, species strength, distribution, and individual counts, as well as form, plant heights, area volume, periodicity, growth rate and other factors. In sample plots, they are directly observed or measured (Gray and Elliott, 2009).

Analytical characters include qualitative and quantitative characteristics. Qualitative are usually descriptive and are founded on non-quantitative observations such as the species composition and vegetation stratification. They are only expressed in a qualitative manner (Barnes, 1953).

Quantitative are described in numerical terms. They are calibrated. The main quantitative traits are diversity, cover, biomass, leaf size, frequency, abundance, dominance, etc. (de Bello et al., 2011).

Physiognomic Characters represent the vertical structure, outward appearance including its height and spacing, shape and number, etc., of plants are all combined to generate physiognomy (Oliver, 1980). It gives a description of the size, leaf characteristics, and phenology of the dominating species’ life forms (deciduous, evergreen) (Ustin and Gamon, 2010). It is possible to determine that an area is a forest based on the appearance of a community where trees and some shrubs are the dominant species (Mueggler, 1988).

Synthetic characteristics are generalizations that incorporate several analytic characteristics and are developed from data on analytic attributes (Curtis and Mcintosh, 1950).

Quadrat method was used for studying plant community quantitatively. In this study a quadrate of rectangular shape was used (Taj et al., 2022).

Sufficient number of quadrats were be taken during the sampling. In our study Quadrat were used, each was of the size of 1X1 m, placed randomly in study area. All the species within the quadrats were recorded representing density, cover was measured, converted into basal area in square feet by using a cover conversion table (Supplementary Figure 2). Frequency or occurrence also worked out. Density, cover, frequency and importance value can be calculated separately for each species (Whittaker, 1972). Refer to sample quadrat given below (Figure 1).

Materials and Methods

Study area

Abbottabad is a district in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province (Taj et al., 2022). Mansehra is to the north, Muzaffarabad is to the east, Haripur is to the west, and Rawalpindi is to the south (Figure 2).

Birote is a town in the Circle Bakote, an area of Abbottabad District in Pakistan, between the borders of Punjab and Kashmir. It is located on the banks of the Jhelum River. Birote is one of the 51 union councils in Pakistan’s Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province (Figure 3).

Birote is located in the south-eastern section of the Circle Bakote Area of Abbottabad district and borders the Tehsil Dheerkot of Bagh District of Kashmir in the east and Mushkpuri Top and Ayubia in the west. The Union Council is organized into four sections: Birote Kalan, Birote Khurd, Kahoo Sharqi, Kahoo Gharb.

Materials used: Iron or wooden nails, Cord or string, Meter scale, Hammer, Measuring tape, Pencil, Note book, etc.

Procedure

Nails and thread were used to create a quadrat of 1×1m on the chosen study location (Figure 4). With the use of a hammer, the nails were embedded in the ground. 10 identical quadrants were created at the research location. The species in the first quadrant was marked as 1 after observing them. It is verified that whether species 1 is present in each quadrant and recorded the observed data on table. We recorded the number of species 2 and 3 in each quadrant and included them in the table in a similar manner. By using the formula, we determined the cover, density and frequency of the plant population. We repeated the same procedure for other species and recorded the data in a table, sample given below (Table 1). Our research was based upon analytical (quantitative and qualitative) and physiognomic data, so the same were recorded duly (Table 1 Sample table).

Table 1: Sample table.

S. No	Voucher no/ Optional	Species name	Density (D)	Cover (C)	Frequency (F)
1
2

Methodology

The research was conducted in the Union Council Birote area of Circle Bakote to determine the type of vegetation. In the Field, a quadrat is used to mark out a specific area of the plant community. All of the species found in each quadrat were identified and counted numerically. A sampling unit of area was taken in a specific size region. Repeated quadrat samples were collected in September and November 2022. Identification of the dominating species in the field and their occurrence are made easier by this study. In each unit, the names of the species and the number of distinct species are noted, and the formula is used to compute the percentage frequency, density, and abundance.

Density

The number of individuals per unit area (for instance, plants per m2) is referred to as density in vegetation measuring (White and Harper, 1970). It describes how many members of a species were counted in a certain area. This is calculated as follows:

Relative density

It is the proportion of a density of a species to that of a stand as a whole. It is calculated by the following formula:

Cover

Cover refers to the area of the plant’s surface that is either covered or shaded. The degree of a species’ dominance in a layer is generally gauged by its coverage values (Leach and Givnish, 1999).

Basal area

Basal area simply refers to the area of the ground that the crown actually covers (Hyyppa et al., 2001). Basal area in herbaceous vegetation is the covering of the plant 1 inch above the ground. In order to obtain the cover, the diameter of the crown is taken by the help of measuring tape (Schenstrom, 1931). Average cover of a species can be calculated by the help of following formula:

Relative cover

Relative cover of a species is the proportion of the total of a species to the sum of the cover of all the plant of all species in the area (Dickson and Foster 2008).

Frequency

The number of occurrences is the frequency of each particular species. The species that are present in the sampling unit or the level of species distribution. It is the proportion of sampling plots where an individual species is found. It is concerned with the degree of uniformity in which members of a species occur in a given location. Frequency is determined by the help of following formula:

Relative frequency

It is the proportion of the total frequency of a species to the sum of the frequency of all the species in the area. It is determined by the following formula:

Importance value index (IVI)

Importance value index can be obtained by adding the values of relative density, relative cover and relative frequency and dividing it by three will give the importance value (IVI) of the species.

After getting the importance value of all the species the values are arranged in a tabular form.

Name of the community is assigned according to the first two or three dominant plants. Physiognomic characters also worked out. Qualitative as aspect of community was the basis.

Results and Discussion

As mentioned, for quantitative study of the vegetative sampling of the plant community we used quadrat method in the area UC Birote. We made 10 quadrates of 1 meter and laid randomly at the selected site to study the density, cover, and frequency. We calculated the density, cover and frequency of all species individually in the tabulated form, and the measured cover was converted into Basal Area in square feet by using cover conversion table (Supplementary Figure 2). After that by using relative density, relative cover and relative frequency formulae we find out the IVI values to study the dominant species in the quadrates to determines the community type of that area. Ultimately analytical and physiognomic characters of community were studied. In each unit, the Botanical and common names, local names of all species, their Family, Habit, Habitat, and Life form were also noted in a separate table based upon field Data Record (Supplementary Figure 1).

Quantitative analysis by quadrat method-calculations

Community type was studied by carrying out quantitative analysis through quadrat method. By using formulas, the cover, density and frequency of the plant population were determined. Whole data of all species were recorded in the form of tables. As study was based upon analytical qualitative and quantitative and physiognomic characters so for quantitative characteristics, density, frequency, cover, IVI, dominant species and community type was worked out. For qualitative study physiognomic characteristics, botanical name of species, local name/ common name, flower colour, family, habit, habitat and lifeform were worked out. Whole data of all species from the study area were recorded in the form of (Table 2-14) and Figures as representative: Figures 5-7, fresh Plants and Figures 8-10, herb sheets-dominant species). The data is presented as follows:

Field data record of quadrat 1

The density, cover and frequency of all species present in Quadrat 1 is recorded individually and table shows field data record of every individual specie in quadrat 1 (Table 2).

Field data record of quadrat 2

The density, cover and frequency of all species present in quadrat 2 is recorded individually and table shows field data record of every individual specie in quadrat 2 (Table 3).

Field data record of Quadrat 3

The density, cover and frequency of all species present in quadrat 3 is recorded individually and table shows field data record of every individual specie in quadrat 3 (Table 4).

Table 2: The density, cover and frequency of individual plant species in quadrat 1.

S. No	Type	Density	Cover (Inches)	Frequency	Cover conversion basal area
1	Parthenium hysterophorus L.	14	38	1	0.7983
2	Taraxicum officinale	16	44	1	1.0704
3	Malvestrum coromandelianum	12	22	1	0.2676
4	Oxalis corniculata	13	31	1	0.5313
5	Symphotrichum subulatum	-	-	-	-
6	Salix purpuria	-	-	-	-
7	Justicia sp.	-	-	-	-
8	Eclipta alba	-	-	-	-
9	Erigeron bonariensis	-	-	-	-
10	Euphorbia amygdaloides	-	-	-	-
11	Oenothera rosea	-	-	-	-

Table 3: The density, cover and frequency of individual plant species in quadrat 2.

S. No	Type	Dencity	Cover (inches)	Frequency	Cover conversion- basal area
1	Parthenium hysterophorus L.	16	33	1	0.6021
2	Taraxicum officinale	1	3	1	0.0049
3	Malvestrum coromandelianum	33	66	1	2.4084
4	Oxalis corniculata	25	25	1	0.3455
5	Symphotrichum subulatum	-	-	-	-
6	Salix purpuria	-	-	-	-
7	Justicia sp.	-	-	-	-
8	Eclipta alba	-	-	-	-
9	Erigeron bonariensis	-	-	-	-
10	Euphorbia amygdaloides	-	-	-	-
11	Oenothera rosea	-	-	-	-

Table 4: The density, cover and frequency of individual plant species in quadrat 3.

S. No	Type	Dencity	Cover (inches)	Frequency	Cover conversion basal area
1	Parthenium hysterophorus L.	26	41	1	0.9288
2	Taraxicum officinale	2	7	1	0.0279
3	Malvestrum coromandelianum	21	42	1	0.9742
4	Oxalis corniculata	36	35	1	0.6773
5	Symphotrichum subulatum	-	-	-	-
6	Salix purpuria	-	-	-	-
7	Justicia sp.	-	-	-	-
8	Eclipta alba	-	-	-	-
9	Erigeron bonariensis	-	-	-	-
10	Euphorbia amygdaloides	-	-	-	-
11	Oenothera rosea	-	-	-	-

Table 5: The density, cover and frequency of individual plant species in quadrat 4.

S. No	Type	Dencity	Cover (inches)	Frequency	Cover conversion basal area
1	Parthenium hysterophorus L.	30	73	1	2.9464
2	Taraxicum officinale	6	17	1	0.1597
3	Malvestrum coromandelianum	12	24	1	0.3185
4	Oxalis corniculata	17	17	1	0.1597
5	Symphotrichum subulatum	-	-	-	-
6	Salix purpuria	-		-	-
7	Justicia sp.	-	-	-	-
8	Eclipta alba	-	-	-	-
9	Erigeron bonariensis	-	-	-	-
10	Euphorbia amygdaloides	-	-	-	-
11	Oenothera rosea	-	-	-	-

Field data record of quadrat 4

The density, cover and frequency of all species present in quadrat 4 is recorded individually and table shows field data record of every individual specie in quadrat 4 (Table 5).

Field data record of quadrat 5

The density, cover and frequency of all species present in quadrat 5 is recorded individually and table shows field data record of every individual specie in quadrat 5 (Table 6).

Table 6: The density, cover and frequency of individual plant species in quadrat 5.

S. No	Type	Dencity	Cover (inches)	Frequency	Cover conversion basal area
1	Parthenium hysterophorus L.	5	2	1	0.0005
2	Taraxicum officinale	-	-	-	-
3	Malvestrum coromandelianum	4	9	1	0.0447
4	Oxalis corniculata	10	10	1	0.0552
5	Symphotrichum subulatum	14	32	1	0.5661
6	Salix purpuria	7	32	1	0.5667
7	Justicia sp.	7	7	1	0.0279
8	Eclipta alba	1	4	1	0.0088
9	Erigeron bonariensis	28	56	1	1.7338
10	Euphorbia amygdaloides	4	2	1	0.0022
11	Oenothera rosea	2	2	1	0.0022

Table 7: The density, cover and frequency of individual plant species in quadrat 6.

S. No	Type	Dencity	Cover (inches)	Frequency	Cover conversion basal area
1	Parthenium hysterophorus L.	1	3	1	0.0005
2	Taraxicum officinale	-	-	-	-
3	Malvestrum coromandelianum	8	16	1	0.1415
4	Oxalis corniculata	4	4	1	0.0088
5	Symphotrichum subulatum	14	28	1	0.4334
6	Salix purpuria	20	28	1	0.4334
7	Justicia sp.	4	2	1	0.0022
8	Eclipta alba	1	3	1	0.0049
9	Erigeron bonariensis	40	70	1	2.7092
10	Euphorbia amygdaloides	-	-	-	-
11	Oenothera rosea	-	-	-	-

Table 8: The density, cover and frequency of individual plant species in quadrat 7.

S. No	Type	Dencity	Cover (inches)	Frequency	Cover conversion basal area
1	Parthenium hysterophorus L.	-	--	-	-
2	Taraxicum officinale	-	-	-	-
3	Malvestrum coromandelianum	18	38	1	0.7983
4	Oxalis corniculata	40	40	1	0.8846
5	Symphotrichum subulatum	5	19	1	0.1995
6	Salix purpuria	6	19	1	0.1995
7	Justicia sp.	-	-	-	-
8	Eclipta alba	10	19	1	0.1995
9	Erigeron bonariensis	23	58	1	1.8589
10	Euphorbia amygdaloides	-	-	-	-
11	Oenothera rosea	2	-	1	0.0279

Field data record of quadrat 6

The density, cover and frequency of all species present in quadrat 6 is recorded individually and table shows field data record of every individual specie in quadrat 6 (Table 7).

Field data record of quadrat 7

The density, cover and frequency of all species present in quadrat 7 is recorded individually and table shows field data record of every individual specie in quadrat 7 (Table 8).

Table 9: The density, cover and frequency of individual plant species in quadrat 8.

S. No	Type	Dencity	Cover (inches)	Frequency	Cover conversion basal area
1	Parthenium hysterophorus L.	3	6	1	0.0199
2	Taraxicum officinale	-	-	-	-
3	Malvestrum coromandelianum	12	27	1	0.4030
4	Oxalis corniculata	37	37	1	0.7569
5	Symphotrichum subulatum	6	15	1	0.1244
6	Salix purpuria	3	15	1	0.1244
7	Justicia sp.	2	1	1	0.0005
8	Eclipta alba	5	12	1	0.0795
9	Erigeron bonariensis	21	48	1	1.2628
10	Euphorbia amygdaloides	1	7	1	0.0279
11	Oenothera rosea	-	-	-	-

Table 10: The density, cover and frequency of individual plant species in quadrat 9.

S. No	Type	Dencity	Cover (inches)	Frequency	Cover conversion basal area
1	Parthenium hysterophorus L.	4	7	1	0.0279
2	Taraxicum officinale	-	-	-	-
3	Malvestrum coromandelianum	28	56	1	1.7338
4	Oxalis corniculata	57	57	1	1.7963
5	Symphotrichum subulatum	3	8	1	0.0353
6	Salix purpuria	3	8	1	0.0353
7	Justicia sp.	-	-	-	-
8	Eclipta alba	22	64	1	2.2646
9	Erigeron bonariensis	40	85	1	3.9943
10	Euphorbia amygdaloides	1	5	1	0.0138
11	Oenothera rosea	-	-	-	-

Table 11: The density, cover and frequency of individual plant species in quadrat 10.

S. No	Type	Dencity	Cover (inches)	Frequency	Cover conversion basal area
1	Parthenium hysterophorus L.	-	-	-	-
2	Taraxicum officinale	-	-	-	-
3	Malvestrum coromandelianum	18	93	1	4.7824
4	Oxalis corniculata	83	83	1	3.8099
5	Symphotrichum subulatum	-	-	-	-
6	Salix purpuria	1	3	1	0.0022
7	Justicia sp.	-	-	-	-
8	Eclipta alba	14	36	1	0.7165
9	Erigeron bonariensis	4	19	1	0.1995
10	Euphorbia amygdaloides	-	-	-	-
11	Oenothera rosea	-	-	-	-

Field data record of quadrat 8

The density, cover and frequency of all species present in quadrat 8 is recorded individually and table shows field data record of every individual specie in quadrat 8 (Table 9).

Field data record of quadrat 9

The density, cover and frequency of all species present in quadrat 9 is recorded individually and table shows field data record of every individual specie in quadrat 9 (Table 10).

Table 12: The density, cover and frequency of all species in all quadrat.

S. No	Type	Dencity	Cover (inches)	Frequency	Basal area
1	Parthenium hysterophorus L.	99	203	8	5.38861
2	Taraxicum officinale	25	71	4	1.2629
3	Malvestrum coromandelianum	166	395	10	12.9238
4	Oxalis corniculata	322	339	10	9.8616
5	Symphotrichum subulatum	42	102	5	1.3585
6	Salix purpuria	40	108	6	2.3379
7	Justicia	13	10	3	0.2817
8	Eclipta alba	53	138	6	3.2737
9	Erigeron bonariensis	156	336	5	11.7595
10	Euphorbia amygdaloides	6	14	3	0.0439
11	Oenothera rosea	4	9	2	0.0301
	Total	TD= 926	TC= 1725	TF= 62	48.52221

Field data record of quadrat 10

The density, cover and frequency of all species present in quadrat 10 is recorded individually and table shows field data record of every individual specie in quadrat 10 (Table 11).

Calculation of total density, cover and frequency of all species present in all quadrats

The density, cover and frequency of all species present in all quadrats were recorded individually and then density, cover and frequency of all species present in all quadrat were calculated separately which gives us total density, cover and frequency of all species and through this data IVI values were worked out. Ultimately dominant species and community type would be worked out. Table 12 showing field data record of all species in all quadrat. Qualitative and Physiognomic data were also presented in table (Table 12-14).

Degree of dominance

The table given below shows the density, cover, frequency of all the 11 species in all 10 quadrats, their relative densities, relative cover, relative frequencies and their IVI values, which tell us about the dominant species of the area (Table 13).

Community is named after the same: Leading family is Asteraceae. Most plants are herbs. The study covered analytical (qualitative and quantitative) characteristics and Physiognomic characteristics.

Qualitative analysis of all species present in all quadrats

Qualitative study of the community is presented in tabulated form (Table 14) based upon data gathered through Supplementary Figure 1. Pictures of original plants and herbarium sheets is also presented (As representative: Figures 5-7 fresh Figures 8-10 herb sheets-dominant species).

Plant communities are assemblages of species studied extensively by ecologists. Plant community ecology is the study of the organization and functioning of plant communities.

For quantitative (analytical) study of plant community quadrat method was employed, comprising specific sampling plots in accordance with the study area. This method was used as it is favoured when studying grassland community. A rectangular quadrat was used. The quadrat method is one of the most accurate ways to examine the occurrence, distribution of vegetation in a community. Quadrats were used to calculate the vegetation parameters of each plant species (density, frequency, and abundance). The names of the species and the number of distinct species in each unit were noted comprising quantitative and qualitative (analytical) characteristics (Supplementary Figure 1). Each species cover measured using measuring tapes, and the measured cover converted into Basal Area in square feet by using a cover conversion table (Supplementary Figure 2). The density, cover and frequency of all species present in all quadrat recorded individually and then density, cover and frequency of all species present in all quadrat were calculated separately which gives us total density, cover and frequency

Table 13: Showing the Degree of Dominance.

S. No	Type	D1	C1	F1	RD=D1/ TDX100	RC=C1/ TCX100	RF=F1/ TFX100	IVI __ D3+ C3+F3	Degree of Domi-nance
1	Parthenium hystero-phorus l.	99/10= 9.9	5.38861	8/10 = 0.8	9.9X100	0.0543X 100	0.8X100	1.0691+ 0.1190 +1.290	3
			99 = 0.0543		926 =1.0691		62 =1.290
						48.5222 1 = 0.1190		3 =1.6181
2	Taraxicum officinale	25/10= 2.5	1.2629	4/10 =0.4	2.5X100	0.0505X 100	0.4X100	0.2699+ 0.1040 +0.645	8
			25 =0.0505		926 =0.2699		62 =0.645
						48.5222 1 = 0.1040		3 =0.3396
3	Malvestrum coroman-delianum	166/10 =16.6	12.9233	10/1 0 =1	16.6X10 0	0.077X1 00	1X100	1.7926+ 0.1586 +1.621	4
			166 = 0.077				62 =1.612
					926 =1.7	48.5222 1 =0.1586		3 1.1877
4	Oxalis corniculata	322/	9.2714	10/10	32.2X10	0.028X1	1X100	34.773+0.0577	1
		10 =32.3	322 =0.028	=1	0	00	62 =1.612	1.612
					926 =34.773	48.5222 1 =0.0577		3 =12.147
5	Sympho-trichum subulatum	42/1 0 =4.2	1.3585	5/10 =0.5	4.2X100	0.032X100 48.5222 1 =0.065	5X100	0.4535+ 0.065+ 8.064 3 =2.8608	2
			42 =0.032		926 =0.4535		62 =8.064
6	Salix purpuria	40/1 0 =4	2.3379	6/10 =0.6	4X100	0.0584X 100	0.6X100	0.4319 +0.1203 +0.967	7
			40 =0.0584		926 =0.4319		62 =0.967
						48.5222 1 =0.1203		3 =0.5064
7	Justicia sp	13/1 0 =1.3	0.2819	3/10 =0.3	1.3X100	0.0216X 100	0.3X100	0.1403+ 0.0445 +0.483	9
			13 =0.0216		926 =0.1403		62 =0.483
						48.5222 1 =0.0445		3 =0.2226
8	Eclipta alba	53/1 0 =5.3	3.2737	6/10 =0.6	5.3X100	0.0617X 100	0.6X100	0.5723+ 0.1271 +0.967	6
			53 =0.0617		926 =0.5723		62 =0.967
						48.5222 1 =0.1271		3 =0.5554
9	Erigeron bonariensis	156/ 10	11.7597	5/10 =0.5	15.6X10 0	0.0708X 100	0.5X100	1.6846+ 0.1459 +0.806
			156
		=15.	=0.0708		926	48.5222	62 =0.806	3	5
		6			=1.6846	1=0.1459		=0.8788
10	Euphorbia amygdaloides	6/10 =0.6	0.0439	3/10 =0.3	0.6X100	0.0073X 100	0.3X100	0.0647+ 0.0150 0.483	10
			6 =0.00731		926 =0.0647		62 =0.483
						48.5222 1 =0.0150		3 =0.1869
11	Oenothera rosea	4/10 =0.4	0.0301	2/10 =0.2	0.4X100	0.00752 5X100	0.2X100	0.0431+ 0.0155 +0.322	11
			4 =0.007525		926 =0.0431		62 = 0.322
						48.5222 1 =0.0155		3 =0.1268

Dominant species = oxalis corniculata, symphotrichum subulatum, parthenium hysterophorus L. Community type = oxalis corniculata, symphotrichum subulatum, parthenium hysterophorus L.

Table 14: Botanical name, family, common /local name, flower colour, habit, habitat and life form of plant species.

Botanical name	Family	Common name/ Local name	Flower colour	Habit	Habitat	Life form
Parthenium hysterophorus L.	Asteraceae	Santa maria, whitetop weed/ Gagar ghans	White	Annual, Herbaceous	Semi-arid, Sub-tropical	Erect, branched, aromatic annual, and therophyte
Taraxicumoffi cinale	Asteraceae	Dandelion/ Dhudhal, bahtur	Yellow	Herbaceous,p errenial	Fields road side	Perennial and therophyte
Malvestrum coroman-delianum	Malvaceae	Three lobe false mallow/-	Yellow	Perennial, herbaceous	Tropical ,warm Temperate areas	Annual or shortly perennial, therophyte
Oxalis corniculata	Oxalidaceae	Creeping,woodsorr el/Khatti booti	Bright yellow	Annual perrenial, herb	Gardens, LAWNS	Annual or perennial, therophyte
Symphotrichum subulatum	Asteraceae	Easter annual salt marsh aster/-	White	Annual, binneal, herb	Crop field margins,lawns, road side, tropical	Terrestrial, therophyte
Salix purpuria	Salicaceae	Purple, basket willow/ Baid ka darakht.	Silvery green	Dense, Upright, rounded	Ditches, Along streams	Fast growing, native, deciduous tree in sapling stage
Justicia sp	Acanth-aceae	Water willow, shrimp plant/Baikurh	orange	Erect, branched, Evergreen herb	Terrestrial, tropical, subtropical	Perennial herb or shrublet , therophyte
Eclipta alba	Asteraceae	False daisy/ Brhingari	White	Moist, short lived perennial	Warm template tropical	therophyte
Erigeron bonariensis	Asteraceae	Small horse weed, flax leaf fleabane/ Daryai booti	White, pin k, purple	Road side, cultivated fields	Temperate, tropical, dry, sun exposed	Annual, therophyte
Euphorbia amygdaloides	Euphor-biaceae	Woods spurge/ Thuhur	Yellow, g reen	Perrenial, bushy	Old wood land	Bushy, evergreen ,perennial , therophyte
Oenothera rosea	Onagraceae	Evening primrose/-	Light yellow	Binennial	Fields, meadows, sandy soil	therophyte

Oxalis corniculatua, Symphotrichum subulatum and Parthenium hysterophorus are dominant species in the study area of UC Birote in district Abbottabad.

of all species and through this data IVI values were worked out. Physiognomic characters were also worked out comprising habit and life form. Community was ultimately identified based on the important value index. A sum of 11 plant species of 5 families were recorded in which the leading family was Asteraceae. The study in UC Birote in district Abbottabad, comprises a comprehensive research based upon analytical (quantitativeand qualitative) and physiognomic characters refer to Tables 2-13 (quantitative data) and Table14 (qualitative and physiognomic data) and Figures 5-7 and Figures 8-10.

Research is significant as it will help future agronomist, agriculturist and scientist to understand the community at UC Birote in Abbottabad District As mentioned.

Results of analytical characteristics-quantitative and qualitative and physiognomic characteristics revealed that Oxalis corniculata belonging to family Oxalidaceae was most dominant and abundant in UC Birote Community in Abbottabad District followed by Symphotrichum subulatum and Parthenium hysterophorus, both from Asteraceae. Thus, the community at UC Birote in Abbottabad District is Oxalis, Symphotrichum and Parthenium Community. Asteraceae was the leading family. Out of total 11 species 5 belonged to this family. Physiognomic analysis revealed that all species reported were dicotyledonous and herbaceous, having the life form of therophyte. One tree species was recorded but in sapling stage. The research is comprehensive and provides instant data regarding community type at UC Birote, comprising analytical (quantitative and qualitative) and physiognomic characteristics.

Conclusion

Quadrat method of study, comprising analytical (quantitative and qualitative) characters were worked out in UC Birote, based upon, densities cover and frequency. The main purpose of this research was to find the IVI value in order to study the dominant species in the area and to establish community type .The collected plant species were Parthenium hysterophorus L. (Asteraceae),Taraxacum officinale (Asteraceae), Malvastrum coromandelianum (Malvaceae), Oxalis corniculata (Oxalidaceae), Symphyotricum subulatum (Asteraceae), Salix purpurea (Salicaceae), Justicia sp. (Acanthaceae), Eclipta alba (Asteraceae), Erigeron bonariensis (Asteraceae), Euphorbia amygdaloides (Euphorbiaceae), Oenothera rosea (Onagraceae).

The dominant species were Oxalis corniculata (Oxalidaceae), Symphyotricum subulatum (Asteraceae), and Parthenium hysterophorus L. (Asteraceae).

Most of the plant species were annual and herbaceous having life form of therophytes. Leading family in the area was Astereaceae. These three plant species indicate the community type of the area. The study makes record of species, botanical names, local/common names, family colour of the flower, habit, habitat and life form research covers qualitative and physiognomic aspects as well. Qualitative aspect also covers species count. It is part of analytical research. It is very significant. It provides data to future agronomist, agriculturalist and scientist when they want to utilize land for agriculture and crop practices.

Acknowledgment

This paper is a part of the BS research group thesis of the authors Sana Bibi, Khudija Bibi and Rutba Farooq. The authors would like to express their gratitude to Supervisor Prof. Dr. Saadia Afzal, HOD Botany at Govt. Post Graduate College No. 1, Abbottabad. Her dedication and keen interest and overwhelming attitude to help her students had been solely and mainly responsible for completing this thesis work.

Novelty Statemenet

This research is Unique as Vegetative Sampling has never been done in the study area mentioned here.The work presented in this article has not been produced and presented anywhere before .

Author’s Contribution

Prof Dr. Saadia Afzal: Supervisor, Main Contributor, Facilitator.

Sana Abbas, Khadija Bibi, Rutba Farooq: Student Contributor

Generative AI and AI-assisted technology statement

It is to be noted that no AI tool was used in the completion of this article/ research Work.

Supplementary material

There is supplementary material associated with this article. Access the material online at: https://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.pjwsr/2025/31.2.167.181

Conflict of interest

The authors have declared no conflict of interest.

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