Ali Aafaq, Khan Zafar Iqbal, Ahmad Kafeel, Khalofah Ahlam, Arif Muhammad
Department of Botany, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan.
Department of Botany, Baba Guru Nanak University, P.O.Box 39100, Nankana Sahib, Lahore, Pakistan.
Sci Rep. 2025 Jul 20;15(1):26324. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-12455-z.
This study investigated the phytosociological patterns, soil physicochemical properties, and ecosystem services provided by native plants in Soon Valley. The primary objective was to assess variations in plant diversity, soil characteristics, and ecosystem services, specifically carbon sequestration and soil erosion prevention across six sites such as Khabeki (S1), Khoora (S2), Dape Sharif (S3), Anga (S4), Knotti Garden (S5), and Jallar (S6). Quadrat-based sampling and allometric equations were used to evaluate plant diversity and carbon storage potential, whereas soil erodibility was analyzed via the Universal Soil Loss Equation. Significant physicochemical and soil differences were found among the sites. Knotti Garden presented the highest phosphorus (17.2 mg/kg), and potassium (281 mg/kg) levels. The organic matter content ranged from 2.07 to 1.23% and the soil saturation ranged from 75.21 to 51.83%. Justicia adhatoda was the dominant species in terms of frequency, density, and cover whereas Acacia modesta presented strong ecological performance. Tecomella undulata at Dape Sharif stored up to 467,077 kg of biomass derived carbon, whereas Mangifera indica at Knotti Garden sequestered 158,789 kg, indicating strong site-species carbon relationships. These findings highlight the ecological significance of site-specific management and native species in supporting sustainable ecosystem services in semiarid regions.
本研究调查了苏恩谷本地植物的植物社会学模式、土壤理化性质及生态系统服务功能。主要目的是评估六个地点（如哈贝基（S1）、胡拉（S2）、达普·谢里夫（S3）、安加（S4）、克诺蒂花园（S5）和贾拉尔（S6））的植物多样性、土壤特征及生态系统服务功能的变化，特别是碳固存和土壤侵蚀防治功能。采用样方抽样法和异速生长方程评估植物多样性和碳储存潜力，通过通用土壤流失方程分析土壤可蚀性。研究发现各地点之间存在显著的理化性质和土壤差异。克诺蒂花园的磷含量最高（17.2毫克/千克），钾含量最高（281毫克/千克）。有机质含量在2.07%至1.23%之间，土壤饱和度在75.21%至51.83%之间。就频度、密度和盖度而言，鸭嘴花是优势物种，而刺槐表现出较强的生态性能。达普·谢里夫的扭果紫葳储存了高达467,077千克的生物量衍生碳，而克诺蒂花园的芒果固存了158,789千克，表明地点与物种之间存在很强的碳关系。这些发现凸显了特定地点管理和本地物种在支持半干旱地区可持续生态系统服务方面的生态意义。
