VEGETATION COMMUNITIES OF URBAN OPEN SPACES: GREEN BELTS AND PARKS IN ISLAMABAD CITY

This study was conducted to assess the vegetation communities of the open urban spaces viz., green belts, gardens and parks of Islamabad city. A total of 162 plant species representing 137 genera and 58 families were recorded. Two way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN) classified the floristic species composition into four major community types which showed some overlap in an ordination space, reflecting relatively homogenous nature of the vegetation. Pinus roxburghii and Grewia asiatica were more prevalent in green belts while native vegetation dominated by Dalbergia sissoo and Acacia nilotica were present in undisturbed green spaces. Broussonetia papyrifera and Populus euphratica showed distribution along the drains/nullahs in the city. Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) was applied to identify environmental gradients to define vegetation distribution. First ordination axis demonstrated species distribution influenced by presence of invasive species whereas second axis identified urban development as main gradient for separation of plant communities. The results provide information on urban vegetation and can be used to formulate strategies for future park management and conservation and protection of green spaces.