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The effect of fluoride on the growth and biochemical parameters was examined under the biocharmixed soil. A pot experiment was conducted, in which 0mg/L, 15 mg/L, 30 mg/L, 45 mg/L and 60 mg/L of fluoride concentrations and two levels of wheat straw biochar (WSBC) at the rate of 3% and 5% by (w/w) were supplied to the plants at time of sowing seed. Growth and biochemical parameters including plant biomass, leaf surface area, plant height, photosynthesis, proline, ascorbic acid, phenolic content, peroxidase activity, etc. were studied. After 60 days harvest, it was observed that fluoride produced significant reduction in all parameters (plant height, plant biomass and leaf surface area) of plant. Maximum reduction in case of growth parameters was noticed. It was calculated that 55% leaf surface area under 3% of biochar treatment was recorded while at 5% of biochar the reduction rate reduced up to 21% as compared to that of control treatment. Similarly photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate and stomatal conductance showed the reduction of 53%, 67% and 54%, respectively, at 3% of biochar while at 5% these reduced to 41%, 52%, 44% as compared to that of control at P=0.05. Fluoride stress also increased the lipid peroxidase, phenolic content and proline but its rate of increase was lesser at 5% of biochar as compared to that of control. Overall, it was also observed that adverse effect of fluoride was lesser at 5% of biochar as compared to that of 3% of biochar, which indicated that intensity of fluoride severity, can be minimized by increasing concentration of biochar for getting better yield of crops and vegetables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development sector especially brick baking industry is dependent upon the burning of lignite coal in Pakistan. Due to lack of clean and green technologies, coal burning is ultimately source of pollution emission in atmosphere like NOx, SOx and fluoride compounds. Whereas, kilns are the main source of releasing fluoride pollution, as fluoride is naturally occurring in coal as well as in brick raw material. The fluoride pollution has phytotoxic effect to nearby growing plants. The objective of this research was to investigate the concentration of fluoride in the soil and crop samples of wheat and maize fields surrounded by kilns in Islamabad and Rawalpindi and to study the spatial distribution pattern of fluoride pollution using geospatial statistical technique, i.e., Getis-Ord. Geospatial statistical analysis was done in ArcGIS 10.2. Two hundred and fifty one samples were collected from different wheat and maize fields. Results of Getis- Ord revealed the significant clustering of high values of fluoride in Jhangi Syedan, Dhok Gujran, Chak jalal-ud-din, and Bara-Giran indicated by hot spots on the basis of lesser p value and high z score. Findings indicated that fields and crop plants nearer to the kilns were affected with the fluoride pollution as compared to the far distant fields. The crop samples in the year 2017 were found more damaged than the samples in the year 2015 and 2016. This temporal variation of fluoride pollution indicating the poor regulation of kiln industry. The result of the study further suggested that fields in vicinity of kilns need serious attention of government to prevent the damages caused by fluoride to crop plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Worldwide, forest degradation is a serious environmental issue, and in Pakistan, forest wealth is depleting at the highest rate in South Asia. To ensure sustainable development goals of environmental stewardship, social development and economic growth, a sound monitoring and regulatory mechanism is essential for tracking forest cover changes. This study aims to quantify the decline of forest reserves and associated temperature variations in a relatively unexplored biodiversity hotspot of Islamabad, Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP). Imagery acquired by Landsat TM (Thematic Mapper) for the year 1992, 2000 and 2011 are used to assess the spatial and temporal changes occurred over the last two decades (from 1992 to 2011). A robust hybrid-classification routine is implemented to monitor the changes in forest cover and ANOVA along with Tukey's HSD (Honestly Significant Difference) test is used to test the significance of temperature variation associated with a shift in land cover classes. The results showed a significant growth in settlements, agricultural area and barren soil whereas water body, lower vegetation, scrub and pine forest are diminishing. In both decades, the temperature alteration associated with a change in land cover classes are statistically significant (confirmed by ANOVA and Tukey's HSD tests) for most of the land use/land cover classes. Based on these findings, this study concludes that forests are dwindling at MHNP and the degrading condition of the forest is below par and necessitates the promotion of conservation practices to minimize ecological disturbances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of bricks by baking in kilns has occurred since ancient times in South Asia. The growth of modern urbanization has resulted in more kilns being required for brick production. Kilns are a source of fluoride emissions which cause damage to plants growing nearby. The aim of the present study was to study the effect of fluoride emissions from brick kilns on winter wheat being cultivated in the surrounding fields. The study (i) assessed the damage caused by fluoride to the wheat plants, (ii) determined the concentration levels of fluoride in the leaves, and (iii) measured the plant health index. The fluoride concentration was measured with a fluoride ion meter and the plant health was assessed using a raster calculator in ArcGIS 10.2v. The results revealed that great damage occurred, with visible foliar injury, to the wheat plants located within 100 m of the brick kilns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Classification and ordination of vegetation of Mughal Garden, Wah, Pakistan was done along with assessment of diversity status. A total of 45 species were recorded in vegetation survey belonging to 24 families with Asteraceae and Poaceae being the largest families. Herbs dominated the flora of Wah Garden by 44.4%, shrubs 15.5%, trees 13.3%, grasses 11.1%, creeping herbs 11.1%, ferns 2.2% and aquatic herbs 2.2%. About 35.5% species were annuals, 28.8% perennials, 13.3% annuals or perennials, 8.8% annuals or biennials, 8.8% deciduous, 2.2% coniferous and evergreen species. In case of life form of species, Therophytes and Megaphanerophytes were the most prevalent among species indirect ordination techniques TWINSPAN and DCA were employed that produced two major groups which were further divided into five communities and three major groups, respectively. Shannon-Wiener diversity index, Simpson Index of diversity and Hill's N1 and N2 diversity numbers were calculated and verified by data attribute plot through DCA suggesting reduced species diversity as Shannon-Wiener diversity index ranged between 0 and 1.67 due to increased anthropogenic activity. The outcome of this research will be useful in providing information on identification of species that are present, their distribution patterns, and classification which would help in management and conservation of native vegetation in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Weeds, spontaneously growing vegetation, are affected by environmental gradients. The present study was conducted along Khanpur dam, Pakistan with the objective to determine the weed status and subsequent effect of environmental variables. Environmental factors were also considered to record the data regarding occurrence of weed species in the study area. Different factors including pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter saturation, macronutrients and micronutrients were determined while weed species were determined using Canonical Correspondence Analysis. About 100 species in to four groups were collected along with the Dam and corresponding soil samples were also collected for the study of different nutrients. Environmental factors influenced the frequency of species in a clear way. The results showed that among all the groups, Cynodon dactylon and Cannabis Sativa were the most occurring species with the occurrence rate of about 70%. The Salvia moorcroftiana was the second most occurring weed specie in the area with the frequency of about 30% in all four groups. Among all environmental factors, iron was found most significant factor and its rate of effect was about 60% as compared to that of rest of the factors. The order of intensity of occurrence of species was Cynodon > Cannabis >Salvia > while soil nutrients were in the order of iron >zinc > phosphate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]