Influence of Temporal/Spatial Variability
on Agricultural biodiversity of Jhelum Potwar RegionPunjab-Pakistan
The Fourth IPSI Global Conference (IPSI-4) (13-14 September) in Fukui Japan
Khalida Khan, M. Ikram
Centre for Integrated Mountain Research (CIMR), University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan Email:- cimrpu87@gmail.com
This research study is very much in line with the IPSI Activity Cluster 3 (Indicator Research) and
Cluster 5 (On-the-Ground Activities)
.
Abstract:
Results:
Identification of the past and present soil and agricultural
biodiversity & change detection in vegetation cover has been
made. Keeping in view the area ecosystem and the maintenance
of biodiversity in future, the area is divided in five zones. The
1st Zone comprises Old river terrace, Sub-recent and Recent
floodplains with moderately deep, well drained with silty and
loamy soils irrigated by tube-wells. The 2nd Zone mainly covers
Piedmont Plains, Loess Plains and Weathered Rock Plains with
moderately to well drained, silty, loamy and clayey soils. The
3rd Zone covers Active floodplains along Jhelum River. A salt
affected area covers severely saline soils, grown on these soils
are used for very poor grazing. However, low levels of patchy
vegetation of the area has been decreased due to climate change
or has been cleared over most of the level parts of the area to
make place for arable cultivation. The uncultivable low-quality
soil material supports remnants of the original natural vegetation
of the area. Uncontrolled grazing and cutting has considerably
deteriorated the density and quality of vegetation. Some of these
areas are partly protected. The main species are Olea cuspidate,
ZizyphusJujuba, Acacia Arabica, Acacifornesiaria, Acacia
modesta, Dalbergiasisso Shrubs and forbs etc.
In 1963 the area consisted of four different soil series but in
2011 the soil of the study area consists of seven different
soils, which shows that the soil characteristics are changed
from 1963-2011 (Fig. 2). Presently the soil consists of seven
series as follows:Sambrial Association:- cropping of wheat, gram, millets and
vegetables with residuals moisture/ tube-well irrigation
Missa Complex:- dry-farmed cropping of wheat, millets,
Oilseeds and gram with moderate yields under traditional
management
Rajar Complex:- cropping of wheat, gram, millets &
vegetables with residuals moisture/ tube-well irrigation
Dhulian Association:- dry-farmed cropping of wheat, millets
and oilseeds with moderate to poor yields
Gullied Land, Rough Broken land & Rough Mountainous
land:- support sparse cover of scrubs which provide some
grazing
Investigations have revealed that most of the area has a very
low potential for agricultural development on account of a
lack of moisture. A great variation has also been observed in
soil properties and vegetation cover due to variable
environmental conditions.
The area is divided into five zones keeping in view the
management for Agriculture development:
Well Diversified Crop Zone (353 km2; 9.8%)
Old river terrace, Sub-recent & Recent floodplains irrigated by
tube-wells with moderately deep, well drained, silty & loamy
soils highly suitable for a wide variety of crops, very
responsive to good management
Dry-farmed Crop Zone (1021 km2; 28.5%)
Piedmont Plains, Loess Plains & Withered Rock Plains with
well drained silty & loamy soils, highly suitable for dry-farmed
crops
A small part (87 km2; 2.4%) comprises clayey soils, used for
restricted cropping of wheat & millets with low yields
Riverine Belt (138 km2; 3.8%)
Active floodplains along River Jhelum seasonal flooding
Ground-water, allows tube-well installation for irrigated crop
production, Very high yields
potential of common crops wheat,
sugarcane and vegetables
Salt Affected Zone (231 km2; 6.4%):
severely saline soils, mainly
uncultivated
Miscellaneous Areas
(1757 km2; 49%)
Gullied land, Rough mountainous
land, Gravelly & stony land,
Rough broken land, Open water,
River/torrent Bed & Urban Land –
not suitable for arable agriculture
Constraints
Barriers
Policies
Poor Cooperation
Knowledge Gaps
Lack of Awareness
Land Tenure
System
Introduction
Out of 79.6 million hector of total land of Pakistan just 20
mha is suitable for agriculture.
Jhelum District extends over 3587 km2 of Piedmont Plains,
River Plains, Loess Plains and Weathered Rock Plains. It is
bounded by Hazāra Hills (N) & Salt Range (S) with altitudinal
range of 300 m to 600 m asl & placed among the Indus and
Jhelum Rivers. The area receives moisture from tube-wells,
precipitation and seasonal flooding of Jhelum River. The
climate of the area ranges from semi-arid to sub-humid subtropical and sub-mountainous with hot summers and severe
winters. The rains are erratic and fall in two seasons
Desert
11%
Rockoutcrops
24%
Others
4%
Forest
5%
Open ground
10%
Rangelands
27%
Fig. 2. Noticeable change detection in the soil types of the study
area from 1963 to 2011
Fig. 5 shows the present land use trends of study area
Challenges/Threats
Fig. 3 A railway track passing within the Hilly areas & Piedmont
plain with sparse vegetation
Agriculture
19%
Fig. 1 Land use pattern and distribution of study area
Objectives
Study of temporal variations and their impacts on the
vegetation cover & the indirect impacts on the local
community & natural resources.
Assessment of climate change
Methods:
The literature reviews and field investigation carried out at
reconnaissance level
Soil groups are mapped & old soil mapping units delineations
on topo sheets (1: 50,000) were digitized with major land uses
Interpretation of the Spot images were carried out in the GIS/RS
laboratory
Questioner was prepared to collect data by interviewing
community & observing crop stand.
Ground checks were made & soil mapping on spot image were
digitized by using ARCINFO software.
Fig. 4.shows the difference in vegetation condition of 1992 & 2011
Recommendations
For food security it is suggested that the land should not be
damaged due to mismanagement as soil is not easily renewable.
Prime agriculture land should not be placed under
urbanization, industrialization and other infrastructure.
Keeping in view the challenges/ constraint & findings of the
Study it is to be suggested that a collaborative venture may be
initiated in context with Stoyama Initiative by implementing
SELP model for better biodiversity management options.
This study may be applied in similar environmental conditions.
Acknowledgements:
We wish to acknowledge the every support from Centre for
Integrated Mountain Research Punjab University Lahore-Pakistan,
through its small Research grants program. Our appreciation also
goes to our students Youns Shamoon & Qasim Ali, of M.Sc in
Mountain Conservation & Watershed Management conducted by
the CIMR.
Agricultural Depletion of Soil
nutrients
Decrease in growing period
Decrease in forests cover
Flooding, disturbed water flows
into river system
Destruction of Soil Structure&
Organic Matters
Soil Alkalization
Un sustainable water
Management
( Flood controls)
Rise in sea level
Deforestation
Overgrazing
Urbanization
Soil & Water Pollution
Accelerated Soil Erosion
Salinization
Conclusions/ Measurements
Adjustment of crop cultivation with the normal growing period
Provision of sufficient water supplies to irrigated crops at
normal intervals with special coverage of critical stages
Making use of minimum tillage expenditures
Making use of Family/or mutually shared labour as and when
required, for different cultural operations
Maintenance of a medium level of inputs for fertilizers and
biocides to be used at appropriate time
Adoption of normal soil and water conservation measures
The selection of alternative land utilization types
Location with respect to market facilities and availability of
inputs
Availability of agricultural machinery implements
Quantity and quality of irrigation water
Size of land holding
Capital resource and credit facilities
Availability of manpower
Technical know-how of the farmer
Control of pest and diseases