• Energy Research

There is an ongoing debate about the potential of localized conservation efforts to address the ecological challenges brought about by global climate shifts. Among these challenges, biological invasion negatively affects ecosystem health and biodiversity. In this study, we assessed the potential impact of global climate changes and human activities on the spread of the invasive species Broussonetia papyrifera in Pakistan's subtropical region. Jackknife analysis indicated that, among the climatic variables studied, the maximum temperature of the warmest month (bio05) made the most significant contribution, accounting for 25.6 % of the model's predictive capacity. Potential highly invaded regions are located in the territory of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Nowshera, Swabi, Haripur, and Mardan. Some patches were also found to be invaded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Abbottabad, Buner, Tor Ghar, and Peshawar) and Punjab (Narowal, Sialkot, Gujrat, Jhelum, and Chakwal). Specifically, based on all four Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) scenarios for the 2050 s and 2070 s, the highly invaded regions of B. papyrifera are predicted to shift Northern Punjab, Eastern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Northern Kashmir. Based on the SSPs 245 and 585 scenarios, the majority of highly invaded regions are projected to expand by 2050. Similarly, within these regions, the potentially invaded land area is estimated to increase to 2.74 % under SSPs 585 in the 2050 s, 5.29 % under SSPs 245 in the 2070 s, and 6.27 % under SSPs 585 in the 2070 s. Applying circuit theory and ecological resistance, a surface connectivity map of the species revealed that Rawalpindi and Sargodha in Punjab had the most prominent corridors, with rates being highest where ecological patches continually merged. This study is the first to predict B. papyrifera distribution in Pakistan under current and future climate change scenarios. Implementing nationwide guidelines comprehensively may curb the spread of invasive species and protect native plant diversity from extinction. The findings of this study will aid in timely monitoring and surveillance of B. papyrifera and in formulating integrated management plans at the national level to prevent its invasion, spread, and potential harm to newly projected regions.

The burgeoning human population exhibited a rapid amplification in demand for timber and fuelwood and as a result, the natural population of the native tree Tecomella undulata reduced rapidly due to its high economic and medicinal significance. The recognition of appropriate regions for threatened plants in the climate change scenario is a fundamental step for the restoration and conservation of biodiversity. The current study predicts the potentially suitable areas in Pakistan for T. undulata restoration. This research identifies the highly appropriate regions for vulnerable T. undulata through the maximum entropy model from MaxEnt software. The model’s Area Under Curve 0.968 suggested its accuracy. The mean temperature of the wettest quarter, precipitation of the warmest quarter, and mean temperature in the driest quarter significantly shaped the T. undulata distribution. Future suitable areas for T. undulata were made by using RCP (4.5 and 8.5) for the years 2050 and 2070 through 19 bioclimatic variables and 66 occurrence points. The current highly suitable area for T. undulata is approximately 135,749 km2 (15.4%) while the unsuitable area identified is approximately 404,917 km2 (45.91%). The highly suitable area for T. undulata increases by 3.6–7% under climate change regimes (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5). The Central Punjab (District Faisalabad, Nankana sahib, Jhang, Kasur, and Okara), Salt Range, Western Khayber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), FATA area, Eastern Balochistan, and Thar and Tharparker in Sindh are the current appropriate habitats for T. undulata. Under all future climatic circumstances, the extremely appropriate area for T. undulata was anticipated to expand, whereas the unsuitable zones would all shrink. The research would be significant for the further development of T. undulata management and conservation techniques.

The distribution of large ungulates is more often negatively impacted by the changing climate, especially global warming and species with limited distributional zones. While developing conservation action plans for the threatened species such as the Himalayan goral (Naemorhedus goral Hardwicke 1825; a mountain goat that mostly inhabits rocky cliffs), it is imperative to comprehend how future distributions might vary based on predicted climate change. In this work, MaxEnt modeling was employed to assess the habitat suitability of the target species under varying climate scenarios. Such studies have provided highly useful information but to date no such research work has been conducted that considers this endemic animal species of the Himalayas. A total of 81 species presence points, 19 bioclimatic and 3 topographic variables were employed in the species distribution modeling (SDM), and MaxEnt calibration and optimization were performed to select the best candidate model. For predicted climate scenarios, the future data is drawn from SSPs 245 and SSPs 585 of the 2050s and 2070s. Out of total 20 variables, annual precipitation, elevation, precipitation of driest month, slope aspect, minimum temperature of coldest month, slope, precipitation of warmest quarter, and temperature annual range (in order) were detected as the most influential drivers. A high accuracy value (AUC-ROC > 0.9) was observed for all the predicted scenarios. The habitat suitability of the targeted species might expand (about 3.7 to 13%) under all the future climate change scenarios. The same is evident according to local residents as species which are locally considered extinct in most of the area, might be shifting northwards along the elevation gradient away from human settlements. This study recommends additional research is conducted to prevent potential population collapses, and to identify other possible causes of local extinction events. Our findings will aid in formulating conservation plans for the Himalayan goral in a changing climate and serve as a basis for future monitoring of the species.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the taxonomic diversity, richness, and distribution patterns of Poaceae in relation to abiotic factors in the Jhelum district of the Pakistan Himalayas. We used a random sampling technique from 80 grids within 240 sites with a rich diversity of wild grasses and 720 quadrates in triplets from each site across the Jhelum district between 2019 and 2021 to collect data on grass species and the associated environmental factors and conditions. After evaluating the important value index for each plant taxa and for the environmental data, we analyzed the data using ordination and cluster analysis techniques. Fifty-two Poaceae taxa from twenty-nine genera were recorded within the study area. From a total of 52 recorded Poaceae species, 45 were native and 7 were invasive species. The life form (biological) showed the dominancy of 27 therophyte species, followed by 24 hemicryptophyte species, and 1 geophyte species. Microphyll had the leading leaf size spectra (27 species), followed by nanophyll (12 species), macrophyll (10 species), and leptophyll (3 species). The trend of the life cycle was the maximum (27 spp.) during the monsoon season, followed by spring (11 spp.), winter (8 spp.), and summer (6 spp.). The leading genera were Setaria with 9.61% of the species, followed by Panicum, Cenchrus, and Brachiaria with 7.69% of the species. Aristida and Echinochloa made up 5.76% of the species while Chrysopogon, Digitaria, Eragrostis, Pennisetum, and Poa made up 3.84% of the species. Other genera recorded single species. The leaf size spectra of grasses were dominated by microphylls (50%) followed by nanophylls (23.07%), macrophylls (19.23%), and leptophylls (7.69%). On the basis of the importance value index, the most dominant species was Cynodon dactylon (68), followed by Dichanthium annulatum (58), Brachiaria ramose (38), Dactyloctenium aegyptium (37), Eleusine indica (35), Saccharum bengalense (33), and Cenchrus biflorus (28). Two-way cluster analyses classified the grasses into three plant community associations based on the indicator plant species. Soil parameters as subsamples were tested for moisture, pH, EC, OM, macronutrients (CaCO3, N, P, and K), and saturation while the ordination analysis revealed that they had a significant (p ≤ 0.002) effect on vegetation associations. Overall, this study contributes to a better understanding of the influence of environmental factors on the composition and associations of grass species and the development of scientifically informed management solutions for the ecological restoration of degraded habitats in this Himalayan region.

The conservation of threatened species and the restoration of ecosystems have emerged as crucial ecological prerequisites in the context of a changing global environment. One such species of significant commercial value is the Bael tree, scientifically known as Aegle marmelos, which is native to semi-arid regions in Pakistan. However, the species faces threats in Pakistan due to overexploitation and changing land use. To support sustainable production practices and agricultural planning, it is important to investigate how climate change has affected the geographic distribution of Aegle marmelos. Additionally, the impact of climate change on its frequency and distribution remains uncertain. To address these concerns, we employed species distribution modeling techniques using MaxEnt and GIS to predict the present and future distribution of favorable habitats for Aegle marmelos. Based on our findings, several key bioclimatic variables were identified as significant influencers of Aegle marmelos distribution. These variables include soil bulk density (bdod), isothermality (bio03), precipitation during the warmest quarter (bio18), and mean temperature during the wettest quarter (bio08). Currently, the potential suitable habitat for Aegle marmelos spans an area of approximately 396,869 square kilometers, primarily concentrated in the regions of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan in Pakistan. The habitats deemed highly suitable for Aegle marmelos are predominantly found in upper and central Punjab. However, if climate change persists, the suitable habitats in Pakistan are likely to become more fragmented, resulting in a significant shift in the overall suitable area. Moreover, the distribution center of the species is expected to relocate towards the southeast, leading to increased spatial separation over time. The results of this research significantly contribute to our understanding of the geo-ecological aspects related to Aegle marmelos. Furthermore, they provide valuable recommendations for the protection, management, monitoring, and sustainable production of this species.

Des estimations fiables de la façon dont les activités humaines peuvent affecter les populations d'espèces sauvages sont essentielles pour prendre des décisions scientifiquement rationnelles en matière de gestion des ressources. Un problème important dans l'estimation des conséquences des mesures de gestion, de développement ou de conservation est la nécessité de tenir compte d'une variété de facteurs biotiques et abiotiques, tels que l'utilisation des terres et le changement climatique, qui interagissent au fil du temps en modifiant les habitats et les populations de la faune. Le léopard des neiges Panthera uncia (Schreber, 1775), en tant qu'espèce vulnérable, est extrêmement sensible aux impacts indirects du changement climatique. Étant donné qu'il est très difficile d'entreprendre des mesures de conservation sur toute la gamme des léopards des neiges, il est nécessaire d'identifier les points chauds à conserver. Cette étude a été menée dans les vallées de Bagrot et Haramosh, dans la région transhimalayenne, pour évaluer les impacts du climat et de la pression humaine sur l'habitat du léopard des neiges. La classification hybride des données satellitaires Landsat pour 2010 et 2020 a été réalisée pour élucider les changements dans l'utilisation des terres qui suggéraient une diminution de la neige permanente de 10 % et 3 % à Haramosh et Bagrot, tandis qu'une augmentation des colonies couvrait respectivement 16 % et 23 %. La comparaison des zones de vie pour 2010 et 2020 à l'aide du système de classification des zones de vie de Holdridge (HLZ) a révélé un passage de trois zones de vie à cinq zones de vie à Haramosh, et de quatre zones de vie à cinq zones de vie à Bagrot, causé par une augmentation de la température de 2 ° C à 3 ° C, indiquant que la zone devient de plus en plus adaptée aux établissements et moins favorable aux léopards des neiges. Cette étude souligne à nouveau que les régions montagneuses sont plus vulnérables aux impacts du changement climatique. Le temps chaud rend la survie des léopards des neiges plus difficile. Bien qu'ils résistent aux effets directs du changement climatique, les impacts indirects tels que les avalanches, les crues soudaines, l'urbanisation et les conflits homme-faune les rendent plus vulnérables et menacent leur survie. Ainsi, nous recommandons d'établir d'autres aires protégées, de mieux contrôler le commerce illégal d'espèces sauvages et de mener des études génétiques pour comprendre les impacts sur les léopards des neiges et la gestion des pâturages, l'amélioration des moyens de subsistance et la réduction des conflits entre l'homme et la faune. Las estimaciones confiables de cómo las actividades humanas pueden afectar a las poblaciones de vida silvestre son fundamentales para tomar decisiones de gestión de recursos científicamente sólidas. Un problema importante al estimar las consecuencias de las medidas de gestión, desarrollo o conservación es la necesidad de tener en cuenta una variedad de factores bióticos y abióticos, como el uso de la tierra y el cambio climático, que interactúan con el tiempo alterando los hábitats y las poblaciones de vida silvestre. El leopardo de las nieves Panthera uncia (Schreber, 1775), como especie vulnerable, es extremadamente sensible a los impactos indirectos del cambio climático. Dado que es muy difícil llevar a cabo medidas de protección en toda la gama de leopardos de las nieves, es necesario identificar los puntos críticos de protección. Este estudio se realizó en los valles de Bagrot y Haramosh, en la región transhimalaya, para evaluar los impactos del clima y la presión humana en el hábitat del leopardo de las nieves. Se realizó una clasificación híbrida de los datos satelitales de Landsat para 2010 y 2020 para dilucidar los cambios en el uso de la tierra que sugerían una disminución de la nieve permanente en un 10 % y un 3 % en Haramosh y Bagrot, mientras que un aumento en la cobertura de asentamientos en un 16 % y un 23 %, respectivamente. La comparación de zonas de vida para 2010 y 2020 utilizando el sistema de clasificación de zonas de vida de Holdridge (HLZ) reveló un cambio de tres zonas de vida a cinco zonas de vida en Haramosh, y cuatro zonas de vida a cinco zonas de vida en Bagrot, causado por un aumento de temperatura de 2 ° C a 3 ° C, lo que indica que el área se está volviendo cada vez más adecuada para los asentamientos y menos favorable para los leopardos de las nieves. Este estudio subraya una vez más que las regiones montañosas son más vulnerables a los impactos del cambio climático. El clima cálido está dificultando la supervivencia de los leopardos de las nieves. Aunque son resistentes a los efectos directos del cambio climático, los impactos indirectos como las avalanchas, las inundaciones repentinas, la urbanización y los conflictos entre humanos y vida silvestre los hacen más vulnerables y amenazan su supervivencia. Por lo tanto, recomendamos establecer más áreas protegidas, controlar mejor el comercio ilegal de vida silvestre y realizar estudios genéticos para comprender los impactos en el manejo de los leopardos de las nieves y los pastizales, la mejora de los medios de vida y la reducción de los conflictos entre humanos y vida silvestre. Reliable estimates of how human activities may affect wildlife populations are critical for making scientifically sound resource management decisions. A significant issue in estimating the consequences of management, development, or conservation measures is the need to account for a variety of biotic and abiotic factors, such as land use and climate change, that interact over time altering wildlife habitats and populations. The snow leopard Panthera uncia (Schreber, 1775), as a vulnerable species, is extremely sensitive to indirect impacts of climate change. Given that it is highly difficult undertaking conservation measures on the entire range of snow leopards, identifying hotspots for conservation is necessary. This study was conducted in Bagrot and Haramosh valleys, in the Trans-Himalayan region, to evaluate the impacts of climate and human pressure on snow leopard habitat. Hybrid classification of Landsat satellite data for 2010 and 2020 was performed to elucidate land use changes that suggested a decrease in permanent snow by 10 % and 3 % in Haramosh and Bagrot while an increase in settlements cover by 16 % and 23 %, respectively. Life zone comparison for 2010 and 2020 using the Holdridge life zone (HLZ) classification system disclosed a change from three life zones to five life zones in Haramosh, and four life zones to five life zones in Bagrot, caused by a temperature increase of 2°C to 3°C, indicating that the area is becoming more and more suitable for settlements and less favorable for snow leopards. This study underlines again that mountainous regions are more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Warming weather is making survival more difficult for snow leopards. Although they are resilient to the direct effects of climate change, indirect impacts like avalanches, flash floods, urbanization, and human-wildlife conflict make them more vulnerable and threaten their survival. Thus, we recommend establishing further protected areas, better controlling illegal wildlife trade, and conducting genetic studies to understand impacts on snow leopards and rangeland management, livelihood improvement, and human-wildlife conflict reductions. تعد التقديرات الموثوقة لكيفية تأثير الأنشطة البشرية على مجموعات الحياة البرية أمرًا بالغ الأهمية لاتخاذ قرارات سليمة علميًا لإدارة الموارد. تتمثل إحدى القضايا المهمة في تقدير عواقب تدابير الإدارة أو التنمية أو الحفظ في الحاجة إلى مراعاة مجموعة متنوعة من العوامل الحيوية وغير الحيوية، مثل استخدام الأراضي وتغير المناخ، التي تتفاعل مع مرور الوقت لتغيير موائل الحياة البرية وسكانها. النمر الثلجي Panthera uncia (Schreber، 1775)، باعتباره من الأنواع المعرضة للخطر، حساس للغاية للتأثيرات غير المباشرة لتغير المناخ. بالنظر إلى أنه من الصعب للغاية اتخاذ تدابير الحفظ على مجموعة كاملة من نمور الثلج، فإن تحديد النقاط الساخنة للحفظ أمر ضروري. أجريت هذه الدراسة في وديان باغروت وحراموش، في منطقة عبر الهيمالايا، لتقييم آثار المناخ والضغط البشري على موائل نمور الثلج. تم إجراء تصنيف هجين لبيانات القمر الصناعي لاندسات لعامي 2010 و 2020 لتوضيح التغييرات في استخدام الأراضي التي اقترحت انخفاضًا في الثلوج الدائمة بنسبة 10 ٪ و 3 ٪ في حرموش وباغروت بينما تغطي الزيادة في المستوطنات بنسبة 16 ٪ و 23 ٪ على التوالي. كشفت مقارنة منطقة الحياة لعامي 2010 و 2020 باستخدام نظام تصنيف منطقة حياة هولدريدج (HLZ) عن تغيير من ثلاث مناطق حياة إلى خمس مناطق حياة في حرموش، وأربع مناطق حياة إلى خمس مناطق حياة في باغروت، بسبب زيادة درجة الحرارة من درجتين مئويتين إلى 3 درجات مئوية، مما يشير إلى أن المنطقة أصبحت أكثر ملاءمة للمستوطنات وأقل ملاءمة لنمور الثلج. تؤكد هذه الدراسة مرة أخرى أن المناطق الجبلية أكثر عرضة لتأثيرات تغير المناخ. الطقس الدافئ يجعل البقاء على قيد الحياة أكثر صعوبة بالنسبة لفهود الثلج. على الرغم من قدرتها على التكيف مع الآثار المباشرة لتغير المناخ، إلا أن الآثار غير المباشرة مثل الانهيارات الجليدية والفيضانات المفاجئة والتحضر والصراع بين الإنسان والحياة البرية تجعلها أكثر عرضة للخطر وتهدد بقاءها. وبالتالي، نوصي بإنشاء المزيد من المناطق المحمية، والسيطرة بشكل أفضل على التجارة غير المشروعة في الحياة البرية، وإجراء دراسات وراثية لفهم التأثيرات على نمور الثلج وإدارة المراعي، وتحسين سبل العيش، والحد من النزاعات بين الإنسان والحياة البرية.

La modélisation de la répartition des espèces et la dynamique de niche des plantes exotiques peuvent aider à comprendre le potentiel d'invasion existant et futur à la suite du changement climatique. Nous décrivons la dynamique de niche de S. viarum Dunal et rendons compte de sa distribution actuelle et future prévue au Pakistan dans le cadre de scénarios de changement climatique. Les résultats ont révélé que S. viarum avait une vaste gamme de zones de distribution potentielles au Pakistan, le Pendjab central, le Khyber Pakhtunkhwa oriental et le Baloutchistan méridional étant les plus appropriés. Selon les données de la courbe roc, le modèle MaxEnt a une grande précision de prédiction et des résultats crédibles. Les variables les plus importantes influençant la distribution latente de S. viarum peuvent être la précipitation et la température. La superficie potentielle actuelle de S. viarum est d'environ 105 750 km2 (12 %). Dans les régimes de changement climatique, la zone hautement appropriée pour S. viarum augmente de 2 à 9 % sous deux voies de concentration représentatives (RCP 4.5 et RCP 8.5). Les résultats de cette étude pourraient aider à développer le contrôle des invasions régionales et des approches du changement climatique au Pakistan. Plus important encore, les résultats de la dynamique de niche dans les zones indigènes et envahies de S. viarum contribuent à une meilleure compréhension de la nature des modifications de niche chez les espèces envahissantes et du potentiel d'invasion sous le changement climatique. El modelado de la distribución de especies y la dinámica de nicho de las plantas exóticas pueden ayudar a comprender el potencial de invasión existente y futuro a raíz del cambio climático. Describimos la dinámica de nicho de S. viarum Dunal e informamos sobre su distribución presente y futura prevista en Pakistán bajo escenarios de cambio climático. Los resultados revelaron que S. viarum tenía una amplia gama de zonas de distribución prospectivas en Pakistán, siendo las más adecuadas el Punjab Central, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Oriental y Baluchistán del Sur. Según los datos de la curva Roc, el modelo MaxEnt tiene una gran precisión de predicción y resultados creíbles. Las variables más importantes que influyen en la distribución latente de S. viarum pueden ser la precipitación y la temperatura. El área potencial actual de S. viarum es de aproximadamente 105.750 km2 (12%). Bajo los regímenes de cambio climático, el área altamente adecuada para S. viarum aumenta en un 2–9% bajo dos vías de concentración representativas (RCP 4.5 y RCP 8.5). Los resultados de este estudio podrían ayudar a desarrollar el control de las invasiones regionales y los enfoques del cambio climático en Pakistán. Más importante aún, los hallazgos de la dinámica de nicho en áreas nativas e invadidas de S. viarum contribuyen a una mejor comprensión de la naturaleza de las modificaciones de nicho en especies invasoras y el potencial de invasión bajo el cambio climático. Species distribution modeling and niche dynamics of alien plants can aid in understanding the existing and future invasion potential in the wake of climate change. We describe the niche dynamics of S. viarum Dunal, and report on its present and predicted future distribution in Pakistan under scenarios of climate change. The results revealed that S. viarum had an extensive range of prospective distribution zones in Pakistan, with Central Punjab, Eastern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Southern Balochistan being the most suitable. According to ROC curve data, the MaxEnt model has a great prediction precision and credible outcomes. The most important variables influencing S. viarum latent distribution may be precipitation and temperature. The current potential area of S. viarum is approximately 105,750 km2 (12%). Under climate change regimes, the highly suitable area for S. viarum increases by 2–9% under two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5). The outcomes of this study could help to develop control of regional invasions and climate change approaches in Pakistan. More importantly, the findings of niche dynamics in native and invaded S. viarum areas contribute to a better understanding of the nature of niche modifications in invasive species and the potential for invasion under climate change. يمكن أن تساعد نمذجة توزيع الأنواع والديناميكيات المتخصصة للنباتات الغريبة في فهم إمكانات الغزو الحالية والمستقبلية في أعقاب تغير المناخ. نحن نصف الديناميكيات المتخصصة لـ S. viarum Dunal، ونقدم تقريرًا عن توزيعها الحالي والمستقبلي المتوقع في باكستان في ظل سيناريوهات تغير المناخ. كشفت النتائج أن S. viarum لديها مجموعة واسعة من مناطق التوزيع المحتملة في باكستان، مع كون وسط البنجاب وشرق خيبر باختونخوا وجنوب بلوشستان هي الأنسب. وفقًا لبيانات منحنى ROC، يتمتع نموذج MaxEnt بدقة تنبؤ رائعة ونتائج موثوقة. قد تكون أهم المتغيرات التي تؤثر على توزيع S. viarum الكامن هي هطول الأمطار ودرجة الحرارة. تبلغ المساحة المحتملة الحالية لـ S. viarum حوالي 105،750 كيلومتر مربع (12 ٪). في ظل أنظمة تغير المناخ، تزداد المساحة المناسبة للغاية لـ S. viarum بنسبة 2-9 ٪ في إطار مسارين تمثيليين للتركيز (RCP 4.5 و RCP 8.5). يمكن أن تساعد نتائج هذه الدراسة في تطوير السيطرة على الغزوات الإقليمية ونهج تغير المناخ في باكستان. والأهم من ذلك، أن نتائج الديناميات المتخصصة في مناطق S. viarum الأصلية والمغزوة تساهم في فهم أفضل لطبيعة التعديلات المتخصصة في الأنواع الغازية وإمكانية الغزو في ظل تغير المناخ.

Documentation the relative influence of ecological dynamics on species diversity patterns can help us better understand spatial distribution patterns and devise a systematically comprehensive base for carrying out environmental explorations. The current attempt aimed at exploring the distribution patterns, diversity and richness of wild grasses with respect to climatic dynamics in the Gujrat district of Punjab, Pakistan. For this purpose, we applied the randomized sample method and sampled a total of 90 sites across the Gujrat district between 2019 and 2021 to document data on wild grasses and related ecological conditions. After assessment of the significant value index of each grass species with ecological records, we evaluated the data by ordination and cluster analysis. A total of 57 wild grasses from 37 genera were documented from the Gujrat district. The leading genera were Brachiaria, Cenchrus and Setaria, each accounting for 7.02% of all documented species, followed by Aristida and Panicum, each representing 5.76% of the species. Dactyloctenium, Dichanthium, Eragrostis, Polypogon, Poa and Saccharum each accounted for 5.26% of the species, and Digitaria, Pennisetum, Eragrostis, Chrysopogon Poa and Setaria each accounted for 3.51% of the species. Other genera each had a single species. Among all grasses, 75.44% of the species were native and 24.56% species were exotic and introduced to the study area. The leading life forms were therophytes (56.14%), followed by hemicryptophytes (42.11%) and geophytes (1.75%). Microphylls, with a 54.39% share, dominated the leaf size spectra of the wild grasses flora in this research. Other frequent classes included nanophylls (21.05%), macrophylls (19.3%) and leptophylls (5.26%). Flowering phenology of wild grasses showed that mainly species at the flowering phase were recorded during the months of June to August (40.35%) and July to September (19.29%). By applying Ward’s agglomerative clustering method, we classified the ninety transects into four major groups. Ordination analysis showed that different ecological factors had significant (p ≤ 0.002) effects on vegetation relations. The present endeavor provides a basic way to understand the impacts of ecological variables on the structure, diversity, composition and associations of wild grasses, which are helpful to improve the scientific-informed conservation and management measures for the environmental reestablishment of degraded habitat in the studied region.