MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS OF MORELS HABITAT DIVERSITY ALONG WITH ASSOCIATED VEGETATION DYNAMICS IN DISTRICT SWAT, KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA, PAKISTAN

Morchella species are edible wild mushrooms growing under specific environmental conditions in temperate regions. The current study was designed to analyze morels diversity along with associated vegetation in addition to outline key eco-edaphic and environmental factors influencing distribution of mushrooms from three diverse forests of Swat, Pakistan. Randomized square plots were laid down along the transect line in 20 stands in the study area. Environmental factors were documented, and edaphic features were determined, analyzed, and compared. Four morels species Morchellaconica, Morchellaesculenta, Morchellasemilibera and Morchellaelata were reported from different elevation ranges. A higher canopy cover (88%) favors abundance of morels. Soil analysis showed that morel preferably appeared in loamy to sandy loam textured soil at pH (mean=7.4) and with high organic matter (2.5%) in the soil. The CCA analysis of associated plant species of morels whose relationship with various factors were carried out. Debregesiasalicifloria, Ficusplamata, Alnusnitida, were associated dominant trees based on IVI whereas Pinuswallichiana, Cornusmacrophylla, Cedrusdeodara, Juniperuscommunis were rare trees. Jaminumofficinale, Jasminumpolyantum were dominant associated shrubs while Rubusfruiticosus, Rosa indica, were rare shrubs in morels habitat. Whilst Cynodondactylon, Poaannua, Artimesia vulgariswere the predominant herbs in morel habitat whereas Fragarianubicula, Galiumtricornutum, Remuxnepalensis, Berberis lyceum, were rare herbs. This study will help to understand the natural habitat of Morels along associated vegetation and to provide base line information for the future conservation and management planning of threatened and endangered Morels species.