Affects of vegetation in rock crevices of some parts of Murree region, northern Pakistan and its potential in edge erosion

The research paper describes vegetation in the rock crevices as a means of soil erosion control. Almost similar type of vegetation occurs both in naturally occurring rock crevices and man-made rocky walls. Soil damage is due to heavy rainfalls. Vegetation, small shrubs, herbaceous angiosperms, soil binding grasses and ferns and their role in reducing edge erosion are discussed. These plants face extremely unfavorable conditions of nutrition, water, light and form a group of pioneers in the naturally occurring successional stages. Vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae play an important role in such unfavorable conditions. Soil climate of the area is Typic Udic Thermic. Udic Moisture Control Section (MCS) is never dry in any parts for as long as 90 cumulative days. Typic Udic MCS is moist in all parts for about 11 months. The mean annual soil temperature at 50 cm depth is 15°C and lower than 22°C. Soil thickness, texture and content of coarse fragments, calcareousness, mineralogy and colour are closely related with the parent material. The soil erosion is directly associated with the heavy rainfalls, soil types, physiographic position and land cover of the area. Measures have been proposed to minimize soil erosion and provision for sustainable development.