Rakaposhi Peak (7,788 m) is ranked 27th highest in the world and 12th highest in Pakistan. It is located in the Karakoram mountain range and stands elegantly in the Nagar Valley of
Common Leopard (Panthera pardus) is one of the most elusive animals of the cat family. It is listed as
Centuries old Wakhi culture thriving at the northern most fringes of Pakistan.
Hydrophasianus chirurgus
Contents Prologue
12
Acknowledgements
15
WWF Pakistan
17
Origin of Pakistan's Biodiversity
18
Ecological Zones and Associated Major Ecosystems of Pakistan
24
1. Tropical Littoral and Mangrove Forest
27
2. Tropical Thorn Forest 2a. Riverine Forest 2b. Swamps and Seasonal Inundations 2c. Sand Dune Deserts
43 63 75 89
3. Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest
99
4. Sub-tropical Broad-leaved Evergreen Forest
111
5. Sub-tropical Pine Forest
127
6. Moist Temperate Forest
137
7. Dry Temperate Forest 7a. Himalayan Dry Temperate Forest 7b. Dry Temperate Semi-evergreen Scrub Forest 7c. Balochistan Lower Ranges of Mediterranean Climate 7d. Balochistan Higher Ranges
149 167 177 189
8. Alpine Zone 8a. Sub-alpine Zone 8b. Alpine Zone
199 209
9. Cold Deserts
229
Bar-headed Geese (Anser indicus
Prologue
Pinus gerardiana)
Acknowledgements
WWF - Pakistan
Origin of Pakistan's Biodiversity
Sandwich Terns (Sterna sandvicensis)
Common Windmill (Atrophaneura polyeuctes)
Ecological Zones and Associated Major Ecosystems of Pakistan
Ecological Zones and Associated Major Ecosystems of Pakistan
Bar-headed Goose (Anser indicus)
1 Avicennia marina
Aquila heliaca
Sousa plumbea
Pelecanus crispus
Neophron percnopterus)
Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas
Sterna sandvicensis) and Lesser Crested Tern (Sterna bengalensis
Saw-scaled Viper (Echis carinatus
Diogenes planimanus
White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis
Sarus Crane (
Using seawater for daily chores.
A lifeline for desert dwellers.
2