Journal of Agriculture
and Environmental Sciences

Determining Rainfall variations and the Effect on Vegetation Coverage in (rain fed / irrigated) areas of Punjab Province, Pakistan
Iman Meer, Sheikh Saeed Ahmad

Abstract
The research is directed towards the impact of heavy monsoon rains and floods on the vegetation pattern of Punjab. It was observed that though floods damaged households, environment and the agricultural crops, but they also contributed in an overall increase of vegetation. Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer 250m imagery was used to detect change in the vegetation cover. The rainfall data from Pakistan Meteorological Department was correlated with the vegetation of Punjab for the time span 2008-11. The rain fed zone was found at high positive correlation whereas the irrigated zone had unexpected outcome. In addition to rains and floods several other factors also contributed to the changes in vegetation pattern of Punjab. These included: difference of elevation levels of the rain fed and irrigated zones at sea level, crop harvesting seasons etc. Analyzing the vegetation of Punjab during 2008, 2010 and 2011 it was proved that monsoon rains had a linear relation with vegetation. The high vegetation shore in rain fed and irrigated zones showed increase in June and October for 2008-11. Similarly the medium vegetation coverage in rain fed and irrigated zones also increased in April and December during 2008-11.

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