Alpine flora of Pakistan

1. Assignment on Alpine flora of Pakistan
Submitted to:
Dr. Ghulam Mujtaba shah
Submitted by:
Ebadet Ali
M.Phil 1st
Semeter
DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY
HAZARA UNIVERSITY MANSEHRA
PAKISTAN

2. Contant Table:
1- General Introduction of Pakistan ………………………………………………
2- Introduction of Alpine Flora ………………………………………………
3- Ecology of Alpine Zone ……………………………………………………
4- Division of Alpine flora ……………………………………………….......
5- Distribution of Alpine Flora …………………………………………………
6 -Typical Species of Alpine flora ……………………………………………….
7- Features of Alpine Flora ………………………………………………………
8- Climate of Alpine Zone ……………………………………………………….
9- Adaptation of Alpine Flora ……………………………………………………
10- Alpine Flora of Nanga Parbat ………………………………………………
10.1Introduction……………………………………………………………
10. 2- Alpine belt …………………………………………………………..
10. 3- Some important Alpine species of Nanga Parbat……………………
10. 4- Subalpine Species…………………………………………………..
11- Alpine Vegetation of Mastuj Valley………………………………………
11.1- Introduction…………………………………………………………
11.2 Classification of Mastuj valley vegetation …………………………
11.3- Alpine species of Mastuj Valley…………………………………...
11.4- Threats for Alpine species of Mastuj Vally………………………
12- Alpine Flora of Naran Valley Pakistan ……………………………........
12.1- Introduction………………………………………………………….
12.2- Climate ………………………………………………………………
12.3- Vegetation……………………………………………………………

3. 12.4- Alpine pastures……………………………………………..………….
12.4- Subalpine Pastures…………………………………………………….
13- Alpine Flora of Haramosh and Bagrot Valley Gilgit Baltistan……………..
13.1- Introduction……………………………………………………………..
13.2- Vegetation Zone…………………………………………………………
13.3 Common species of Alpine Zone………………………………………….
13.3 Medicinal importance of Alpine Flora……………………………………
13.4 Threats for Plants Biodiversity……………………..……………………
14- Alpine Flora Lake Saif-ul-Mulook Western Himalaya……………………..
14.1- Introduction………………………………………………..…………….
14.2- Plants Communities………………………………………………………
14.3- Status of the species of Saif-ul-Mulook Lake……………………………
15- Importance of Alpine Flora………………………………………….……….
16- Major threats for alpine flora of Pakistan…………………………………….
17- References…………………………………………………………………….

4. 1-General introduction of Pakistan:
Pakistan is a land of great diversity due to their due to different landscape and climate. It cover
the area of 87.98million hectares. The total are of forest of Pakistan covered is 4.224 million ha.
Only 4.8% of total area of lands forest covered. Pakistan is a land between the Arabian sea and
Karakoram mountains lying diagonally between 24° N and 37° N latitudes and 61° E and 75° E
longitudes. Northern mountains of Pakistan comprising of Karakoram range, Himalayas range ,
and the Hindu-Kush range There are many Largest peaks of the worlds are also located in the
great land of Pakistan. Like K-2 is the 2nd
highest peak of world which is located in the land of
Pakistan. The world largest Juniper forest is also located at the land of Balochistan Pakistan. The
National Flower of Pakistan is Jasmine. The soil of Pakistan is very fertile due which the
economy of Pakistan depend on Agriculture.
2-Introduction of Alpine flora of Pakistan:
The flora is known as Alpine flora which grow in such conditions which are similar to Alps
mountains range of Europe. Alpine Flora is found in some limited Areas of Pakistan like Gilgit
Baltistan, Chitral,Dir,Murre, Swat and Nathia gali and the Hill of Baluchistan and some other
mountains of Pakistan. In this regions mostly the mountains are cover with snow all over the
years due to which here the climate is very cold above the hight of 4000meter due reason the
tree can grow properly here. Alpine flora of Pakistan comprises of small trees of sliver Fir,
Junipers some grasses and birch founds. In this zone of Pakistan many number of Medicinal
plants are grow which are used for many medicinal propose by many different pharmaceuticals
company of Pakistan. This Figure show of Alpine flora of Northern area of Pakistan.

5. 3- Alpine Ecology of Pakistan:
The alpine flora is mostly occur in the top of the Mountains. In Pakistan the alpine flora is
found at the Following Mountains Range mostly
➢ Karakoram Range
➢ Himalaya Range
➢ Hindukush Range
Alpine zone lies between at altitude of 3000meter above the sea level where snowline begin.
4- Division of Alpine zone in Pakistan:
The Alpine zone is divided into two categories which are as follow.
➢ Sub alpine forest
➢ Alpine scrub
5- Distribution of Alpine Flora:
In Pakistan the Alpine flora is found in some limited areas which are include the following
areas.
➢ Chitral
➢ Swat
➢ Dir
➢ Murree
➢ Gilgit Baltistan
➢ Naran Valley
➢ Bolochistan Hills
6- Typical species of Alpine:
The typical species of Alpine which found in Pakistan are
➢ Bhuj
➢ Abies
➢ Spectabilis
➢ Birch

6. 7- Features of Alpine flora:
The features of Alpine flora are
➢ These important type of flora are found at throughout the range of Himalayas at about
3,350meter.
➢ The three typical species of trees are founds in this zone are Abies, Spectabilis, Birch and
Bhuj.
8- Climate of Alpine Zone:
The Climate of Alpine region is mostly very cold, icy, windy and snowy. The Average Rainfall
is 30cm per year due to very clod temperature tress cannot grow in this zone. During Summer the
temperature is reached around the 12 degree while during winter the temperature below the
freezing point at higher altitude that why in this zone much colder. The growing season of the
plants of this zone is 180 days. The summer for the zone is last for June to September. And
Winter is last from October to May.
9-Adaptation of Alpine Plants:
The Alpine plants have some special feature of adaptation which help them to grow in Alpine
zones.
➢ The alpine plants have some special ant-freeze chemical which help them to protect them
from freeze and die.
➢ These plants also have a specialized roots systems they grow their root horizontally and
spread instead of grow their roots vertically which help them to servive them in alpine
zone.
➢ The last features is Transpiration limitation due limited loss of water these plants get
leathery leaves that have waxy and hairy surface which keep them the plants moisture.
10-Alpine Flora of Nanga Parbat:
10.1-Introduction:
The Flora of Nanga Parbat is very well known as compared to other regions in Asia. this is all
due to great impressive map of vegetation by Troll 1939 . the map of Troll is based on the

7. topographical map of Finsterwalder. This work is done by troll after completion of the botanical
determinations initial taxonomic work on the phanerogamic herbarium material which was
carried by Melchior then after he work on to write project on monograph on the flora of Nanga
Parbat. A lot of taxonomic information on the vegetations of Nanga parbat areas have
accumulate the time when early visitors starting with the Falconer in 1838. The flora of Pakistan
have no check-list of the plants from the region of Gilgit Baltistan and their surrounding areas.
The flora collect from this region inspire other botanical research to work on the high Himalayas.
View of Nanga Parbat
10.2-Apine Belt:
Basically Alpine belt is define as the tree- less area above the upper limit of Betula. We
differentiate a separate subnival belt, the Altitude range of the Alpine belt on Nanga parbat is
3900-4500meter above the sea level. The annual rain fall in the alpine belt of Nanga Parbat is
expected from1000 to 1600 mm. Nanga parbat vegetation is consist of small mosaic of small
scrub, meadow and rock vegetation types.
Distribution of Alpine flora communities are effected by relief, exposure and edaphical features.
The relief features control the surface area of Alpine flora and unstable the rock slopes may
nearly free of higher plants. Scrub and the dwarf scrub of the Salix karelini attain the hight
from20to 200cm but it mostly depend upon the conditions, cover large tracts on N facing slpoes
above the sub alpine Betula forest. The Humid conditions allow the accumulation of deep layer
of forest provide the environment for variety of tall hygrophilous forbs. Aconogonon

8. eumicifolium, Gernium pretense, Doronicum falconeri, and subsp.stewartianum some of which
may be more features of subalpine pastures as well as companion flora of small herbs. Festuca
rubra, Pedicularis pectinata, Rhodoendron anthopogon is also more or less confined to the
northern aspect though maybe depend rather on edaphically drier and more level condition.
These small shrubs are 30to60cm in height which provide shelter for alpine herb and dwarf
shrubs. The mostly area of the Alpine belt is covered by alpine truf and mats the most dominated
species of the zone is Kobresia capillifolia and the abound species are Anderosace septrionalis,
Thlaspi cochleariforme, Myosotis asiatia ,Erigeron uniflorus According with exposure and
humidity condtions and grazing intensity many of these and other species may aspect of their
own.
View of alpine belt of upper Mazeno Base camp
10.3- Important Alpine species of Nanga Parbat:
Some important Alpine species of Nanga parbat zone are as fellow.
➢ Kobresia capillifolia
➢ K. schoenoides
➢ K. karakorumensis
➢ Festuca rubra subsp
➢ Potentilla venusta
➢ Taraxacum himalaicum

9. 10.4- Subalpine Belt:
The mean of annual rainfall in subalpine zone is expected to range from 750 to 1200mm. the
temperature of this belt is from 2-6degree. The flora of this belt show marked different of aspect.
Birch forest are dominate on the northern aspects with these species like Betula utilis subsp.
Karakoramica,and Viola biflora etc.
A different type of tall herbs accompany these are often low open forest or form their own moist
scree and rock slopes. These are the some species of this area Geranium pretense subsp,
Epilobium angustifolium Bergenia strachyi, Hedysarum falconeria. On the moist meadow and
the rock ledges by water many different species are occur like Cardamine loxostemonoides,
Lomatogonium carinthiacum, Juncus himalensis. The facing slopes of the subalpine belt are
covered with relatively dry steppe medows are also rich in species which are Arabidopsis
mollissima, Seseli libanotis, Astragalus rhizanthus, Leontopodium campestre, Agrostis vinealis.
They are interspersed with single Trees and the dwarf scrub communities are widely distributed
and mostly closely interlaced with brich forest and meadows.
View of Subalpine belt fo Nanga Parbat
11-Alpine vegetation of Mastuj Valley:
11.1- Introduction:

10. Mastuj valley is the rich of Natural flora and it is lies between 36◦-3′ north latitude and 72◦-5′
east longitude towards the northeastern part of District Chitral bordering Giligt baltistan and
Afghanistan. It is bounded on the north by Baroghill Pass, on the south by Shandur Pass, on the
east by Chumarkhan Pass and on the west by Chitral subdivision. The area is drained by Laspur
and Yarkhun rivers. Climatically the area falls within the arid temperate zone with hot summers
and chilling winters with snowfall.
11.2-Classification of Mastuj valley Vegetation:
The Vegetation of Mastuj valley is classified into
➢ dry temperate open scrub,
➢ subalpine scrub,
➢ alpine herbaceous vegetation
➢ cultivated plants
11.3-Alpine species of Mastuj Valley:
Mastuj valleys consist of seven plant communities based on highest importance values. The
communities included,
➢ Acantholimon-Ephedra-Ribes,
➢ Cicer-Aristida-Tricholepsis,
➢ Betula-Juniperus-Acantholimon,
➢ Betula-Ribes-Rosa,
➢ Ephedra-Juniperus-Artemisia,
➢ Epilobium-RheumMatricaria
➢ Betula-Salix-Rosa community
11.4-Threats for Alpine species of Mastuj Valley:
The alpine pastures in Mastuj Valley lies between 3000-4000m.Common threats to plant
biodiversity in this area are
➢ Deforestation
➢ overgrazing
➢ erosion
The plants need conservation and protection management in this small isolated and fragile
ecosystem.
12- Alpine Flora of Naran Valley Pakistan:
12.1- introduction:

11. Naran valley is the one of the beautiful valley of Pakistan and it is located at the western Himalayas. It is
270km form the capital city of Pakistan Islamabad 34°54.26′ N to 35°08.76′N latitude and 73°38.90′ E to
74°01.30′ E longitude. The elevation of Naran valley is 2450 to 5000m above the sea level. The intact
areas are formed crosswise ridges of mountains on either side of Kunhar river and this river is flow in
North-east to South west direction down the valley to the town of Naran valley. The Kunhar river has its
source at Lake Lulusar near the Babusar Pass at an elevation of 3455 m. It is bounded on the south-east
side by Azad Kashmir, on the north by Chilas and Gilgit Baltistan and on the west by Kohistanand
Battagram districts and Mansehra Tehsil. It forms the most northern part of British India and is now a part
of the District Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,Pakistan.Geographically, the Naran valley is located on
the extreme western boundary of the Himalayan range, from where after the Hindu Kush range of
mountains start to the west of the river Indus.
Map show the location of Naran Valley
12.2-Climate of Naran Valley:
Monsoon winds are the main source of rainfall and also a primary force controlling erosion and
climatology and hence geography and vegetation in the Himalayas. In the western Himalayas and
especially in the Naran valley, high mountains located at the opening of the valley act as a obstacle to the
incoming summer monsoon from the south and limit its dispersion into the upper northern parts of the
valley. Thus, summers remain cool and relatively dry and most of the valley has a dry temperate climate

12. with clear seasonal variation. Total average annual rainfall of Naran valley is low at only 900 to1000 mm
but there is heavy snowfall in winter which may occur at any time from November to April.
12.3-Vegetation:
The vegetation of the western Himalayan province is primarily under the pressure of monsoon
winds and can be classified into different vegetation zones on the basis of temperature, humidity
and altitude.
12.4-Alpine Pastures:
This habitat starts between 3300 and 3500m where the coniferous tree line ends and the
subalpine habitat merge in grasslands up to the altitude of 4500 m or above. This is a relatively
dynamic habitat type and people use it for domestic animals grazing and gathering of non-timber
foodstuffs during the summer months. The vegetation is dominated by a number of herb species,
including species of Potentilla,Anemone, Gentiana, Poa, Polygonum, Iris and Aster. This habitat
is typically inhabited by snow partridge and Himalayan ibex.
12.5-Subalpine Pastures:
These environment types occupy a thin zone between the coniferous tree line and the alpine
pastures. The elevation range of this zone varies slightly from place to place, but is generally in
the range 3100 to 3500 m. Important vegetation of this zone include Betula utilis at the tree line,
along with species of Juniperus, Rhododendron, Primula, Bergenia and Poa This environment is
important for snow partridge and western horned tragopan.
13-Alpine Flora of Haramosh &Bagrote Valley GilgitBaltistan:
13.1-Introduction :
Haramosh and Bagrote valleys are located in the Gilgit-Baltistan. It area of mountains covered
with 72,496 sq km, china, Afghanistan and Kashmir. It is surrounded by the range of Karakoram,
Himalayas and Hindukush. World’s few highest mountains are also found in Gligit baltistan like,

13. such as K-2 ,Nangaparbat and Majestic Rakaposhi are located in this beautiful land. In this
“Collision zone” of the Kashmir, Pakistan and China; the Hindukush, the Karakoram and the
Himalayan Ranges are knotted together. The Land of Gilgit Baltistan is falls in the Eastern Irano-
Turanian sub-region. The Alpine Region has 18 genera with 4 or more species; Pedicularis with
10 species was the largest genus of this zone, followed by Potentilla and Care and Draba Genera
containing 9 or 10 species occurred only in Alpine Pastures. There are 15 large families of the
alpine zone represented 189 species and make 81% of the Alpine flora. while the highest number
of species belonging to these larger families was present in the subalpine zone, but in terms of
percentage their role was the highest in the Alpine flora. Percentage-wise the contribution of
these families slowly increased from Desert zone to Alpine zone, because of their particular
distribution pattern. Although the total number of species was the highest in the Subalpine zone,
but in the species specific to any one zone, the Alpine zone had the highest number, that is, 96 of
the total 232 species of Alpine zone were entirely found in this zone only. Out of these 96
species specific to the Alpine zone,53 belonged to such 22 genera that were completely found in
the Alpine zone. The Alpine pasture was characterize by herbs and low shrubs, with Potentilla
species as the dominants. A clear style of migration of certain species both from lower to higher
latitudes and altitudes was pragmatic. The species richness index of Alpine zone however
showed increasing trend probably due to species migrations towards the alpine zone.
Map of Haramosh and Bagrot valley
13.2-Vegetation zone:
On the basis of vegetation this zone can be divided into following habitats:
➢ Permanent snow line,
➢ Rocky moist slopes cliffs,
➢ Open meadows
➢ Late lying
➢ Stream banks.

14. ➢ snow patches
13.3-Common Species of Alpine Zone:
The important medicinal species of Alpine zone of Haramosh and Bagrot valley are
13.4-Medicinal importance of Alpine Flora:
On the basis of information of the dweller many number of species are used for the treatment of
many different disorders.
➢ Skin protection
➢ Cure cough
➢ Asthma
➢ Headaches
➢ Respiratory inflammation
➢ Cancer
➢ Diarrhea
➢ Constipation
13.5-Threats for plant biodiversity:
The main threats to the plant biodiversity were recognized as the deforestation and habitat loss
due to over-exploitation of species, over-grazing by domestic animals, and climate changes due
to global warming.
14-Alpine Flora Lake Saif-ul-Mulook Western Himalaya:
14.1-Introduction:

15. Saif-ul Malook lake is located in Naran valley of western Himalayas, North Pakistan. Saif-ul-
Mulook a high altitude alpine lake located at the northern end of the Kaghan Valley near Naran
valley. It is in the north east of Mansehra District in the Khyber-Pukhtoonkhwa Pakistan. Its
elevation range is from 3300 to 5490 m above sea level between one of the highest lakes in
Pakistan. Most of the area has steep slopes and exposed peaks. Some of the peaks remain
covered with glaciers and provide melt-water throughout the year. This uncontrolled heavy
grazing is one of the major causes of degradation and retrogression of this pasture. The pasture
deterioration is proceeding unchecked as no technical inputs are being provided by any agency.
View of Saif-ul Malook Lake
14.2-Plants Communities:
The Alpine flora of this Area consist of different plants communities.
➢ Poa-Taraxicum-Phleum Astragalus community
Indicator species of this community are Poa alpina, Phleum alpinum Astragalus leucocephalus and
Taraxicum officinales. In some area Trifollium repens and Thymus liniaris were also present in
important numbers. Such alliance was observed in the areas where there was less local moisture
available. And positions all these sites were along the landscape area of the lak

16. ➢ Berginia-Cotoneaster- Anaphalis-Salix community
This community was dominated by occurrence of Berginia strchyii, Cotoneaster microphyllus,
Anaphalis triptriplin ervous and Salix flabilaris, and form a very diverse community in the area.
The area was characterize by the greater degree of slopes and soil has more proportion of humus.
This site represent the inlet area of the lake, different sample of vegetation structure.
➢ Juniper-Artemisa-Rheum Community
This plant community occurred at the location where there was ample growth of moisture like
crevices etc. The indicator species for this plant community were Juniper communis and
Artemisia absenthium. The site was chosen at the outlet area of the lake with different
topography and different soil structure, resulted in distinct pattern of vegetation.
14.3-Status of the species of Saif-ul-Mulook Lake:
Total 26 species belonging to 17 families of vascular plants are being reported from Saif-ul-
Mulook Lake and its adjoining areas Asteraceae is the family that is most representative in
15.38%, and together with Ranunculaceae, Compositae, Ranunculaceae, Cruciferae, Gramineae,
Apiaceae, Leguminosae, Scrophulariaceae and Polygonaceae are the families that constitute the
bulk of local flora.
15-Importance of Alpine Flora:
About 22% of the world peoples on mountain directly benefit from the Alpine Flora and lowland
peoples also dependant on Alps for many good such as
➢ Timber and Wood
➢ Energy
➢ Biodiversity Maintenance
➢ Water Supply
➢ Recreation and Spiritual Renewal
16-Major Threats for alpine Flora of Pakistan:
Alpine Flora are subject to many threats and suffer from many damages, main causes include
➢ Urbanization:
Continual expansion of Cities town and village.

17. ➢ Transportation:
Noise and Air pollution excess NO2 result in Acid rain
➢ Tourism:
Major driver of urbanization and traffic leisure activities by Tourists as winter ski tourism
adventure sports harm landscape.
➢ Hydroelectricity Supply:
Most cities rely on alpine water for drinking and electricity supply, human pressure and
global warming put alpine water at risk.
➢ Agriculture:1
Massive use of fertilizers grading and drainage.
➢ Climate Change
Global warming reduce glaciers, glacier recession led to upward migration of alpine
plants and extinction of low lands
Cause Exotic species and pathogen invasion.
17-References:
1. https://www.sai.uni-heidelberg.de/geo/pdfs/Dickore_Nuesser_Englera_2000.pdf
2. file:///C:/Users/Abadat/Desktop/IJB-V3No2-p152-157.pdf
3. https://academicjournals.org/article/article1408628325_Shedayi%20et%20al.pdf
4. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/273577100_Species_Diversity_and_Use_Pattern
s_of_the_Alpine_Flora_with_Special_Reference_to_Climate_Ch
5. https://www.slideshare.net/zakiakhatoon2/alpine-forest?qid=0d3dbeb2-f490-457f-9de7-
9b06cba67db5&v=&b=&from_search=1