Statistical analyses of the medicinal flora of the Naran Valley in the Western Himalayas were performed using Moerman’s methods and Principal Components Analysis (PCA). The results demonstrate that the valley’s indigenous people utilize medicinal plants in a systematic way. Sixty-eight families of plants were identified during the study, of which 52 contained one or more species of medicinal value. The standard deviation for residual values of all the 68 families was 0.993 and the results of the residual analysis revealed that seven of these plant families were overused by the local people, indicated by residual values greater than the standard deviation. Residual values obtained from a regression analysis of plant species with their medicinal uses showed that the families with the highest rank were Polygonaceae, Gentianaceae, Lamiaceae, Rosaceae and Plantaginaceae, indicating their medicinal importance. By comparison, Poaceae, Boraginaceae, Primulaceae, Salicaceae, and Ranunculaceae were the lowest ranking families, containing few species of medicinal value. Although a few of the most species-rich families in the valley contained a high number of medicinal plants and hence displayed high residual values, some other species-rich families contained few or no species of medicinal value. For example, the third largest family, Poaceae, is the lowest in terms of its residual value, while the largest family, Asteraceae, contains only seven species noted as having medicinal uses. Sixteen plant families in the valley contained no species with reported medicinal use, while seven families contained only one species with medicinal value. In contrast, all of the species in several of the least species-rich families were recorded as having a medicinal use. The results of a Principal Components Analysis showed a gradient of medicinal plant use along the valley. Using robust statistical approaches, our study provides a clear indication that the indigenous people of this Western Himalayan valley utilize wild plants according to their traditional knowledge and not on the basis of plant abundance.
INDICATOR SPECIES ANALYSES OF WEED COMMUNITIES OF MAIZE CROP IN DISTRICT MARD...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Weeds are unwanted plant species growing in natural environment. Composition and abundance of weeds are influenced by number of environmental variables as well as farming practices in an ecosystem. Present study was formulated to measure the effect of environmental variables on weed species composition, abundance, distribution pattern and formation of various weeds communities in Union Council Shahbaz Ghari (total area 3956 ha, Agriculture land 1701 ha), District Mardan. Quantitative ecological techniques by adapting quadrat method were used to assess environmental variability and weed species distribution in the targeted region. Nine quadrats of 1×1 m2 size were placed randomly in 65 different fields of the UC. Phytosociological attributes such as density, frequency, relative density, relative frequency and Importance Values were measured for each field. Preliminary results showed that UC Shahbaz Ghari has 29 different weed species belong to 15 different families. Presence absence (1,0) data of 29 species and 65 fields were analyzed using Cluster and Two Way Cluster Analysesvia PC-ORD version 5 resulting four major weed communities. Dominant weed species of the area are Cyperus rotundus, Urochloa panicoides, Brachiaria ramosa, Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Commelina benghalensis and Canvolvulus arvensis while Cannabis sativa, Ipomea purpurea, Amaranthus blitoides, Xanthium strumarium, Lactuca dissecta and Cucurbita maxima are rare weed species. Indicator Species Analyses (ISA) of data identified indicators of each sort of micro environmental condition. Based on our findings, it is recommended that awareness can be created among farmers especially about their farming practices to minimize noxious weeds of maize crop
Key words: Cluster analyses, indicator species analyses, maize, PC-ORD, weeds and Weed communities.
Vegetation mapping and multivariate approach to indicator species of a forest...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Abstract
Questions
Does the plant species composition of Thandiani sub Forests Division (TsFD) correlate with edaphic, topographic and climatic variables? Is it possible to identify different plant communities in relation to environmental gradients with special emphasis on indicator species? Can this approach to vegetation classification support conservation planning?
Location
Thandiani sub Forests Division, Western Himalayas.
Methods
Quantitative and qualitative characteristics of species along with environmental variables were measured using a randomly stratified design to identify the major plant communities and indicator species of the Thandiani sub Forests Division. Species composition was recorded in 10 × 2.5 × 2 and 0.5 × 0.5 m square plots for trees, shrubs and herbs, respectively. GPS, edaphic and topographic data were also recorded for each sample plot. A total of 1500 quadrats were established in 50 sampling stations along eight altitudinal transects encompassing eastern, western, northern and southern aspects (slopes). The altitudinal range of the study area was 1290 m to 2626 m above sea level using. The relationships between species composition and environmental variables were analyzed using Two Way Cluster Analysis (TWCA) and Indicator Species Analysis (ISA) via PCORD version 5.
Results
A total of 252 plant species belonging to 97 families were identified. TWCA and ISA recognized five plant communities. ISA additionally revealed that mountain slope aspect, soil pH and soil electrical conductivity were the strongest environmental factors (p ≤ 0.05) determining plant community composition and indicator species in each habitat. The results also show the strength of the environment-species relationship using Monte Carlo procedures.
Conclusions
An analysis of vegetation along an environmental gradient in the Thandiani sub Forests Division using the Braun-Blanquet approach confirmed by robust tools of multivariate statistics identified indicators of each sort of microclimatic zones/vegetation communities which could further be used in conservation planning and management not only in the area studied but in the adjacent regions exhibit similar sort of environmental conditions.
Environmental determinants of plant associations and evaluation of the conser...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Hindu Kush is the largest mountain range of Central Asia that forms part of a vast alpine zone that stretches across the Eurasia from east towards the South Asia. We studied vegetation structure and the role of edaphic and topographic factors on distribution and formation of plant associations with specific emphais on Parrotiopsis species of the Districts Dir regions in the Hindu Kush Mountains. We also assessed the conservation status of Parrotiopsis jacquemontiana, an endemic species of the western Himalayan floristic province. We hypothesized that edaphic and climatic factors were responsible for the formation of different plant associations each with distinct indicators. A combination of transect and quadrat based methods were used for sampling. We used two way cluster analysis (TWCA), cluster analysis (CA), indicator species analysis, detrended correspondence analysis and canonical correspondence analysis to analyze and elaborate the vegetation pattern and formation. We used Google Earth Path software (V 1.4.6) for the calculation of extant of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) for evaluation of conservation status of P. jacquemontiana. A total of 142 plant species were reported belonging to 62 families. CA and TWCA clustered four plant associations within altitudinal range of 1556–2313 m. Parrotiopsis jacquemontiana should be designated as endangered species under ‘EN A2acd; B1B2 bc (i, ii, iii) of IUCN red list categories and criteria in the region. We found that high phosphorous and potassium concentration, elevation, aspect, slope, lower pH, electrical conductivity and soil texture were significant environmental variables that play an important role in the determination of vegetation structure, formation of plant associations and its indicators in the region. This information will be useful for conservation and management practices for endemic and rare plant taxa, and evaluation of vegetation structure.
Eco-floristic studies of the Beer Hills along the Indus River in the district...Shujaul Mulk Khan
The present study was conducted to elaborate vegetation composition structure to analyze role of edaphic and topographic factors on plant species distribution and community formation during 2013–14. A mixture of quadrat and transect methods were used. The size of quadrat for trees shrubs and herbs were 10 × 5, 5 × 2, 1 × 1 meter square respectively. Different phytosociological attribute were measured at each station. Primary results reported 123 plant species belong to 46 families. Asteraceae and Lamiaceae were dominant families with 8 species each. PCORD version 5 were used for Cluster and Two Way Cluster Analyses that initiated 4 plant communities within elevation range of 529–700 m from sea level. Indicator species analyses (ISA) were used to identify indicator species of each community. CANOCO Software (version 4.5) was used to measure the influence of edaphic and topographic variables on species composition, diversity and community formation. Whereas Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) was used to measure the effect of environmental variables which showed elevation and aspect were the stronger environmental variable among topographic and CaCO3 contents, electric conductivity, soil pH were the stronger edaphic factors in determination of vegetation and communities of the Bheer Hills. Grazing pressure was one of the main anthropogenic factors in this regard.
Floristic Investigation and Soil Analysis of Thirtharampura Reserve Forest, C...YogeshIJTSRD
The present study is on floristic investigation and soil analysis of Thirtharampura reserve forest, Tumkur district, Karnataka, India. It is the dry deciduous type of forest contains a rich diversity of angiosperms, here we found a total of 126 taxa of 99 genera under the 41 families from this forest. Fabaceae 15 genera and 24 species was the dominant family followed by the Rubiaceae 8 genera, 9 species , Asteraceae 7 genera, 7 species , Rutaceae 5 genera, 5 species , Malvaceae 4 genera, 5 species and Moraceae 2 genera, 6 species with the medicinal, timber yielding, ornamental and wild edible plant species. The forest is majorly covered by tree species with 60 come after shrubs 21 , herbs 10 , and climbers 9 . Some important medicinal plant species like Erythroxylummonogynum, Hemidesmus indicus, Rhinacanthusnasutus, Azadirachta indica, croton bonplandianus, Diosporusmontana, Echinopsechinatus, Emblica Officinalis, were often these medicinal plants used for the treatment of pain, wounds, cuts, and fractures, etc. by the native peoples. The forest soil contains low content of nitrogen along with sulphur and copper but it has high content of Iron and Manganese nutrients. The forest was disturbed by firing, mining activities, and human activities. Only the tree species were withstanding against the firing activity, herbaceous species were lost along with new sprouting species due to firing activity in the forest. The Fabaceae species were more survive in this forest, because of nitrogen fixing capacity in their root system. Yatheesharadhya B | Meena H. R | Sushma G. C | Poornima M. C | Shashank A. S "Floristic Investigation and Soil Analysis of Thirtharampura Reserve Forest, Chikkanayakanahalli, Karnataka, India" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-5 | Issue-4 , June 2021, URL: https://www.ijtsrd.compapers/ijtsrd41221.pdf Paper URL: https://www.ijtsrd.combiological-science/botany/41221/floristic-investigation-and-soil-analysis-of-thirtharampura-reserve-forest-chikkanayakanahalli-karnataka-india/yatheesharadhya-b
INDICATOR SPECIES ANALYSES OF WEED COMMUNITIES OF MAIZE CROP IN DISTRICT MARD...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Weeds are unwanted plant species growing in natural environment. Composition and abundance of weeds are influenced by number of environmental variables as well as farming practices in an ecosystem. Present study was formulated to measure the effect of environmental variables on weed species composition, abundance, distribution pattern and formation of various weeds communities in Union Council Shahbaz Ghari (total area 3956 ha, Agriculture land 1701 ha), District Mardan. Quantitative ecological techniques by adapting quadrat method were used to assess environmental variability and weed species distribution in the targeted region. Nine quadrats of 1×1 m2 size were placed randomly in 65 different fields of the UC. Phytosociological attributes such as density, frequency, relative density, relative frequency and Importance Values were measured for each field. Preliminary results showed that UC Shahbaz Ghari has 29 different weed species belong to 15 different families. Presence absence (1,0) data of 29 species and 65 fields were analyzed using Cluster and Two Way Cluster Analysesvia PC-ORD version 5 resulting four major weed communities. Dominant weed species of the area are Cyperus rotundus, Urochloa panicoides, Brachiaria ramosa, Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Commelina benghalensis and Canvolvulus arvensis while Cannabis sativa, Ipomea purpurea, Amaranthus blitoides, Xanthium strumarium, Lactuca dissecta and Cucurbita maxima are rare weed species. Indicator Species Analyses (ISA) of data identified indicators of each sort of micro environmental condition. Based on our findings, it is recommended that awareness can be created among farmers especially about their farming practices to minimize noxious weeds of maize crop
Key words: Cluster analyses, indicator species analyses, maize, PC-ORD, weeds and Weed communities.
Vegetation mapping and multivariate approach to indicator species of a forest...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Abstract
Questions
Does the plant species composition of Thandiani sub Forests Division (TsFD) correlate with edaphic, topographic and climatic variables? Is it possible to identify different plant communities in relation to environmental gradients with special emphasis on indicator species? Can this approach to vegetation classification support conservation planning?
Location
Thandiani sub Forests Division, Western Himalayas.
Methods
Quantitative and qualitative characteristics of species along with environmental variables were measured using a randomly stratified design to identify the major plant communities and indicator species of the Thandiani sub Forests Division. Species composition was recorded in 10 × 2.5 × 2 and 0.5 × 0.5 m square plots for trees, shrubs and herbs, respectively. GPS, edaphic and topographic data were also recorded for each sample plot. A total of 1500 quadrats were established in 50 sampling stations along eight altitudinal transects encompassing eastern, western, northern and southern aspects (slopes). The altitudinal range of the study area was 1290 m to 2626 m above sea level using. The relationships between species composition and environmental variables were analyzed using Two Way Cluster Analysis (TWCA) and Indicator Species Analysis (ISA) via PCORD version 5.
Results
A total of 252 plant species belonging to 97 families were identified. TWCA and ISA recognized five plant communities. ISA additionally revealed that mountain slope aspect, soil pH and soil electrical conductivity were the strongest environmental factors (p ≤ 0.05) determining plant community composition and indicator species in each habitat. The results also show the strength of the environment-species relationship using Monte Carlo procedures.
Conclusions
An analysis of vegetation along an environmental gradient in the Thandiani sub Forests Division using the Braun-Blanquet approach confirmed by robust tools of multivariate statistics identified indicators of each sort of microclimatic zones/vegetation communities which could further be used in conservation planning and management not only in the area studied but in the adjacent regions exhibit similar sort of environmental conditions.
Environmental determinants of plant associations and evaluation of the conser...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Hindu Kush is the largest mountain range of Central Asia that forms part of a vast alpine zone that stretches across the Eurasia from east towards the South Asia. We studied vegetation structure and the role of edaphic and topographic factors on distribution and formation of plant associations with specific emphais on Parrotiopsis species of the Districts Dir regions in the Hindu Kush Mountains. We also assessed the conservation status of Parrotiopsis jacquemontiana, an endemic species of the western Himalayan floristic province. We hypothesized that edaphic and climatic factors were responsible for the formation of different plant associations each with distinct indicators. A combination of transect and quadrat based methods were used for sampling. We used two way cluster analysis (TWCA), cluster analysis (CA), indicator species analysis, detrended correspondence analysis and canonical correspondence analysis to analyze and elaborate the vegetation pattern and formation. We used Google Earth Path software (V 1.4.6) for the calculation of extant of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) for evaluation of conservation status of P. jacquemontiana. A total of 142 plant species were reported belonging to 62 families. CA and TWCA clustered four plant associations within altitudinal range of 1556–2313 m. Parrotiopsis jacquemontiana should be designated as endangered species under ‘EN A2acd; B1B2 bc (i, ii, iii) of IUCN red list categories and criteria in the region. We found that high phosphorous and potassium concentration, elevation, aspect, slope, lower pH, electrical conductivity and soil texture were significant environmental variables that play an important role in the determination of vegetation structure, formation of plant associations and its indicators in the region. This information will be useful for conservation and management practices for endemic and rare plant taxa, and evaluation of vegetation structure.
Eco-floristic studies of the Beer Hills along the Indus River in the district...Shujaul Mulk Khan
The present study was conducted to elaborate vegetation composition structure to analyze role of edaphic and topographic factors on plant species distribution and community formation during 2013–14. A mixture of quadrat and transect methods were used. The size of quadrat for trees shrubs and herbs were 10 × 5, 5 × 2, 1 × 1 meter square respectively. Different phytosociological attribute were measured at each station. Primary results reported 123 plant species belong to 46 families. Asteraceae and Lamiaceae were dominant families with 8 species each. PCORD version 5 were used for Cluster and Two Way Cluster Analyses that initiated 4 plant communities within elevation range of 529–700 m from sea level. Indicator species analyses (ISA) were used to identify indicator species of each community. CANOCO Software (version 4.5) was used to measure the influence of edaphic and topographic variables on species composition, diversity and community formation. Whereas Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) was used to measure the effect of environmental variables which showed elevation and aspect were the stronger environmental variable among topographic and CaCO3 contents, electric conductivity, soil pH were the stronger edaphic factors in determination of vegetation and communities of the Bheer Hills. Grazing pressure was one of the main anthropogenic factors in this regard.
Floristic Investigation and Soil Analysis of Thirtharampura Reserve Forest, C...YogeshIJTSRD
The present study is on floristic investigation and soil analysis of Thirtharampura reserve forest, Tumkur district, Karnataka, India. It is the dry deciduous type of forest contains a rich diversity of angiosperms, here we found a total of 126 taxa of 99 genera under the 41 families from this forest. Fabaceae 15 genera and 24 species was the dominant family followed by the Rubiaceae 8 genera, 9 species , Asteraceae 7 genera, 7 species , Rutaceae 5 genera, 5 species , Malvaceae 4 genera, 5 species and Moraceae 2 genera, 6 species with the medicinal, timber yielding, ornamental and wild edible plant species. The forest is majorly covered by tree species with 60 come after shrubs 21 , herbs 10 , and climbers 9 . Some important medicinal plant species like Erythroxylummonogynum, Hemidesmus indicus, Rhinacanthusnasutus, Azadirachta indica, croton bonplandianus, Diosporusmontana, Echinopsechinatus, Emblica Officinalis, were often these medicinal plants used for the treatment of pain, wounds, cuts, and fractures, etc. by the native peoples. The forest soil contains low content of nitrogen along with sulphur and copper but it has high content of Iron and Manganese nutrients. The forest was disturbed by firing, mining activities, and human activities. Only the tree species were withstanding against the firing activity, herbaceous species were lost along with new sprouting species due to firing activity in the forest. The Fabaceae species were more survive in this forest, because of nitrogen fixing capacity in their root system. Yatheesharadhya B | Meena H. R | Sushma G. C | Poornima M. C | Shashank A. S "Floristic Investigation and Soil Analysis of Thirtharampura Reserve Forest, Chikkanayakanahalli, Karnataka, India" Published in International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-6470, Volume-5 | Issue-4 , June 2021, URL: https://www.ijtsrd.compapers/ijtsrd41221.pdf Paper URL: https://www.ijtsrd.combiological-science/botany/41221/floristic-investigation-and-soil-analysis-of-thirtharampura-reserve-forest-chikkanayakanahalli-karnataka-india/yatheesharadhya-b
Ecosystem Carbon Storage and Partitioning in Chato Afromontane Forest: Its Cl...IJEAB
Forests trap carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, store in the form of carbon (C) and regulate climate change. In this study, C storage and climate change mitigation potential of Chato Afromontane forest was assessed from measurement of the major pools including the aboveground biomass, belowground biomass, dead tree biomass, plant litter and soil organic carbon (SOC). The result showed that biomass accumulation was comparatively larger for natural forest than plantations due to maturity, intactness and species diversity. The total C storage capacity of the forest ranged from 107.12 Mg ha-1 for acacia plantation to 453.21 Mg ha-1 for the intact natural forest. The mean C storage capacity by major pools ranged from 1.36 Mg ha-1 for the dead tree C to 157.95 Mg ha-1 for the aboveground C pool. The forest ecosystem accumulated a total of nearly 6371.30 Gg C in the vegetation plus soil to a depth of 60 cm. Conservation of the sacred forest will have an imperative implication to net positive C addition and regulation of climate change.
Formation Patterns of Acridid Communities in Urban Landscapes of TurkmenistanSryahwa Publications
Acridid communities of urbanized landscapes in Turkmenistan are described for the first time. General peculiarities of formation of acridid communities in urban landscapes are studying for the desert zone. The structure of the communities is determined by soil conditions, types of plant cover and the level of anthropogenic impact on the different urban biotopes.
Identifying plant species and communities across environmental gradients in ...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Phytosociological attributes of plant species and associated environmental factors were measured in order to identify the environmental gradients of major plant communities in the Naran Valley, Himalayas. The valley occupies a distinctive geographical setting on the edge of the Western Himalaya near the Hindukush range and supports a high biodiversity; pastoralism is the main land use. There have been no previous quantitative ecological studies in this region. This study was undertaken to (i) analyze and describe vegetation using classification and ordination techniques, (ii) identify environmental gradients responsible for plant community distributions and (iii) assess the anthropogenic pressures on the vegetation and identify priorities for conservation. Phytosociological characteristics of species were measured alongside environmental variables. A total of 198 species from 68 families were quantified at 144 stations along 24 transects across an elevation range of 2450–4100 m. Correspondence Analysis techniques i.e., Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) and Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) were used to determine vegetation–environment relationships. Results show vegetation changes with altitude from moist-cool temperate communities characterized by woody species, to more dry-cold subalpine and alpine herbaceous communities. Plant species diversity is optimal at middle altitudes (2800–3400 m); at lower altitudes (2400–2800 m) it is reduced by anthropogenic impacts and at higher altitudes (3400–4100 m) by shallow soils and high summer grazing pressure. A large number of plant species of conservation concern were identified in the study and an assessment made of the main threats to their survival.
Stressful environments such as salinity and drought was assessed on photosynthesis, the most fundamental and intricate physiological process of three oil plants canola (BrassicanapusL.), safflower (Carthamustinctorius L.) and sunflower (Helianthus annusL) grown in different sites in Egypt (Suez road; North Coastal area; El-Kantra East) , is also severely affected in all its phases by such stresses .
Population Structure and Threats to Sustainable Management of Woody Plant Spe...Innspub Net
This study was conducted to assess population structure and threat to the sustainable management of woody species in the various ago-ecosystems in Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area (LGA) Katsina State, Nigeria. Purposive and stratified random sampling techniques were used to collect data from 21 randomly demarcated 100m × 100m sample plots. All woody plant species found in the sample plots with stem diameter >2 cm at 20cm above ground, were recorded. Population structure was summarized by diameter classes. For the identification of threats, field and questionnaire surveys were used. A total of 50 questionnaires were distributed at ten questionnaires per ward in five out of the 11 wards in the LGA. The highest numbers (350) of small diameter trees (0.1-1.0cm) were recorded in the agrosilvopastoral system. This was followed by silvopastoral and agrisilviculture systems with 89 and 85, respectively. However, the highest number of large diameter woody tree species was recorded in the silvopastoral system followed by agrosilvopastoral and agrisilviculture systems. The regular reverse J-shaped and fairly regular reverse J-shaped size class distribution observed for agrosilvopastoral and silvopastoral respectively, suggest a recuperating population. Over exploitation, debarking, de-branching, root- digging, leaf harvesting, seed harvesting, poor regeneration, slow rate of growth, wind effect and bush burning were the major threats to sustainable management of woody plant species in the study area. The implications of our findings for sustainable management of woody plant species in the study area are discussed and recommendations made.
Some Important Medicinal Plants Used Widely in Southwest Bengal, IndiaIJERA Editor
The present article reflects 30 important medicinal plant species of Southwest Bengal, India with their botany, medicinal uses and ecological perspectives in brief. Plants were collected from home gardens, forests, wasteland, shrubbery and other places of ecological importance in the study sites. It covers phenology of plants and plantation treatment of propagules during nursery preparations. It would help the researchers better to use this work as a model to generate data from natural sites to plan the habitat management and to generate conservation strategies. It would help the environmentalists to conserve species in near future by formulating model for eco-sustenance of species as well as for the habitat conservation in other places.
Maruthamalai hills of Western Ghats, Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu - A pote...researchplantsciences
The dry deciduous forests of Maruthamalai, part of Western Ghats, Coimbatore district, Tamilnadu hold rich number of 201 species belonging to 153 genera of 51 families. The families Poaceae, Fabaceae, Mimosaceae and Euphorbiaceae have contributed high number of species 19, 18, 13, 12 respectively to the community. In the floristic list, a high number of 165 species (82.5%) is recognized as economically important also. Based on the importance value index secured, it is determined that the species like Acacia tora, Albizzia amara, A. lebbeck, Azadirachta indica, Chromolaena odorata, Commiphora caudata, Erythroxylon monogynum, Euphorbia antiquorum, Fluggea leucopyrus, Pterolobium indicum and Zizyphus oenoplia are considered to be ecologically important and established well in the low hills of Maruthamalai (450m above m.s.l.). In higher altitudes at 750m above msl, the species like Albizzia amara, Azadirachta indica, Chloroxylon swietenia, Commiphora caudata, Erythroxylon monogynum, Fluggea leucopyrus and Holoptelea integrifolia have secured higher importance value index and established well in the habitats. At 950m above m.s.l., the vegetation has been occupied predominantly by the species like Acacia torta, Albizzia amara, Commiphora caudata, Erythroxylon monogynum, Fluggea leucopyrus and Syzigium cumini as they derived higher importance value index. Among the 165 medicinal plants, 37 species (22%) where present in all the three plots located at different altitudes. Despite the variation in species composition and ecological importance at all levels of altitudes throughout the Maruthamalai hills, the habitat conditions are favourable for the growth of plants of higher secondary metabolites of medicinal importance. Hence wastelands available in Maruthamalai hills may be suggested for the cultivation of native medicinal and other economically important plants.
Article Citation:
Paulsamy S.
Maruthamalai hills of Western Ghats, Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu –
A potential ecosystem for medicinal plants.
Journal of Research in Plant Sciences (2011) 1(1): 012-026.
Full Text:
http://plantsciences.co.in/documents/PS0005.pdf
Understanding Climate Change Resiliency of Oklahoma Forests using FVS and Con...Bijesh Mishra
The forest-grassland ecotone in the southcentral US is the tension zone between two major biomes and provides a number of important ecosystem services. Active management in the region using prescribed fire, forest thinning/harvesting, grazing, and herbicides can optimize desired benefits for landowners with a variety of management objectives. However, periodic severe droughts that plague this area and increasing climate variability have profoundly affected the productivity, resilience, and stability of ecosystems. We aim to facilitate sustainable
management of the forest-grassland ecotone for different combinations of objectives such as timber, grazing, and wildlife habitat based on recent conditions and to adapt management to mitigate the negative effects of future drought and potential climate change. To this end, we are assessing the value of timber, cattle forage, and deer habitat. Input and output variables involved in valuation of timber, wildlife and cattle
forage will be discussed. Tailoring research findings with the
appropriate outreach materials will help educate traditional and nontraditional forest stewards in the region.
4 ijfaf feb-2018-3-effect of different growth mediaAI Publications
Cordiaafricana(Lam.)is an economically and ecologically important component tree species of the Bamenda Highlands Forest which is under threat from over-exploitation. There is a need to develop high quality planting stock for increased availability and sustainability of the species. A study was carried out at the National Forestry Development Agency (ANAFOR) in Bamenda, North West of Cameroon, to evaluate the effect ofgrowth medium on sprouting and growth of vegetatively propagated C.africana(Lam.). Hardwood cuttings from lower branches of trees were grown in sand, sawdust, and a 1:1 sand: sawdust mixture in a non-mist propagator for three months. Data on percentage sprouting, days to sprouting, number of shoots, shoot height, stem diameter, stem volume, number of leaves, leaf length, leaf width, and leaf area were subjected to analysis of variance(ANOVA) and Scheffé’s multiple means comparison test at 5% level of probability. While sawdust significantly reduced values of all the plant traits, no significant differences were detected between sand and the sand: sawdust mixture. The results show that sand and 1:1 sawdust: sand are suitable alternatives for propagation of C. africana(Lam.)from branch cuttings.
Stimating long-term forage production using precipitation pattern in Dehshir ...Innspub Net
Knowledge on changes of the factors affecting range forage production is the main prerequisite for understanding the processes and optimal management of rangelands. In this research, the effects of precipitation variables, were studied on long-term forage production of somedominant range species, in Dehshirrangelands, Yazd province, during 9 years (2004 to 2012). Regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between annual production and different precipitation pattern. According to the results, rainfall of past year in addition to rainfall of growing season has the greatest impact on forage production in site of Dehshir. Plant with platability class (I) and platability class (III) correlated with previous rainfall, respectively (r2 = 0.9 & 0.88), andplatability class (II) with growing season rainfall (r2 = 0.7o). Long- term production is estimated at 243.15 (kg/ha).
ABSTRACT- The diversity, floristic composition of medicinal plants in the two block of Rajouri was studied. A total of
25 plant species belong to 23 families were recorded Rutaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Rosaceae, Amerenthaceae, Polygoneaceae,
Fabaceae, Apocynaceae the all were diverse families. The present studied documented to ethanobotanical information of
25 plant species belong to 23 families were collected and identified by their vernacular and scientific name. In which 10
species ware harb, 9 were sharb, and 9 were tree out of 25 species flower of 5 plants species, roots of 4 plants species,
Leaf of 9 plants species ,Fruits of 5 plants species, seed of 3 plants species,stem and bark of 3 plant species,tuber and
aerial portion of 2 plant species respectively. The gujjar and bukkerwal tribes used all 25 species of plants to treat various
diseases.
Key-words- Ethnomedicinal plants, Traditional knowledge Gujjar-Bakerwaltribes, Rajouri
ABSTRACT- The aquatic and marshy angiospermic plants are most important component of aquatic and wetland
ecosystem. They increase productivity of the aquatic ecosystem and help to maintain ecosystem balance. The importance
of aquatic diversity for sustainable life support system is an acceptable fact throughout the world. The India has a rich
variety of wetlands habitats. Tropical swamp forests once formed an important part of vegetation and extended all along
the base of Himalayas from Assam to Jammu Kashmir. Wetlands are one of the most productive ecosystems and thus
subjected to human greed which is yet another reason for their extinction is deforestation. Unfortunately these habitats
have not been explored from ecological point of view. From this minor study, 59 species of wetland plants belonging to
37 families were recorded to be used. Out of total 59 species, dicot (47%) species and monocot (46%) less numbers are
belong to Ptridophytes. In this study we were observed that many common aquatic macro and microflora of wetlands
and marshlands of Yamuna nagar like as Aeschyno meneindica, Alternanthera philoxeroides, Alternanthera sessilis,
Anagallis arvensis, Ceratophyllum demursum, Chrysopogon zizanioides, Commelina benghalensis, Cyperus
alternifolius, Cyanotis axillaris, Cyperus rotundus, Dryopteris filix-mas, Dryopteris sieboldii, Echinochloa colona,
Eichhornia crassipes, Hygrophila salicifolia, Ipomoea aquatica, Lemna minor, Ludwigiaad scendens, Polygonum
hydropiper, Portulaca oleracea, Potamogeton natans etc. The fresh water wetlands of Yamuna Nagar are under threat due
to human interference and other anthropogenic activities.
Key-words- Wetlands, Semi aquatic, Biodiversity, River Yamuna
A Survey on the Pteridophyte Flora of the 18 Selected Sacred Groves in Chalav...IJEABJ
An exploratory survey conducted on Pteridophytic flora in the 18 selected sacred groves of Chalavara Grama panchayath, Ottapalamtaluk, Palakkad district, Kerala lead to the collection of 26 species of pteridophytes coming under 20 genera and 14 families. Among them, 02 families belongs to class Lycopsida, 01 family belongs to class Psilotopsida and remaining belongs to class Polypodiopsida. Out of 26 species 21 species are terrestrial, 3 species are epiphytes and 2 species are aquatic.
Ethnobotanical survey of the medicinal plants in the central mountains (North...Innspub Net
An ethnobotanical survey for the wild medicinal plants in the central high mountains extending from northern to central Jordan has been carried out. A special questionnaire is prepared to test for the medicinal uses of the local wild medicinal plants in the study area. The information such as the Arabic local name, parts used for medication, methods of preparation, purpose of use, doses and any other remarks, were all collected from direct contact visits to local people by the researchers of this study. The total numbers of recorded species in all the study sites are 108 species belonging to 33 families. The families Asteraceae and Lamiaceae have recorded the highest species of medicinal plants. A number of 25 plants species were found to be more frequently used by the local people in the studied areas, 38 species were found to be used more occasionally than the remaining 22 species. Visits for the available herbalist’s shops in the study area were made for all the sites of the study area. The age range of the questioned sample of the people who were interviewed was ranging between 40-65- years old. It is learned from the study that the use of wild medicinal plants is highly recommended and still practiced by the majority of local people in the study area. It has been observed that the study area is very rich in medicinal plants, where some species are becoming degraded and over cultivated. The knowledge of using wild herbs in traditional folk medicine is basically more common among the elderly rather than the young generation in most of the visited domestic areas. However, the use of medicinal plants by the locals are causing great declining of the diversity of many plant species growing in all sites visited by the authors.
Ecological assessment of plant communities in the peochar valley of the hindu...Shujaul Mulk Khan
This study quantified the effect of environmental variables on plant species composition in the Peochar Valley, located in the Hindu Raj mountains of the Hindu Kush. A mixture of quadrat and transect methods were used. Quadrat sizes were 10 × 10 m, 2 × 5 m, and 1 m2 for trees, shrubs, and herbs, respectively, determined using the minimal area method. Twenty-seven stations were established along 6 elevation transects on slopes with various aspects. Density, cover, and frequency were recorded for all species in each quadrat. Aspect, elevation, rock types, soil nature, and grazing pressure were also considered as edaphic and topographic variables. Preliminary results showed that the Peochar Valley hosts 120 species. Presence/absence data for these species were analyzed with cluster and 2-way cluster techniques to elaborate species composition in the study area; this resulted in 4 plant communities. Species abundance and environmental data matrices were developed to evaluate the ecological gradient of vegetation through canonical correspondence analysis. Of the environmental variables, elevation, aspect, grazing pressure, soil depth, and rock type showed a significant effect on species composition and diversity. We also identified the dominant and rare plant species in each plant community based on their low importance value indexes. Conservation measures are recommended for all flora of this valley and for rare species in particular.
Ecosystem Carbon Storage and Partitioning in Chato Afromontane Forest: Its Cl...IJEAB
Forests trap carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, store in the form of carbon (C) and regulate climate change. In this study, C storage and climate change mitigation potential of Chato Afromontane forest was assessed from measurement of the major pools including the aboveground biomass, belowground biomass, dead tree biomass, plant litter and soil organic carbon (SOC). The result showed that biomass accumulation was comparatively larger for natural forest than plantations due to maturity, intactness and species diversity. The total C storage capacity of the forest ranged from 107.12 Mg ha-1 for acacia plantation to 453.21 Mg ha-1 for the intact natural forest. The mean C storage capacity by major pools ranged from 1.36 Mg ha-1 for the dead tree C to 157.95 Mg ha-1 for the aboveground C pool. The forest ecosystem accumulated a total of nearly 6371.30 Gg C in the vegetation plus soil to a depth of 60 cm. Conservation of the sacred forest will have an imperative implication to net positive C addition and regulation of climate change.
Formation Patterns of Acridid Communities in Urban Landscapes of TurkmenistanSryahwa Publications
Acridid communities of urbanized landscapes in Turkmenistan are described for the first time. General peculiarities of formation of acridid communities in urban landscapes are studying for the desert zone. The structure of the communities is determined by soil conditions, types of plant cover and the level of anthropogenic impact on the different urban biotopes.
Identifying plant species and communities across environmental gradients in ...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Phytosociological attributes of plant species and associated environmental factors were measured in order to identify the environmental gradients of major plant communities in the Naran Valley, Himalayas. The valley occupies a distinctive geographical setting on the edge of the Western Himalaya near the Hindukush range and supports a high biodiversity; pastoralism is the main land use. There have been no previous quantitative ecological studies in this region. This study was undertaken to (i) analyze and describe vegetation using classification and ordination techniques, (ii) identify environmental gradients responsible for plant community distributions and (iii) assess the anthropogenic pressures on the vegetation and identify priorities for conservation. Phytosociological characteristics of species were measured alongside environmental variables. A total of 198 species from 68 families were quantified at 144 stations along 24 transects across an elevation range of 2450–4100 m. Correspondence Analysis techniques i.e., Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) and Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) were used to determine vegetation–environment relationships. Results show vegetation changes with altitude from moist-cool temperate communities characterized by woody species, to more dry-cold subalpine and alpine herbaceous communities. Plant species diversity is optimal at middle altitudes (2800–3400 m); at lower altitudes (2400–2800 m) it is reduced by anthropogenic impacts and at higher altitudes (3400–4100 m) by shallow soils and high summer grazing pressure. A large number of plant species of conservation concern were identified in the study and an assessment made of the main threats to their survival.
Stressful environments such as salinity and drought was assessed on photosynthesis, the most fundamental and intricate physiological process of three oil plants canola (BrassicanapusL.), safflower (Carthamustinctorius L.) and sunflower (Helianthus annusL) grown in different sites in Egypt (Suez road; North Coastal area; El-Kantra East) , is also severely affected in all its phases by such stresses .
Population Structure and Threats to Sustainable Management of Woody Plant Spe...Innspub Net
This study was conducted to assess population structure and threat to the sustainable management of woody species in the various ago-ecosystems in Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area (LGA) Katsina State, Nigeria. Purposive and stratified random sampling techniques were used to collect data from 21 randomly demarcated 100m × 100m sample plots. All woody plant species found in the sample plots with stem diameter >2 cm at 20cm above ground, were recorded. Population structure was summarized by diameter classes. For the identification of threats, field and questionnaire surveys were used. A total of 50 questionnaires were distributed at ten questionnaires per ward in five out of the 11 wards in the LGA. The highest numbers (350) of small diameter trees (0.1-1.0cm) were recorded in the agrosilvopastoral system. This was followed by silvopastoral and agrisilviculture systems with 89 and 85, respectively. However, the highest number of large diameter woody tree species was recorded in the silvopastoral system followed by agrosilvopastoral and agrisilviculture systems. The regular reverse J-shaped and fairly regular reverse J-shaped size class distribution observed for agrosilvopastoral and silvopastoral respectively, suggest a recuperating population. Over exploitation, debarking, de-branching, root- digging, leaf harvesting, seed harvesting, poor regeneration, slow rate of growth, wind effect and bush burning were the major threats to sustainable management of woody plant species in the study area. The implications of our findings for sustainable management of woody plant species in the study area are discussed and recommendations made.
Some Important Medicinal Plants Used Widely in Southwest Bengal, IndiaIJERA Editor
The present article reflects 30 important medicinal plant species of Southwest Bengal, India with their botany, medicinal uses and ecological perspectives in brief. Plants were collected from home gardens, forests, wasteland, shrubbery and other places of ecological importance in the study sites. It covers phenology of plants and plantation treatment of propagules during nursery preparations. It would help the researchers better to use this work as a model to generate data from natural sites to plan the habitat management and to generate conservation strategies. It would help the environmentalists to conserve species in near future by formulating model for eco-sustenance of species as well as for the habitat conservation in other places.
Maruthamalai hills of Western Ghats, Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu - A pote...researchplantsciences
The dry deciduous forests of Maruthamalai, part of Western Ghats, Coimbatore district, Tamilnadu hold rich number of 201 species belonging to 153 genera of 51 families. The families Poaceae, Fabaceae, Mimosaceae and Euphorbiaceae have contributed high number of species 19, 18, 13, 12 respectively to the community. In the floristic list, a high number of 165 species (82.5%) is recognized as economically important also. Based on the importance value index secured, it is determined that the species like Acacia tora, Albizzia amara, A. lebbeck, Azadirachta indica, Chromolaena odorata, Commiphora caudata, Erythroxylon monogynum, Euphorbia antiquorum, Fluggea leucopyrus, Pterolobium indicum and Zizyphus oenoplia are considered to be ecologically important and established well in the low hills of Maruthamalai (450m above m.s.l.). In higher altitudes at 750m above msl, the species like Albizzia amara, Azadirachta indica, Chloroxylon swietenia, Commiphora caudata, Erythroxylon monogynum, Fluggea leucopyrus and Holoptelea integrifolia have secured higher importance value index and established well in the habitats. At 950m above m.s.l., the vegetation has been occupied predominantly by the species like Acacia torta, Albizzia amara, Commiphora caudata, Erythroxylon monogynum, Fluggea leucopyrus and Syzigium cumini as they derived higher importance value index. Among the 165 medicinal plants, 37 species (22%) where present in all the three plots located at different altitudes. Despite the variation in species composition and ecological importance at all levels of altitudes throughout the Maruthamalai hills, the habitat conditions are favourable for the growth of plants of higher secondary metabolites of medicinal importance. Hence wastelands available in Maruthamalai hills may be suggested for the cultivation of native medicinal and other economically important plants.
Article Citation:
Paulsamy S.
Maruthamalai hills of Western Ghats, Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu –
A potential ecosystem for medicinal plants.
Journal of Research in Plant Sciences (2011) 1(1): 012-026.
Full Text:
http://plantsciences.co.in/documents/PS0005.pdf
Understanding Climate Change Resiliency of Oklahoma Forests using FVS and Con...Bijesh Mishra
The forest-grassland ecotone in the southcentral US is the tension zone between two major biomes and provides a number of important ecosystem services. Active management in the region using prescribed fire, forest thinning/harvesting, grazing, and herbicides can optimize desired benefits for landowners with a variety of management objectives. However, periodic severe droughts that plague this area and increasing climate variability have profoundly affected the productivity, resilience, and stability of ecosystems. We aim to facilitate sustainable
management of the forest-grassland ecotone for different combinations of objectives such as timber, grazing, and wildlife habitat based on recent conditions and to adapt management to mitigate the negative effects of future drought and potential climate change. To this end, we are assessing the value of timber, cattle forage, and deer habitat. Input and output variables involved in valuation of timber, wildlife and cattle
forage will be discussed. Tailoring research findings with the
appropriate outreach materials will help educate traditional and nontraditional forest stewards in the region.
4 ijfaf feb-2018-3-effect of different growth mediaAI Publications
Cordiaafricana(Lam.)is an economically and ecologically important component tree species of the Bamenda Highlands Forest which is under threat from over-exploitation. There is a need to develop high quality planting stock for increased availability and sustainability of the species. A study was carried out at the National Forestry Development Agency (ANAFOR) in Bamenda, North West of Cameroon, to evaluate the effect ofgrowth medium on sprouting and growth of vegetatively propagated C.africana(Lam.). Hardwood cuttings from lower branches of trees were grown in sand, sawdust, and a 1:1 sand: sawdust mixture in a non-mist propagator for three months. Data on percentage sprouting, days to sprouting, number of shoots, shoot height, stem diameter, stem volume, number of leaves, leaf length, leaf width, and leaf area were subjected to analysis of variance(ANOVA) and Scheffé’s multiple means comparison test at 5% level of probability. While sawdust significantly reduced values of all the plant traits, no significant differences were detected between sand and the sand: sawdust mixture. The results show that sand and 1:1 sawdust: sand are suitable alternatives for propagation of C. africana(Lam.)from branch cuttings.
Stimating long-term forage production using precipitation pattern in Dehshir ...Innspub Net
Knowledge on changes of the factors affecting range forage production is the main prerequisite for understanding the processes and optimal management of rangelands. In this research, the effects of precipitation variables, were studied on long-term forage production of somedominant range species, in Dehshirrangelands, Yazd province, during 9 years (2004 to 2012). Regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between annual production and different precipitation pattern. According to the results, rainfall of past year in addition to rainfall of growing season has the greatest impact on forage production in site of Dehshir. Plant with platability class (I) and platability class (III) correlated with previous rainfall, respectively (r2 = 0.9 & 0.88), andplatability class (II) with growing season rainfall (r2 = 0.7o). Long- term production is estimated at 243.15 (kg/ha).
ABSTRACT- The diversity, floristic composition of medicinal plants in the two block of Rajouri was studied. A total of
25 plant species belong to 23 families were recorded Rutaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Rosaceae, Amerenthaceae, Polygoneaceae,
Fabaceae, Apocynaceae the all were diverse families. The present studied documented to ethanobotanical information of
25 plant species belong to 23 families were collected and identified by their vernacular and scientific name. In which 10
species ware harb, 9 were sharb, and 9 were tree out of 25 species flower of 5 plants species, roots of 4 plants species,
Leaf of 9 plants species ,Fruits of 5 plants species, seed of 3 plants species,stem and bark of 3 plant species,tuber and
aerial portion of 2 plant species respectively. The gujjar and bukkerwal tribes used all 25 species of plants to treat various
diseases.
Key-words- Ethnomedicinal plants, Traditional knowledge Gujjar-Bakerwaltribes, Rajouri
ABSTRACT- The aquatic and marshy angiospermic plants are most important component of aquatic and wetland
ecosystem. They increase productivity of the aquatic ecosystem and help to maintain ecosystem balance. The importance
of aquatic diversity for sustainable life support system is an acceptable fact throughout the world. The India has a rich
variety of wetlands habitats. Tropical swamp forests once formed an important part of vegetation and extended all along
the base of Himalayas from Assam to Jammu Kashmir. Wetlands are one of the most productive ecosystems and thus
subjected to human greed which is yet another reason for their extinction is deforestation. Unfortunately these habitats
have not been explored from ecological point of view. From this minor study, 59 species of wetland plants belonging to
37 families were recorded to be used. Out of total 59 species, dicot (47%) species and monocot (46%) less numbers are
belong to Ptridophytes. In this study we were observed that many common aquatic macro and microflora of wetlands
and marshlands of Yamuna nagar like as Aeschyno meneindica, Alternanthera philoxeroides, Alternanthera sessilis,
Anagallis arvensis, Ceratophyllum demursum, Chrysopogon zizanioides, Commelina benghalensis, Cyperus
alternifolius, Cyanotis axillaris, Cyperus rotundus, Dryopteris filix-mas, Dryopteris sieboldii, Echinochloa colona,
Eichhornia crassipes, Hygrophila salicifolia, Ipomoea aquatica, Lemna minor, Ludwigiaad scendens, Polygonum
hydropiper, Portulaca oleracea, Potamogeton natans etc. The fresh water wetlands of Yamuna Nagar are under threat due
to human interference and other anthropogenic activities.
Key-words- Wetlands, Semi aquatic, Biodiversity, River Yamuna
A Survey on the Pteridophyte Flora of the 18 Selected Sacred Groves in Chalav...IJEABJ
An exploratory survey conducted on Pteridophytic flora in the 18 selected sacred groves of Chalavara Grama panchayath, Ottapalamtaluk, Palakkad district, Kerala lead to the collection of 26 species of pteridophytes coming under 20 genera and 14 families. Among them, 02 families belongs to class Lycopsida, 01 family belongs to class Psilotopsida and remaining belongs to class Polypodiopsida. Out of 26 species 21 species are terrestrial, 3 species are epiphytes and 2 species are aquatic.
Ethnobotanical survey of the medicinal plants in the central mountains (North...Innspub Net
An ethnobotanical survey for the wild medicinal plants in the central high mountains extending from northern to central Jordan has been carried out. A special questionnaire is prepared to test for the medicinal uses of the local wild medicinal plants in the study area. The information such as the Arabic local name, parts used for medication, methods of preparation, purpose of use, doses and any other remarks, were all collected from direct contact visits to local people by the researchers of this study. The total numbers of recorded species in all the study sites are 108 species belonging to 33 families. The families Asteraceae and Lamiaceae have recorded the highest species of medicinal plants. A number of 25 plants species were found to be more frequently used by the local people in the studied areas, 38 species were found to be used more occasionally than the remaining 22 species. Visits for the available herbalist’s shops in the study area were made for all the sites of the study area. The age range of the questioned sample of the people who were interviewed was ranging between 40-65- years old. It is learned from the study that the use of wild medicinal plants is highly recommended and still practiced by the majority of local people in the study area. It has been observed that the study area is very rich in medicinal plants, where some species are becoming degraded and over cultivated. The knowledge of using wild herbs in traditional folk medicine is basically more common among the elderly rather than the young generation in most of the visited domestic areas. However, the use of medicinal plants by the locals are causing great declining of the diversity of many plant species growing in all sites visited by the authors.
Ecological assessment of plant communities in the peochar valley of the hindu...Shujaul Mulk Khan
This study quantified the effect of environmental variables on plant species composition in the Peochar Valley, located in the Hindu Raj mountains of the Hindu Kush. A mixture of quadrat and transect methods were used. Quadrat sizes were 10 × 10 m, 2 × 5 m, and 1 m2 for trees, shrubs, and herbs, respectively, determined using the minimal area method. Twenty-seven stations were established along 6 elevation transects on slopes with various aspects. Density, cover, and frequency were recorded for all species in each quadrat. Aspect, elevation, rock types, soil nature, and grazing pressure were also considered as edaphic and topographic variables. Preliminary results showed that the Peochar Valley hosts 120 species. Presence/absence data for these species were analyzed with cluster and 2-way cluster techniques to elaborate species composition in the study area; this resulted in 4 plant communities. Species abundance and environmental data matrices were developed to evaluate the ecological gradient of vegetation through canonical correspondence analysis. Of the environmental variables, elevation, aspect, grazing pressure, soil depth, and rock type showed a significant effect on species composition and diversity. We also identified the dominant and rare plant species in each plant community based on their low importance value indexes. Conservation measures are recommended for all flora of this valley and for rare species in particular.
Drop in groundwater levels is threat to pakistan's survivalShujaul Mulk Khan
Pakistan’s water resources are rapidly depleting because of climate change, posing a formidable threat to the country’s future, ecologists warn.
http://www.newslens.pk/pakistan-fast-depleting-water-resources-pose-serious-threat-country-survival-2/
The effect of potassium on growth and yield of strawberry (FRAGARIA ANANASSA ...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Fragaria ananassa (Duchesne ex Weston) Duchesne ex Rozier (Strawberry) variety chandler of Agriculture Research Station (ARS) Baffa, Mansehra was evaluated for different growth and yield parameters under five treatments. In this experiment Potassium was used in 5 different treatments of 3 replications (T0 = Control, T1 = 200 g/6.75m², T2 = 400 g/6.75m², T3 = 600 g/6.75m², T4 = 800 g/6.75m²). The results showed maximum value under T3 (405g/6.75m²) for characteristics like survival percentage (83.54%), plant height (32.05cm), canopy size (13.62cm), crown diameter (2.73cm), number of branches (35.83), number of leaves (67.00), leaf length (5.87cm), root length (3.51cm), total number of fruits (43.93), days to 50% fruiting (233.67), fruit diameter (3.96cm), fruit weight (411.40g). Moreover, transplanting date (20th Sep, 2013) is suitable to get maximum yield of strawberry variety “Chandler”. The findings of this experiment showed that great variations in morphological, physical and agronomic traits of strawberry variety and can be utilized to develop high yield and better quality of strawberry.
Weed species composition and distribution pattern in the maize crop under the...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Weeds are unwanted plant species growing in ordinary environment. In nature there are a total of 8000 weed species out of which 250 are important for agriculture world. The present study was carried out on weed species composition and distribution pattern with special reference to edaphic factor and farming practices in maize crop of District Mardan during the months of August and September, 2014. Quadrates methods were used to assess weed species distribution in relation to edaphic factor and farming practices. Phytosociological attributes such as frequency, relative frequency, density, relative density and Importance Values were measured by placing 9 quadrates (1 × 1 m2) randomly in each field. Initial results showed that the study area has 29 diverse weed species belonging to 27 genera and 15 families distributed in 585 quadrats. Presence and absence data sheet of 29 weed species and 65 fields were analyzed through PC-ORD version 5. Cluster and Two Way Cluster Analyses initiated four different weed communities with significant indicator species and with respect to underlying environmental variables using data attribute plots. Canonical Correspondence Analyses (CCA) of CANOCO software version 4.5 was used to assess the environmental gradients of weed species. It is concluded that among all the edaphic factors the strongest variables were higher concentration of potassium, organic matter and sandy nature of soil. CCA plots of both weed species and sampled fields based on questionnaire data concluded the farming practices such as application of fertilizers, irrigation and chemical spray were the main factors in determination of weed communities.
Weed species distribution pattern in maize crop of mardan, pakistanShujaul Mulk Khan
Weeds are unwanted plant species growing in the domesticated crops. Like other crops maize also faces the problem of competition with weeds. Severe loses in yield up to 70% of maize have been reported in small scale farming due to weeds. Composition and abundance of weeds is influenced by a number of environmental variables as well as farming practices in an ecosystem. Present study was formulated to measure the effect of environmental variables on weed species composition, abundance, distribution pattern and formation of various weeds communities in District Mardan, Pakistan. Phytosociological attributes such as density, frequency, relative density, relative frequency and Importance Values were measured for each field.Presence absence data of 29 species and 65 fields were analyzed using Cluster and Two Way Cluster Analyses via PC-ORD version 5 that resulted in four major weed communities. CANOCO software version 4.5 was used to evaluate the environmental gradients of weeds through Canonical Correspondence Analyses (CCA). Results showed that among all environmental variables the strongest variables were CaCO3, high phosphorous concentration, and higher electric conductivity.
Ethnobotany of the balti community, tormik valley, karakorum range, baltistan...Shujaul Mulk Khan
BACKGROUND:
Limited health facilities and malnutrition are major problems in the Karakorum Range of Northern Pakistan, often resulting in various human disorders. Since centuries, however, local communities in these areas have developed traditional methods for treating various ailments and local foods capes that can be significant for devising public health and nutritional policies. This study was intended to document the ethnobotanical knowledge of the local peoples in the Tormik Valley, especially in the medical and food domains.
METHODS:
Field trips were undertaken in 14 different villages of the study area from 2010 to 2012. Ethnobotanical data were gathered using semi-structured interviews and group conversation with 69 informants. Details about local uses of plant species were recorded along with demographic characteristics of the visited communities. Relative frequency citation index (RFCi) and preference ranking index (PRi) tools were applied to determine the cultural significance of the reported species.
RESULTS:
Sixty-three plant species, with a predominance of Asteraceae and Fabaceae family members, as well as their detailed folk uses were documented. Forty-three percent of the species were used to treat various diseases, 21 % were consumed as wild fruits and vegetables and 53 % of the species had multipurpose applications. Thymus linearis Benth, Hippophae rhamnoides ssp. turkestanica L. and Convolvulus arvensis L. were found to be the most utilized medicinal plant species, i.e. those with significant RFCi values (0.54, 0.51 and 0.48, respectively). Betula utilis D. Don was the most versatile taxon (seven different ways of utilization); being this species a common and easily accessible subalpine tree and then under anthropogenic pressure, the implementation of concrete strategies aimed at its in-situ and ex-situ conservation is strongly recommended.
CONCLUSION:
The valleys in the Karakorum Mountains in the Northern Pakistan host significant Traditional Knowledge on local food and medicinal plant species, which need to be reconsidered and cautiously re-evaluated by ethnopharmacologists, and public health/nutrition actors. Furthermore, germane trans-disciplinary investigations are suggested to ensure the dynamic conservation of precious local knowledge systems, as well as plant diversity in Pakistani mountain regions.
KEYWORDS:
Ethnobotany; Indigenous knowledge; Karakorum; Medicinal plants; Pakistan
ANTHROPOGENIC INFLUENCES ON THE NATURAL ECOSYSTEM OF THE NARAN VALLEY IN THE ...Shujaul Mulk Khan
People derive many essential goods from plant resources, including food, medicines and fodder. However, the link between biodiversity and ecosystem services and their role in the support of human well-being is often poorly understood. Mountain ecosystems support a high biological diversity including rare and endangered plant species. They also provide a home to some 12% of the world's human population, who use their traditional ecological knowledge to utilise local natural resources. The Himalayas are the world's youngest and largest mountain range that supports a high plant biodiversity and hence provides many ecosystem services. Due to remote location, harsh climate, rough terrain and topography, many areas in the Himalayas have been still poorly known for their vegetation ecosystem services. The people in the Naran Valley, in the western Himalayas, depend upon local plant resources for a range of services and goods, from grazing for livestock to use of medicinal plants. During this study abundance and uses of each species were computed using computational ecology; principal components analysis (PCA) and response curves (RC) using CANOCO. The analyses showed an increasing trend of grazing, but with a decrease in fodder availability, with altitude increase in the valley. The assessment of such ecosystem services may assist in developing conservation strategies, especially for endangered mountain ecosystems.
Medicinal flora and ethnoecological knowledge in the Naran Valley, Western H...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Background
Mountain ecosystems all over the world support a high biological diversity and provide home and services to some 12% of the global human population, who use their traditional ecological knowledge to utilise local natural resources. The Himalayas are the world's youngest, highest and largest mountain range and support a high plant biodiversity. In this remote mountainous region of the Himalaya, people depend upon local plant resources to supply a range of goods and services, including grazing for livestock and medicinal supplies for themselves. Due to their remote location, harsh climate, rough terrain and topography, many areas within this region still remain poorly known for its floristic diversity, plant species distribution and vegetation ecosystem service.
Methods
The Naran valley in the north-western Pakistan is among such valleys and occupies a distinctive geographical location on the edge of the Western Himalaya range, close to the Hindu Kush range to the west and the Karakorum Mountains to the north. It is also located on climatic and geological divides, which further add to its botanical interest. In the present project 120 informants were interviewed at 12 main localities along the 60 km long valley. This paper focuses on assessment of medicinal plant species valued by local communities using their traditional knowledge.
Results
Results revealed that 101 species belonging to 52 families (51.5% of the total plants) were used for 97 prominent therapeutic purposes. The largest number of ailments cured with medicinal plants were associated with the digestive system (32.76% responses) followed by those associated with the respiratory and urinary systems (13.72% and 9.13% respectively). The ailments associated with the blood circulatory and reproductive systems and the skin were 7.37%, 7.04% and 7.03%, respectively. The results also indicate that whole plants were used in 54% of recipes followed by rhizomes (21%), fruits (9.5%) and roots (5.5%).
Conclusion
Our findings demonstrate the range of ecosystem services that are provided by the vegetation and assess how utilisation of plants will impact on future resource sustainability. The study not only contributes to an improved understanding of traditional ethno-ecological knowledge amongst the peoples of the Western Himalaya but also identifies priorities at species and habitat level for local and regional plant conservation strategies.
Keywords: Biodiversity conservation; Ecosystem services; Medicinal plants; Vegetation
Sustainable utilization and conservation of plant biodiversity in montane eco...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Background Conservation of the unique biodiversity of mountain ecosystems needs trans-disciplinary approaches to succeed in a crowded colloquial world. Geographers, conservationists, ecologists and social scientists have, in the past, had the same conservation goals but have tended to work independently. In this review, the need to integrate different conservation criteria and methodologies is discussed. New criteria are offered for prioritizing species and habitats for conservation in montane ecosystems that combine both ecological and social data.
Scope Ecological attributes of plant species, analysed through robust community statistical packages, provide unbiased classifications of species assemblages and environmental biodiversity gradients and yield importance value indices (IVIs). Surveys of local communities’ utilization of the vegetation provides use values (UVs). This review suggests a new means of assessing anthropogenic pressure on plant biodiversity at both species and community levels by integrating IVI and UV data sets in a combined analysis.
Conclusions Mountain ecosystems are hot spots for plant conservation efforts because they hold a high overall plant diversity as communities replace each other along altitudinal and climatic gradients, including a high proportion of endemic species. This review contributes an enhanced understanding of (1) plant diversity in mountain ecosystems with special reference to the western Himalayas; (2) ethnobotanical and ecosystem service values of mountain vegetation within the context of anthropogenic impacts; and (3) local and regional plant conservation strategies and priorities.
Species and Community Diversity of Vascular Flora along Environmental Gradien...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Quantitative and qualitative characteristics of floristic diversity at species level along environmental gradients were measured using a randomly stratified design for identifying major plant communities of Narran Valley, Pakistan. Data was collected at 144 sampling stations along 24 altitudinal transects, 12 each at southern and northern aspects. Altitudinal range transects was within the limits of 2450 to 4100 masl. Some 198 species belonging to 68 families were indentified along transects. The Two Way Cluster Analysis (TWCA) and Indicator Species Analysis (ISA) recognized 5 plant communities with significant indicator species. The communities generally showed an elevation-latitudinal gradient complex from inclined, mesic-cool temperate vegetation of Phenerophytes and Chamaephytes, to more dry cold subalpine and alpine herbaceous vegetation of Cryptophytes and Therophytes. ISA analysis revealed that the mountain aspect, altitude from the sea level and soil depth were the strongest environmental variables (p ≤ 0.05) for determining the community structure. Species diversity was optimum at the middle altitudes (2800-3400 masl) as compared to either the lower or higher altitudes. Herbaceous vegetation had positive correlation with altitude as a function of eco-physiological pressures as generally observed on like other highly elevated peaks Himalayas.
Ethnobotanical Importance of Some Highly Medicinal plants of District Muzaffa...IOSR Journals
An ethnobotanical exploration was carried out in Muzaffarabad and its adjoining areas including
Jhelum Valley of the District Muzaffarabad during 2010-2011. All the plants with the ethnobotanical
importance were identified and segregated separately. The region is entirely mountainous, having sub-tropical
to dry temperate climate with distinct seasonal variations. This study mainly focused on the information
regarding traditional uses of plants over the years by local inhabitants. The informations were then confirmed
by Hakims and the old people of the areas. During the survey informations were collected from various sites,
i.e. Noon Bagla, Rahim Kot, Danna Kachilee, Kot Terhala, Sanwarrian, Chikar, Chikothi, Kathiee, Qazi Nag,
Rashian, Daokhun, Mojee, Lamnian, Nardaggian, Pandu, Hatian Balla, Ghahi Dopatta, Chinnari, Rabanee,
Bani Hafiz, Domel, Hattian Dopatta, Khanssian, Nandi Ka Sar, Sing Paharee,Nari Bela, Khalla Butt and
Leepa. The plants were used medicinally and for other purposes. The investigations resulted that usually one
plant or a mixture of two or more plant is used. The unplanned exploitation had resulted in the loss of
medicinally important plant species. It was concluded that afforestation programme followed by proper
protection is need of time.
Cultural uses of plants mong basikhel tribe of district tor ghar khyber pakht...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Relation between plants and cultures is indispensable. The link between culture and plant resources was explored first time for the Basikhel tribe of Tor Ghar District. This tribe is one of the largest tribe of District Tor Ghar. It has long established tribal culture. The study was conducted during the years 2012 and 2013. The information was gathered from 200 informants from 15 randomly selected villages. Data was obtained through semi structured interviews, group discussions and EPA. The local people use 250 species of the vascular plants belonging to 90 families for 23 different cultural uses such as food, fodder, timber, fuel wood, medicine, furniture and agricultural implements. The inhabitants of the area are highly dependent on local flora for their different cultural needs. Total of 150 species belonging to 50 families were documented for the medicinal uses. Informant consensus showed that wound healing and gastrointestinal treatment were ranked highest among all medicinal uses. For each plant its botanical name, family name, local names and conservation status was also recorded. Three species were found most threatened. This study is a part of an ongoing research project in which we will explore plant resources utilized by five different tribes of the District Tor Ghar in the near future.
Phyto climatic gradient of vegetation and habitat specificity in the high ele...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Phyto-climatic gradient and ecological indicators can be used to understand the requirements, long term management and conservation strategies of natural habitats and species. For this purpose phytosociological attributes were measured using quadrats along transects on different slope aspects across an elevation range of 2450-4400 m. The 198 recorded plant species were placed in five Raunkiaer life form classes among which the Hemicryptophytes (51%) dominate the flora of the study area followed by Phanerophytes and Cryptophytes (Geophytes) with 15 and 13% dominance respectively. Therophytes and Chamaephytes are represented by smaller numbers (12 & 10% each). The phyto-climatic gradient of the vegetation was evaluated using Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) and Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA). Phyto-climatic relationships show that Phanerophytes especially tree species are widely distributed on northern aspect slopes whilst shrubs are more dominant on southern aspect slopes. Woody plants are dominant at lower altitudes (2450-2800 m), with a much smaller proportion occurring at middle elevations (2800-3300 m) whilst higher (3300-3900 m) and highest elevations (3900-4400 m) are dominated mainly by hemi-cryptophytes and cryptophytes. Our findings further elucidate that vegetation changes gradually from moist-cool temperate Phanerophytic and Chamaephytic elements to dry-cold subalpine and alpine herbaceous Cryptophytic and Hemi-cryptophytic vegetation in the upper elevations. Assessment of life forms and ecological gradient provide a basis for more extensive conservation studies on biodiversity in mountain ecosystems. Our findings further advocate that the Naran Valley appears to be at a transitional floristic position bridging the contrasting moist and dry temperate zones of the Sino-Japanese and Irano-Turanian floristic regions.
Vegetation dynamics in the western himalayas, diversity indices and climate c...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Vegetation provides the first tropic trophic level in mountain ecosystems and hence requires proper documentation and quantification in relation to abiotic environmental variables both at individual and aggregate levels. The complex and dynamic Himalayas with their varying climate and topography exhibit diverse vegetation that provides a range of ecosystem services. The biodiversity of these mountains is also under the influence of diverse human cultures and land uses. The present paper is not only first of its kind but also quite unique because of the use of modern statistical techniques for the quantification of Diversity Indices of plant species and communities. The vegetation was sampled in three categories, i.e., trees, shrubs and herbs, as follows: a height of ≥ 5m were classified in the tree layer, shrubs were all woody species of height 1m and 5m and, finally, the herb layer comprised all herbaceous species less than 1m in height. The presence/absence of all vascular plants was recorded on pre-prepared data sheets (1, 0 data). For the tree layer, the diameter of trees at breast height was measured using diameter tape. Coverage of herbaceous vegetation was visually estimated according to Daubenmire and Braun Blanquet methods. It gives overall abundance of vascular plants on one hand and composition of these species on the other. Data was analysed in Canonical Community Coordination Package (CANOCO) to measure diversity indices of plant communities and habitat types. Results for five plant communities/habitat types indicated that plant biodiversity decreased along the altitude. Shannon Diversity Index values range between 3.3 and 4. N2 index and Index of Sample Variance were also designed. All of these Diversity Indices showed the highest values for the communities/habitats of north facing slopes at middle altitudes. Higher plant diversity at these slopes and altitudes can be associated to the period of snow cover which is longer and a relatively denser tree cover as compared to the southern slopes and hence the soil has high moisture which supports high biodiversity in return. Global warming causes desertification in number of fragile mountain ecosystem around the globe. These findings suggest that species diversity decreases along the measured ecological gradient under the influence of deforestation coupled with global climatic change.
Ethno-ecological importance of plant biodiversity in mountain ecosystems with...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Mountain ecosystems support a high biological diversity and a large number of endangered plant species
many of which are ecological indicators of those specific habitats. The Himalayas are the world’s youngest,
highest and largest mountain range and support a high plant biodiversity. People living in this region
use their traditional ecological knowledge to utilize local natural resources and hence have valuable
understanding about their surroundings. Many areas within this region still remain poorly known for
their floristic diversity, plant species distribution and vegetation ecosystem services, yet the indigenous
people depend heavily upon local plant resources and, through unsustainable use, can cause an
irreversible loss of plant species. The valley used in this study is typical of such areas and occupies
a distinctive geographical location on the edge of the western Himalayan range, close to the Hindu
Kush range to the west and the Karakorum Mountains to the north. It is also located on geological
and climatic divides, which further add to its ecological interest. This paper focuses on (i) identification
of ecological indicators at various elevation zones across an altitudinal range of 2450–4100 m and
(ii) recognition of social perceptions of plant species populations based on the ecosystem services that
they provide. We used robust approaches to identify the plant indicator species of various elevation
zones. Using phytosociological techniques, Importance Values (IVs) for each plant species were calculated.
The statistical package PCORDS was used to evaluate the species area curves and indicator species
for each elevation zone. Data attribute plots derived from Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) using
CANOCO were deployed to illustrate the location of indicator species in each habitat type. Furthermore,
the social perceptions of the local inhabitants as to whether the populations of the recorded species
were increasing or decreasing over the recent past were recorded. We argue that the assessment of
ecological indicators combined with the ecological knowledge of the indigenous population can assist
in developing priorities for local and regional conservation strategies, especially for fragile mountain
ecosystems.
First floristic exploration of the distric torghar khyber pakhtunkhwa pakistanShujaul Mulk Khan
District Tor Ghar lies on the western most edge of the Himalayas Range of Mountains. Plant scientists have explored most parts of Pakistan but still certain regions including Tor Ghar are un-explored. Thus it is imperative to introduce region in floristic terms for the first time. The study was initiated to not only provide first inventory of vascular plants but also to evaluate floristic diversity of the region. The research area was extensively visited during flowering and fruiting seasons of plants during the summers of 2012 and 2013. Plants were collected from various localities, voucher numbers were given to specimens and other relevant data pertaining to locality i.e., habitat, habit, family, scientific and local names were recorded for each species. Mounted copy of each voucher specimens were deposited to the Herbarium of Hazara University Mansehra. Results of this study were arranged according to Benthum & Hooker (1862-1883) system of classification. This first exploration revealed a total of 331 vascular plant species belonging to 246 genera and 101 families. These include 12 species of Pteridophytes, 6 gymnosperms and 313 Angiosperms. The dicotyledons were represented by 79 families, 197 genera and 267 species, while monocotyledons by 14 families, 38 genera and 46 species. Families Asteraceae and Leguminosae were the richest families with 25 & 24 species followed by Poaceae (21 species), Lamiaceae (17 species) and Rosaceae (14 species). Families Ranunculaceae and Brasicaceae were represented by 10 species and Euphorbiaceae had 9 species. Moraceae, Apiaceae and Polygonaceae each had 8 species. Remaining families either included 7 or less than 7 species. It is believed that this very first check list of vascular plants of Tor Ghar District is a comprehensive picture of floristic diversity and will serve as a base line for future studies. This exploration is a part of an ongoing project in which we will explore plant communities and ecological as well as anthropogenic gradients of the regional flora in near future.
Phytogeographic analysis and diversity of grasses and sedgesShujaul Mulk Khan
The monocot order Poales is one of the largest (ca. 20,000 species), and economically and ecologically most important group of flowering plants. Exploring this important component of the biodiversity is of paramount significance in conservation of species and developing climate change models. Northern Pakistan occupies a unique biogeographic position at the summit of the planet’s three highest mountain ranges i.e.Himalaya, Hindukush and Karakurum.These ranges contain the hot spots of floral and faunal diversity with high proportions of endemic and rare species.The studies revealed 117 species belonging to 30 genera in three families of the order Poales. Juncaceae is represented by single genus Juncuswith four species, Cyperaceae by 5 genera and 27 species, and Poaceae being the dominant family with 25 genera and 86 species. Carexand Poaare the largest genera having 21 and 16 species respectively. Phytogeographic analysis of the Poalesof temperate and alpine regions of Northern Pakistan shows twelve different phytogeographic elements. The highest percentage of species (30%) belongs to the western Himalayan floristic region (near endemics), with cosmopolitan elements (19%), Central Asian elements (17%) and Eurasian elements (12%) being the other significant elements. The proportion of Endemic species (8%) is less apparent, while the rest of the seven categories are poorly represented. The Two Way Cluster Analysis (TWCA) divided the sixteen districts into two major groups, and four subgroups based on environmental gradients of altitude, latitude and longitude. TWCA classified the data matrix including 114 species into seven clusters based on presence/absence data and elevation from mean sea level. Species in each cluster can be attributed to similar habitat conditions and altitudinal ranges. Hence it is clear that climatic characters associated with each category control the species distribution pattern.
ABSTRACT- Uttrakhand has tremendous potential for medicinal plants cultivation and in becoming one of the
important options for sustainable livelihood in the Doon valley as well as all hilly regions. Doon-valley, Uttrakhand can
take advantages of increasing demand and low availability of medicinal and aromatic plants resources in the other parts
of the country and start to grow highly valuable medicinal plants in high altitude areas. Medicinal and aromatic plants can
play an important role in the subsistence livelihood enhancement rural people, especially women through an
environmentally sustainable manner while maintaining the biodiversity of these natural products.
Key-words- Endangered plants, Medicinal flora, Indigenous use, Medicinal and aromatic plants
Kumaun Himalaya, in the Indian Himalayan region, has a rich diversity of
medicinal plants, which are widely used in traditional medicinal systems. The present
paper concludes the diversity, vernacular names, associated authorship, ethnomedicinal
uses and use pattern, life form; plant part used and accession number of the
medicinal flora together. The paper describes distribution and local/traditional uses of
the 256 medicinal plants representing 96 families, in which pteridophytes were 1%,
trees were 18%, shrubs were 25%, herbs were 52%). Various plant parts used in
formulations, such as: underground part- 33%, leaves- 24%, whole plant- 11%, bark-
7%, seeds- 7%, resin /latex/oil- 4%, stem/ shoot/ wood- 4%, flowers and
inflorescences- 5%, fruits and nuts- 5% were used in different ailments.
Integrated bamboo + pine homegardens: A unique agroforestry system in Ziro Va...Agriculture Journal IJOEAR
Abstract— Numerous “indigenous” and “traditional” land-use systems that exist in different parts of the world have not yet been properly documented. Considering that many agroforestry systems of today have evolved from such systems, it is important to understand the wisdom of the indigenous communities that have continually been experimenting in their own ways to improve and adapt them for their livelihood. The Apatani eco-cultural landscape in Ziro Valley of Arunachal Pradesh, northeast India signifies an excellent example of such a uniquely distinct natural resource management practice. This agroforestry system developed over the years by innovative efforts involves growing bamboo (Phyllostachys bambusoides Siebold & Zucc.) or pine (Pinus wallichiana A.B. Jacks.) or a mixture of both on their fields. The Apatani is the only tribes in the states that manages such a unique land-use system and are highly conscious of maintaining their heritage and commitment to safeguarding nature and natural resources. By enhancing livelihood security and quality of life, conserving ecosystems, and fostering economic growth, this farmer-developed indigenous agroforestry system stands out as an example of ecosystem protection and natural-resource conservation in Arunachal Pradesh where resource-depleting shifting cultivation is still the mainstay of livelihood. Scientific analyses of the experience gained from this system – could offer lessons of valuable traditional ecological knowledge, which when properly assimilated could be useful in the design of sustainable agroforestry land-use systems.
Methods of grapes cultivation انگور کی کاشت کے طریقےShujaul Mulk Khan
This presentation explains in a comprehensive way, how to cultivate Table Grapes nursery and establish its gardens. Preparation of demonstration blocks, nurseries, arrangement of training workshops and handing over the mother plants to the local farmers of the selected agencies of Bajaur, Kurram, Orakzai and FR Region of Bannu will be done according to the standard protocols. Keeping in mind the arrangement of the seven pillars of Vision 2025 new opportunities could be created via viticulture development. Horticulture is a fast growing sector with rising exports and increasing demand in domestic and international markets. Pakistani fruits, both fresh and dry, have great potential for exports. So, the present project will also contribute in the vision of 2025 (One nation One vision) not only to help in the development of FATA but also in the development of adjacent region. It will give rise to development of industries related to Grapevines products like raisins, juices, jams etc. that will be source of new jobs and development in the region. For the alleviation of poverty by enhancing the socioeconomic status of FATA people through viticulture development, we will further extend our work via developing a new project to extend our work to the remaining agencies like Khyber, Mohmand and Waziristan etc. The selected potential and successful varieties of grapes will be introduced for nurseries development and handing over to farmers of the FATA region in future as mother plants.
Mazri (nannorrhops ritchiana (griff) aitch.) a remarkable source of manufact...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Background: Mazri palm (Nannorrhops ritchiana (Griff) Aitch.) is a member of the family Arecaceae, native to Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. In Pakistan, it is used since long time for various purposes. This species plays a significant cultural and economic role in the daily lives of many rural areas in Pakistan and adjacent countries. However, the handcrafted products made up of this palm are often mainly known by specific local communities rather than by a broader range of people.
Methods: Eighty-six structured and semi-structured interviews were conducted from Mazri growing areas, villages, and markets of urban centers during the fieldwork that was conducted in diverse regions of Pakistan. Interviewees
included 27 Mazri farmers, 17 locals retaining Traditional Knowledge in handcrafting Mazri palm (12 were men and 5 were women), 23 handicrafts experts (21 were men and 2 were women), and 19 sellers. The age of the informants ranged from 14 to 83 years. Study participants shared detailed information about various traditional utilizations of the Mazri palm.
Results: Mature leaves of Mazri palm are used to produce mats, baskets, hand fans, hats, cages, hot pots, salt pots, brooms, etc. in the sudy area. Hot pots, salt pots, mats, baskets, and ropes represent highly used items. The mats are used for various purposes like drying grains, performing prayers, sitting, and sleeping. As a whole, 39 different kinds of handcrafted products from the leaves were found. Our findings revealed also that other parts of the plant, ie. petioles, fruits, and bark, have been used, although more rarely, by the locals. The palm uses differ accordingly to the different cultural areas of Pakisitan, thus demonstrating that local cultural heritage significantly informs
Traditional Knowledge and practices related to the use of Mazri palm. The findings suggest also that this plant represents a crucial resource for the livelihood of the local communities in dry areas of the western borders of Pakistan, starting right from the coastal areas of Baluchistan up to District Bajaur in the North, where other farming activities there are difficult due to drought conditions.
Conclusions: Traditional Knowledge about the sustainable utilization of Mazri palm is eroded in Pakistan among the younger generations due to rapid globalization and industrialization processes and appropriate strategies for
revitalizing this heritage in a sustainable way should be urgently fostered.
Characterization of cobalt oxide and calcium aluminumShujaul Mulk Khan
The Cobalt Oxide and Calcium-Aluminum Oxide nano-catalysts were analyzed using Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) techniques. Preliminary results showed that the particles of Cobalt Oxide exhibit sponge like morphology and homogenous distribution as per confirmation via SEM. Its average particle size ranges to 30.6 nm demonstrating enormous number of pores and aggregative in nature. Its various peaks were ranging
from 19.2 to 65.4 after XRD analysis. The highest intensity was observed at 36.9 position. The energy dispersive spectroscopy techniques were used to calculate the elements present in sample according to their weight and atomic percentage. The
cobalt oxide contain cobalt as the most abundant element with 46.85 wt% and 18.01 atomic percent. It contain oxygen with 30.51 wt% and 43.19 atomic percent. Whereas, SEM of calcium aluminum oxide showed random morphology. According to the calculation of Scherrer equation regarding XRD analysis, it was distributed homogenously with particle size ranges from 30 to 40 nm. Its porous morphology was due to the interconnecting gaps between different particles. It result the eight peaks ranging from 18.1 to 62.7 in XRD spectrum. The highest intensity observed at 35.1 with average crystallite particle size of 25.6 nm. The calcium aluminum oxide contain aluminum 7.45 wt% and 6.93 atomic percent. The calcium was the most abundant element with54.7 wt% and 34.24 atomic percent followed by oxygen with 37.26 wt% and 58.42 atomic percent. It was concluded that the SEM, XRD, and EDX are the most significant techniques to characterize nano-catalysts in particular and other compounds generally.
Phytogeographic classification using multivariate approachShujaul Mulk Khan
Phytogeography is concerned with the past and present distribution of vegetation on the earth surface. The distribution
of plants is neither even nor random on earth surface but follow a definite geographic pattern. The present study was aimed
to find out phytogeographic pattern of plants distribution and subsequent classification of plant species of the Jambil Valley,
District Swat Pakistan using multivariate statistic techniques. Sampling of vegetation was done using quadrats of 1 × 1 m2
for herbs, 5 × 5 m2 for shrubs and 10 × 10 m2 for trees. The data were analyzed by PCORD v. 5 and CANOCO 4.5. The
studies revealed that the vegetation of Jambil valley belongs to eighteen different phytogeographic elements. The highest percentage of elements (19.4%) belongs to Western-Himalayan region, followed by Cosmopolitan (13.9%), Eurasian (10.6%), Irano-turanian (10%), Paleotropical (9.4%), Eastern Asiatic and Mediterranean (6.7% each), Euro-Siberian (5.6%),
Holoarctic (3.9%), Pantropical (3.3%), Sub-cosmopolitan 2.8%), Saharo-Arabian (2.2%), Eastern-Himalayan (1.7%),
Central Asian and Neotropical (1.1% each), Pantemperate, Australian and Sudano-Zambezian (0.6% each). CANOCO correlated phytogeographical data with environmental factors, which showed significant effect of environmental variables on phytogeographical patterns. It is clear from our results that higher pH, electrical conductivity, moderate sand and silt, phosphorous and nitrogen have great impact on distribution of phytogeographical elements. The Western Himalayan elements having narrow geographic range require immediate attention and conservation efforts.
The indispensable bond between mazri palm (nannorrhops ritchiana) and the ind...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Keeping in mind the economic importance of this palm, the Government of Pakistan passed an act on the conservation of Nannorrhops namely “Kohat Mazri Control Act 1953” (http://kp.gov.pk/page/the-kohat -mazri -contr olact-
1953/page-type/rules ) in 1953 where laws and rules were devised for the conservation of Nannorrhops in Pakistan in general and for the Kohat Division in particular (which then
covered the whole southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa). Regionally, it has been categorized as Endangered (EN) under the IUCN criteria. Murad et al. (2011) reported that in the Hazar
Nao Forest of Malakand Nannorrhops ritchiana is on the verge of extinction due to over exploitation by the local population for commercial purposes.
Pollen morphological variation of berberis l. from pakistan and its systemati...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Due to overlapping and diverse morphological characters, Berberis is among the most taxonomically complex genera. Palynology is one of the taxonomic tools for delimitation and identification of complex species. In this study, pollens of 10 Berberis species were analyzed through light and scanning electron microscopy. Qualitative as well as quantitative
features (pollen shape, size, presence or absence of colpi, colpi length and width, exine thickness, ornamentation, pollen class, aperture, and polar–equatorial ratio) were measured. Five species were observed to have colpate (pantocolpate) with elongated ends, radially symmetrical, isopolar, monads, and psilate-regulate pollens. In polar view, six pollen were spheroidal, two were ovoid, one spherical, and one oblate. Similarly, variation in pollen length was prominent and the largest pollen on polar view was recorded for B. psodoumbellata 60–65 μm (62.4 ± 0.9), while the smallest one was observed for B. lycium 29–35 μm (32.2 ± 1). The observed variation in both quantitative and qualitative features were important in taxonomic identification. This shows that palynological haracters
are helpful in identification of Berberis genus at the species level.
A new ethnobiological similarity index for the evaluation of novel use reportsShujaul Mulk Khan
Similarity Indices are widely applied in the field of ecology to measure species diversity as well as to map patterns of conservation and monitor threats to biodiversity. Among the known, Jaccard’s and Sorensen’s indices are the most frequently employed similarity Indices. Here, we propose a new and efficient statistical approach in the field of ethnobiology and validate its efficacy by comparing the results with predefined similarity Indices used in previous studies. The core objective was to propose a new index for quantitative ethnobiological analyses and to find out solutions for sorting the plants having
similar ethnobiological uses in allied, aligned, national and global regions; as the pre-existing indices like Jaccard’s and Sorensen’s indices provides best estimates in the field of ecology but not in ethnobiological studies. In comparative ethnobiological studies, ethnobiologists use conventional ecological tools for evaluation of similarities and dissimilarities. Our proposed similarity index is based on the quantification
of similar uses of common medicinal plants via comparing present study with previously published reports from various areas where, the author(s) have used the Sorensen’s index and/or Jaccard’s index. To assess the significance and validity of this newly developed index, similarities and differences in
ethnomedicinal studies on medicinal plants in different regions were evaluated. Data regarding medicinal plants usage here was compared with 20 previously published studies and then analyzed through preexisting indices as well as Rahman’s index to examine the novelty in the study. Our preliminary results
revealed noteworthy coherence with the existing similarity indices, albeit, the new index was more efficient than the previous. Our comparison revealed, that as far as common vegetation and floral levels are concerned, the existing ecological coefficients of similarity are efficient and precise; but for similarities in the field of medicinal plant studies certain constraints are overcome by the proposed similarity index. Inferences derived from Rahman’s similarity index (RSI) are as reliable as the previously known and well-established similarity indices. Further, RSI specifically targets the ethnobiological similarities, a limitation in Jaccard’s and Sorensen’s indices. Thus, RSI would be a useful tool/index in the assessment of rigorous quantitative ethnobiological data.
Hec news and views august 2017- Participation of Pakistani Researchers in the...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Dr. Shujaul Mulk Khan, Assistant Professor of Plant Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad Pakistan and Dr. Zia-ur-Rahman Mashwani, Assistant Professor of Botany, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi Pakistan presented their research papers in the World’s largest botanical event ‘XIX International Botanical Congress (IBC 2017)’ that held at Convention and Exhibition Centre, Schenzhen China http://ibc2017.cn/. This event is organized after an interval of five years over the last two centuries. There were 6856 participants from 110 countries in this congress. Presentations of both the Pakistani speakers were highly appreciated by the participants.
Ecological assessment of plant communities along the edaphic and topographic ...Shujaul Mulk Khan
A study was conducted to explore the plant biodiversity and vegetation structure of Biha Valley, District Swat, Pakistan. On the basis of the physiognomy of the vegetation the study area was divided into 19 stands. Line transect (50 m) method was used to sample the phytosociological attributes of the study area. PCORD software (version 5) was used to recognize communities by two-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN) and CANOCO software (version 5) for ordination analysis was done for detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) to find variation directories of different plant species. Different life-form classes and leaf size spectra were recorded according to the Raunkiaer classification. The floristic composition of the area consists of 203 plant species belonging to 154 genera and 70 families. The biological spectrum of the area indicated that
Therophytes was dominant with 46.60% among the life-classes, followed by Hemicryptophytes having 15.53%. Leaf spectra of study area revealed that Microphylls was dominant (41.26%) followed by Nanophylls (32.04%). Seven plant communities were recognized by TWINSPAN classification, which showed that species diversity decreased with altitude. Moreover, the result indicates the importance of soil organic matter in top soil layers for plant species distribution. The increases in soil nutrients (OM, P, N, and K), improvement in site conditions (community cover, depth of litter, depth of humus, soil water
content) and decrease in soil bulk density indicated the natural habitat restoration following abandonment.
The morpho-agronomic characterization study of Lens culinaris germplasm under...Shujaul Mulk Khan
The present research study evaluate and identify the most suitable and high yielding genotypes of Lens culinaris for the salt marsh habitat of Swat in moist temperate sort of agro climatic environment of Pakistan. A total of fourteen genotypes were cultivated and analyzed through Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). These genotypes were AZRC-4, NL-2, NL4, NL-5, NL-6, NARC-11-1, NARC-11-2, NARC-11-3, NARC-11-4, 09503, 09505, 09506, P.Masoor-09 and Markaz-09. Different parameters i.e., germination rate, flowering, physiological maturity, plant height, biological grain yield, seed weight, pods formation and its height, pods per plants and protein content were focused specially throughout the study. Preliminary the Lentil genotypes have significant variability in all the major morpho-agronomic traits. The days to germination, 50% flowering and 100 seed weight ranged from 7 to 9, 110 to 116 days, and from 5.4 to 7.3 gm respectively. Biological yield and grain yield ranged from 5333 to 9777 kg ha−1 and 1933 to 3655 kg ha−1 respectively. Whereas, protein contents ranged from 23.21% to 28.45%. It was concluded that the genotype AZRC-4 is better varity in terms of grain yield plus in 100 seed weight and moreover, 09506 genotype was significant under salt marsh habitat in early maturing for the Swat Valley, Pakistan.
Ecological gradient analyses of plant associations in the thandiani forests o...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Abstract: In the summers of 2012 and 2013, vegetation of Thandiani in the Western Himalayas of Pakistan was surveyed and quantified. We took evidence from relationships between 252 species and 11 measured environmental factors as well as changes in the associations’ structure among 50 analysed stations with 1500 m2 plots. We analysed how the plant associations differ and develop under the influence of their respective ecological gradients. Preliminary results showed that the family Pinaceae was the most abundant family with a
family importance value (FIV) of 1892.4, followed by Rosaceae with FIV = 1478.2. Rosaceae, represented by 20 species, was the most dominant family, followed by Asteraceae and Ranunculaceae with 14 and 12 species each, respectively. Analyses via CANOCO software version 4.5 and GEO database demonstrated strong correlations among species distributions and environmental variables, i.e. elevation, topography, and edaphic factors. Our findings show an increase in species diversity and richness from lower elevation (1290 m at sea level (m asl) to higher elevation (2626 m asl). It is evident that aspect, elevation, and soil factors were the decisive variables affecting qualitative and quantitative attributes of vegetation in the study area. The P value ≤ 0.002 confirms a significant impact of abiotic factors that bring variation in vegetation. A 3D view of the study area was generated in ArcScene showing all the five plant associations. Graphs of scatter plot, point profile, and 3D line profile were added to the layout of plant association maps. The habitats of the five association types overlapped broadly but still retained their specific individuality. The execution of GIS framework gave spatial modelling, which ultimately helped in the recognition of indicator species of specific habitat or association type. These findings could further be utilised
in devising the forest policy and conservation management. This study also opens new doors of research in the field of biogeography, systematics, and wildlife.
Plant species and communities assessment in interaction with edaphic and topo...Shujaul Mulk Khan
The current analyses of vegetation were aimed to study the different effects of environmental variables on plant species and communities and their combined interactions to these variables, identified threats to local vegetation and suggestion for remedial measures in the Mount Eelum, Swat, Pakistan. For assessment of environmental variability quantitative ecological techniques were used through quadrats having sizes of 2 × 2, 5 × 5 and 10 × 10 m2 for herbs, shrubs and trees respectively. Result of the present study revealed 124 plant species in the study area. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) was used to analyze the ecological gradient of vegetation. The environmental data and species abundance were used in CANOCO software version 4.5. The presence absence data of plant species were elaborated with Cluster and Two Way Cluster Analysis techniques using PC-ORD version 5 to show different species composition that resulted in five plant communities. Findings indicate that elevation, aspect and soil texture are the strongest variables that have significant effect on species composition and distribution of various communities shown with P value 0.0500. It is recommended to protect and use sensibly whole of the Flora normally and rare species particularly in the region.
Investigation of traditional medicinal floral knowledge of sarban hills, abbo...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Ethno pharmacological relevance Ethno medicinal traditional knowledge regarding the uses of indigenous medicinal plants for treating various human infectious diseases is totally in hold of the elder community members. The young generation is not much aware about such vital traditional medicinal practices. Aim of study To document, accumulate and widely disseminate the massive indigenous knowledge of century's practiced therapeutic uses of medicinal plants by the local people living in this area. Materials and methods A total of 134 local inhabitants (78 male and 56 female) were interviewed through questionnaire method. The data obtained were quantitatively analyzed through the use value, fidelity level index and relative frequency citation. Plants specimen were preserved and mounted on herbarium sheets and labeled, cataloged and deposited with voucher numbers in Hazara University Herbarium, Mansehra, Pakistan (HUP). Results 74 plant species belonging to 70 genera and 42 families were documented in the current study. These medicinal plant species are used commonly as an ethno medicine against 56 various diseases such as digestive disorder, cough, pain and skin diseases etc. Herbaceous plant species were the dominant among plants studied which were 57% of the total plants, followed by shrubs (23%) and trees (20%). Asteraceae was the leading family among collected medicinal plant species (10.81%). Maximum medicinal plant species were used for treatment of digestive disorders (9.09%) and cough (7.44%). Most widely part used is leaf (27.9%), followed by fruit (13.5%) and seed (13.5%) for the treatment of different ailments by the traditional healers. The medicinal plant species with greater use values were Berberis lycium (0.91) and Cannabis sativa (0.81). The medicinal plant species with maximum fidelity level were Ziziphus jujuba (100%) and Lonicera caprifolium (92.31%) whereas the medicinal with most relative frequency citation were B. lycium (0.313), Ziziphus nummularia (0.276). The comparative result reveals that 36% of medicinal plant species were reported for the first time from Abbottabad regarding their uses, whereas 26% of plant species were reported with different medicinal uses. Brugmansia suaveolens and Allium griffithianum were recorded for the first time from Pakistan as well as from other countries across the globe for currently reported medicinal uses. Conclusion The current study revealed the importance to document and launch list of all possible plants that are used in ethno medicinal practices in the study area. Future antimicrobial, antivirals, and pharmacological studies are required to ratify the efficacy and safety of the medicinal plants species.
Distribution and structure of conifers with special emphasis on taxus baccataShujaul Mulk Khan
Coniferous forests play important role in sustaining biodiversity and providing ecological services. Present study was conducted in Pir Panjal range, Western Himalayas to assess the present status of the conifers, in particular Taxus baccata population. Field data was obtained systematically using quadrate method. Environmental data including coordinates, altitude, slope gradient, aspect and intensity of anthropogenic disturbance was recorded by field survey method. The quantity of fuel wood consumption was measured using weight survey method. Three conifer species viz., Abies pindrow, Pinus wallichiana and Taxus baccata were found in 5 communities at different aspects in 1800 to 3000 m altitudinal range. Conifer stands showed an average tree density of 306 trees/ha with a regeneration value of 76 seedlings and saplings/ha and deforestation intensity of 82 stumps/ha respectively. T. baccata showed zero regeneration having no seedling or sapling in the whole study area. The stem to stump value was calculated as 4.08. A. pindrow was dominant in all the 5 communities with an Importance value percentage of 72.8% followed by P. wallichiana (19.5%). T. baccata was recorded sporadically throughout the altitudinal range having an IVI value of 7.9%. The T. baccata tree density was 26/ha whereas dead tree and stumps density was 27/ha with a stem/stump value of 0.98.The average fuel wood consumption recorded for the area was 4.08kg/capita/day. Pressure is increasing on conifers due to high level of fuel wood consumption as well as overgrazing due to limited available grazing area. The conifer species, especially T. baccata, demand immediate attention of forest management and policy makers for the conservation of these under pressure species.
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June 3, 2024 Anti-Semitism Letter Sent to MIT President Kornbluth and MIT Cor...Levi Shapiro
Letter from the Congress of the United States regarding Anti-Semitism sent June 3rd to MIT President Sally Kornbluth, MIT Corp Chair, Mark Gorenberg
Dear Dr. Kornbluth and Mr. Gorenberg,
The US House of Representatives is deeply concerned by ongoing and pervasive acts of antisemitic
harassment and intimidation at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Failing to act decisively to ensure a safe learning environment for all students would be a grave dereliction of your responsibilities as President of MIT and Chair of the MIT Corporation.
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The House of Representatives will not countenance the use of federal funds to indoctrinate students into hateful, antisemitic, anti-American supporters of terrorism. Investigations into campus antisemitism by the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the Committee on Ways and Means have been expanded into a Congress-wide probe across all relevant jurisdictions to address this national crisis. The undersigned Committees will conduct oversight into the use of federal funds at MIT and its learning environment under authorities granted to each Committee.
• The Committee on Education and the Workforce has been investigating your institution since December 7, 2023. The Committee has broad jurisdiction over postsecondary education, including its compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, campus safety concerns over disruptions to the learning environment, and the awarding of federal student aid under the Higher Education Act.
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Macroeconomics- Movie Location
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Objective:
Prepare a presentation or a paper using research, basic comparative analysis, data organization and application of economic information. You will make an informed assessment of an economic climate outside of the United States to accomplish an entertainment industry objective.
Residual value analyses of the medicinal flora of the western himalayas
1. Pak. J. Bot., 43: 97-104, Special Issue, December, 2011 (Medicinal Plants: Conservation & Sustainable use)
RESIDUAL VALUE ANALYSES OF THE MEDICINAL FLORA OF THE WESTERN
HIMALAYAS: THE NARAN VALLEY, PAKISTAN
SHUJAUL MULK KHAN1*
, DAVID HARPER1
, SUE PAGE2
, HABIB AHMAD3
1*
Department of Biology University of Leicester, UK
2
Department of Geography University of Leicester, UK
3
Department of Genetics Hazara University Mansehra, Pakistan
*
Author for correspondence; shuja60@gmail.com
Abstract
Statistical analyses of the medicinal flora of the Naran Valley in the Western Himalayas were performed using
Moerman’s methods and Principal Components Analysis (PCA). The results demonstrate that the valley’s indigenous people
utilize medicinal plants in a systematic way. Sixty-eight families of plants were identified during the study, of which 52
contained one or more species of medicinal value. The standard deviation for residual values of all the 68 families was 0.993
and the results of the residual analysis revealed that seven of these plant families were overused by the local people,
indicated by residual values greater than the standard deviation. Residual values obtained from a regression analysis of plant
species with their medicinal uses showed that the families with the highest rank were Polygonaceae, Gentianaceae,
Lamiaceae, Rosaceae and Plantaginaceae, indicating their medicinal importance. By comparison, Poaceae, Boraginaceae,
Primulaceae, Salicaceae, and Ranunculaceae were the lowest ranking families, containing few species of medicinal value.
Although a few of the most species-rich families in the valley contained a high number of medicinal plants and hence
displayed high residual values, some other species-rich families contained few or no species of medicinal value. For
example, the third largest family, Poaceae, is the lowest in terms of its residual value, while the largest family, Asteraceae,
contains only seven species noted as having medicinal uses. Sixteen plant families in the valley contained no species with
reported medicinal use, while seven families contained only one species with medicinal value. In contrast, all of the species
in several of the least species-rich families were recorded as having a medicinal use. The results of a Principal Components
Analysis showed a gradient of medicinal plant use along the valley. Using robust statistical approaches, our study provides a
clear indication that the indigenous people of this Western Himalayan valley utilize wild plants according to their traditional
knowledge and not on the basis of plant abundance.
Introduction
The Himalayas stretch over some 2500 km and
comprise one of the Earth’s most complex, diverse and
remarkable biomes, characterized by a comparatively
harsh climate, a strong degree of resource seasonality and
a high diversity of plant communities and species (Kala &
Mathur, 2002; Oommen & Shanker, 2005). In north-
western Pakistan, three of the world’s highest mountain
systems congregate together i.e., the Hindukush,
Karakoram and Western Himalaya, ensuring high floral
diversity and phytogeographical interests.
The benefits obtained by humans from nature are
termed ecosystem services (De Groot et al., 2002;
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, 2003; Mooney et al.,
2004; Butler & Oluoch-Kosura, 2006; Carpenter et al.,
2006; Boyd & Banzhaf, 2007; Jordan et al., 2010; Seppelt
et al., 2011). The mountain ecosystems of the Himalayas
provide a range of basic regulatory services, including
water and air purification, climate regulation, waste
disintegration, soil fertility and regeneration, and
biodiversity support. The ecosystems also provide goods
and services in the form of food, grazing land and fodder
for livestock, fuel wood, timber and medicinal products.
These services ultimately contribute to agricultural, socio-
economic and industrial activities (Kremen, 2005; Boyd
& Banzhaf, 2006; Zobel et al., 2006).
Due to their isolated location, rugged landscapes and
critical geopolitical situation, many of the more remote
mountainous valleys in the Himalayan region have not yet
undergone detailed vegetation studies. Furthermore, most
of the botanical accounts that have been published
comprise inventories based on qualitative data either for
ethnobotanical purposes or to support the writing of floras
(Dickoré & Nüsser, 2000; Ahmad et al., 2009, Signorini
et al., 2009). Nevertheless, several studies have
highlighted the threat to plant biodiversity and vegetation-
related ecosystem services as a result of over exploitation,
e.g. through forest cutting, livestock grazing and the
collection of fodder, edible and medicinal plant species.
The use of plants in the preparation of traditional
medicines has a long history in this region and provides a
vital service in areas remote from orthodox health care
services. In order to develop appropriate management
strategies for the conservation and sustainable use of plant
resources, it is crucial to understand how those traditional
uses interact with the existing biodiversity. Any such
study should, necessarily, involve an assessment of the
use of plants by indigenous people, in order to identify the
plant species and families of greatest medicinal
importance. The use of statistical methods in vegetation
description and particularly in relation to changes in use
patterns, has emerged as a valuable approach in
ethnoecological studies in recent years. Such knowledge
contributes to an improved understanding of regional
biogeography, conservation strategies and provides a
quantitative basis for further ecological and
ethnobotanical studies. To date, however, only a limited
number of studies have used modern statistical techniques
in order to provide quantitative descriptions of plant use
along geo-climatic or cultural gradients. Yet these
approaches can help to elucidate the main determinants of
regional vegetation use patterns (Dasti et al., 2007; Malik
& Husain, 2008; Wazir et al., 2008; Saima et al., 2009).
In this study, we combined data derived from a
botanical survey of the vegetation of the Naran Valley in
the Western Himalaya with the results of a questionnaire
survey of plant use conducted amongst the residents of the
2. SHUJAUL MULK KHAN ET AL.,98
twelve main settlements in the valley. Using several forms
of statistical analyses, we assessed which plant species
had a medicinal value and compared this with their
abundance based on the vegetation survey. We also
explored the amount of plant collection taking place
within the valley and the local people’s perceptions of
whether the abundance of medicinal species was
increasing or declining.
Study area (The Naran valley): The Naran is a
mountainous valley in North West Pakistan, some 270 km
from the capital, Islamabad (34°54.26´ N to 35°08.76´ N
latitude and 73°38.90´ E to 74°01.30´ E longitude;
elevation range 2450 to 4100 m above mean sea level).
The entire area is formed by rugged mountains on either
side of the River Kunhar, which flows in a northeast to
southwest direction down the valley to the town of Naran.
The River Kunhar has its source at Lake Lulusar near the
Babusar pass at an elevation of 3455 m. Geographically,
the Naran Valley is located on the extreme western
boundary of the Himalayan range, at the edge of the
Hindukush range, which starts to the west of the River
Indus (Fig. 1). The rocks of the valley can be subdivided
into basement rocks of amphibolites, marble, dolomite,
quartzite, and deformed granite (Parrish et al., 2006; Clift
et al., 2008). Climatically, the Naran Valley has a dry
temperate climate with distinct seasonal variations. Total
average annual precipitation is low at only 900-1000 mm
with heavy snowfall in winter. Summers remain cool and
relatively dry as high mountains to the south of the valley
limit the entrance of monsoon rains. Melting snow (May
to September) is the main source of water for both plant
growth and the River Kunhar. During most of the year
temperatures remain below 10°C.
Fig. 1. Physiographic map showing the position of the Naran Valley (project area); location of its settlements, altitudinal zones, the
River Kunhar, originating lake and tributary streams.
(Elevation data was obtained from the ASTER GDEM, a product of METI and NASA)
Methodology
Data collection was conducted in two phases in
summer 2009 and 2010.
1. A botanical and phytosociological assessment of the
vegetation in the valley was carried out during 2009. A
total of 198 plant species of 68 families were recorded
(Khan et al., 2011b).
2. Each of the 12 main settlements in the valley was
visited. Meetings were arranged with village heads or
councillors and permissions were obtained for
questionnaire-based interviews with a sample of the local
residents on their use of native plants. A local community
member, who knew the norms and traditions of the
indigenous society, was engaged as a guide. Ten houses in
each of the 12 settlements (a total of 120) were selected
randomly for the interviews. A mixture of qualitative and
quantitative data collection methods were adopted in order
to obtain local knowledge about the native plant species
and their uses, with a particular emphasis on medicinal
plants, their collection, the parts of the plants used and their
medicinal applications, following the methods of previous
3. RESIDUAL VALUE ANALYSES OF THE MEDICINAL FLORA OF THE WESTERN HIMALAYAS 99
ethnobotanical surveys (Phillips et al., 1994; Rossato et al.,
1999; Cunningham, 2001; Martin, 2004; Da Cunha & De
Albuquerque, 2006; Ferraz et al., 2006; De Albuquerque,
2009). Plant species photographed during the first field
campaign in 2009 (Khan et al., 2011b) were shown to the
interviewees where this was felt necessary.
Data analyses
Principle component analysis (PCA): Principle
Components Analysis (PCA) was carried out using
CANOCO to assess the usage gradient at the various
locations along the valley, following Dalle et al., (2002).
Average numbers of plants with a medicinal use in each
locality were calculated in MS EXCEL according to the
CANOCO requirements. Data attribute plot as a utility in
PCA was used to analyze the pattern and extent of
medicinal plant use along the valley as described by
Toledo et al., (2009).
Residual value and regression analyses: Moerman
methods of comparative analyses (Moerman, 1991) were
used to compare the medicinal plants against the check list
of all vascular plant species obtained during the
vegetation survey (see Khan et al., 2011b) in order to
obtain residual values using SPSS 18 ( Colman, 2008;
Peter & Kellie, 2010). As the project was initiated
principally to quantify and classify plant occurrence and
use along an environmental gradient (Khan et al., 2011b),
the Moerman method was chosen as the best approach to
correlate the ethnobotanical data with the species
occurrence data (Bryman & Cramer, 1997). It was
hypothesized that local people used the medicinal species
according to their indigenous knowledge and not on the
basis of the plant’s abundance in the region. Moerman’s
method of residual values analyses helps to answer such
questions by giving predicted and residual values for each
group (Amiguet et al., 2006; Bennett & Husby, 2008).
Regression analyses and curve fit were used to illustrate
the relationships between the 198 plant species in 68
families (independent variable) and the 102 medicinal
species within 52 families (dependent variable) (Table 1).
Table 1. Regression model summary.
Change statistics
Model R R Square
Adjusted R
square R Square change F Change df1 df2 Sig. F Change
1 0.790 0.624 0.618 0.624 109.476 1 66 0.000
Results
Ethnomedicinal plant resources: The respondents of the
questionnaire survey comprised of a representative cross-
section of people in the 12 settlements. Among the 120
informants, 87 were male and 33 were female. The largest
proportions of the respondents were elders, i.e. above 40
years of age (81.6%) and only 18.3% were below the age
of 30. These results reflect the reality that indigenous
knowledge is well established in the population but seems
to be decreasing amongst the younger generation.
Analyses showed that 102 plant species belonging to 52
families (51.5% of the total plants) were used for
medicinal purposes. Lamiaceae, with nine species, was
the most represented family, followed by Polygonaceae
and Rosaceae with eight species each. Details of the
individual medicinal plant species and their residual
values are given in Table 5.
Results of the principle component analysis (PCA)
and cultural gradient analysis: PCA data attribute
plots illustrate the use pattern of plants for medicinal
purposes along the valley. These coincide both with
climatic and cultural gradients. Climatic conditions favor
the vigorous growth of vegetation in the lower valley
where people use plants as medicine for their own use as
well as for marketing purposes. In the more remote,
upper valley, grazers utilize high altitude meadow
vegetation extensively during the short summer, with
livestock being moved onto these areas immediately
after snow-melt. The sizes of the circles in the PCA plots
show the strength of plant use at each locality along the
valley (along increasing altitudinal as well as latitudinal
gradients). These plots show that there is a gradient of
traditional plant utilization along the valley. The PCA
results further indicate that people living in the middle of
the valley show the strongest preference for medicinal
plant collection, which may be linked to the availability
and richness of the plants at mid-altitude, the lack of
medical care facilities, and an intact culture that still
retains considerable ethnobotanical knowledge (Table 2
& Fig. 2).
Table 2. Description of the first four axes of the PCA for the various categories of medicinal services of vegetation
(using informants’ data at various localities along the valley).
Axes 1 2 3 4 Total variance
Eigen values 0.802 0.128 0.045 0.015 1.000
Cumulative percentage variance of species data 80.2 93.1 97.6 99.2
Residual value analyses of medicinal plant families in
the valley: The standard deviation for residual values of
all the 68 families was 0.993 (Table 3), and the results of
the residual analyses indicate that seven families are
overused by the dwellers of the area and hence have
residual values greater than the standard deviation (r2
=
0.624; p = 0.000) (Table 4). The top five families with
highest residuals are Polygonaceae, Gentianaceae,
Lamiaceae, Rosaceae and Plantaginaceae. The lowest
residual values were recorded for the families Salicaceae,
Ranunculaceae, Primulaceae, Boraginaceae and Poaceae.
Although few of the abundant families contain high
numbers of medicinal plants, a few have no or very few
medicinal species. For example, the third largest family,
4. SHUJAUL MULK KHAN ET AL.,100
Poaceae, is the lowest in terms of residual values whilst
the largest family, Asteraceae, also has a low residual
value (Table 5). On the contrary, all of the plants in some
of the least abundant families have a medicinal use,
supporting the hypothesis that people utilize the plants
according to their traditional knowledge rather than their
abundance in the vegetation. For example, 31 families
with only one or two species are all used medicinally in
the area. Sixteen plant families in the region have no
reported medicinal plants, while seven have only one
representative species.
-1.5 2.5
-1.01.0
Naran
Damdama
Soach
L. Batak
U. Batak
Khora Dabukan
Bans
Barrawae Serrian
Jalkhad
Besal
SAMPLES
Fig. 2. PCA data attribute plot showing the medicinal uses of plant species at various localities along the valley (altitudinal and
latitudinal gradient).
Table 3. Summary of the residuals statistics using regression analyses.
Minimum Maximum Mean Std. Deviation N
Predicted value 0.68 7.65 1.51 1.559 68
Residual -5.035 3.400 0.000 1.210 68
Std. predicted value -0.534 3.933 0.000 1.000 68
Std. residual -4.129 2.788 0.000 0.993 68
Table 4. Model summary for regression plot and parameter estimates.
Dependent variable: Medicinal species (Med. spp.)
model summary
Parameter estimates
Equation
R Square F df1 df2 Sig. Constant b1
Linear 0.624 109.476 1 66 0.000 0.247 0.435
The independent variable is representative species
Top-ranking families: The residual values (Table 5) and
regression plots (Fig. 3a & b) confirm that Polygonaceae
represent the top-ranking family, followed by
Gentianaceae and Lamiaceae. All of these families
include typical alpine species of high medicinal value.
Rheum australe, Rumex nepalensis, Bistorta
amplexicaulis and Oxyria digyna (Polygonaceae),
Gentiana kurroo, Gentiana moorcroftiana and Swertia
ciliata (Gentianaceae), Thymus linearis, Mentha
longifolia, Origanum vulgare and Salvia moocroftiana
(Lamiaceae) are the most important medicinal plants. The
4th
and 5th
top residual scoring families are Rosaceae
(Fragaria nubicola, Crataegus oxycantha and Rosa
webbiana) and Plantaginaceae (Plantago lanceolata and
Plantago major).
Low-ranking families: The five lowest-ranking families
are Poaceae, Boraginaceae, Primulaceae, Ranunculaceae
and Salicaceae. Poaceae, the grass family, although highly
abundant in the valley and an important family for grazing
animals, have no species of medicinal value and hence are
at the bottom of the residual values table. Boraginaceae
represent the second least medicinally important family in
the region (Table 5 and Fig. 3a & b).
6. SHUJAUL MULK KHAN ET AL.,102
Fig. 3. (a) Regression and (b) log regression plots showing families with number of medicinal plant species versus the total species
recorded in quadrat survey (N = 68; p = 0.000; r2
= 0.624 & 0.444).
Discussion
Medicinal plant resources and ecosystem services: The
use of plants to cure diseases is as old as human history
and around 20% of the plant species in the world are
estimated to be used in health care systems (Baillie et al.,
2004). Although each medicinal species has a value in
traditional health care systems, those which are
endangered, endemic or less abundant also have a high
conservation importance, and over-collection for
medicinal purposes could threaten their survival. In this
study, 4 of the reported medicinal species i.e., Dioscorea
deltoidea, Podophyllum hexandrum, Cypripedium
cordigerum and Dactylorhiza hatagirea are of global
conservation importance and listed by CITES (the
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
of Wild Fauna and Flora). One or more of these species
have also been reported in a few other ethnobotanical
studies from the Himalaya, Hindu Kush and Karakorum
(Shinwari & Gilani, 2003; Ahmad et al., 2009; Shaheen et
al., 2011). Some species encountered in our study are
endemic to the Himalayas e.g., Cedrus deodara, Aesculus
indica, Acer caesium, Ulmus wallichiana, Aster falconeri,
Corydalis govaniana, Pedicularis pectinata, Salvia
moocroftiana and Vicia bakeri, whilst some are rare in the
region e.g., Aconitum heterophyllum, Aconitum
violaceum, Ephedra gerardiana, Hypericum perforatum,
Indigofera heterantha, and Paeonia emodi; greater
attention should be given to their sustainable use. In
addition to medicinal uses, these species also provide
other services, including timber, fuel and fodder and thus
may be under threat from a variety of uses.
In the high valleys of the Himalayas, indigenous
people have a long established system of plant-based
health care. Their use of different plant parts and the
recipes used to prepare medicines are based on long
experience and knowledge. Our results indicate that the
elders have a more accurate knowledge about medicinal
plant uses and their preparation than the young,
supporting the findings of other studies (Shinwari, 1996;
Balemie & Kebebew, 2006; Khan et al., 2011a). There
was a decreasing trend in the medicinal plant species in
the valley; this was attributed to the rising human
population in the valley, increasingly extensive grazing by
livestock, habitat loss, multipurpose collection and
carelessness.
Medicinal plant families in the study area: The top 5
families identified as being overused by the results of the
residual analyses were Polygonaceae, Gentianaceae,
Lamiaceae, Rosaceae and Plantaginaceae. Among the
lowest-ranking families in terms of its medicinal use was
Poaceae, although members of this family have a high
value for grazing and fodder purposes (Amiguet et al.,
2006; Bennett & Husby, 2008). In contrast to a few other
studies, our findings show that Orchidaceae are
considered by the local people to have a relatively high
medicinal value, which is supported by the findings of
another study (Amiguet et al., 2005). Asteraceae, the most
abundant family, were ranked number 48 in terms of
medicinal use, whilst the 5th
most species-rich family,
Poaceae, occupied the lowest position. In contrast,
Plantaginaceae moved up from 17th
position in terms of
abundance to 5th
position, owing to their high medicinal
value; likewise, Caryophyllaceae was 23rd
in abundance
but 9th
in medicinal importance. Residual value analyses
show that the indigenous people of the Naran Valley use
local plants for medicinal purposes based on their value
and not on their availability. Interestingly, most of the
least abundant families are utilized frequently by the local
people, supporting the hypothesis that people utilize the
plants according to traditional knowledge and not
abundance. For example, 31 poorly represented families
with only one or two species are all used medicinally in
the area.
A novel approach to the study of medicinal plant
species: Plant biodiversity directly or indirectly provides
services to mankind and it is therefore imperative that it is
evaluated, managed and safeguarded (CBD, 2006). Many
people in the developing world depend heavily on natural
resources for a wide range of services (Uprety et al.,
2010). A number of previous studies in the Himalayas and
the Hindukush region have merely provided inventories of
medicinal plant species e.g. (Ahmad et al., 2009; Ali &
Qaiser, 2009; Negi et al., 2010) and much less attention
has been given to quantitative ethnobotany. We have
adopted this comparatively new method to assess plant
7. RESIDUAL VALUE ANALYSES OF THE MEDICINAL FLORA OF THE WESTERN HIMALAYAS 103
uses in one Himalayan valley, using an approach that has
previously only appeared in published work from South
American countries (Rossato et al., 1999; Bermudez et
al., 2005; Da Cunha & De Albuquerque, 2006; Ferraz et
al., 2006; Goleniowski et al., 2006). In this paper we link
the medicinal services of the inventoried flora to both the
local traditional knowledge and species abundance.
Furthermore, the perception (ecological knowledge) of the
local people was documented to support an assessment of
whether the populations of medicinal plant species were
increasing or decreasing, whilst Principle Component
Analysis (PCA) and data attribute plots were used to
understand and link the cultural-use gradient with
ecological gradients. The application of these techniques
can help to identify the patterns of medicinal services
provided by plant biodiversity (Garibay-Orijel et al.,
2007; Abraão et al., 2008), thus providing valuable
insights for the design of plant conservation management
and planning policies.
A recent study has pointed out that to date, most
ecosystem service studies have been carried out in the
developed world, with only 13% of publications on this
topic from Asia and the Pacific (Vihervaara et al., 2010).
Similarly, only a few authors have pointed out the
importance of plant biodiversity in mountain regions as a
basic driver of ecosystem services (Nakashizuka, 2004;
Hermy et al., 2008; Christensen & Heilmann-Clausen,
2009; Rey Benayas et al., 2009). Our study is, therefore,
one of the first in the Himalayan region that attempts to
integrate knowledge of plant biodiversity with a cultural
gradient of plant use in order to assess current
anthropogenic trends and pressures for both immediate
and long term management planning. We argue that this
type of survey, which combines ecological and cultural
knowledge, is essential in order to produce the best possible
management, preservation and conservation strategies for the
plant species in this region.
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(Received for publication 21-11-2011)