Ecological Appraisal of Plant Resources of Terich Valley, Hindukush Range Chitral, Pakistan

Abstract

ECOLOGICAL APPRAISAL OF PLANT RESOURCES OF TERICH VALLEY, HINDUKUSH RANGE CHITRAL, PAKISTAN This dissertation communicates the results of scientific endeavor regarding the ecological appraisal of plants resources of Terich valley, Hindukush Range Chitral during 2016-2019. A total of 445 species were documented belonging to 272 genera and 71 families. The dominant families in terms of species richness were Asteraceae (88 species), Poaceae (49 species), Papilionaceae (34 species) and Brassicaceae (30 species). Among, the existing genera there are 29 monotypic genera, 11 genera with two species, 10 genera with three species and others with more than 4 species each. Therophytes with 166 (37.30%) species followed by 140 (31.46%) hemicryptophytics were the dominant life form classes. Chamaephytes with 60 (13.48%) species was the coexisting life form group while, the leaf spectrum was dominated by nanophylls (136 species, 30.49%) followed by leptophylls (107 species, 23.99%) and microphylls (97 species, 21.74%). Based on phenology 253 species was found in reproductive stage in summer, followed by 154 species in spring and some 58 taxon exhibited the same in autumn. This phenological variation clearly depicted the sharp seasonal variation in the temperature of this region. Moreover Alcea nudiflora and Eremostachys speciosa was reported as suspected species as a new record to the flora of Pakistan. Phytosociological study enumerated a total of Ten communities viz: Elaeagnus-Prunus-Adiantum and Heracleum-Artemisia-Capparis communities were established at Shagrom. Fraxinus-Rosa-Acanthophylum and Prangos-Ribes-Berberis communities were established at Warimon, While Zondrangam have Hippophae Sophora-Poa and Astragalus-Astragalus* -Eremurus communities. Similarly Rosh Gol and Ghari exhibited Artemisia-Rhodiola-Rosularia, Betula-Scutellaria Taraxacum and Anaphalis-Cousinia-Kobresia, Alajja-Oxyria-Oxytropis association respectively. Ward‟s clustering technique separated the vegetation into three distinct groups in contrast to that of manual association. While PCA and CCA were applied to correlate the vegetation data with environmental variables. However, statistical analysis showed that PCA and CCA ordination axis of stands and species were significantly correlated with OM, N, P and K nutrients. The Proximate composition and elemental profile of Heracleum polyadenum, Hippophae rhamnoides, Ephedra gerardiana, Fraxinus xanthoxyloides, ix Glycyrrhiza glabra, and Calamogrostris pseudophragmites give sporadic increase and decrease, for various micro-macronutrients in various growth events. The amount and concentration of the nutrient level in these species have a promising potential to maintain a healthy life and balance diet for the livestock. Being a remote area the locals still rely on plant resources for their health care. The present work reported 64 plant species used in various treatment as a tradition. This study showed that leaves and fruits (26.56 % each) were consumed for Asthma and stomachache. Similarly, the common mode of preparation of remedies was usually decoction while mode of administration was as orally. Most of these medicinal plants were observed to be used in multipurpose treatment. Endemism of the area provides a scientific database to develop conservation strategies for endemic flora of Pakistan. The endemic taxa were identified through available literature and herbarium specimens. Five of the locations were designated as radiation centers in Terich valley for 61 endemic taxa. Of them, 9 endemic species were considered for their conservation status. Conservation status of 9 endemic taxa was assessed following IUCN Red list Criteria, 2010, Version 8.1. It was concluded that 4 endemics were declared as Endangered and 5 endemics were found to be Critically Endangered. It was concluded, that the area is rich in flora diversity along with sufficient amount of endemic plants. It was observed that the area is under heavy stress for deforestation and new settlements, therefore both habitat and plant conservation is urgently needed before vanishing the previous, plant resources.