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Species Diversity and Population Status of Threatened Plants in Different Landscape Elements of the Rohtang Pass, Western Himalaya

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Title Species Diversity and Population Status of Threatened
Plants in Different Landscape Elements of the Rohtang
Pass, Western Himalaya
 
Creator Singh, K N
Kumar, Amit
Chand, Gopi
Lal, Brij
Todaria, N P
 
Subject Plant sciences
 
Description This paper highlights the quantitative
estimates of plant species diversity and ecosystems of
the Rohtang Pass, which is one of the most preferred
visiting spots by tourists in Himachal Pradesh (H.P.),
India. In spite of high pressure of anthropogenic
activities, the Rohtang Pass still harbours a variety of
flowering plants with economic value, including
various medicinal herbs. In order to observe species
diversity in different landscape elements (LSEs),
ground surveys were conducted in nine unique LSEs
within the elevation range between 3624 m and 4332
m. Plant community structure in each LSE was
studied using stratified random sampling where a
total 56 quadrats of 1 m2 in size for herbs and 7
quadrats of 25 m2 for shrubs were made. Of the total
50 plant species belonging to 15 families recorded in
different random quadrats, 24 species were found of
medicinal value. Maximum species richness (18) and
value of Shannon diversity (H'=2.2648) were
observed on northeast-facing slope in Picrorhiza
kurrooa dominated LSE in moist area, followed by
Rheum emodi LSE (species richness = 17 and H' =
2.4141) distributed on south-facing slope. Maximum
values of species richness and Shannon diversity in
Rheum emodi LSE were observed between 8 ~ 12 and
1.4797 ~ 2.1911, respectively. Rhododendron
anthopogon dominated LSE on northwest-facing
slope was found least diverse in terms of species
richness where the Simpson index of dominance (D)
was 0.4205. The species were equal in abundance in P.
kurrooa LSE on east-facing slope and
Pleurospermum candollii LSE on north-facing slope,
showing the maximum similarity in terms of species
distribution between the two LSEs. Low turnover of
species across common LSEs gives an idea regarding
their limited distribution. Five species of threatened
category according to the IUCN criteria were observed
in seven LSEs. The largest population of threatened
medicinal plants was recorded on northeast and
northwest-facing slopes where population density of
Bergenia stracheyi (29.25 individuals/m2),
Picrorhiza kurrooa (19.83 individuals/m2) and
Rhododendron anthopogon (26.23 individuals/25m2)
was highest. Aconitum heterophyllum was recorded
for the lowest density (1 individual/m2). It was
observed that the distribution of medicinal plants was
very habitat-specific. Lower soil pH in most of the
LSEs reflected its acidic nature. A significant positive
correlation of Shannon diversity was found with soil
organic matter, carbon content available and total
nitrogen. Considering the continuous pressure of
anthropogenic activities, this paper suggests effective
ecotourism planning and plant conservation
mechanisms to protect valuable plant bioresource at
the Rohtang Pass.
 
Date 2008
 
Type Article
PeerReviewed
 
Format application/pdf
 
Identifier http://ihbt.csircentral.net/127/1/2008_Species_78_83.pdf
Singh, K N and Kumar, Amit and Chand, Gopi and Lal, Brij and Todaria, N P (2008) Species Diversity and Population Status of Threatened Plants in Different Landscape Elements of the Rohtang Pass, Western Himalaya. Journal of Mountain Science, 5 (1). pp. 73-83.
 
Relation http://ihbt.csircentral.net/127/