PJB-2024-187
ECOLOGICAL ATTRIBUTES AND CONSERVATION STATUS OF THREATENED MEDICINAL PLANTS IN THE PAK-AFGHAN BORDER, BAJAUR, PAKISTAN
Aminul Haq
Abstract
For the first time, systematic conservation planning attempts to evaluate the status of endangered medicinal plants that require immediate conservation. Ecological characteristics and threat factors of the selected medicinal plants were identified in the field survey and by interviewing the inhabitants of the area. IUCN, 2020, criteria and categories were used for the assessment of the area of occupancy and extent of occurrence of the species. The evaluated species were exposed to eight distinct types of threats, putting them at risk. Six of these species- Arisaema flavum, Bergena ciliata, Myrtus communis, Solanum virginianum, Teucrium stocksianum and Vitis heyneana fulfill the requirements for the category of endangered threat, while three of these species—Alnus nitid, Apteranthes tuberculate and Eremurus himalicus—meet the criteria for critically endangered species The phytogeographical exploration reveals that Alnus nitida, Eremurus himalaicus, Arisaema flavum and Vitis heyneana belonged to Sino-Japanese and Western Himalayan regions while Apteranthes tuberculata and Teucrium stocksianum to the Irano-Turanian and Sino-Japanese elements. Local communities utilized these species as medicine to treat a range of ailments. These nine species are threatened in the wild and consequential in-situ conservation measures are needed to ensure long-term survival. Using this study as a prototype for local conservation programs with medicinal plants will improve future conservation efforts.
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