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Studies on Population Change Dynamics of Critically Endanger Berberis Species in Karakoram Mountain Ranges: An Ethnoecological perspective

Asian Journal of Biological and Life Sciences ,2014,3,3,206-211.
Published:December 2014
Type:Research Article
Authors:
Author(s) affiliations:

Tika Khan1,  Imtiaz Ahmed Khan2, Abdul Rehman2, Rehmat Karim3,  Shaista Bibi4, Rukhsana5

1Integrated Mountain Area Research Centre, Karakoram International University, PAKISTAN.

2Department of Biological Sciences, Karakoram International University, Pakistan

3Public Schools and Colleges, Jutial-Gilgit,  PAKISTAN.

4Department of Environmental Sciences, Karakoram International University, PAKISTAN.

Abstract:

Current biodiversity extinction rate is 100-1000 times than its natural background depletion trend. Similarly, ignorance towards timely management of critically endangered wild medicinal plants is the real cause of their loss. Berberis pseudumbellata subsp. gilgitica is an endemic highly valuable medicinal plant found across Karakoram landscape has become critically endangered. Survey study revealed that there are only 3110mature plants of Berberis species and struggle for its survival under several adverse ethno-ecological factors. Community attitude recorded is Berberi-phobic (77.4 %, hostile).Moreover, 30.3% (N=373, n=113) population believes that over the last 50 years, Berberis population has declined significantly. Developmental process has been the principal cause (n=32, -30.77%) of population retardation followed by overgrazing (n=23, -22.12%). In sum, 94.23% change agencies are hostile towards its population. Present research was aimed at evaluation of various change factors and their relative impact on population change dynamics of Berberis spp. over the last 50 years in Karakoram Mountain Ranges. Declining population of Berberis is a total result of anthropogenic pressures and climate change. More conservation efforts are to save critically endangered Berberis spp. within the park, Naltar conservancy and adjoining areas.