Floristic Diversity, Sensitivity and Use Value Analysis in a Part of Western Himalaya Uttarakhand: Conservation Implications

Anita Mehra^1, , Lalit Mohan Tewari² and Hema Joshi¹

¹Department of Botany Kumaun University Nainital, Uttarakhand, India

²Department of Botany DSB, Campus, Kumaun University Nainital, Uttarakhand, India

Cite this paper:
Anita Mehra, Lalit Mohan Tewari and Hema Joshi. Floristic Diversity, Sensitivity and Use Value Analysis in a Part of Western Himalaya Uttarakhand: Conservation Implications. Applied Ecology and Environmental Sciences. 2022; 10(5):311-321. doi: 10.12691/aees-10-5-7

Abstract

The study documents plant diversity, nativity, sensitivity and use value of plant across altitude zone (600-2100 m asl) of Uttarakhand wherein 336 plant species (53 trees, 74shrubs 195 herbs and 14 climber) occur. Of these, 302 species were Angiosperms (250 Dicotyledons and 52 Monocotyledons), 3 Gymnosperms and 31 Pteridophytes. Out of 336 spp. nearly half of these species (153, 46%) are Himalayan natives; of which 34.6% species are near endemics to Himalaya. Nativity across life forms ranges was herbs (74 spp) 36%; (shrubs 4) 56% (trees 38) 71% most of the species (127, 83.11%) exhibited wide geographical distribution (rarity class 1-4) and more than half of these (79, 62.2%) have broad ecological amplitude (rarity class 1-2) an attribute of commonness. 26 species (16.9%) exhibited restricted geographic distribution (rarity class 5-8). Of these, 10 (38.6%) had narrow ecological amplitude (rarity class, 7-8), suggesting high sensitivity. A total of 257 species 138 herb 66 shrub and 53 tree are were recorded ethnobotanically important A total 36 different uses were defined by the informants. We divide these use in 13 broad categories these were fuel wood, fodder, medicinal, timber, edible, ornamental, fertilizer, sacred, Agriculture tool, Bedding, Fencing, NTFPs and other. Use value of plants range 0.10 to 2.25 divided in three category high use value (1.5-2.25) medium use value (0.85-1.5) and low use value (0.10-0.85). According to the recent IUCN criteria 24 species have been categorized into various threat categories viz., one Endangered, one Vulnerable one near threatened and 21 were under least concern.

Keywords:
floristic diversity sensitivity nativity rarity analysis use value conservation

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