Vegetation and soil ecology of threatened Himalayan Trillium habitats in Kashmir Himalaya

Rashid, Kausar; Rashid, Sufiya; Islam, Tajamul; Ganie, Aijaz Hassan; Nawchoo, Irshad A.; Khuroo, Anzar A.

doi:10.1111/njb.03925

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 39 publications

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“…Magray et al [56] reported that the variation in the IVI of species might be caused by predominant environmental factors. Moreover, the difference in IVI among the sites may be due to the composition of plant species, human activities, and local ecological factors [57].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecology and Diversity of Angiosperm Parasites and Their Host Plants along Elevation Gradient in Al-Baha Region, Saudi Arabia

Al-Robai

2023

Diversity

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The ecology and diversity of flowering parasitic plants and their hosts are poorly investigated and usually ignored in Saudi Arabian plant communities. Therefore, this work aimed at assessing the ecology and diversity of parasitic plants and their hosts along an elevation gradient in the Al-Baha region (1300–2400 m.a.s.l.). Different quantitative vegetation parameters were applied to analyze the collected data. Eight parasitic plants from six genera and four families were identified along the gradient, with 67% of them being zoochorously dispersed species. They accounted for approximately 23.5% (8 out of 34) of those found throughout Saudi Arabia. Perennials, stem hemiparasites, and biregional taxa accounted for around 62.5% of the total parasites, whereas indigenous species accounted for 75%. The dominant family of parasitic species was Loranthaceae (50%), and Phragmanthera austroarabica A.G.Mill. & J.A.Nyberg was the most important species (IVI = 107.28). Orobanche cernua Loefl. and Loranthella deflersii (Tiegh.) S.Blanco & C.E.Wetzel were restricted to the dry zone (low elevation) only, while the other parasites were distributed across the surveyed region. Twenty-three host plants were identified throughout the study region. About 83% of them were phanerophytes and bioregional plants, with 91% being perennial species. The prevalent host plant family across all sites was Fabaceae, with Nicotina glauca Graham being the most important host species (IVI = 32.44%). P. austroarabica and Plicosepalus curviflorus Tiegh. preferred Vachellias as host plants, while Vachellia flava (Forssk.) Kyal. & Boatwr. was the heavily infected host by P. austroarabica. P. austroarabica had a broad spectrum of host range (13 host plants), while O. cernua had a very narrow host range (only Rumex nervosus Vahl). Individual parasite and host species were markedly more abundant in the wet zone than in the low-altitude dry zone. Further research is needed to fully understand such distinctive groups of plants and their negative and positive ecological consequences on plant biodiversity and natural ecosystems.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecology and Diversity of Angiosperm Parasites and Their Host Plants along Elevation Gradient in Al-Baha Region, Saudi Arabia

Al-Robai

2023

Diversity

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Hidden from the harsh: Belowground preformation prior to winter determines life history strategy of a temperate perennial herb

Rashid,

Islam

et al. 2023

Flora

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Studies on phyto‐ecological attributes and soil parameters of Swertia thomsonii C.B.Clarke assemblages in Kashmir Himalaya

Wani,

Magray,

Ganie

et al. 2024

Nordic Journal of Botany

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Phyto‐ecological studies are crucial in developing insights into community structure and functioning. Here, we studied the phytosociological and soil parameters of Swertia thomsonii – an endemic medicinal plant of western Himalaya. Thirty quadrats were laid out across three different habitats of S. thomsonii in Kashmir Himalaya. Soil samples were collected from each site and soil properties were determined by using standard methods. A total of 62 species belonging to 51 genera and 34 families were recorded across the three study sites. Herbs were dominant (83.87%) followed by shrubs (9.67%), trees (4.83%), and ferns (1.61%). Based on importance value index (IVI) values Cynodon dactylon (42.84), Gaultheria trichophylla (42.44) Leucanthemum vulgare (39.93), Poa angustifolia (30.33), Trifolium pratense (26.67), Galium aparine (25.88), and Androsace rotundifolia (25.82) were found to be dominant species within S. thomsonii assemblages. The maximum (23.14) IVI value of S. thomsonii was recorded at the Doodhpathri site followed by Gulmarg (22.12) and Pahalgam (16.34). Diversity indices varied across three study sites. Plant species richness was recorded maximum at Pahalgam (30 species) followed by Doodhpathri (26 species) and Gulmarg (20 species). Also, Shannon index was recorded maximum (H = 3.03) at the Pahalgam site followed by Doodhpathri (H = 2.99) and Gulmarg (H = 2.62). Simpson index and species evenness were recorded maximum (0.93 and 0.79 respectively) at the Doodhpathri site followed pahalgam (0.92 and 0.67 respectively) and Gulmarg site (0.90 and 0.65 respectively). Soil parameters also varied significantly across study sites. Nitrogen and phosphorous were recorded maximum (465.32 ± 4.26 kg ha−1 and 80.2 ± 3.63 kg ha−1 respectively) at the Gulmarg site and minimum (301.33 ± 2.62 kg ha−1 and 33.63 ± 4.22 kg ha−1 respectively) at Pahalgam site. Potassium was recorded maximum (295.5 ± 3.34 kg ha−1) at the Pahalgam site and minimum (165.83 ± 4.25 kg ha−1) at the Gulmarg site. The scientific information generated could contribute to better management practices for target species and thereby ensuring ecosystem health and sustenance of ecosystem services.

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Vegetation and soil ecology of threatened Himalayan Trillium habitats in Kashmir Himalaya

Cited by 3 publications

References 39 publications

Ecology and Diversity of Angiosperm Parasites and Their Host Plants along Elevation Gradient in Al-Baha Region, Saudi Arabia

Ecology and Diversity of Angiosperm Parasites and Their Host Plants along Elevation Gradient in Al-Baha Region, Saudi Arabia

Hidden from the harsh: Belowground preformation prior to winter determines life history strategy of a temperate perennial herb

Studies on phyto‐ecological attributes and soil parameters of Swertia thomsonii C.B.Clarke assemblages in Kashmir Himalaya

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