Distribution Pattern, Conservation Status, and Associated Flora of the Genus Juniperus in Subalpine Pastures of the Kashmir Himalayas

Hamayun Shaheen,Shamshad Aziz,Shahzad Naseer Awan

doi:10.1659/mrd-journal-d-16-00119.1

Hamayun Shaheen, Shamshad Aziz + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1659/mrd-journal-d-16-00119.1

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Abstract

Juniperus is an evergreen gymnosperm genus with a broad geographical distribution in the Northern Hemisphere. Juniperus constitutes important vegetation associations in the Himalayan highlands that have significant ecological and socioeconomic importance. This research investigated the distribution pattern, community structure, and ecosystem services provided byJuniperus -dominated subalpine vegetation in the upper Neelum Valley, Pakistan. Vegetation attributes and geographical characteristics were systematically recorded at 4 selected sites. Two species of Juniperus, Juniperus communis L. and J. excelsa M. Bieb., were found to have average importance values of 23.4 and 20.02%, respectively. J. excelsa showed an average basal area of 0.30 m2 ha−1 and an average stem density of 46.95 ha−1; J. communis had an average basal area of 0.25 m2 ha−1 and an average stem density of 33.21 ha−1. A total of 56 Juniperus-associated plant species from 29 families were recorded, with Asteraceae as the dominant family, followed by Lamiaceae, Polygonaceae, Rosaceae, Caryophyllaceae, and Apiaceae. Predominant associated species included Thymus linearis, Aster falconeri, Rosa webbiana, Berberis lyceum, Anagallis arvensis, Rumex nepalensis, Poa alpina, Bistorta affinis, and Iris hookeriana. The calculated average values were Shannon's diversity, 3.07; Simpson's diversity, 0.94; species richness, 1.11; species evenness, 0.90; and maturity index, 45.90. Hemicryptophytes were the dominant lifeform in the area (57.14%), and microphylls (46.42%) were the dominant leaf type. Overgrazing and fuelwood cutting were identified as serious threats to both Juniperus species. Restoration of the degraded juniper stands through collective efforts by government and local communities and regular monitoring is recommended.

Highlights

Juniperus is an evergreen gymnosperm genus with broad geographical distribution, occurring in the Arctic, Africa, East Africa, Central Asia, Central America, and South Asia, and it has significant ecological and socioeconomic importance in the Northern Hemisphere (Farjon 1992; Zangiabadi et al 2012; Tavankar 2015)
Results revealed that the subalpine vegetation of the investigated sites was dominated by 2 species of Juniperus, J. communis L. and J. excelsa M
Maximum growth of J. communis was recorded at site 1, where it had a basal area of 0.47 m2 haÀ1 and a stem density of 54.35 haÀ1

Summary

Introduction

Juniperus is an evergreen gymnosperm genus with broad geographical distribution, occurring in the Arctic, Africa, East Africa, Central Asia, Central America, and South Asia, and it has significant ecological and socioeconomic importance in the Northern Hemisphere (Farjon 1992; Zangiabadi et al 2012; Tavankar 2015). Juniperus species are distributed across the whole Himalayan region and occur at elevations ranging from 1500 to 4000 masl (Shah et al 2013; Ahmed et al 2015). J. excelsa is a medium-sized tree growing in the upper ranges of dry temperate and lower subalpine zones between 2310 and 3700 masl (Dickore and Nu€sser 2000; Ali and Qaiser 1993–2007). The J. excelsa forests in Baluchistan Province, Pakistan, contain some of the world’s oldest (2400 years) and slowestgrowing trees and are known as living fossil forests; they are part of a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage site (Sheikh 1985; Sarangzai et al 2012)

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