Diversity and distribution of Genus Primula in Kashmir region: an indicator genus of the western Himalayan mountain wetlands and glacial forelands

Abstract

The genus Primula is an important floristic element of the Western Himalayan flora as an indicator of mountain wetlands and glacial foreland habitats vital for the ecosystem functioning. Current study was designed to investigate the diversity and distribution of the Primula species in the Kashmir Himalayas. The primary ecological data was collected from 22 wetland and glacial sites in the state of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Pakistan. Data was subsequently analyzed through diversity indices and multivariate ordination analyses. Five Primula species were recorded from the region including P. macrophylla, P. denticulata, P. rosea, P. elliptica and P. stuartii 1st time reported from the region. The flora associated with the genus Primula consist of 304 plant belonging to 61 botanical families recorded from 880 quadrates (1 m2) at the Primula habitats. The frequencies of the Primula species were in order of P. denticulata (54.5%) > P. macrophylla (36.3%) > P. rosea (36.3%) > P. elliptica (13%) > P. stuartii (4.54%). The flora was dominated by the Hemicryptophytic and Geophytic life forms whereas microphylls were the dominant leaf size class. The vegetation communities were characterized with moderate levels of diversity with low maturity index. Ordination significantly explained the species distribution pattern correlated with the geographic attributes and microclimates. P. elliptica and P. stuartii were the rarest Primroses whereas 61 plants were found to be threatened having low (< 0.2) IVI values requiring immediate conservation efforts. Results provide valuable scientific information to monitor the conservation status of the Primula genus and ensure the sustainability of wetland and Glacial fore land habitats in the region.