Diversity and Ethnobotanical Importance of Pine Species from Sub-Tropical Forests, Azad Jammu and Kashmir

Safdar Ali Shah,Sher Wali Khan,Kishwar Sultana

doi:10.35691/jbm.0202.0124

Abstract

A general investigation of sub-tropical forests, from Pir Chinasi National Park, Tolipir National Park, Dhirkot Nature Reserve and Banjosa Game Reserve was carried out during different months from February 2008 to May 2010. The relative abundance of species was calculated using line transects of 50m. A total of five different species (Abies pindrow. Cedrus deodara, Pinus wallichiana, Pinus roxburgii and Picea smithiana) from the Pinaceae family were recorded. The main reported use of Cedrus deodara and Pinus wallichiana by the local people was for furniture and construction purposes. Pinus wallichiana was observed as the dominant species from all the selected sites.

Highlights

Pinaceae consist of 11 known genera and 228 known species worldwide (Christenhusz and Byng, 2016). This family is widely distributed, covering Asian countries (China, Japan, Thailand and Indonesia etc.), Central America and North Africa (Pinaceae, n.d.). Due to their highly coveted timber, pine species have been introduced to New Zealand, Australia and sub-Saharan Africa
Five species from this family have been reported from Pakistan, they cover a significant area (1928,000 hectares) (Zafar et al, 2010)
Pine species are commonly used for softwood timber, essential oils and in the pulp industry (Pinaceae, n.d.)

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Pinaceae (order: Pinales) consist of 11 known genera and 228 known species worldwide (Christenhusz and Byng, 2016). This family is widely distributed, covering Asian countries (China, Japan, Thailand and Indonesia etc.), Central America and North Africa (Pinaceae, n.d.). Due to their highly coveted timber, pine species have been introduced to New Zealand, Australia and sub-Saharan Africa. Five species from this family have been reported from Pakistan, they cover a significant area (1928,000 hectares) (Zafar et al, 2010). Present study was carried out to document the species belonging to the Pinaceae family in selected sub-tropical forests of Pakistan, their relative abundance and traditional use by local populace

MATERIALS AND METHOD

Cedrus deodara

Findings

CONCLUSION