Site suitability analysis for the critically endangered Aconitum heterophyllum in Alpine regions of Uttarakhand using Analytic Hierarchy Process

Abstract

Aconitum heterophyllum (Ranunculaceae) is an ayurvedic medicinal plant used as a main ingredient in many Ayurvedic herbal formulations. The rising pharmaceutical demand has led to extensive exploitation of this endangered species from wild and rendered the species into miserable situation. For the effective conservation and habitat restoration of the species, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method was used for the assessment of suitable sites in alpine region of the Uttarakhand. The AHP analysis revealed 567 km 2 area as highly suitable, 485 km 2 area as suitable and 914 km 2 area as moderately suitable for the growth of A. hetrophyllum in the Uttarakhand. Most of the highly suitable sites are close to 3700-4000 m and lies in northern grassy slopes. The AHP analysis also exhibit that the temperature, rainfall and moisture have a high impact on the distribution of A. hetrophyllum .