Margalla Research Articles

NEPETA MARGALLAICA (MENTHEAE: NEPETOIDEAE: LAMIACEAE): A NEW SPECIES FROM THE MARGALLA HILLS, PAKISTAN

A new species of Nepeta L. (Lamiaceae) from the Margalla Hills, in Pakistan, is described and illustrated. It belongs to Nepeta sect. Cataria sensu Bentham and is characterised by tuberous roots up to 3 cm in diameter, the presence of long multicellular flattened eglandular hairs, a spike-like inflorescence, an oblique calyx throat, unequal calyx teeth, and a 9 mm long white corolla. It is closely related to Nepeta cataria L., from which it differs in the root, indumentum, calyx and inflorescence characters. A distribution map of the new species is presented, as is an updated key to Nepeta sect. Cataria.

AGB estimation using Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-1 datasets.

Climate change is one of the greatest threats recently, of which developing countries are facing most of the brunt. In the fight against climate change, forests can play an important role, since they hold a substantial amount of terrestrial carbon and can therefore affect the global carbon cycle. Deforestation, however, is a significant challenge. There are financial incentives that can help in halting deforestation by compensating developing countries for their efforts. They require however assessments which makes it essential for developing countries to regularly monitor their stocking. Based on the aforementioned, forest carbon stock assessment was conducted in Margalla Hills National Park i.e., Sub-tropical Chir Pine Forest (SCPF) and Sub-tropical Broadleaved Evergreen Forest (SBEF), in Pakistan combining field inventory with a remote-sensing-based approach using machine learning algorithms. Circular plots of a 20m radius were used for recording the data and Sentinel-2 (S2) and Sentinel-1 (S1) satellite data were used for estimating the Aboveground Biomass (AGB). The performances of Random Forests (RF) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) were explored. The AGB was higher for the SCPF. The RF performed better for SCPF, but SVM was better for SBEF. The free available satellite data in the form of S2 and S1 data offers an advantage for AGB estimations. The combination of S2 and S1 for future AGB studies in Pakistan is also recommended.

Hymenopellis areolata (Physalacriaceae: Agaricales), a new species from Margalla Hills National Park, Islamabad, Pakistan

During exploratory surveys of the fungal diversity in Margalla Hills National Park, Islamabad, we collected a new species of the genus Hymenopellis R.H.Petersen. This is the second report of any species of this genus from Pakistan. Hymenopellis areolata F.Razzaq & Khalid sp. nov. is characterized by an areolate pileus, small basidiospores, and transitional pileipellis (hymeniderm and epithelium) with small pileocystidia. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of the nucleotide sequences of nrITS and nrLSU regions, and morphological data support the description of this new species. A comparison with other closely related species confirmed that the newly described species is distinct from others.

Molecular phylogeny and morphological characterization revealed Lepiota brunneoaurantia, a new species in L. sect. Stenosporae from Margalla Hills, Pakistan

Lepiota brunneoaurantia sp. nov. was collected from the Margalla Hills, Pakistan. This species was characterized by an orangish brown pileus with a dark brown umbo, presence of orangish upturned, crowded squamules, close off-white lamellae having lameullae of variable lengths, small (5.6 × 2.5 µm), oblong to ellipsoid basidiospores and clavate cheilocystidia. Comparative study based on morphology and molecular phylogeny revealed that it is distinct from already known taxa in the genus and represent a new species.

Food Preference of Rhesus Monkey (Macaca mulatta) in the Margalla Hills National Park, Islamabad, Pakistan

Food Preference of Rhesus Monkey (Macaca mulatta) in the Margalla Hills National Park, Islamabad, Pakistan

Leopard Intrusion Into Human Settlements: A Study Of Conflict In Margalla Hills National Park

The leopard is one of the most common apex predators having recurrent conflict with humans throughout the world. This study investigates the dynamics and potential mitigation of human-leopard conflict in communities bordering Margalla Hills National Park, Pakistan, where livestock depredation drives conflict. A questionnaire survey of 174 residents provided data on depredation patterns, risk perceptions, attitudes towards leopards, and perspectives on solutions. Key findings show uneven distribution of attacks by location and livestock type due to husbandry practices and land use. Small farms, carelessness, and sole dependence on vulnerable livestock enable persistent conflict. The majority of respondents (57.71%) said leopards were rare, while 32% said they were common. The predominant perception of leopards as very or slightly dangerous reveals a high level of fear and risk awareness. The most common response was positive, with 89 respondents viewing leopards favorably. A high prevalence of goats in Saidpur village in comparison to other rural settings explains the recurrent depredation and resultant increased human-leopard conflict. Community attitudes toward leopards are diverse, signaling opportunities for constructive engagement through research, education, and inclusive policy development. With careful persistence over time, communities may eventually find an equitable path towards coexistence that preserves Islamabad iconic leopards while also meeting local priorities.

Orb-weavers (Araneae: Araneidae, Nephilidae) from the Margalla Hills National Park, Pakistan with comments on morphological variation in Neosconamukerjei Tikader, 1980and emasculation in Nephilapilipes (Fabricius, 1793)

Orb-weaving spiders belonging to the family Araneidae and Nephilidae were reported from the Margalla Hills National Park, Islamabad, Pakistan. The data included five genera: Cyrtophora Simon, Eriovixia Archer, GeaC. L. Koch, Neoscona Simon and Nephila Leach represented by a total of seven species: Cyrtophoracitricola (Forsskål), Eriovixiaexcelsa (Simon), Geaspinipes C.L. Koch, NeosconamukerjeiTikader, Neosconatheisi (Walckenaer),Neosconavigilans (Blackwall) and Nephilapilipes (Fabricius). Morphologicalvariation in the female of N. mukerjei was reported accompanied first time with color photographs. Also included were ecological notes on N. pilipes addingobservations on reproductive behavior, morphology and phenology of this importantspecies.

Astragalus roseocephalus, a new species of section Poliothrix from Pakistan

A new species, Astragalus roseocephalus sp. nov., is described and illustrated. It is known from Islamabad Capital Territory (Margalla hills), Rawalpindi district, Hazara and Kashmir. It belongs to Astragalus section Poliothrix Bunge. Morphologically, it is closely related to Astragalus leucocephalus Benth., but differs in height, presence of connate stipules, opposed to free lateral stipules in A. leucocephalus, stipule shape, leaf length, leaflet size, number, arrangement and shape, peduncle length, corolla colour, size and shape of standard, fruit shape and number of seeds. In addition, anatomy, pollen morphology, distribution and conservation status of the new species are discussed.

Distributional patterns and habitat association of sympatric carnivores in Margalla Hills National Park, Pakistan, and a comparison of conventional versus molecular identification in carnivore scatology

Abstract Knowledge of a species’ distribution is important for developing effective conservation programs. In Pakistan, little is known about the status or distribution of most carnivores coexisting in the same landscape. To address this knowledge gap, we studied distribution patterns of coexisting carnivores in Margalla Hills National Park, using both conventional as well as DNA-identified scats, and other signs. Although scat surveys remain a popular approach to study carnivores, scat identification based on morphology alone is error-prone. As part of our study, we therefore evaluated accuracy of morphological identification of scats using genetic techniques. Field surveys were conducted from September 2015 to December 2018. Using 593 direct (sighting, camera trapping, road kills) and indirect (scats, footprints) field signs, we detected total 11 carnivore species in the park, including 10 that were represented in the subset of 248 (47.7%) scats identified from DNA. The molecular analyses confirmed that the misidentification rate was highest for red fox (Vulpes vulpes) (8.47%), followed by Asiatic jackal (Canis aureus) (7.66%), but least for small Indian civet (Viverricula indica) (3.63%). For investigating habitat association of carnivores, and to test for the associations between species presence and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), we compared the mean and standard deviation of NDVI of each species’ presence locations with the mean and standard deviation of NDVI along the 23 sampling transects. Based on DNA-verified and all scats, carnivore species showed a range of mean NDVI, suggesting, preliminarily, some species may utilize a greater diversity of habitat types than others.

Comparative study of forest biomass and carbon stocks of Margalla Hills National Park, Pakistan

Forests can play an important role in climate change mitigation. However, limited information is available worldwide regarding forest carbon and biomass stocks. Financial mechanisms such as ‘reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and the role of conservation of forest carbon, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks’ (REDD+) also emphasize the quantification of forest biomass and carbon. This study aimed to estimate the forest biomass in two forests of Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP): Sub-tropical Chir Pine Forest (SCPF) and Sub-tropical Broadleaved Evergreen Forest (SBEF). For this, circular sampling plots of a 20 m radius were used for the collection of the variables, “diameter at breast height (DBH) and height”. Statistical analysis was done for exploring regression relationships between the variables. We found a mean Aboveground Carbon (AGC) of 73.36 ± 32.55 Mg C ha−1 in SCPF and a mean AGC of 16.88 ± 25.81 Mg C ha−1 in SBEF. The mean Aboveground Biomass (AGB) for SCPF was recorded as 146.73 ± 65.11 Mg ha−1, while for SBEF it was 33.77 ± 51.63 Mg ha−1. It was therefore concluded that the SCPF had higher mean AGB and mean AGC than the SBEF. Similar differences were also noticed in the structural characteristics of the two forests. These could be valuable information while designing sustainable management plans and afforestation programmes for the future and also for accessing nature-based funding such as REDD+.

Marasmius margallensis, a new species of Marasmius sect. Sicci from Margalla Hills, Pakistan

Marasmius margallensis sp. nov. of sect. Sicci from Margalla hills, Islamabad, Pakistan, is described and illustrated, based on morphological characteristics and multigene phylogenetic analyses. The taxon is characterized by a pale yellow to dull orange pileus with light gray margins, clavate to narrowly fusiform basidiospores, rather short pleurocystidia and hymeniderm pileipellis with Siccus-type broom-cells. Marasmius pulcherripes is closest relative of the newly described species M. margallensis in sect. Sicci in phylogenetic analyses but the later one is distinct by macro-, and micro-morphological features and molecular data.

Integrated use of Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 data and open-source machine learning algorithms for burnt and unburnt scars

This research compares the use of the SAR (Sentinel-1) and Optical (Sentinel-2) sensors in identifying and mapping burnt and unburnt scars are rising during a bushfire in southeastern Australia and Margalla Hills, Islamabad, Pakistan, in 2019 and 2020. In order to evaluate the backscatter strength along with the Polarimetric decomposition portion, the C-band dual-polarized Sentinel-1 data was investigated to determine the magnitude of the burnt areas of forest cover in the study area. We could derive texture measurements from locally-based statistics using the Grey Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM) and the backscatter coefficient. This was because of how well it picked up on differences in texture between burned and unburned scars. In contrast, Sentinel-2 optical remote sensing was employed to evaluate the extent of the burnt intensity levels for both regions utilizing the differential Normalized Burnt Ratio (dNBR). A Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Markov Random Field (MRF) classifier were utilized to investigate the study’s context. The ideal smoothing parameter is the result of incorporating the image’s spectral characteristics and spatial meaning. Sentinel-2 images were used as a foundation for both the test and training datasets, which were built from images of both unburned and burned areas broken down pixel by pixel. In both types, including spectral sensitivity and sensitivity of Polarimetric for the two groups identified after classification, the experimental findings showed a clear association between them. The algorithm’s efficiency was evaluated using the kappa coefficient and F-score calculation. Except for Sentinel-1 data in Pakistan, all fire areas have more than 0.80 accuracies. The highest precision of both Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 was also provided by the performance of users’ and producers’ accuracy. The entropy alpha decomposition helped define the target given by the H-a plane based on its physical properties. After the burn, the entropy and alpha values diminished and formed a pattern. However, the findings in this field validate the effectiveness of SAR sensors data and optical satellite in forest applications. The related sensitivity is highly dependent on the composition of the landscape, the geographical nature of the study area, and the severity of the burn.

Collybiopsis pakistanica (Omphalotaceae, Agaricales, Basidiomycota), a new mushroom species from Margalla Hills, Pakistan and two new combinations

A new species, Collybiopsis pakistanica, from Margalla Hills National Park, Pakistan, is described based on micro‐morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses. This species is characterized by its milky white pileus, yellowish orange or light yellow to orange at central disc and margins, lacrymoid basidiospores, cheilocystidia with median construction, and broadly utriform and clavate to narrowly utriform pleurocystidia and epithelioid hymeniderm pileipellis. Its placement as a new taxon of Collybiopsis is confirmed by phylogenetic analyses of ITS and nrLSU sequences. Two new combinations, Collybiopsis ugandensis and Collybiopsis pleurocystidiata are also proposed as these species are transferred from Gymnopus.

Impacts of urbanization, LULC, LST, and NDVI changes on the static water table with possible solutions and water policy discussions: A case from Islamabad, Pakistan

Rapid urbanization, coupled with land use land cover changes (LULC), has caused stress on freshwater resources around the globe. As in the case of Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, the population has increased significantly, creating a deficit of natural resources and affecting the environment adversely. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the effects of urbanization and LULC on the decline of the static water table in Islamabad. It also seeks to analyze water policy issues in order to achieve sustainable water resource development. The excessive pumping of the existing groundwater has exceeded the safe limit, which is justified by the constantly growing population. However, the changes in the LULC of the study area have turned many green pastures into barren land. Our research data were obtained from the Capital Development Authority (CDA), Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), and Landsat Satellite images. After analyzing PMD and CDA data for the last 20 years (2000–2020), the results were interpreted using Arc GIS. It has been observed that the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) value increases as the Land Surface Temperature (LST) decreases. Therefore, the overall observation is a decreasing trend in Islamabad temperatures due to the increased vegetation in the study area during the period of 2000–2020. It was observed that there has been a considerable drop in water levels due to over-pumping in a few areas. It is primarily associated with the increasing population of the capital in the last 2 decades. This study uses a survey to explore the potential locations for check dams to enhance and recharge the groundwater aquifers in the capital, Islamabad. It suggests catchment areas throughout the Margalla Hills along with different localities, such as Rumli Village, Trail 5, and Shahdara.

Quantitative Assessment of Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP): Employing Landsat Data and Socio-Economic Survey

Deforestation and forest degradation is a global concern, especially in developing countries. The Margalla Hills of Pakistan—Himalayan foothills—also face the threat of deforestation and forest degradation. These Margalla Hills, considering the need for forest protection activities in Pakistan, were declared a reserved national forest and named “the Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP)”. This study quantitively evaluates whether deforestation and forest degradation have occurred at MHNP and identifies their possible drivers. Satellite (Landsat) data 1988–2020 was employed for the land use change analysis, whereas a socio-economic survey of the local population and structured interviews with government officials were conducted to identify the drivers of deforestation. Supervised classification was performed for imagery classification and the Vegetation Condition Index (VCI) was also calculated to measure degradation. Supervised classification showed that the forest cover increased from 65% of the total area in 1988 to 69% in 2020. The VCI results show that the moderate level of degradation has increased from 3.5% of MHNP area in 1988 to 8.8% in 2020. The cumulative measure of degradation from 1988 to 2020 is 1.09% of the total forest (using p < 0.05). Major drivers identified are fuel wood and timber collection. The results reveal a decline in both deforestation and forest degradation. There is a need for further quantitative analysis of the drivers, strict implementation of legislative and control measures, and continuous invigilation of the deforestation trends in MHNP.

Palynological Study of Fossil Plants from Miocene Murree Formation of Pakistan: Clues to Investigate Palaeoclimate and Palaeoenvironment

Palaeoflora in Pakistan in the Miocene is characterized by its high biodiversity. The present study investigated the pollen of fossil plants from the Murree Formation of Pakistan. Shales and mudstones were collected from the Murree section located at the foothills of the Margalla hills and analyzed by palynofacies and palynostratigraphic analyses. In this paleopalynological study of the Miocene Murree Formations of Pakistan, 31 samples were analyzed using microscopic techniques containing 48 pollen types from 12 families. The quantitative and qualitative morphological features of pollen were determined using light and scanning electron microscopy to help identify the pollen grains. Exine ornamentations and spines were the most important diagnostic features for distinguishing one pollen grain from another. The maximum exine thickness was observed in Ocimum basilicum of 4.25 μm, whereas the maximum pollen diameter was recorded for Pinus of 69.5 μm. Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, and Poaceae were the dominant families. The results showed that the preservation of floral records was not optimal. The presented results provide data on the dominant fossil plant taxa that existed in Pakistan (23.03–5.33 Ma). The evolution and phytogeographical histories of fossil plants can be unraveled using rock sediments to preserve biodiversity.

SPATIO TEMPORAL MAPPING AND MONITORING OF LAND COVER DYNAMICS OF ISLAMABAD USING MULTI-TEMPORAL REMOTE SENSING DATA

Land cover resources are changing continuously both spatially and temporallywhereas the accurate and timely information regarding their dynamics is very important. Spatialgrowth is an expected phenomenon particularly in fast growing metropolitan areas like Islamabad, thecapital of Pakistan. In this study spatial and temporal dynamics of land cover changes were quantifiedfrom 1975 to 2010 using Landsat images, a supervised classification algorithm and the changedetection technique with Geographical Information Systems were used. The overall accuracy of theland cover derived from satellite images was from 80 to 95%. The land cover maps showed thatbetween 1975 and 2010 the amount of urban or developed land increased from 50 km2to 332 km2 of the total area, while vegetation, including Margalla Hills National Park decreased from 465 km2to 145 km2. The results quantified the land cover change pattern in the city and showed a potential of multitemporal Landsat data to provide an accurate, cost-effective means to map and analyze changes in land cover over time

Slope Direction, Elevation and Clutch Size Influences Breeding Success of White-Crested Kalij Pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos) in Margalla Hills National Park, Pakistan

Slope Direction, Elevation and Clutch Size Influences Breeding Success of White-Crested Kalij Pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos) in Margalla Hills National Park, Pakistan

Analysis of Land Surface Temperature Dynamics in Islamabad by Using MODIS Remote Sensing Data

The rapid pace of unattended urbanization has caused the urban heat island phenomenon, due to which the United Nations SDGs agenda 2030 calls for immediate actions for “sustainable cities and communities”. In this context, the case of the emerging metropolitan city Islamabad has been studied based on its developmental discourse vis-à-vis associated environmental problems. A time-series trend for the land surface temperature was generated by investigating the change in minimum and maximum variability against a dataset of 1960–2012 which was obtained from the Pakistan Meteorological Department, along with MODIS LST images from January 2000 to December 2015. The statistical comparison of an eight-day composite of the maximum (Tmax) and minimum (Tmin) temperature reveals an increasing trend with R2 values of 0.2507 (Tmin) and 0.1868 (Tmax). The box plots for both the Tmin and Tmax depict changes in seasonal patterns for Islamabad, with summers becoming longer and winters becoming harsher. Moreover, the application of the Mann–Kendall test affirmed the slope of the R2 linear trend map and showed the temperature regression in the Margalla Hills National Park and in such urban zones which had an expanded vegetative cover. These findings will act as a guide for urban planners and future researchers to maintain a standardized urban heat island and promote the concept of sustainable cities in the future course of action.

Carbon sequestration potential of reserve forests present in the protected Margalla Hills National Park

ObjectiveProtected areas are of immense importance to enhance the functional role of plants due to abundance of woody species, their carbon sequestration ability and the rich organic matter and hence it needs to be documented and quantified scientifically with special focus on its carbon sink potential. MathodsIn this study, the Carbon sequestration, diversity and abundance of woody plants were evaluated in the Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP), Pakistan using quantitative and functional ecological approaches. We randomly sampled 40 (20 m × 20 m) plots from March, 2020 to March, 2021. PC-ORD version-5 and CANOCO software were used to evaluate relationships of different environmental factors with species composition, distribution pattern and other quantitative traits of forests. R program was used for regression and correlation analyses to model Carbon sequestration capacity of MHNP. ResultsA total of 4916 individuals belonging to 49 species and 28 families were reported. The higher carbon sequestration was found in Albizia lebbeck 2620.75 lbs per year followed by Pinus roxburghii 2214.48 lbs and Castanea sativa 1731.59 lbs while the lower rate of carbon dioxide sequestration per year were found in Myrsine africana 1.81 (lbs) followed by Nerium oleander 2.84 (lbs) and Jasminum officinale 3.92 (lbs). The Two-way Cluster Analysis shows the distribution of species in the study area. The CCA analysis show that pH, EC, and TDS play a significant role in the distribution of woody plant vegetation. Carbon sequestration mainly depends on plant DBH, followed by plant crown. ConclusionThe results prove that the DBH has a leading role in the carbon sequestration rather than height of the woody species. The present study indicates the MHNP is a rich source of woody plant vegetation because of its conserve nature and plays a significant role in ecosystem stability and air quality, therefore, more studies are required to study other aspects of the woody plant vegetation in the MHNP.