Quantitative ethnobotanical study and conservation status of herbal flora of Koh-e-Suleman range, Razmak valley, North Waziristan, Pakistan

Authors

  • Irfan Ali Shah Department of Botany, University of Peshawar, Pakistan. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5046-7360
  • Tanvir Burni Department of Botany, University of Peshawar, Pakistan.
  • Lal Badshah Department of Botany, University of Peshawar, Pakistan.
  • Noor Ul Uza Department of Botany, University of Peshawar, Pakistan. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5570-621X
  • Rainer W Bussmann Department of Botany, State Museum of Natural History, Karlsruhe, Germany and Department of Ethnbotany, Institute of Botany, Ilia State University, Tbilisi, Georgia. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3524-5273

Abstract

Background: The present work was intended to explore the quantitative ethnobotany and conservation status of flora of Koh-e-Suleman range, Razmak valley, North Waziristan, Pakistan. For the first time, significant traditional knowledge of the uses of reported flora was documented.

 

Objective: The aim of the present study was to: (i) elucidate local populations' traditional knowledge of indigenous plants used for various purposes (ii) compile ethnomedicinal data using quantitative analyses for in-depth pharmacological evaluation of medicinal plants. (iii) evaluate the reported flora's conservation status.

Methods: Ethnobotanical data were analyzed using quantitative tools, i.e., Relative frequency citation (RFC), use value (UV), and fidelity level (FL).

Results: 102 participants including 75 men and 27 women were interviewed. The participants reported a total of 68 plant species, belonging to 57 genera and 19 families. There was 1 family of pteridophytes (1 species), 1 family of gymnosperms (4 species) and 63 species belonging to 17 families of angiosperms. Of the total reported plants, 38 were fodder species, 37 were medicinal species, 5 were timber species, 9 were fuel species, 8 were fruits species, 1 was vegetable species, 5 were condiment species, 2 were thatching species, 9 were ornamental species while none of the species was poisonous in nature. Conservation status revealed that 49 species (72.05 %) were vulnerable, 12 species (17.64 %) were rare, 6 species (8.82 %) were endangered, and 1 species (1.47 %) was found infrequent.

Conclusion: The current study showed the majority of the species were used as fuel wood, medicines, and fodder. As most plant species have significant curative properties, a rotational and moderate grazing system is required to conserve the plants. Local residents must inculcate in their children the importance of floral diversity and conservation.

Keywords: Anthropogenic activities, Conservation status, Endangered species, Quantitative ethnobotany, Razmak valley.

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Published

2023-02-18

How to Cite

Irfan Ali Shah, Tanvir Burni, Lal Badshah, Noor Ul Uza, & Bussmann, R. W. (2023). Quantitative ethnobotanical study and conservation status of herbal flora of Koh-e-Suleman range, Razmak valley, North Waziristan, Pakistan . Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 25, 1–18. Retrieved from https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/4315

Issue

Vol. 25 (2023)

Section

Research

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