Assessment of floristic diversity and traditional knowledge from the selected mountainous valleys of district Gilgit, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
Abstract
Background: The study aims to provide a comprehensive description of floristic and ethnobotanical diversity among the localities and indigenous inhabitants of the mountainous communities in the Gilgit district. This research highlights the botanical inventory of the region and underscores the importance of indigenous knowledge for conservation, sustainable utilization, and pharmacological research.
Methods: During 2022-2023, frequent field visits were conducted to document the plant species in the region. The study recorded 252 plant species, 172 genera, and 59 families. Various analyses were performed, including life form analysis and Jaccard coefficients to assess plant diversity and similarity among different valleys. Ethnobotanical data were collected to understand the medicinal uses of the plants, including the parts used and methods of preparation. Botanical indices such as Use Value (UV) and Relative Frequency Citation (RFC) were calculated for frequently cited medicinal plants.
Results: The study found that angiospermic plants, particularly dicots, dominated over gymnosperms and pteridophytes. The leading families were Asteraceae (37 species), Rosaceae (19 species), and Fabaceae (17 species). Herbaceous plants (76%) were most prevalent, followed by shrubs (10%) and trees (14%). Hemicryptophytes (63%) were the most common life form, indicating successful environmental adaptation. Jutal valley exhibited the highest plant diversity with 201 species, followed by Danyore (167), Kargah (138), and Jutial (131). Jaccard coefficients revealed moderate to low similarity between the valleys, with Jutal and Kargah showing a moderate similarity (0.5032). Ethnobotanical insights revealed 65 plant species used to treat over 30 ailments. Leaves (25%), roots (21%), and seeds (16%) were the most commonly used plant parts, with direct usage (31%) and powder form (23%) being the predominant methods. Bergenia stracheyi Hook. F and Thomson. (UV: 0.32, RFC: 0.52), Prunus armeniaca L. (UV: 0.24, RFC: 0.44), and Gentiana tianschanica Rupr. (UV: 0.2, RFC: 0.48) emerged as the most frequently cited medicinal plants.
Conclusion: The study enriches the botanical inventory of the Gilgit district, highlights the significant role of indigenous knowledge in plant usage, and provides a foundation for future conservation efforts, sustainable utilization, and pharmacological research.
Key Words: District Gilgit, Floristic Diversity, Ethnobotany, Medicinal Plants, Indigenous Knowledge
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