Pak. J. Bot., 48(4): 1559-1572, 2016.

INVENTORY OF THE ALPINE FLORA OF HARAMOSH AND BAGROTE VALLEYS (KARAKORAM RANGE) DISTRICT GILGIT, GILGIT-BALTISTAN, PAKISTAN

SHER WALI KHAN1*, SURAYYA KHATOON2, QAMMAR ABBAS1, GHULAM RAZA3 AND AZHAR HUSSAIN4

1Department of Biological Sciences, Karakoram International University Gilgit, Pakistan 2Department of Botany, University of Karachi, Karachi-Pakistan 3Department of Environmental Sciences, Karakoram International University Gilgit, Pakistan 4Department of Agriculture and Food Technology, Karakoram International University Gilgit, Pakistan *Corresponding author’s email: [email protected]/[email protected]

Abstract

Inventorying of biodiversity of Haramosh and Bugrote valleys (District Gilgit, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan) was done for fourteen years from 2001- 2014. The fourteen years inventorying revealed a rich plant biodiversity consisting of 232 species belonging to 106 genera and 34 families of flowering . The Alpine zone had 18 genera with 4 or more species; Pedicularis with 10 species was the largest of this zone, followed by Potentilla and Carex (each with 9 species) and Draba (8 species). Genera containing 9 or 10 species occurred only in Alpine zone. In the Alpine zone, 15 of the larger families were represented by 189 species, forming 81.46% of the Alpine flora. Although the highest number of species belonging to these larger families was present in the subalpine zone, but in terms of percentage their contribution was the highest in the Alpine flora. Percentage-wise the contribution of these families gradually increased from Desert zone to Alpine zone, because of their particular distribution patterns. Although the total number of species was the highest in the Subalpine zone, but in the species specific to any one zone, the Alpine zone had the highest number, that is, 96 of the total 232 species of Alpine zone were exclusively found in this zone only. Out of these 96 species specific to the Alpine zone, 53 belonged to such 22 genera that were exclusively found in the Alpine zone only. The Alpine zone was characterized by herbs and low shrubs, with Potentilla species as the dominants. A clear trend of migration of certain species both from lower to higher latitudes and altitudes was observed. The species richness index of Alpine zone however showed increasing trend probably due to species migrations towards the alpine zone. The major threats to the plant biodiversity were recognized as the deforestation and habitat loss due to over-exploitation of species, over-grazing by livestock, and climate changes due to global warming, which were manifested as less and erratic precipitation and steadily rising temperatures over the past fourteen years.

Key wards: Haramosh and Bagrote valleys, Inventory, Alpine flora, Karakoram Range Gilgit-Baltistan

Introduction necessary first step in conservation of biodiversity elements. During an inventory of a region the collected The Haramosh and Bagrote valleys are located in the voucher specimens are crucial to obtain accurate administrative unit called “Gilgit-Baltistan,” Pakistan. It is identification of plants present in a study area (Dugan et al., a mountainous region covers 72,496 sq km bordering 2007) and provide documented proof that a plant exists in a China, and Kashmir. It is surrounded by high given place at a particular time (Morgan & Overholt, mountains of the Karakoram, Himalayas and Hindukush 2005). Although over 12.5% of the world’s flora has now Ranges. Some of the world’s highest mountains, such as K- been identified as globally threatened but this is likely to be 2 (8611m) Nangaparbat (8125m); and the Majestic an under estimation in view of lack of adequate taxonomic Rakaposhi (7788m) are situated in this area (Perkin, 2003). knowledge, lack of ground field work and other In this “Collision zone” of the Kashmir, Pakistan and considerations (Walter & Gillet, 1997). Particularly in China; the Hindukush, the Karakoram and the Himalayan Pakistan, any inventorying and monitoring is lacking for Ranges are knotted together (Perkin, 2003). Gilgit-Baltistan the recognition of threatened species. Worldwide, diversity falls in the Eastern Irano-Turanian sub-region. This sub- within species is being eroded, many species including the region is confined to the northern mountainous region of yet unclassified are becoming extinct, while species rich Pakistan and Kashmir between 35 - 36° NL. This is ecosystems are being destroyed or degraded (Watt, 1993). characterized by extreme ranges in temperature and low The species diverse habitat also performs valuable precipitation (Ali & Qaiser, 1986). Haramosh and Bagrote ecological process because of the interaction between are the valleys of the District Gilgit, that lie in the north- species and the environment (Anon., 1992). The eastern side of the capital city Gilgit between 35.50 - 36.5 relationship between biodiversity and ecological process is °N latitude and 74.54° E longitude, covering an area of neither simple nor clear, and it is not known how far 2340sq.km. The area has several mountains, glaciers, biodiversity can be reduced before crucial ecological peaks, forests, shrub lands, alpine meadows at different processes are affected. It has also been claimed that species elevations (Khan & Khatoon 2007). Inventorying of extinction crisis is a threat to mankind next only to biodiversity is the baseline study for the exploration of the thermonuclear war (Sulaiman, 1991). All living beings earth surface and conservation, sustainable use, and obtain their life support material from their environment. management of the biodiversity elements and monitor Hence the well being of the individuals gets affected by the changes over the passage of time, (Stork & Samways, environmental factors. Thus the environment acts as a 1995). Thus, baseline inventorying information is a selective agent. During just the last 150 years, the earth’s 1560 SHER WALI KHAN ET AL., global average temperature has increased by about 0.8˚C associated with cooling effect at lower altitudes, recent and at higher latitudes has increased by several degrees studies have shown that they can actually have a warming Celsius. The climate change is a major consequence of effect in certain regions such as Himalayas. Due to this deforestation (Dodd, 1994). Globally, the 1998 average cloud there is speeding up of the melting rates of annual temperature was the highest and that for 2001 the Himalayan glaciers. The large warming trends have been second highest since 1860. Of the 15 warmest years observed in the elevated regions such as the Himalayan- recorded during the last 150 years, 10 were in the 1990s Tibetan region, leading to the retreat of glaciers (Hardy, 2003). In fact, the last decade of the twentieth (Ramanathan, 2007). In practical terms, the baseline data is century was the warmest in the entire global instrumental valuable which relates to changes occurring in the record. The twentieth century was the warmest century, and vegetation in response to disturbance. It also tells us which 1990 to 2000 was the warmest decade, of the past species are resistant against such disturbances (Pimm, millennium (Hardy, 2003). In South Asia, the pattern of 2000). Changes in species diversity occur naturally climate change is rather different from other parts of the overtime in all communities and ecosystems. Human world, due to the presence of the so-called “Brown Cloud disturbance also changes the direction of these changes. of Asia.” The Asian brown cloud is a layer of air pollution Species based monitoring documents to establish a baseline that covers parts of South Asia, namely the northern Indian data for understanding the impact of natural disturbance on Ocean, India and Pakistan (Srinivasan, 2002; Ramanathan, species composition and abundance in ecosystem (Watson 2001). The absorption of solar radiation by Asian brown & Novelly, 2004). The floristic inventories play a cloud contributes to atmospheric heating (Ramanathan et significant role in increasing our understanding and al., 2005), and also reduces the precipitation efficiency of information level on availability of resources and its clouds (Rosenfeld, 2000). The brown cloud of aerosols relationship with the mankind. This study aims at finding reduces solar radiation at the land surface by ≈ 10% and out the alpine flora of the both valleys of district Gilgit and nearly doubles the atmospheric solar heating (Ramanathan enumerates the dominant families, genera and species in et al., 2001). Although aerosol particles are generally alpine zones of the area.

Fig. 1. Map of the study area

Materials and Methods been housed in the Karachi University Herbarium (KUH) and newly established Karakoram International University The present study was mainly focused on the alpine Herbarium. Extensive field information was collected ecosystem of Haramosh and Bagrote valleys of Gilgit including habit, habitat, altitude and abundance. To collect District (Fig.1). Plant specimens were collected during the the maximum information on aspects of flora, field notes springs of 2001-2014 from various localities of both valleys regarding the plant distribution pattern, composition, and identified with the help of Flora of Pakistan (Nasir & altitudal aspect and topographic condition were noted down. Ali, 1970-89; Ali & Nasir, 1989-1991; Ali & Qaiser, 1993- The plants encountered during field visits were collected as 2015), Stewart (1972), some other relevant Floras of the voucher specimens. Herbarium of each plant species was neighboring countries, and also by comparing with the prepared following the standard techniques. Life- form authentic specimens available in the Karachi University categories of Raunkiaer’s system (Raunkiaer, 1934), as Herbarium. After identification voucher specimens have presented by Ellenberg et al., (1991) were accepted. INVENTORY OF THE ALPINE FLORA OF HARAMOSH AND BAGROTE VALLEYS 1561

Results and Observations The alpine zone includes the upper most reaches of the entire region from 3500m to permanent snow line. The During the present study a total of 232 species word “Alpine” is normally used to denote a mountainous belonging to 34 families and 106 genera of higher plant were region above the tree-line or timber-line, lacking tree recorded from the alpine zone of the study area (Table 1). Of habitation (Noroozi et al., 2008), but abounding in low these, 1 , 1 genus, and 2 species belonged to herbs and a few shrubs. Both valleys, which form a part of Gymnosperms; 29 families, 93 genera, and 200 species Karakoram Range lying between Skardu and Gilgit, belonged to dicots; and 4 families, 12 genera, 30 species abound in the alpine ranges. Due to the glaciations in the belonged to monocots. That is, the dicots overwhelmingly past, together with the anthropogenic factors which have dominated the floras of both valleys. The most dominant resulted in a diverse climatic, topographical and soil families are Compositae (38 species) followed by Ranunculaceae and Brassicaceae (15 species each), conditions of different mountains, it is very difficult to Rosaceae (13), Poaceae, Gentianaceae, and Scrophulariaceae delimit the alpine or sub alpine ranges in this area on (12 each), Polygonaceae, Labiatae, and Cyperaceae (10 altitudinal basis. Thus the topography and micro-climate of species each) Papilionaceae, Umbelliferae, Primulaceae (9 a particular region may determine the vegetation pattern. In species each).Twenty one genera that are only found in such cases, the herbaceous flora is a helpful aid in alpine zone among these genera Pedicularis with 10 species recognizing the alpine zone. Above 4000 m, the number of was the largest genus of this zone, followed by Potentilla and the plant species decrease with increasing altitude owing to Carex (each with 9 species) and Draba (8 species) (Table 2). the prolonged snow cover. The alpine vegetation of this The number of species confined to the alpine zone is 96 region comprises largely of perennial cryptophytic herbs, belonging to 17 families. Among these families Compositse which on account of climatic conditions have very brief was the most dominant family having (15 species) only period of active growth. The alpine plant associations are found in alpine zone followed by Brassicaceae, Rosaceae, Cyperaceae, and Ranunculaceae (10 species each), not uniform in their composition and posses special scrophulariaceae (9 species) (Table 3). In the Alpine zone, habitats. On the basis of vegetation this zone can be divided these larger families were represented by 189 species, into following habitats: Permanent snow line, Late lying forming 81.46% of the Alpine flora. The flora of the both snow patches, Rocky moist slopes and cliffs, Open valleys has close affinities with the flora of Himalayas. meadows / grassy slopes, Stream banks /springs.

Fig.4. Alpine specific highly medicinally important rare and infrequent species 1562 SHER WALI KHAN ET AL., INVENTORY OF THE ALPINE FLORA OF HARAMOSH AND BAGROTE VALLEYS 1563 1564 SHER WALI KHAN ET AL., INVENTORY OF THE ALPINE FLORA OF HARAMOSH AND BAGROTE VALLEYS 1565 1566 SHER WALI KHAN ET AL., INVENTORY OF THE ALPINE FLORA OF HARAMOSH AND BAGROTE VALLEYS 1567 1568 SHER WALI KHAN ET AL.,

Table 2. Genera confine to alpine zone only. Permanent snow line: This line is characterized by vast glaciers, boulder fields and sheer cliffs, which predominate No. of S.No. Family Genus at high altitudes, around the major peaks of the Karakoram species Range. It covers northern side of both valleys. 1. Pseudomertensia 1 Late lying snow patches: All these habitats are covered by 2. Brassicaceae Arabidopsis 1 snow for most of the year; sometimes the snow does not 3. Brassicaceae Draba 8 melt throughout the year. After melting of snow the rocky 4. compositae Achillea 1 cliffs become exposed. Only few plant species are found there, such as Saussurea simpsoniana, Corydalis falconeri, 5. compositae Doronicum 1 Veronica alpina, Cremanthodium decaisnei and Carex 6. compositae Rhodiola 5 nivalis.

7. Ranunculaceae Aconitum 2 Rocky moist slopes and cliffs: The frequent species of this 8. Ranunculaceae Delphinium 3 habitat were Hylotelephium ewersii, Pseudomertensia moltkioides, Draba spp., Saussurea falconeri, Delphinium 9. Ranunculaceae Isopyrum 1 brunonianum, Aquilegia fragrans var. fragrans , Saxifraga 10. Ranunculaceae Paraquilegia 1 flagellaris and Primula reptans. This is the main habitat of 11. Scrophulariaceae Lagotis 1 Allium carolianum.

12. Scrophulariaceae Veronica 2 Open meadows and grassy slopes: In the mountains of 13. Umbelliferae Pleurospermum 2 both valleys, there are many meadows and grassy slopes 14. Umbelliferae Vicatia 1 which experience a set of severe climatic and edaphic conditions, contain diverse temperate and alpine grasses 15. Cyperaceae Carex 9 and other small herbaceous species such as Gagea 16. Cyperaceae Eleocharis 1 lowariensis, Lloydia serotina, Nepeta spp., Gentianodes 17. Liliaceae Gagea 2 tianschanica, Carex divisia, Lagotis kunawurensis, Solidago virga-aurea, Geranium pratense Senecio 18. Liliaceae Lloydia 1 tibeticus, Aster falconeri, Aconitum spp., Erigeron spp., 19. Poaceae Festuca 2 Pedicularis spp., Primula spp., Rhodiola heterodonta. 20. Poaceae Phleum 1 Besides these, some shrubs like Salix flabellaris, Rhododendron hypenanthum, Lonicera semenovii, Total 49 species Juniperus communis and Betula utilis were common. A very rare species Doronicum falconeri was also found in Table 3. Number of species confine to Alpine Zone only. this habitat. During last 10 years only few individuals of S.No. Family No. of species this species were seen in this area. These alpine meadows are used as summer pastures by the local people. 1. Boraginaceae 2 2. Brassicaceae 10 Stream and spring banks: This habitat was dominated by 3. Compositae 15 Salix karelinii, Carex divisia, Cremanthodium decaisnei, Pedicularis spp., Primula macrophylla, Aster falconeri, 4. Crassulaceae 5 and Rhododendron hypenanthum., Besides these, some 5. Fumariaceae 2 grasses such as Phleum alpinum, Poa alpina, Elymus spp. 6. Labiatae 1 and some other plants like Potentilla spp., Valeriana spp., Erigeron spp., Bistorta affinis, Crepis flexuosa , Anaphalis 7. Polygonaceae 3 nepalensis var. nepalensis, Cortusa brotheri, Aconogonon 8. Primulaceae 3 alpinum, Epilobium latifolium ssp. Latifolium, Rheum 9. Ranunculaceae 10 webbianum , Allardia glabra and Primula spp. were found. Besides these, Potentilla dryadanthoides was also found in 10. Rosaceae 10 this habitat, which is a rare species for the study area. 11. Saxifragaceae 3 12. Scrophulariaceae 9 Discussion and Conclusion

13. Umbelliferae 5 The cumulative number of species collected during 14. Valerianaceae 2 2001-2014 from both valleys (Haramosh and Bagrote) came to be 560 in 68 families and 258 genera. Of these, 3 15. Cyperaceae 10 families, 4 genera, and 9 species belonged to 16. Liliaceae 3 Gymnosperms; 57 families, 226 genera, and 490 species 17. Poaceae 3 belonged to dicots; and 8 families, 28 genera, 61 species belonged to monocots. Among the ecological zones of Total 96 species both valleys; the Sub alpine zone was the richest with 332 INVENTORY OF THE ALPINE FLORA OF HARAMOSH AND BAGROTE VALLEYS 1569 species in 158 genera and 53 families; followed by the showed a drastic change from Desert to Alpine zone. The Alpine zone with 232 species in 106 genera and 34 perennial herbs constituted 88.4% of the Alpine flora families. Among the 68 families, 16 families were compared with 54.54% of the Desert flora. Similarly, represented by only one species each, 36 families had 2 to Hemicryptophytes were 77.16% in Alpine flora compared 9 species each, while only 16 families contained 10 or to Desert flora (Fig. 3). The alpine zones are frequently more species. Collectively these 16 larger families had 178 rich in species of hemicryptopytes (Naroozi et al., 2008; genera (68.99% of the total genera) and 397 species Ali et al., 2016). Therophytes are particularly numerous in (70.89% of the total species) and 82 genera of Alpine flora arid ecosystems and deserts, where these ephemerals belonged to these families. In the Alpine zone, 15 of these provide a considerable element of seasonality to the larger families were represented by 189 species, forming landscape (Dugan et al., 2007). However, the low 81.46% of the Alpine flora. Although the highest number percentage of Therophytes (14.2%) in Desert zone of species belonging to these larger families was present in recorded in the present study is apparently due to the Sub alpine zone, but in terms of species percentage persistant low rainfall in the study years that resulted in the their contribution was the highest in the Alpine flora. low frequency of therophytes. The perennial herbs formed Percentage-wise the contribution in terms of number of 88.4% of the Alpine flora. The Anuual /Biennial herbs species belonging to these larger families gradually formed 14-19% of Desert to Subalpine zone floras, but increased from lower reaches to upper alpine zone, only 7.75% of the Alpine flora. Tree and shrub species because of their particular distribution patterns. Only one collectively formed 12% of the Subalpine flora, and only of the larger families, i.e. Chenopodiaceae showed greater 3.86% of the Alpine flora and dominated by perennial herb number of species in Desert and Temperate zone; while 6 (88.36% of total alpine flora (Fig. 2). The Alpine zone of them showed greater concentration in Temperate to contained 3 Rare and one Very Rare species. In terms of Alpine zone, and 9 were more concentrated in the the percentage of the flora of a particular zone, Very Subalpine to Alpine zone, with Gentianaceae being totally Common species percentage was the highest in Temperate absent from Desert and Temperate zones. Floristically zone, Common species percentage was the highest in Compositae was the largest family in all the four Alpine zone, Infrequent species percentage was also the ecological zones. In the Alpine zone however, highest in Alpine zone. In the life-form categories, Ranunculaceae and Brssicaceae were floristically the Hemicryptophytes were more numerous in all ecological second large families, followed by Rosaceae at third zones. Their percentage in floras of different zones position. This indicates the changing composition of flora gradually increased from Desert to Alpine zone. Although with the altitudinal gradient. Like the larger families, the their number was the highest in the Subalpine zone (198), larger genera also showed a tendency to be more but their percentage was the highest in Alpine zone, where concentrated towards the higher altitudes. In the Alpine they formed 76.8% of the Alpine flora. The percentage of zone, 104 species belonged to 25 of these larger genera, Geophytes also was the highest in the Alpine zone. The constituting 44.06% of the total species of this zone. Nine percentage of Phanerophytes and Chamaephytes gradually of these larger genera were more concentrated in the decreased from Desert to Alpine zone. In the Alpine zone, Subalpine zone, 8 were more concentrated in the Alpine species of Potentilla, Carex, Eleochris etc. were dominant. zone with three (Draba, Rhodiola & Carex) being It was observed that Potentilla species were not only exclusively Alpine; six were more or less equally grazing-resistant but also efficient in reproduction, and so distributed in Temperate and Subalpine zones, one were the Bistorta species. Therefore these species seem to (Allium) was more or less equally distributed from increase in response to grazing pressure by the Temperate to Alpine zone, and one (Ranunculus) was livestock.The meteorological data have shown a rise in more or less equally distributed in all the four zones. The mean daily temperatures, particularly in the months of Alpine zone had 18 genera with 4 or more species; February and March. A mean rise of more than 3°C in the Pedicularis with 10 species was the largest genus of this daily minimum temperature of these months in a short zone, followed by Potentilla and Carex (each with 9 period of six years can be termed as a phenomenal rise. species) and Draba (8 species). Genera containing 9 or 10 Due to rising temperature, the migration of species from species occurred only in Alpine zone. Among the species, Temperate zone to Subalpine, and from Subalpine to the highest number (38) belonged to Compositae, followed Alpine zone has been recorded, while some Alpine species by Ranunculaceae and Brassicaceae (15 species each), like Saussurea simpsoniana have now become restricted to Rosaceae (13), Poaceae, Gentianaceae, and the upper most part of their distribution range. It was Scrophulariaceae (12 each), Polygonaceae, Labiatae, and observed that the species of lower reaches such as Cyperaceae (10 species each) Papilionaceae, Umbelliferae, Corydalis spp. Carex spp. Veronica alpina, Primulaceae (9 species each). Of the 96 species confined Cremanthodium decaisnei etc. were migrating upwards to Alpine zone, 53 belonged to genera found only in the and dislodging Saussurea simpsoniana from its habitat Alpine zone. Compositae was floristically the largest continuously. On the other hand Salix karelinii was family (Shedayi et al., 2016) in all the ecological zones, abundantly found in the Eastern and Western facing slopes with Papilionaceae and Poaceae the other two larger and along stream and spring banks of Alpine and families from Desert to Subalpine zones; however in the Subalpine zones from 3000-3600 m. During the last one Alpine zone the floristic composition substantially decade it has continually declined and is now restricted to changed with Brassicaceae, Ranunculaceae and Rosaceae Western facing slopes and streams and spring banks of as the larger families after Compositae. Like floristic Alpine zone only; and completely disappeared from composition, the habit categories and life-forms also Subalpine zone and Eastern facing slopes of Alpine zone 1570 SHER WALI KHAN ET AL., in the study area. According to fourteen years observation species from lower altitudes have a chance to migrate Primula elliptica, Allium oreoprasum, Pulsatilla towards higher altitudes, the species already in the Alpine wallichiana, Saussurea simpsoniana and Salix karelinii zone have nowhere else to go. Loarie et al. (2008) found were under threat from climate change in the study area. that species losses were disproportionately clustered in As any baseline study on the area pertaining to the time mountain areas as opposed to lowlands in the South before the present global warming era is not available, one African Cape. As observed in the present study, there is a cannot say with certainty whether the accumulation of high number of genera and species that are exclusively larger genera and zone-specific species into the Alpine found in the Alpine zone of the study area. These taxa are zone had been due to their gradual migration from the at the greater risk in view of the steadily rising lower altitudes over the decades. Certain studies from the temperature. Similarly, the distribution of larger genera other parts of the world have either documented or (those with 5 or more species each) also showed greater predicted the migration of species in response to global concentration towards higher altitudes. In the Alpine zone, warming. Lenior et al. (2008) reported an average 29 104 species belonged to 25 larger genera, which meter per decade upwards altitudinal shift in 171 forest constituted 44.6% of the Alpine flora. Although the total plant species of W. Europe between 1986 to 2005. number of species was the highest (332) in the Subalpine According to them, the shift is larger for species restricted zone, but in the species specific to any one zone, the to mountain habitats and for grassy species that have a Alpine zone had the highest number, that is, 96 of the total faster population turnover. Lenior et al. (2008) suggest 232 species of Alpine zone were exclusively found in this that with the anticipated climate change, up to 66% of zone only. Out of these 96 species specific to the Alpine California’s 2387 endemic plant taxa will experience > zone, 53 belonged to such 22 genera that too were 80% reduction in range size within a century. Climate exclusively found in the Alpine only. The altitudinal change has strongly influenced distribution and abundance gradient provides an array of microclimates with of plants at range margins both in latitude and elevation differences in temperature, precipitation and solar (Hickling et al., 2006; Tryjanowski, 2005). Colwell et al. radiation. The diversity of topography thus has a direct (2008) suggest that in tropical areas, range-shifts will be bearing on the biodiversity of an area, giving rise to a from lower towards higher altitudes rather than from south broad array of ecosystems (Foster, 1993; Hua et al., 1998). to north. The migration of plant species however depends Giriraj et al. (2008) demonstrated the distribution of upon their ability to disperse, their specialization to species assemblages along an altitudinal gradient, and the restricted soil types, their degree of adaptive evolutionary occurrence of certain species unique to a particular altitude responses, etc. (Loarie et al., 2008). That is, every species or habitat. A mountainous area has its expanse not only in would not be able to migrate with equal success in the horizontal square kilometers, but also additional square response to rising temperatures. Loarie et al. (2008) kilometers vertically; therefore actually a larger surface suggest that climate change has the potential to break up area is available for plants to grow, as compared to an area local floras resulting in new species mixes, with of equal size in the plains. And since in the vertical consequent novel patterns of competition and other biotic kilometers the microclimate rapidly changes, the rate of interactions. The flora of the high mountainous areas of species turnover is also high with the ecological zonation. northern Pakistan including the study area is at a greater This is why the mountainous areas almost always have risk than other parts of the world, because the rate of rise greater species richness than the plain areas. The current in temperature is very high, such as mean rise of more than study revealed five habitat types on the basis of vegetation 3°C in February and March minimum temperatures in the types such were Permanent snow line, Late lying snow study area just within a span of 10 years. This high rate of patches, rocky moist slopes and cliffs, Open meadows / temperature rise is due to the presence of the so-called grassy slopes and Stream banks /springs. Furthermore, it “Brown cloud” of South Asia that hangs over from Iran to was concluded that on the basis of five habitat types there Bangladesh in the months October to March each year are different life forms such are Dwarf perennial herbs- (Srinivasan, 2002). This cloud consists of particulate with relatively large flowers, with prostrate rosette leaves, matter generated from the burning of organic matter like with well branched herbaceous rhizomes, with well wood, straw, dung etc. (Gustafsson, Orjan et al., 2009). branched woody rootstock forming compact tufts mats or The particulate matter absorbs solar radiation, therefore it cushions, perennials with thick hollow stems, perennial has a cooling effect on the lands of low altitudes; but at with winter buds or bulbils boon deep underground, plants higher altitudes it actually has a warming effect due to the covered with straight hairs, with drooping flowers and warming of the atmosphere that is in contact with the high Dwarf shrub with stunted or prostrate woody branches. altitude areas (Ramanathan, 2007). Besides this, the dirt of The two valleys, Haramosh and Bagrote had quite similar particulate matter comes down with precipitation, due to flora with a high value of Similarity Index (0.92). which the albedo of snowy peaks decreases and they However, the former was floristically richer than the latter. absorb more solar radiation, resulting in temperature rise The up-to-date information on biodiversity is critical for and melting of ice (Ramanathan, 2007). This is why the the proper management and conservation of any area, thus rate of temperature rise in the high mountainous areas of the first step towards conservation should be to compile a northern Pakistan is disproportionately high as compared species inventory or checklist (Klopper et al., 2007). The to other areas, resulting in a greater frequency of present study is the first detailed work on the floristic, avalanches which pose an additional threat to biodiversity. vegetation, and conservation of any part of the Northern With this high rate of climate change, many species would Areas of Pakistan, involving thorough inventorying of not be able to migrate at a matching pace; and while the plant biodiversity. INVENTORY OF THE ALPINE FLORA OF HARAMOSH AND BAGROTE VALLEYS 1571

Fig. 2. Habit wise distribution of species in Alpine zone. Fig. 3. Life form categories % age wise distribution.

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(Received for publication 5 July 2015)