Medicinal plants density along an altitudinal gradient in and around Ayubia National Park

Medicinal plants are an essential source of livelihood for many rural populations and are currently facing several threats of extinction in temperate himalaya,such as excessive grazing and collection along altitudinal gradients. the present study was designed to investigate the species density of medicinal plants at different mid-altitude levels (2200,2300,2400,and 2500 m above the sea level (a.s.l.) between two forest-use types and to examine the possible association between medicinal plant densities and forest-stand structural variables along the altitudinal gradient. factorial design analysis of variance showed that the densities of all medicinal plants differed significantly between the forest-use types (p<0.00) and elevation (p<0.00). moreover,a significant interaction (p<0.04) was also observed between the forest-use types and elevation. in the old-growth forest,density of medicinal plants was 290/40 m2 at the higher altitude (2500 m a.s.l.),approximately 1.5-fold less than the 475/40 m2 density observed at lower altitude (2200 m a.s.l.). however,in derived woodland,density of medicinal plants at higher altitude was approximately 4-fold less than that at the lower altitude. at these altitudinal levels,medicinal plants densities,such as valeriana jatamansi,were significantly higher under old-growth forest compared to derived woodland,where they were almost nonexistent. a rapid vulnerability assessment has also shown that valeriana jatamansi and viola canescens were highly vulnerable species. litter cover was the influential variable that was most likely related to medicinal plant density. in conclusion,abundance of medicinal plants decreased along midaltitude levels in both of the forest-use types. however,this decrease was extremely marked in the derived woodland,and this decline may be due to human activity. hence,these factors must be considered in future studies to suggest protective measures that can be applied along altitudinal gradients in disturbed landscapes. © 2016,pakistan botanical society. all rights reserved.