Conservation Prioritization of Plant Species and Habitats in Outer Seraj, North Western Himalaya
Résumé
The current study aims to assess the Conservation Priority Index (CPI) of species, habitats, and communities for their conservation and management planning in the Outer Seraj area of Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. The present study is an attempt to prioritize 154 plant species, 63 plant communities (15 tree communities, 20 shrub communities, and 28 herb communities) spread across an elevation range of 800 to 3200 meters. Of the total number of plant species identified, 17 plant species were assessed to be endangered, 18 vulnerable and 47 plant species were assessed to be near threatened. Based on ecological and socioeconomic criteria, each habitat and community has been assessed. Maximum CPI values were found in Shady moist (54) habitats followed by shrubbery (22), riverine and camping (20 each) hence prioritized for conservation. The remaining habitats showed comparatively low CPI values. Shady Moist Forests exhibited the highest species richness (SR) and total species (TS) count, indicating a diverse ecosystem. Amongst tree communities, Morus alba, Picea smithiana, Pinus roxburghii, Populus ciliata and Quercus leucotrichophora communities exhibited the maximum CPI values. Among shrub communities, Indigofera heterantha, Murraya koenigii, Rosa macrophylla, Rubus ellipticus, Rubus niveas and Zanthoxylum armatum showed maximum CPI values hence prioritized for conservation. Among herb communities, Acorus calamus, Ajuga bracteosa, Amaranthus caudatus, Asparagus fillicinus, Asparagus officinalis, Boenninghausenia albiflora, Chenopodium album, Hypericum perforatum, Nicitiana tobacum, Solanum nigrum, Thalictrum foliolosum and Trifolium pratense showed maximum CPI values indicated the need for conservation. Different habitats have different percentages of native and endemic species, which emphasizes how crucial some habitats are to the conservation of rare species.