CONTRIBUTION TO THE RED LIST OF PAKISTAN: A CASE STUDY OF DELPHINIUM NORDHAGENII (RANUNCULACEAE)

Abstract

Delphinium nordhagenii Wendelbo (Ranunculaceae) is endemic to District Chitral, Pakistan. This taxon was previously known from 2 localities of Barum Gol and Sher Ghora. After three years of continuous field studies during 2005-2007, five new localities were discovered. According to its population size and number of localities reported, 624 mature individuals were found in 5 localities in 2005, 275 mature individuals were found in 2006 and 184 mature individuals were found in 2007. The main threat posed to the existence of the taxon is its habitat destruction. In 3 localities i.e., Torikhoo-Chato Doke Ghari, Mastooj-Shandoor Top and Torikhoo-Khoot Ghari, 28.57%, 10.12% and 36.12% decrease has been observed in its population size, respectively, caused by grazing, soil erosion resulted from deforestation and agricultural land extensions. In view of its extent of occurrence of 293.77km2 , area of occupancy of 20 km2 and population size of 184 mature individuals, the taxon is placed under the category of critically endangered (CR).