Floristic Diversity and Evaluation of Plant Resources of Tall Dardyal, Teshil Kabal, District Swat, Pakistan

Abstract

This dissertation encompasses a multifaceted study comprised of floristic diversity, ethnobotany, vegetation profile, assessment of some selected ethnomedicinal and palatable forage plants for elemental nutrition, proximate composition and secondary metabolites, palatability, seasonal availability and animal preference of forage/fodder plants of Tall Dardyal. The study was conducted during 2013-2015. Sum 324 plant species belonging to 251 genera and 93 families were recorded from the area. Out of these, 78 families were dicots, 08 monocots, 02 gymnosperms and 05 pteridophytes. Monocot genera were 32 and dicot genera, 206. Gymnosperms and pteridophytes have 04 and 09 genera respectively. Asteraceae, Poaceae, Rosaceae, Lamiaceae and Papillionaceae were the dominant families of the area. The flora included 297 wild species (91.66%) while 27 cultivated species (8.33%). Deciduous species were 298(91.97%) and evergreen 26(8.02%), 311 non-spiny (95.98%) and 13(4.01%) were spiny species. Heliophytes and sciophytes were 248(76.54%) and 76(23.45%) respectively. Of the total 324 species, 217 species (66.97%) were of dry habitat, 92 species (28.39%) of moist habitat and 15 species (4.62%) were aquatic. Therophytes were the dominant life form followed by hemicryptophytes with regard to biological spectrum. The predominant leaf size spectra were microphylls followed by nanophylls, mesophylls and leptophylls. As regards the leaf types, 245 species (75.61%) had simple leaves, whereas 76 species (23.45%) had compound leaves. Aphyllous were represented by only 03 species (0.92%). Forty nine plant communities were established, among these 17 herbs communities, 16 shrubs and trees communities each in the selected sub-localities (stands). Plant communities were established on the basis of percent frequency value using TWINSPAN analysis with β-diversity dissimilarity index under JUICE 7.0. These communities were comprised of 108 plant species. Among these, 75 were herbs, 18 shrubs and 15 trees. Species ordination of each sub-locality for herbs, shrubs and trees were performed by Principle Component Analysis (PCA) using CANOCO Version 4.5. Ethnobotanical study revealed that 224 plant species were used by the local inhabitants for various livelihood. Among these 125(56.30%) species were used as fodder/forage; 78(35.13%) species for fuel purpose; 75(33.78%) species as xvii medicinal plants; 17(33.78%) as vegetables; 12(5.40%) species as timber wood and 11(4.95%) species for thatching purpose. Eight (3.60%) species were planted as fence around cultivated fields for protection against the grazing animals. Six (2.70%) species were used for making furniture and 05(2.25%) species each as brooms making and ornamental. Four plant species each (1.80%) was used as cereals and fruits. The ratio of poisonous plant species was 04(1.80%). Three plant species (1.35%) were swarmed by honey bees which contributed to honey production. Dish washing and herbal tea plant species (2 species, each, 0.90%) were also found. Origanum vulgare was used by the indigenes as a detergent for washing dairy dishes. Fiber yielding, condiment/spice and milk curding plant species (01 species, each, 0.45%) were used by the local inhabitants. Ethnomedicinal relevance showed that 71 medicinal plant secies belonging to 48 families were used to treat about 40 human disorders. Family Rosaceae (08 species) was predominantly followed by Lamiaceae (06 species), Asteraceae (04 species), Amaranthaceae and Pinaceae with three species each. Ajuga integrifolia, Thymus linearis, Artemisia vulgaris, Berberis lycium, Dysphania botrys and Sarcococca saligna were frequently used in the local health care system to treat various ailments. Common diseases treated with these medicinal plant species were arthritis, kidney stone, typhoid fever, stomach problems, hepatitis, jaundice and diabetes. Herbal therapies revealed that majority of medicinal plants were wild herbs followed by wild shrubs and wild trees. Plant parts used as herbal remedies comprised of leaves followed by whole plant, fruits, bark, seed, root, young shoot, rhizome, fresh flower, fruit pulp, husk and resin. Oral mode of administration was the principle method followed by topical treatment. Decoction was the most common herbal preparation followed by powder, infusion, juice, paste, chewing, warming, oil and milk mix. Macro and micro-nutrients were found in herb species at all the three phenological stages in descending order of Mg > Ca > Fe > Mn > Zn > Pb > Ni > Co > Cu > Cd = Na > Cr whereas Ag was absent in Dysphania botrys. These elements, in shrubs, were found in the order of Ca > Mg > Fe > Mn > Pb > Ni > Cu > Co > Zn > Na > Cd > Cr > Ag. Parrotiopsis jacquemontiana and Elaeagnus umbellata were investigated for mineral nutrients. They were present in the order of Ca > Fe > Mg > Mn > Pb > Zn > Ni and Co, Cu, Na, Cd, Cr and Ag showed variation in quantity. Proximate xviii analysis (moisture, ash, crude fats, crude fibers, soluble proteins and carbohydrates) at three phenological stages of the selected plants showed variation, decreased and increased tendency towards maturity stage. The secondary metabolites were predominantly found in ethanolic crude extract followed by ethyl-acetate and chloroform fractions and rarely observed in nhexane fraction. The palatable plant species were 122, among them, 78 species were herbs, 14 species were shrubs and 30 species were trees. The seasonal availability of palatable forage plants revealed that 95 were available in April, 111 in May, 97 in June, 91 in July, 88 in August, 68 in September, 47 in October, 27 in November and 07 species in December. Goats and sheep preferred 44 species, among them 04 species were herbs, 13 were shrubs and 27 species were trees. There were 43 herb species commonly used as fodder by cow, buffalo and donkey. Out of these, 09 species were exclusively preferred by cow, buffalo. Soil textural class was mostly loamy and clay loam with pH from 5.0 to 6.9. Organic matter contents were 1.06 to 1.59% and lime was in the range of 8.2 to 10.1%. Macro and micronutrients i.e. Nitrogen was present in the range of 0.07 to 0.25%, Ca 0.01 to 0.1%, Mg 0.005 to 0.05%, Phosphorus 1.02 to 6.08 mg kg-1, Potassium 82 to 130 mg kg-1, Copper 0.3 to 0.9 mg kg-1, Iron 2.2 to 4.5 mg kg-1, Zinc 0.7 to 1.7 mg kg-1 and Manganese 0.4 to 1.3 mg kg-1. The study provides a baseline for the vegetation of the area, which can further be used in a variety of ways for scientific exploration and wellbeing of the associated communities of the area.