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By assessing plant species composition and distribution in biodiversity hotspots influenced by environmental gradients, we greatly advance our understanding of the local plant community and how environmental factors are affecting these communities. This is a proxy for determining how climate change influences plant communities in mountainous regions (\"space-for-time\" substitution). We evaluated plant species composition and distribution, and how and which environmental variables drive the plant communities in moist temperate zone of Manoor valley of Northwestern Himalaya, Pakistan. During four consecutive years (2015–2018), we sampled 30 sampling sites, measuring 21 environmental variables, and recording all plant species present in an altitudinal variable range of 1932–3168 m.a.s.l. We used different multivariate analyses to identify potential plant communities, and to evaluate the relative importance of each environmental variable in the species composition and distribution. Finally, we also evaluated diversity patterns, by comparing diversity indices and beta diversity processes. We found that (i) the moist temperate zone in this region can be divided in four different major plant communities; (ii) each plant community has a specific set of environmental drivers; (iii) there is a significant variation in plant species composition between communities, in which six species contributed most to the plant composition dissimilarity; (iv) there is a significant difference of the four diversity indices between communities; and (v) community structure is twice more influenced by the spatial turnover of species than by the species loss. Overall, we showed that altitudinal gradients offer an important range of different environmental variables, highlighting the existence of micro-climates that drive the structure and composition of plant species in each micro-region. Each plant community along the altitudinal gradient is influenced by a set of environmental variables, which lead to the presence of indicator species in each micro-region.

Background The present research work was done to evaluate the anatomical differences among selected species of the family Bignoniaceae, as limited anatomical data is available for this family in Pakistan. Bignoniaceae is a remarkable family for its various medicinal properties and anatomical characterization is an important feature for the identification and classification of plants. Methodology : In this study, several anatomical structures were examined, including stomata type and shape, leaf epidermis shape, epidermal cell size, and the presence or absence of trichomes and crystals (e.g., prisms, raphides, and druses). Three statistical tools—heat map analysis, correlation analysis, and principal component analysis (PCA)—were used to highlight distinctions and similarities among the species. Results On both the upper and lower leaf surfaces, polygonal, irregular, and hexagonal epidermal cells with thick cell walls were observed. Three patterns of anticlinal cell walls were detected: curved, straight, and sinuous. Distinct stomatal types were also identified across the different species. For instance, sunken stomata were observed in Kigelia africana and Jacaranda mimosaefolia , while anomocytic stomata were found in Oroxylum indicum , Pyrostegia venusta , Tecoma stans , Tecomella undulata , Mansoa alliacea , Heterophragma adenophylla , Handroanthus impetiginosus , Campsis radicans , and Anemopaegma chamberlaynii. Paracytic stomata were examined in B. callistegioides and Dolichandra unguis-cati . Tabebuia aurea was the only species with Tetracytic stomata. A contiguous type of stomata was only observed in Millingtonia hortensis . This family contained three types of trichomes. Glandular peltate trichomes contained a basal epidermal cell, a very small monocellular stalk and a circular or round multicellular head containing 12 cells arranged in a single circle. Non-glandular trichomes had a thin apex without a head and a pointed end. Branched trichomes contained several arms arising from a common base. Conclusion This anatomical examination, using advanced microscopic techniques, is the first to classify several species that are not listed in the e-flora of Pakistan. Leaf anatomical research has proven valuable in resolving challenging taxonomic issues.

The gastrointestinal tract is regarded as vulnerable due to frequent exposure to a variety of foods. Diarrhea, ulcers, constipation, and parasitic infections are considered to be the most prevalent disorders worldwide. The present study was conducted in the District Sahiwal to appraise the local flora for the treatment of a diverse range of gastrointestinal disorders (GIDs) for the first time. The interviews of 125 respondents were conducted during August 2021–January 2022 via a semi-structured questionnaire. Floristic analysis yielded a total of 73 plant species in 65 genera and 35 families. Fabaceae (n = 9), Cucurbitaceae (n = 5), Apiaceae (n = 5), Malvaceae (n = 5), and Moraceae (n = 5) were observed as the most prominent ethnomedicinal families. The gastrointestinal disorders were categorized into diarrhea, dysentery, stomach burn, abdominal pain, constipation, ulcer, intestinal problems, indigestion and stomachache. The maximum times reported gastrointestinal category was indigestion and stomachache (Informant Consensus Factor = 0.69.). Most of the plants were herbs (50%) and wildly (52%) available in this region. Local people prefer to use their leaves (43%) in the form of decoction or powder (37%). Quantitative data analysis reported Cymbopogon citrates and Musa paradisiaca most utilized medicinal taxa (Used value = 2.25). Furthermore, the study documented two new medicinal species i.e. Alstonia scholaris and Gardenia jasminoides , that were never been identified GID ethnopharmacology. These medicinal plants play a vital role in the development of our pharmaceutical industry for the better livelihoods of future generations. Documenting medicinal flora that was used in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders in district Sahiwal would be helpful in the development of low-cost, effective, safe, and appropriate medications against gastrointestinal disorders.

Plant resources have always been valuable in human life, and many plant species are used in medicine, food, and ritual, and resource utilization is closely related to cultural diversity. Our study was conducted from June 2019 to April 2021, during which we aimed to document the local knowledge of plant resources of five ethnic groups, i.e., the Gujjar, Bakarwal, Kashmiri, Pahari, and Dogra communities of the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) region, Western Himalayas. Through semi-structured interviews (N = 342) and group discussions (N = 38), we collected data on the ethnobotanical uses of plant resources. The data was subjected to hierarchical cluster analysis and ordination techniques (Principal Component Analysis) via, R software of version 4.0.0. Traditional uses were classified into three groups, i.e., single-, double-, and multi-use groups. The study recorded a total of 127 plant species, belonging to 113 genera and distributed among 64 botanical families. The dominant plant families were the Asteraceae, with 8% of all species, followed by Lamiaceae (6%), Polygonaceae (5%) and Ranunculaceae (4%). The recorded plant taxa were frequently used for medicine (51.4% responses), followed by food (14.9%), and fodder (9.5%). Principal component analysis (PCA) separated three groups of provisioning services depending on plant consumption preference levels. Comparative analysis showed remarkable similarities in plant uses (food, medicinal) among the Gujjar and Bakarwal ethnic groups, as both groups share a common culture. Some plants like Azadirachta indica, Brassica campestris, Ulmus wallichiana, Amaranthus blitum, and Celtis australis were also used for magico-religious purposes. We also recorded some medicinal uses that are new to the ethnobotanical literature of the J&K Himalayas, such as for Betula utilis, Sambucus wightiana, and Dolomiaea macrocephala, in our case for example local medicinal recipe, which is derived from Dolomiaea macrocephala, often known as Nashasta, used to treat weakness, back pain, and joint pain. Similarly, we also recorded new food uses for Eremurus himalaicus. Moreover, we also observed some plants for instance, Fragaria nubicola, Betula utilis and Juniperus communis have spiritual significance (i.e., amulets and scrolls) for this part of the Himalayan region. The present study provides a useful tool for resource management and can help in developing scientifically informed strategies for the conservation of plant resources.