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Impact of Anthropogenic Threats on Species Diversity: A Case Study of the Sub-Himalayan Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests of Pakistan

Author

Listed:
  • Naveed Alam

    (Institute of Agriculture Sciences & Forestry, University of Swat, Charbagh 19120, Pakistan)

  • Eve Bohnett

    (Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA)

  • Muhammad Zafar

    (Department of Plant Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan)

  • Hassan Sher

    (Center for Plant Sciences and Biodiversity, University of Swat, Charbagh 19120, Pakistan)

  • Bilal Ahmad

    (Institute of Agriculture Sciences & Forestry, University of Swat, Charbagh 19120, Pakistan)

  • Mohamed Fawzy Ramadan

    (Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 24382, Saudi Arabia)

  • Mushtaq Ahmad

    (Center for Plant Sciences and Biodiversity, University of Swat, Charbagh 19120, Pakistan)

  • Zahid Ullah

    (Center for Plant Sciences and Biodiversity, University of Swat, Charbagh 19120, Pakistan)

  • Ahmad Ali

    (Center for Plant Sciences and Biodiversity, University of Swat, Charbagh 19120, Pakistan)

  • Shujaul Mulk Khan

    (Department of Plant Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan)

  • Kashmala Syed

    (Center for Plant Sciences and Biodiversity, University of Swat, Charbagh 19120, Pakistan)

Abstract

Effective forest conservation and management needs to consider ecological factors and the susceptibility of different tree species to anthropogenic activity. Dry deciduous forests in the tropics have been undervalued because of their low timber production compared to temperate and boreal forests. In order to quantify the current significance of Pakistan’s tropical dry deciduous forests in relation to ecological variables and anthropogenic threats, a broad phytosociological survey was conducted. In the study area, a total of 140 species of woody plants belonging to 52 families were identified. The cluster analysis depicts the distribution of nine plant communities in five clusters, in which Dodonaea viscosa-Acacia modesta-Dulbergia sissoo community was the most dominant community, showing cosmopolitan distribution in the study area. The results are further authenticated by DCA and CCA analyses, which indicate that altitude, precipitation, and temperature are the most important factors influencing the distribution and composition of tropical dry deciduous forests along the Himalayan foothills. In the study area, an annual fuelwood consumption of 270.38 tons was recorded. It was discovered that high-altitude forests were subject to extensive tree harvesting, overgrazing, browsing, and high fuelwood consumption. In addition, these forests have a low regeneration rate from 4.5 to 4.8 seedlings/quadrat, due to extensive human activities. Remarkable differences in the anthropogenic pressure and disturbances were found in the protected and unprotected forests. Based on our findings, we recommend that: (i) Immediate management intervention and an in-situ conservation strategy must be implemented in areas exposed to high levels of anthropogenic threats. (ii) Unsustainable grazing and fuelwood collection must be managed, and high-threat areas must be immediately prohibited. (iii) The local populace must be made aware of the grave consequences of anthropogenic disturbances, and a collaborative management strategy must be implemented.

Suggested Citation

  • Naveed Alam & Eve Bohnett & Muhammad Zafar & Hassan Sher & Bilal Ahmad & Mohamed Fawzy Ramadan & Mushtaq Ahmad & Zahid Ullah & Ahmad Ali & Shujaul Mulk Khan & Kashmala Syed, 2023. "Impact of Anthropogenic Threats on Species Diversity: A Case Study of the Sub-Himalayan Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests of Pakistan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-15, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:3:p:2829-:d:1057375
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Xiao Wang & Bo Zhang & Kebin Zhang & Jinxing Zhou & Bilal Ahmad, 2015. "The Spatial Pattern and Interactions of Woody Plants on the Temperate Savanna of Inner Mongolia, China: The Effects of Alternating Seasonal Grazing-Mowing Regimes," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(7), pages 1-17, July.
    2. Forest Isbell & Vincent Calcagno & Andy Hector & John Connolly & W. Stanley Harpole & Peter B. Reich & Michael Scherer-Lorenzen & Bernhard Schmid & David Tilman & Jasper van Ruijven & Alexandra Weigel, 2011. "High plant diversity is needed to maintain ecosystem services," Nature, Nature, vol. 477(7363), pages 199-202, September.
    3. Edward B. Barbier, 2004. "Explaining Agricultural Land Expansion and Deforestation in Developing Countries," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 86(5), pages 1347-1353.
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    5. Bhatt, B.P. & Negi, A.K. & Todaria, N.P., 1994. "Fuelwood consumption pattern at different altitudes in Garhwal Himalaya," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 19(4), pages 465-468.
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