Nutrient Analysis and Species Diversity of Alpine Grasslands: A Comparative Analysis of Less Studied Biodiversity Hotspots

Ishfaq Ahmad Wani, Susheel Verma, Renu Gupta, Masood Majaz Ganaie, Gaurav Nigam, Hesham M. Shafik and Fahad A. Al-Misned
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Ishfaq Ahmad Wani: Department of Botany, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri 185234, India
Susheel Verma: Department of Botany, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri 185234, India
Renu Gupta: Division of Soil Science and Agriculture Chemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, Sher Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Chatha, Jammu 180009, India
Masood Majaz Ganaie: Department of Botany, Government Degree College Tral, Pulwama 192123, India
Gaurav Nigam: Department of Botany, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi 284128, India
Hesham M. Shafik: Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Limnoecology Research Group, University of Pannonia, Gyetum u. 10m, H-8200 Veszprem, Hungary
Fahad A. Al-Misned: Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 2, 1-20

Abstract: The alpine grasslands of Kashmir Himalaya act as a treasure house of floristic biodiversity. They have remained largely unstudied because of their remoteness and inaccessibility. It is imperative to have quantitative studies of these areas to allow the long-term monitoring of flora in these fragile ecosystems. During the present study, nutrient analysis and species diversity of some alpine grasslands were investigated. Electroconductivity (EC) of the soils ranged between 0.12 and 0.33 (dSm −1 ). With an increase in altitude and precipitation and a decrease in temperature, soil pH and available macro-nutrients (OC, N, P, K) show a considerable decrease. Sixty-six plant species belonging to twenty-nine families and fifty-one genera were reported with members predominantly from the Asteraceae, Rosaceae and Plantaginaceae families. Seven species were common to all study areas and Renyi diversity profiles showed that Kongwattan was the most diverse followed by Poshpathri and Yousmarg. The results of the Sorensen β diversity index showed a relatively lower dissimilarity index among the three studied alpine sites. In the majority of the growth forms, growth initiation was recorded in April, whereas senescence occurred in September. The highest bloom was seen in June-July. The plant species exhibited a greater variability in their phenophases under different environmental conditions and altitudinal gradients. Plants were more vigorous at lower altitudes and showed rapid response to the prevailing conditions. Stoloniferous forbs and tussock forming graminoids such as Sibbaldia cuneata, Trifolium repens, Plantago major, Trifolium pratense , Poa compressa , Poa angustifolia, and Plantago lanceolata showed a greater importance value index (IVI). The sedentary system of livestock rearing at Yousmarg resulted in the decreased density of the palatable species. This study allowed us to conclude that direct knowledge of soil nutrient composition and species diversity in alpine ecosystems can enhance conservation and ensure better management practices over a period of time.

Keywords: alpine grasslands; Kashmir Himalaya; species diversity; stoloniferous forbs; tussock graminoids; phenophase; livestock grazing (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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