Plant Ecology and Conservation Plant species richness and conservation status of protected and unprotected areas of Kohat District, Northern Pakistan

2024-11-25T14:22:15+00:00

Kohat, located in northern Pakistan, holds ecological importance due to its distinct climate, diverse vegetation, and conservation concerns. This study hypothesizes that protected areas exhibit higher plant diversity and biomass than unprotected areas, primarily due to the impact of protection measures on domestic and wild animal activities. We assessed the abundance and diversity of native vegetation across 25 plots in protected and unprotected areas. Our findings revealed 67 native plant species, including 39 herbs, 18 shrubs, and 10 trees. Key tree species such as Grewia opptiva, Vachellia nilotica, and Senegalia modesta demonstrated higher basal areas in protected areas. In contrast, shrub species like Rhazya stricta, Withania coagulans, and Gymnosporia royleana exhibited higher densities in these areas. Species of conservation concern, such as critically endangered W. coagulans and nearly threatened G. royleana, were more prevalent in protected areas, suggesting the effectiveness of conservation measures. Additionally, locally important and consumable medicinal plant species, including Ajuga bracteosa, Amaranthus viridis, Peganum harmala, Sonchus arvensis, and Zygophyllum indicum revealed substantial abundance, richness, and distribution within protected areas. In conclusion, the study indicates that conservation measures, particularly protected areas, play a crucial role in safeguarding and preserving native plant communities and enhancing species richness.

Structural features of Peleș Park Forest: managing for ecosystem services provision

2025-04-25T08:57:27+00:00

The Peleș Park Forest (PPF), a semi-natural peri-urban forest near Sinaia, Romania, is essential in providing ecological benefits and improving human well-being through recreation. As the urban population grows and stress-related health problems increase, green spaces are increasingly recognised for their restorative functions, including air purification, temperature regulation and mental health improvement. This study aims to develop a sustainable management framework that reconciles forest conservation with recreational value use by assessing forest structure, evaluating tourism-related stressors, and proposing adaptive management strategies. We assessed forest structure through tree diameter, height, volume, and crown health measurements, applying principal component analysis (PCA) to identify the main structural drivers. The results revealed a strong correlation between tree diameter and height, modulated by species composition and site conditions. They showed pronounced crown defoliation in the upper canopy layers, particularly among trees of lower wood quality. The findings suggest that uneven-aged stand structures, which support biodiversity and ecological resilience, are subject to tourism-related pressures such as soil compaction and vegetation damage.

Annals of Forest Research

Plant Ecology and Conservation Plant species richness and conservation status of protected and unprotected areas of Kohat District, Northern Pakistan

Structural features of Peleș Park Forest: managing for ecosystem services provision