Habitat range of two alpine medicinal plants in a trans-Himalayan dry valley, Central Nepal

Abstract

Understanding of the habitat range of threatened Himalayan medicinal plants which are declining in their abundance due to high anthropogenic disturbances is essential for developing conservation strategies and agrotechnologies for cultivation. In this communication, we have discussed the habitat range of two alpine medicinal plants, Aconitum naviculare (Brühl) Stapf and Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora (Pennel) Hong in a trans-Himalayan dry valley of central Nepal, Manang district. They are the most prioritized medicinal plants of the study area in terms of ethnomedicinal uses. A. naviculare occurs on warm and dry south facing slopes between 4090~4650 m asl along with sclerophyllous and thorny alpine scrubs, while N. scrophulariiflora is exclusively found on cool and moist north facing slope between 4000 and 4400 m asl where adequate water is available from snow melt to create a suitable habitat for this wetland dependent species. The soil in rooting zone of the two plants differs significantly in organic carbon (OC), organic matter (OM), total nitrogen (N) and carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratio. Due to cool and moist condition of N. scrophulariiflora habitat, accumulation of soil OC is higher, but soil N content is lower probably due to slow release from litter, higher leaching loss and greater retention in perennial live biomass of the plant. The C/N ratio of soil is more suitable in A. navuculare habitat than that of N scrophulariiflora for N supply. Warm and sunny site with N rich soil can be suitable for cultivation of A. naviculare, while moist and cool site with organic soil for N. scrophulariiflora. The populations of both the plants are fragmented and small. Due to collection by human and trampling damage by livestock, the population of A. naviculare was found absent in open areas in five of the six sampling sites and it was confined only within the bushes of alpine scrubs. For N. scrophulariiflora, high probability of complete receding of small glaciers may be a new threat in future to its habitat. The information about habitat conditions, together with the information from other areas, can be useful to identify potential habitats and plan for cultivation or domestication of the two medicinal plants.

Medicinal plants, traditional medicine, markets and management in far-west Nepal

“…These initiatives have proven inadequate [78]. Because of the firm relationship between medicinal plants and rural livelihood (Figure 5), it is unlikely that a legal ban can be enforced [79] due to complex management systems [80], invigorating cultivation, and sustainable management. Community-based organizations have also attempted to conserve medicinal plant resources and revitalize indigenous resource management systems.…”

Harvest effects on density and biomass of Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora vary along environmental gradients in the Nepalese Himalayas

“…It is confined to the pan‐Himalayas, the Tibetan Plateau, Assam‐Burma, and south‐central China, and is found at elevations between 3,500 and 4,800 m (Ghimire et al, ; Hong, ). The plant is relatively slow growing and is mostly confined to cool north‐facing slopes (Shrestha & Jha, ). Flowering and fruiting occur in June–September.…”

“…It is one of the most commonly consumed herbs in the Himalayas and is appraised to have a high pharmacological potential (Li, Liu, Abdulla, Aisa, & Suo, ). The plant is resistant to grazing, and thus, premature and excessive harvesting is the main issue for its conservation (Ghimire et al, ; Shrestha & Jha, ). It is closely related to Picrorhiza kurrooa Royle, a species native to north‐west India listed in CITES Appendix II.…”

Stakeholder perspectives on use, trade, and conservation of medicinal plants in the Rasuwa district of central Nepal

“…Forest destruction due to fuel wood collection, timber logging and grazing by livestock is likely to continue in the coming years in the Rasuwa district, causing a severe reduction in the availability of medicinal plants. It is generally agreed that Nepalese alpine medicinal plants are threatened primarily by commercial collection and secondarily by habitat destruction (Shrestha and Joshi 1996, Chaudhary 1998, Shrestha and Jha 2009 (Shrestha and Joshi 1996). There is also a sustainability concern over the complete removal of roots, which can have significant detrimental effects on plant survival and regeneration Amundsen 2000, Ghimire et al 2005).…”