Conservation status evaluation of Berberis species across the Karakoram Mountain Ranges, Pakistan using IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria

Published Date
December 2016, Volume 27, Issue 6, pp 1385–1390

Original Paper

First Online: 

06 May 2016

DOI: 10.1007/s11676-016-0260-z

Cite this article as: 

Khan, T., Khan, I.A., Rehman, A. et al. J. For. Res. (2016) 27: 1385. doi:10.1007/s11676-016-0260-z

Author

• Tika KhanEmail author
• Imtiaz Ahmed Khan
• Abdul Rehman
• Nisar Ahmed

Abstract

Berberis species are endangered, high-value medicinal plants in Pakistan with important eco-cultural, commercial and livelihood roles in mountain communities. To assess the geographical distribution of Berberis species across the Karakoram Mountain Ranges in Pakistan, we used IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria (2001) to calculate the extent of occurrence (EOO, <100 km2) and the area of occupancy (AOO, <10 km2) of Berberis pseudumbellata subsp. pseudumbellata and B. pseudumbellata subsp. gilgitica. Overgrazing and habitat loss were key population-limiting factors. The two subspecies had contrasting responses to temperature, elevation, precipitation and insect susceptibility. B. pseudumbellata subsp. gilgitica is endemic to Gilgit-Baltistan and grows in single-cropping zone (areas > 200 m a.s.l.). Status evaluation revealed that both subspecies meet the criteria set for critically endangered species. Prolonged disregard of its declining population trend might lead to its extinction; therefore, integrated conservation efforts are necessary.

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