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<p>The Thal Desert of Punjab, Pakistan, supports a distinctive assemblage of wild flora that underpins both the ecological stability and traditional healthcare systems of local communities. Despite its ethnobotanical and ecological importance, comprehensive documentation of this flora, including its conservation status and phytochemical potential, remains limited. This study addresses this gap through an integrated analysis of the taxonomic diversity, life-form composition, ethnomedicinal relevance, and conservation priorities of Thal Desert plant species. A systematic literature review was conducted using global scientific databases (Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect) and verified regional floras to compile data on plant taxonomy, ecological attributes, and medicinal uses. Phytochemical information was synthesized from peer-reviewed sources to identify bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids, phenolics, terpenoids, and essential fatty acids. Conservation assessments followed the IUCN Red List criteria and region-specific conservation frameworks to evaluate species vulnerability. The analysis identified 240 plant species representing 37 families, with Poaceae (21.7%) and Fabaceae (14.2%) as the dominant families, reflecting their ecological and functional importance in arid ecosystems. Life-form classification revealed that herbs (55%) and therophytes (42%) dominate the flora, illustrating adaptive strategies to extreme aridity and seasonal variability. Prominent families contributing to the regional ethnomedicinal wealth include the grass (Poaceae), caltrop (Zygophyllaceae), caper (Capparidaceae), milkweed (Asclepiadaceae), nightshade (Solanaceae), gourd (Cucurbitaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), legume (Fabaceae), pigweed (Molluginaceae), spurge (Euphorbiaceae), and daisy (Asteraceae) families. Alarmingly, 39% of species were classified as Data Deficient and 15% as Near Threatened, indicating insufficient documentation and growing conservation risks. Findings underscore the urgent need for community-based conservation strategies, sustainable harvesting practices, and continued research to safeguard both the biocultural heritage and biodiversity of this fragile desert ecosystem.</p>

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Thal desert flora: diversity, abundance, phytochemistry, therapeutic potential, and conservation status

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月27日

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  • Ummar Iqbal,
  • Muhammad Faraz Gul,
  • Zahra Naseem,
  • Hadia Jabeen,
  • Mansoor Hameed,
  • Nargis Naz,
  • Farooq Ahmad

摘要

The Thal Desert of Punjab, Pakistan, supports a distinctive assemblage of wild flora that underpins both the ecological stability and traditional healthcare systems of local communities. Despite its ethnobotanical and ecological importance, comprehensive documentation of this flora, including its conservation status and phytochemical potential, remains limited. This study addresses this gap through an integrated analysis of the taxonomic diversity, life-form composition, ethnomedicinal relevance, and conservation priorities of Thal Desert plant species. A systematic literature review was conducted using global scientific databases (Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect) and verified regional floras to compile data on plant taxonomy, ecological attributes, and medicinal uses. Phytochemical information was synthesized from peer-reviewed sources to identify bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids, phenolics, terpenoids, and essential fatty acids. Conservation assessments followed the IUCN Red List criteria and region-specific conservation frameworks to evaluate species vulnerability. The analysis identified 240 plant species representing 37 families, with Poaceae (21.7%) and Fabaceae (14.2%) as the dominant families, reflecting their ecological and functional importance in arid ecosystems. Life-form classification revealed that herbs (55%) and therophytes (42%) dominate the flora, illustrating adaptive strategies to extreme aridity and seasonal variability. Prominent families contributing to the regional ethnomedicinal wealth include the grass (Poaceae), caltrop (Zygophyllaceae), caper (Capparidaceae), milkweed (Asclepiadaceae), nightshade (Solanaceae), gourd (Cucurbitaceae), goosefoot (Chenopodiaceae), legume (Fabaceae), pigweed (Molluginaceae), spurge (Euphorbiaceae), and daisy (Asteraceae) families. Alarmingly, 39% of species were classified as Data Deficient and 15% as Near Threatened, indicating insufficient documentation and growing conservation risks. Findings underscore the urgent need for community-based conservation strategies, sustainable harvesting practices, and continued research to safeguard both the biocultural heritage and biodiversity of this fragile desert ecosystem.