Threat and Conservation Status of Traditionally Important Plant Species: A Case Study of Indus Valley, Western Ladakh Trans-Himalaya

The study aims to analyze the threat status and conservation pattern of traditionally important plant species in Indus valley of western Ladakh. Five ecological parameters viz altitude, habitat, use value, density and distribution pattern were used to place the species into different threat categories. Each category was given a score of 10, 6, 4 and 1. Overall score for each species was given after summation of the five scores it got from the five parameters. Four altitudinal zones and eight habitat zones were recorded for the study. A total of 70 species were recorded from the study area. Maximum species was used in medicinal use category (35 spp.) which was further subdivided into 13 use categories in which maximum 17 species was used to cure skin related ailments. Floral park of maximum of the species was in use. Density (i/h) was calculated for the species along the altitudinal gradient. Cluster analysis was applied for the species based on the recorded density to know the dominant species. Habitat areas were also clustered to find out the level of similarity among the habitats. Based on the aggregate score each species got from the five parameters, 13 critically endangered species, 24 endangered species, 27 vulnerable species and 6 near threatened species have been recorded from the study area. Integrated conservation policy needs to be formulated for conservation of threatened plants involving the local community as a key stakeholder.