This study aims to explore patterns of medicinal plant species richness along an elevational gradient in Nepal and effectiveness of existing protected areas for conservation of these medicinal plants. We used published data on distribution of medicinal plants from secondary sources. The number of medicinal plants and number of protected areas present in each 100 m elevation band are estimated by interpolation. We used the number of protected areas and number of species is the response variables and elevation, a predictor. To explain the relationship between total medicinal plant richness and of different life forms with elevation and protected areas, we used generalized additive models (GAMs) and scatter plot. Medicinal plants in total and of different life forms showed hump-shaped patterns with elevation. Maximum richness of medicinal plants is found at an elevation of 1100 m a.s.l. but maximum numbers of protected areas are found at an elevation between 3000 m to 3500 m a.s.l. There is negative correlation between protected areas and medicinal plants in Nepal. This suggests that the protected areas of Nepal are less concentrated where medicinal plants diversity is rich.
Figure below shows the distribution pattern of medicinal plants of Nepal along the Himalayan elevational gradient
No comments:
Post a Comment