Abstract

A study on the population ecology of three commercially important species namely:Persicaria amplexicaule, Valeriana, jatamansi and Viola serpens was conducted in various ecologically and economically important sites of Malam Jabba, Swat, Pakistan from 2002 to 2004. The altitude of these sites ranged from 1200 to 3200 m. The objectives of the present study were to identify the ecological range, abundance/distribution and phenological stages and population dynamics of each targeted species. Analysis of the population structure (different life stages) of targeted plants species showed that only few individuals of targeted species reached to maturity throughout the investigated area. The results revealed that the density of mature plants reduced 3 to 4-folds (after collection) than the overall density before collection. But only few plants of the targeted species set their fruits and seeds which were inappropriate for the establishment of their population within the existing vegetational community. The study generally observed that the total biomass in terms of dry weight of each targeted plant was higher at high altitude and most particular in protected sites. All the investigated parameters generally showed an increase of 2 to 4 times in protected sites as compared to the unprotected areas. The study concluded that the conservation of the remaining populations of targeted plants will be best achieved by proper time of sustainable harvesting. It is only possible with the participation of local communities.

Key words: Plants population, management practices, local people, collection period.