Investigations into Ecological Consequences and Threats from Ethnoecological and Ethnobotanical Practices across Karakorum Mountain Ranges: A Case Study Berberis

Abstract

Geomorphologically inaccessible mighty mountain ranges of Karakoram, Hindukush, Himalaya and Pamir have been mother sanctuaries for several ecologically attuned civilizations. Modern changes underway across ethnoecological and ethnobotanical settings among these mountain traditional communities have drastically depreciated folk wisdom and ecological equilibrium. Ethno- climatic agencies have threatened several species and Berberis pseudumbellata subsp. gilgitica has become critically endangered. Present study was an attempt to discover ethnobotanical insights and exploration of threatening factors affecting Berberis species. Survey (n=373) revealed that communities use Berberis meeting various purposes including medicinal (92.2%; SE±0.057; 0.409 MT/annum-a), firewood (19.3%; SE±37.375; 6.589 MT/a), commercial (2.41%; SE±1.692; 0.048 MT/a), cultural (2.41%), fodder (16.08%; SE±11.474; 8.724 MT/a), fencing (19.03%; SE±6.895; 3.352 MT/a) and grazing (100%; SE±1.035). Data was analyzed using Pearson correlational coefficient, student t-test and descriptive statistical tools. Study exhibits highly significant relationship (p< 0.000) among different age groups, ethnomedicinal uses and conservation status of Berberis.