Influence of Anthropogenic Pressure on the Plant Species Richness and Diversity Along the Elevation Gradients of Indian Himalayan High-Altitude Protected Areas

Anthropogenic pressure significantly alters plant species richness and diversity along elevation gradients in India's high-altitude national parks, including the Valley of Flowers (VoFNP) and Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP). This study found that disturbed sites, closer to pathways, exhibited lower soil moisture, nutrient content, and a higher density of invasive species compared to undisturbed areas. Consequently, disturbed sites showed fewer threatened and endemic plant species, with soil moisture and pH being critical factors influencing species composition. The research employed elevation transects, comparing disturbed and undisturbed sites, and used statistical analyses like hill numbers and canonical correlation to quantify these impacts. These findings underscore the urgent need for mitigation measures to restore degrading habitats in these UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Bisht, M., Chandra Sekar, K., Mukherjee, S., Thapliyal, N., Bahukhandi, A., Singh, D., Bhojak, P., Mehta, P., Upadhyay, S., & Dey, D. (2022). Influence of Anthropogenic Pressure on the Plant Species Richness and Diversity Along the Elevation Gradients of Indian Himalayan High-Altitude Protected Areas. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2022.751989