Data from: Alpine flora of Kashmir Himalaya: Floristic assessment, life history traits and threat status
Data files
Dec 08, 2025 version files 32.39 KB
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Alpine_Check_List.xlsx
30.07 KB
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README.md
2.32 KB
Abstract
Alpine ecosystems in the Himalaya are considered to be at a higher risk of anthropogenic global change drivers. The Kashmir Himalaya, located in the north-western side of the Himalayan biodiversity hotspot, harbors a diverse alpine flora, which remains systematically little investigated. To fill this knowledge gap, the present study documented the alpine flora of this Himalayan region using a plot-based systematic sampling approach. Based on the sampling of 151 1-hectare plots comprising 999 quadrats from 2020-2023 across the study region, we recorded 159 species belonging to 122 genera in 47 families. Asteraceae was the dominant family with 20 species, followed by Lamiaceae (12 species) and Rosaceae (9 species). Likewise, Impatiens and Poa were the dominant genera with 4 species each, followed by Androsace, Salix, and Plantago with 3 species each. The herbs were dominant (135 species, 84.9%), followed by shrubs (13, 8.2%). Lifespan-wise, perennials were dominant (139 species, 87%), followed by annuals (20, 13%). The hemicryptophytes were the dominant life forms (104 species, 65%), followed by phanerophytes (19, 12%). A small proportion of the recorded species (ca. 14%) has been empirically evaluated for threat assessment, leaving a vast majority still unassessed. Overall, our study provides a permanent plot-based reference floristic data on the alpine flora of this Western Himalayan region with immediate relevance in devising conservation strategies and formulating management plans. Looking ahead, the findings showcase a framework for floristic assessment to monitor alpine biodiversity change in the future across the fragile high-elevation Himalayan landscapes.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.vmcvdnd4c
Description of the data and file structure
The entire study area was divided into distinct 3 km2 environmental grids with unique grid codes for capturing environmental heterogeneity of the region. A stratified random sampling approach was followed to distribute sample grids across all major environmental classes and in a ratio of the number of grids covering biotic, topographic, and edaphic variables. The unique 3 km2 environmental grids were identified based on vegetation, elevation, slope, and landforms.
Within each 3 km2 grid, a 1 km2 grid was selected to capture vegetational heterogeneity, and several 100 m2 plots were laid depending upon the vegetation types present. In each 100 m2 plot, ten 1 m2 quadrats and three 5 quadrats 2 were laid down randomly for studying herbaceous and cushioned vegetation, respectively. In total, we sampled a total of 133 100 m2 herbaceous and cushion plots comprising 821 quadrats. All the plant species occurring within each quadrat were recorded along with their percentage cover and identified to species level.
The dataset consist of a data file: Alpine_Check_List.xlsx and the column headers are as follows:
- Scientific Name
- Common Synonym
- Family
- The botanical family to which the plant belongs (e.g., Pinaceae, Asteraceae, Poaceae).
- Growth Form
- Indicates whether the plant is a Tree, Herb, Shrub, Fern.
- Life Span
- Describes if the plant is Perennial (lives for several years) or Annual (completes life cycle in one year).
- Raunkiaer Life Form
- A classification based on where the plant’s buds are located during unfavorable seasons:
- IUCN Status
- Conservation status according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature:
- Least Concern, Critically Endangered, or Not Evaluated.
- Conservation status according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature:
- Nativity
- Geographic regions where the species is native (e.g., Afghanistan, Nepal, Pakistan, West Himalaya).
Code/software
MS-Excel was used for data analysis, and the R software
Access information
Other publicly accessible locations of the data:
- None
Data was derived from the following sources:
- None