Plant Species Conservation Priority Index for Preparing Management Strategies: A Case Study from the Western Himalayas of India

Human activities coupled with over exploitation of sensitive ecosystems and habitat destruction have caused a rapid decrease in the population of plant species. Countries worldwide are becoming interested in conserving biodiversity by determining conservation priorities at local levels. The categories used for evaluating threat status by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) that were originally planned for the global level are now increasingly used at national and local levels. The present study deals with the assessment of vegetation and further prioritization of habitats, communities, and species for its conservation in the Shimla water catchment Sanctuary in the Western Himalayas of India. Adoption of such methods not only generates quantitative data about the floristic diversity of the area but also help policy makers and forest managers in the formulation of conservation strategies for proper management of protected areas. A conservation priority index (CPI) was used to prioritize based on various attributes that are complementary to IUCN criteria. Among the tree communities, Cedrus deodara-Quercus leucotrichophora, Picea smithiana, and Quercus leucotricophora-Quercus floribunda communities showed maximum CPIs scores (54 each) followed by the Quercus semecarpifolia (52), Abies pindrow-Taxus baccata, Aesculus indica (46 each), and Cedrus deodara-Pinus wallichiana (i.e. 44 each) communities. The remaining tree communities showed relatively low CPI values. Among shrub communities, the Berberis lycium-Indigofera heterantha-Cotoneaster microphyllus community showed highest CPI score (42), hence should be prioritized for conservation. The remaining shrub communities showed comparatively low CPI values. Among the habitats—dry habitats showed highest CPI score (48), followed by shady moist and water courses (46 each) and exposed (44) habitats. Among the identified species, 10 were identified as critically endangered, 31 as endangered, 48 as vulnerable and 30 species as near threatened and were accordingly prioritized for conservation. The present study emphasizes on community, habitat and species specific management of this forest ecosystem for effective management by the forest managers and policy makers. Regular monitoring of prioritized habitats and communities is suggested while management and restoration of habitats and communities with low CPI values. People’s participation, training, and interactive workshops are essential in order to minimize structural and functional alterations due to overexploitation and habitat degradation. Forest fires and invasion by non-native species are other issues to monitor.