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

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. 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.


INTRODUCTION
Indigenous communities around the world are a great source of advancement in health care for humanity (Basak et al. 2010; Muthu et al. 2006; Makkar et al. 2007).Ethnobotany compliments ethnopharmacological practices which have enhancing effect on advancement of modern medicine used to treat most pressing medical issues faced by the humanity today (Sheng-Ji 2001).Berberis is one of the important medicinal plant used as a very common ingredient in herbal medication systems viz; Eastern, Ayurvedic, Unani and modern system of medicines (Sing et al., 2008, Chopra et al., 1981;Chandra and Purohit, 1980).It has been reported useful in treatment of cancer, diabetes, jaundice, enlargement of spleen, AIDS, osteoporosis, cardiovascular ailments, ocular trachoma, hypertension, infectious diseases, cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, eye troubles, leprosy and bone fractures etc. (Khan et al., 2013 Hocking (1958) people among these traditional communities were 84% dependent on their indigenous folk medication practices.However, Khan et al. (2013) reported that in Hunza Valley people have lost ethnomedication practices and only a minor fragment (1.4%) use to practice.
Present study was aimed at documentation and exploration of perceptions, practices and other ethnobotanical prospects of Berberis species among these agro-pastoral communes living in Karakoram Mountain Ranges.In present scenario, these societies need special attention to explore them scientifically which has never been realized before (Qureshi et al., 2006).Any delay on this part can lead to their annihilation in the hands of weathering forces of globalization.

Geo-cultural landscape of study area:
Study focused 27 villages across western part of Central Karakoram National Park (CKNP).These villages were grouped into three major valleys viz; Bagrot, Rahimabad-Naltar and Rakaposhi (Nagar).CKNP was declared as National Park in 1993.It is situated in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan and stretches across four administrative districts: Hunza-Nagar, Gilgit, Skardu, and Ghanche.It is the largest protected area (10,000 km 2 ) in Pakistan having biggest glacial mass in the world outside poles.It extends over 35°N to 36.5°NLatitude and from 74°E to 77°E Longitude (Khan et al. 2014).
Area is inhabited by 16 major tribes speaking four different languages of distinct origins i.e.Shina, Brushaski, Gujari, Domaki.Settlements start from the river bed to sub-alpine zones (1300 m to 3500 m above sea level).Most recently, most of the area is accessible by jeep connected through link roads or pony tracts.However, more than 13 villages have become connected with Karakoram Highway constructed in seventies (1970s).

Data collection and sampling
Sample frame was consisting upon three (3) major valleys stretched over 27 villages with 5480 households.A total of 52,048 souls are living in the study area.Population is living in small and medium sized settlements (villages) with dense or sparse distribution.
Using following mathematical calculations and sample size (ss) calculator, a total of 382 (male 197, 52.81%; female 176, 47.18%) sample size was calculated.However, during the course of study only 373 individuals were interviewed.This makes 97.6% of the total sample size drawn.Sample size (both male and female) was divided into three age groups each making a total of six ( 6

Sampling type
During the survey, stratified random sampling technique was employed across purposefully categorized geographic, gender and age strata.

Data collection
A detailed structured instrument was used to collect uniform data from different strata of sample.Personal observations were also recorded to supplement the questionnaire data collection (Kvist et al. 2001).Questionnaire was oriented to maximize quantification of responses (Fraser and Junqueira 2010).

Data processing and analysis
Data gathered using instrument was digitized into MS Excel 2010 and then transferred to SPSS v.16.1.Various descriptive and inferential techniques were applied to analyze data including frequencies, standard error of mean, Pearson correlational coefficient, student t-test and regression analysis were performed.

Ethnobotanical use categories
Communities in the study area use Berberis for various reasons and purposes.These needs can be categorized into at least six (6) broad classes viz; medicinal, firewood, fencing, grazing, fodder, commercial and cultural.Culture use in negligible and infrequent (n=9; 2.41%).Research did not find any use of Berberis for construction.Details of remaining five categories are given below;

Quantities sold annually
Out of total (n=373) respondents, only 2.4% (n=9) interviewee replied to the question 'what quantities of Berberis they sell every year on an average?' 97.6% (n= 364) left this question without any reply, which was considered as missing data when processed using SPSS for calculations and analysis.These mottled quantities range in-between 1 kg and 12 kg.Moreover, these quantities are categorized into three (3) groups i.e. 1 kg, 3 kg and 12 kg.Out of total respondents which are more or less involve in sale of Berberis hold equal share of only 0.8% (n=3).A total sale during 2012-13 was only 48 kg.Among three major valleys, Bagrot 16 kg (33.33%) and Rahimabad-Naltar 32 kg (66.67%).This study did not record any sale in Nagar Valley.
Statistical presentation shows a positive but very weak correlation between fodder quantitative ranks and their use frequency.Communities more frequently use quantities ranging between 150-300 kg per annum (Fig. 5).

Quantities used as fencing
Berberis use for fencing purpose is one of the major consumption sites.Out of total sample size (n=373) only 19.0% (n=71) responded on the question about Berberis quantities used for fencing.Ten different quantities so expressed range between 12 kg and 300 kg.among all 20 kg (n= 26, 7.0%; Valid percent 36.6%) is the most frequent consumption quantity followed by 72 kg (n= 15, 4.0%; Valid percent 21.1%), 25 kg (n=9, 2.4%; Valid percent 12.7%) and 15 kg (n=5, 1.3%; Valid percent 11.3%).Remaining six (6) categories showed lesser frequency (< n= 3, Analysis shows a declining linear trend between consumption categories and their respective percentage frequency utilization.Moreover, there is a weak relationship between the two aspects of the parameter under discussion (Fig. 6).

Population dynamics
For the last fifty (50) years, there is no change in Berberis population (n=200, 53.6%).However, 30.3% (n=113) still believe that population has changed.Furthermore, 16.1% (n=60) people told that they do not know whether it has changed or not.

Population change factors
O n l y 2 7 .9 % ( n = 1 0 4 ) r e s p o n d e n t s said that plantation (n=6:1.6%)has healthy contribution towards population growth.However, commercialization (n=21: 5.6%), over grazing (n=23: 6.2%), development activities (n=32: 8.6%), medicinal exploitation (n=6: 1.6%) and other (n=16: 4.3%) factors have negative impact.Population change factor analysis shows that developmental activities are the most ruinous factor followed by over grazing and commercialization, to name top three ones.This change has occurred across all varieties (general) and not to a specific variety.Moreover, this change is 94.23% unhealthy and only 5.76% healthy (Fig. 7).

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This study is part of PhD research.It was not possible without generous financial support from EvK2CNR through SEED-Karakoram International University collaboration.