Abstract

A study on the population structure of Persicaria amplexicaule, Valeriana jatamansi and Viola serpens was conducted during 2002 – 2004 in different ecologically important sites of Malam Jabba, Swat, Pakistan. The results revealed that overall population density of each plant showed a significant decrease after the collection period. However, all the investigated parameters generally showed two to four-fold increase in protected sites as compared to the unprotected areas. The growth performance of the tested species increased with rise in elevation. The abundance/distribution and overall population of each targeted plant was generally high in North facing slopes as compared to South facing features. The air and soil temperatures were slightly higher in open areas as compared to the protected sites and showed a decline with increasing elevation. Both air and soil temperatures were relatively higher in Southern slopes as compared to North-eastern slopes in Malam Jabba. By using cluster analysis, dynamic, normal and regressive populations were distinguished in the population of selected plants. The three population types differed with respect to their population size and total plant density. The differences were maximum in dynamic, intermediate in normal, and lowest in regressive populations. The study concluded that the conservation of the remaining populations of targeted plants would best be achieved by proper time of sustainable harvesting.

Key words: Medicinal plants population, management practices, local people, collection period.