Review
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Ishtiaq A. K. Jadoon, Lin Ding, Saif-ur-Rehman K. Jadoon, Zahid Bhatti, Syed T. H. Shah, Muhammad Qasim
Summary: The Himalayan Mountain System (HMS) and the Tibetan Plateau (TP) are characterized by active mountain building processes, including continent-continent collision. Geological and geophysical data reveal shallow crustal deformation involving thrusting along the plateaus margins, normal faulting in the center, and strike-slip deformation with lateral movement of blocks. Seismic activity is concentrated along the margins of the orogen at depths up to approximately 20 km, except for the Hindukush and Pamir regions where seismicity extends to 300km depths.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pengcheng Wang, John T. Burley, Yang Liu, Jiang Chang, De Chen, Qi Lu, Shou-Hsien Li, Xuming Zhou, Scott Edwards, Zhengwang Zhang
Summary: This study analyzed genomic data of three isolated populations of Brown eared pheasant in China, showing low genome-wide diversity and declining effective population size. The comparison with a closely related species revealed detrimental genetic consequences in the Brown eared pheasant genomes, indicating a potential risk of deleterious mutations in wild populations undergoing long-term decline. This comprehensive conservation genomic analysis could help improve conservation planning for threatened species and promote population recovery.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Ecology
J. Singh, K. Kumar, R. Kumar, S. Sharma
Summary: The study found that the populations of Polygonatum cirrhifolium and Polygonatum verticillatum in Himachal Pradesh are declining, with limited distribution. Among them, Kulang was the site with the highest population of P. cirrhifolium, and Hatu was the site with the highest population of P. verticillatum.
APPLIED ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Abadi Mehari Abrha, Kai Gedeon, Lars Podsiadlowski, Till Topfer
Summary: This study utilized dynamic occupancy modeling to investigate the habitat dynamics of the Near Threatened Harwood's Francolin in the Upper Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia. The results showed that habitat variables, such as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index and human disturbance index, significantly influenced occupancy probabilities of the species.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lyudmila Maksanova, Taisiya Bardakhanova, Natalia Lubsanova, Darima Budaeva, Arnold Tulokhonov
Summary: The impact of protected areas on local communities is a critical topic in the global ecosystem protection agenda, highlighting conflicts between environmental conservation and socio-economic development interests. The lack of comprehensive and practical methodological guidelines for assessing social impacts in areas with significant restrictions is evident from existing literature.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Arif Jan, Ivan Arismendi, Guillermo Giannico, Rebecca Flitcroft
Summary: Fish invasions pose a threat to freshwater ecosystems worldwide. In this study, the potential habitat overlap between native snow trout and non-native trout in the Himalayan ecoregion was evaluated using spatial models. The results showed substantial habitat overlap between the two trout species, but the physiography of the receiving basins could minimize the impacts of non-native trout on native snow trout. High-resolution habitat maps were generated to assist managers in making decisions that balance recreational fisheries with the conservation of snow trout. The workflow developed in this study can be applied to other regions with limited data to map freshwater biodiversity patterns.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Rahul Kaul, Rajiv S. Kalsi, Randeep Singh, Hari Basnet, Muhammad Naeem Awan
Summary: Cheer pheasant, a globally vulnerable species, mainly inhabits the mid-montane grassland in the western Himalayas. Its potential distribution range is predicted to be mainly in India, outside the protected areas. Continuous disturbance is believed to be necessary for its habitat suitability.
Article
Biology
Mudasir Nazir Bhat, Bikarma Singh, Opender Surmal, Bishander Singh, Vijay Shivgotra, Carmelo Maria Musarella
Summary: The research focuses on studying the medicinal plants used by local inhabitants in developing countries like India, specifically targeting the Kupwara district in the Kashmir Himalayas. It is one of the first studies to statistically evaluate the cross-cultural differences between three different communities in the area. The study reveals the importance of 107 medicinal plants for the local communities in the Kashmir Himalayas, with a strong emphasis on plant diversity and traditional knowledge interpretation.
Article
Engineering, Civil
Changlong Li, Zongchao Li, Hongshan Lyu, Mengtan Gao
Summary: The study developed building taxonomy and vulnerability models for buildings in the Eastern Himalayas, estimating the distribution of building types and their potential losses in seismic scenarios. The findings indicate that the city center of Lhasa faces the highest risk, with reinforced concrete and unreinforced masonry buildings contributing significantly to the economic losses.
EARTHQUAKE SPECTRA
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Javaid M. Dad, Irfan Rashid, Anping Chen
Summary: This study assessed the potential distribution of wild gymnosperm species in the northwestern Himalayas under current and projected future climates, to identify species with higher risks of habitat loss. Using occurrence records and species distribution models, the study examined the impact of future climate change on gymnosperm species. The results showed that most conifer species are expected to experience a steady reduction in their potential distribution, while no such trend was observed in the arid cold regions.
REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Muhammad Tayyib Riaz, Muhammad Basharat, Maria Teresa Brunetti, Malik Talha Riaz
Summary: This research focuses on the landslide risk assessment in the landslide-prone district of Muzaffarabad, Pakistan. Random forest and Poisson probability models were used to analyze landslide susceptibility and hazard, generating risk maps for the region. The study shows that the area has large high-risk zones for landslides, and both approaches yield similar results.
STOCHASTIC ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND RISK ASSESSMENT
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Hamayun Shaheen, Shamshad Aziz, Sidra Nasar, Muhammad Waheed, Muhammad Manzoor, Manzer H. Siddiqui, Saud Alamri, Shiekh Marifatul Haq, Rainer W. Bussmann
Summary: In the Western Himalayas of Pakistan, the alpine vegetation composition is influenced by climate change, with altitude playing a significant role in shaping plant diversity. Certain species contribute significantly to the variation in species composition at different altitudes. The Asteraceae family is the largest and most dominant family in the alpine flora. Plant diversity decreases with increasing altitude, and altitude, grazing, and soil erosion are important factors in explaining plant distribution patterns. The study also identified vulnerable and threatened species that require conservation efforts.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Mustaqeem Ahmad, Padma Sharma, Sonia Rathee, Harminder P. Singh, Daizy R. Batish, Gowher R. Lone, Shalinder Kaur, Vikrant Jaryan, Ravinder Kumar Kohli
Summary: High-elevation mountain communities are facing threats from habitat fragmentation and climate change, leading to habitat shift and biodiversity loss. Non-native species thrive at lower elevations and their niche width decreases with elevation, potentially displacing endemic or native habitat specialist species and increasing their extinction risk. Conservation strategies need to be implemented to control non-native species and protect native species at high extinction risk in these vulnerable ecosystems.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maqbool Ahmad, Khadim Hussain, Jawad Nasir, Zhongwei Huang, Khan Alam, Samreen Liaquat, Peng Wang, Waqar Hussain, Lyudmila Mihaylova, Ajaz Ali, Suhaib Bin Farhan
Summary: Analyses of air quality in Pakistan, particularly the impact of air pollutant concentrations on human health, have recently gained attention. The Atlas of Baseline Environmental Profiling along the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) examined air quality at five locations, revealing PM2.5 and BC as the major air pollutants in the region.
Article
Plant Sciences
Katalin Szabo, Doru Pamfil, Alexandru Sabin Badarau, Monica Harta
Summary: The study analyzed the genetic diversity and population structure of eight populations of Astragalus exscapus subsp. transsilvanicus using SRAP markers. The results showed low genetic diversity within populations and high genetic diversity among populations, potentially influenced by fragmentation, insect pollination, population size, and specific environmental conditions.
Article
Biology
Fayaz Ali, Nasrullah Khan, Kishwar Ali, Muhammad Amin, Muhammad Ezaz Hasan Khan, David Aaron Jones
Summary: The fruit of Monotheca buxifolia is an underutilized wild edible fruit in Pakistan's Hindukush and Suleiman range mountains. This fruit is consumed by mountain communities as food and medicine, and it serves as an important source of income. The study investigated the total fruit yield, proximate composition, and mineral contents of Monotheca fruit, showing significant variations along the altitudinal gradient. The fruit was found to be rich in carbohydrates, proteins, macro and micro-nutrients, with fluctuations at different altitudes.
SAUDI JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Agronomy
Noor Muhammad, Nisar Uddin, Muhammad Khalil Ullah Khan, Niaz Ali, Kishwar Ali, David Aaron Jones
Summary: This review highlights the important role of the bHLH superfamily in plant development, metabolism, and stress response. The article presents evidence for the involvement of bHLH genes in anthocyanin biosynthesis and stress tolerance in fruit-bearing plants. Future research directions and goals for breeding stress-tolerant fruit crop varieties are also suggested.
CZECH JOURNAL OF GENETICS AND PLANT BREEDING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sidra Khalil, Ansar Mehmood, Muhammad Abdul Rauf Khan, Khawaja Shafique Ahmad, Fozia Abasi, Muhammad Raffi, Kishwar Ali, Muhammad Ezaz Hasan Khan, David Aaron Jones, Mouaadh Abdelkarim
Summary: In this study, silver nanoparticles were synthesized using the leaf filtrate of Rubus ellipticus. The nanoparticles showed significant bactericidal activity against various bacteria and also demonstrated dose-dependent antioxidant and photocatalytic activities.
JOURNAL OF SAUDI CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Waheed Ullah, Khalid Ahmad, Siddique Ullah, Adnan Ahmad Tahir, Muhammad Faisal Javed, Abdul Nazir, Arshad Mehmood Abbasi, Mubashir Aziz, Abdullah Mohamed
Summary: This study explored the relationship between Land Surface Temperature (LST) and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and Land Use Land Cover (LULC) types with topographic elements in the lower Himalayan region of Pakistan. The results showed that LST varied with elevation and slope direction. Built-up areas and bare soil had the highest mean LST, while NDVI increased with an increase in elevation.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Shiekh Marifatul Haq, Muhammad Waheed, Aadil Abdullah Khoja, Muhammad Shoaib Amjad, Rainer W. Bussmann, Kishwar Ali, David Aaron Jones
Summary: To assess the health of a forest ecosystem, we conducted a comprehensive study using multiple indicators at the stand scale. We examined indicators such as diversity, age structure, regeneration, and edaphic factors of dominant and associated tree species in their natural habitats. Our research employed a stratified random cluster sampling strategy to collect vegetation samples from five main forest types in the Zabarwan Mountain Range. Through the use of the Pearson method and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA), we investigated the relationship between tree species and edaphic factors.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Muhammad Shahbaz, Abida Akram, Naveed Iqbal Raja, Tariq Mukhtar, Asma Mehak, Noor Fatima, Maryam Ajmal, Kishwar Ali, Nilofar Mustafa, Fozia Abasi
Summary: Plant extract-based green synthesis of selenium nanoparticles was used to improve the health of mango malformation-infected plants and inhibit the growth of Fusarium mangifera. The green synthesized nanoparticles showed enhanced physiological and biochemical parameters, as well as a significant reduction in biotic stress. The antifungal activity of the synthesized nanoparticles was also observed at a certain concentration.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ataur Rahman, Nasrullah Khan, Inayat Ur Rahman, Kishwar Ali, Achim Brauning
Summary: The study aimed to assess the vegetation biomass, soil carbon stocks, and carbon sequestration potential of Oak-dominated forests. 30 forest stands were randomly sampled with 10 quadrats each. Quercus dilatata was the only Oak species found in all three groups, with the highest density in Group II. Quercus semecarpifolia had the highest proportion of carbon in Group II, and Quercus baloot accommodated the highest quantities of biomass carbon in Group I. The results highlight the importance of conserving and improving the organic carbon in Oak-dominated forests for climate change mitigation.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Shiekh Marifatul Haq, Muhammad Waheed, Aadil Abdullah Khoja, Muhammad Shoaib Amjad, Rainer W. Bussmann, Kishwar Ali
Summary: This study aimed to document the vanishing knowledge in the Kashmir Himalaya by recording the ethnomedical and cultural knowledge of local flora. The study found similarities and differences in plant utilization among different ethnic groups, reflecting their historical cultural standing and healthcare needs.
JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Ataur Rahman, Nasrullah Khan, Rafi Ullah, Kishwar Ali
Summary: This study assessed the stand structure, regeneration status, and relationship of oak communities with environmental variables. It found that oak-dominated forests at lower elevations have greater diversity and are dominated by Quercus incana, while those at higher elevations are dominated by Quercus semecarpifolia. Environmental variables such as elevation, precipitation, and relative humidity were negatively correlated with stand structures, indicating their importance in sustaining the oak communities.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Faraz Akrim, Tariq Mahmood, Jerrold L. Belant, Muhammad Sajid Nadeem, Siddiqa Qasim, Tashi Dhendup, Hira Fatima, Syed Afaq Bukhari, Asad Aslam, Humera Younis, Zahid Ahmed Subhani, Shafqaat Ahmed Hashmi, Nadeem Munawar
Summary: Research found that Asian palm civets and small Indian civets in Pakistan have low spatial and temporal overlap, but high dietary overlap, indicating strong interspecific competition.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shiekh Marifatul Haq, Muhammad Shoaib Amjad, Muhammad Waheed, Rainer W. Bussmann, Kishwar Ali, David Aaron Jones
Summary: This study investigates the riparian vegetation in the Zabarwan Range in the Himalayan region of Kashmir. Three different communities were identified along the stream, each with significant differences in vegetation diversity. Indicator plant species were also determined, which can be used for riparian zone restoration.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SUSTAINABILITY INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Muhammad Atif Azeem, Fawad Ali, Abid Ullah, Mahmood Iqbal, Kishwar Ali, Dunia A. Al Farraj, Mohamed S. Elshikh, Qirat Naz, Muhammad Farooq Hussain Munis, Hassan Javed Chaudhary
Summary: This study investigated the effects of Bacillus anthracis PM21 inoculation on maize plants under salt stress. The results showed that PM21 significantly improved plant growth indices, stimulated antioxidant enzyme mechanisms, and increased chlorophyll content under salt stress. Analysis of gene transcription indicated greater expression of antioxidant-encoded genes, suggesting their possible role in salt stress tolerance.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biology
Nadia Farooqi, Ataur Rahman, Yasir Ali, Kishwar Ali, Muhammad Ezaz Hasan Khan, David Aaron Jones, Mouadh Abdelkarim, Farman Ullah, Fazal Jalil
Summary: The aim of this study is to identify the phylogenetic relationship between human and ortholog species based on the conserved sequences in the DOLK gene. Sequence alignment and bioinformatics analysis were performed to identify conserved regulatory sequences. Conserved non-coding sequences and motifs were found in the promoter regions of DOLK and its orthologous genes.
OPEN LIFE SCIENCES
(2023)