Anzar Ahmad KhurooUniversity of Kashmir · Centre for Biodiversity & Taxonomy
Anzar Ahmad Khuroo
MSc Botany, M Phil, Ph D
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290
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Introduction
A botanist with interest in Plant Taxonomy & Ecology. Research work at our BIOTA (BIOdiversity & TAxonomy) Lab, University of Kashmir focuses on documentation, conservation & sustainable use of biodiversity in Kashmir Himalaya. My personal hobbies are travelling and hiking to high Himalayan mountains to photograph the fascinating flowers & lush-green landscapes. I have lately developed a deep flair for 'Botanical Psychology', which I define as portraying human behaviour through botanical lens.
Additional affiliations
February 2007 - present
Publications
Publications (290)
The papers presented in this special issue cover a wide range of topics including the impact of climate change on Indian biodiversity through modelling approaches, the resilience of ecosystems to climate-induced shifts, and the role of remote sensing in monitoring forest dynamics. This body of research focuses on various ecological systems, highlig...
Mentha choujunensis (Lamiaceae), a new species from Suru valley of district Kargil in Ladakh, Trans-Himalaya, India is described here. The new species can be distinguished from its closest congener M. longifolia in possessing prostate stem, leaves petiolate and ovate, ovate-lanceolate, sparse pubescence, trichomes on adaxial side of leaves unicellu...
Addressing the ecological impacts of transport corridors while planning any transport network is paramount for a better of understanding ecological processes, biodiversity distribution, and ecosystem resilience. Here, we evaluated the impacts of railway edges on edaphic parameters, plant diversity, and composition in the northwestern Himalaya as a...
A critical evaluation of the diagnostic characters used in delimitation of Swertia patnitopiansis Singh from S. cordata Wall. ex C.B.Clarke revealed that the former is conspecific to the latter. Therefore, S. patnitopiansis is recognized as a new synonym of S. cordata. Comparison of taxonomic characters, photographic illustrations and distribution...
Documenting floristic diversity, its natural history traits and habitat affiliation offers crucial insights for developing conservation strategies and management plans for regional biodiversity. In this study, we employed random sampling technique to investigate the floristic composition, natural history trait diversity and habitat distribution amo...
Invasive alien species (IAS) are one amongst the dominant drivers of global environmental change. The reported effects of IAS on biodiversity and ecosystems are often highly variable across species, habitats, and environmental settings, which constrains our capacity to empirically generalise their overall impact. To date, meta-analyses have investi...
Despite recent efforts to make large-scale biodiversity datasets available, several data shortfalls still exist that preclude our progress in achieving global conservation and sustainability goals. In this study, we present a comprehensive native tree dataset (1689 species) from the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR)—home to two global biodiversity hots...
Although the impacts of single-species invasions on resident communities have been widely studied, the ecological effects of co-invasion (simultaneous invasion by multiple alien species) remain largely unexplored. In this study, using an analytical framework, we investigate the individual and combined effects of two global plant invaders (Leucanthe...
Protected areas play an important role in the conservation of biodiversity and provide life supporting ecosystem services to sustain the human wellbeing and their livelihood. In the present study, we provide a preliminary floristic checklist of Kazinag national park, located in the Kashmir Himalaya. The checklist includes 186 taxa (182 species, 2 s...
Biological invasions pose a significant threat to sustenance of biodiversity and ecosystem services, with their incidence expected to rise due to globalization and climate change. Regional inventories of alien species are important for monitoring and managing the biological invasions, particularly in world’s mountains which till recently were immun...
In remote Himalayan regions, ethnic communities living near protected areas are dependent on medicinal plants for their healthcare. Although several studies related to ethnomedicine are available from Kashmir Himalaya, however studies focusing on protected areas in this region are largely overlooked. In this study, we aimed to document the ethnomed...
The current study of Artemisia nilagirica (C. B. Clarke) Pamp. aims to present research that demonstrates a rigorous scientific approach to resolving taxonomic challenges by meticulously examining the protologue and herbarium specimens and designating a lectotype for A. nilagirica .
Climate change and land use transformation are triggering the shift in species ranges, causing tropicalization of temperate floras and consequently impacting the endemic biodiversity of temperate zones. Therefore, early documentation of such floristic changes is essential for implementing effective management strategies to mitigate the loss of ende...
Globally, treelines form a transition zone between tree‐dominated forest downslope and treeless alpine vegetation upslope. Treelines represent the highest boundary of “tree” life form in high‐elevation mountains and at high latitudes. Recently, treelines have been shifting upslope in response to climate warming, so it has become important to unders...
Globally, rapid climate and land-use changes in alpine environments are posing severe risks to their bountiful biodiversity and ecosystem services. Currently, nature-based solutions are fast-emerging as the preferred approach to address the challenges of environmental sustainability. In alpine environments, cushion plants owing to their unique arch...
Climate change and biological invasions represent significant drivers of biodiversity loss, and changes in climate and land use can also synergistically influence the naturalization of alien species into new areas. Therefore, reporting the transition of alien plant species along the casual-naturalization-invasion continuum can be crucial to the ear...
Invasive alien species (IAS) are currently considered as one of the major causes of global environmental change. To manage the IAS, it is crucial to identify the different environmental and associated anthropogenic drivers that contribute to invasion of alien species in non-native regions. Although multiple drivers of invasion have been identified...
Swertia kashmirensis subsp. darii (Gentianaceae), a new taxon from Kashmir Himalaya, India is described here with de- scription and photographic illustrations. The new taxon resembles in few morphological characters with congeneric S. kash- mirensis, but differs clearly in having basal leaves with apices acute, petals elliptic-oblong, apices obtuse...
Range shifts are a key mechanism that species employ in response to climate change. Increasing global temperatures are driving species redistributions to cooler areas. Studies have documented climate change–induced shifts in species distributions. The range shift in three plant species, namely Bellis peren- nis L., Cannabis sativa L., and Portulaca...
This paper reports Blascoa ephedrae Askew,1997, from Kashmir Himalaya, which is first record of this species from Asia. To validate this new record, a brief diagnosis, photographic illustrations and distributional map of the species are provided. In addition, the present study first time describes a novel interaction between B. ephedrae and a gymno...
Artemisia neosinensis is reported here as first distribution record for India from Jammu and Kashmir. The taxonomic identification of species was confirmed on the basis of protologue, type specimen, floral parts, i.e., marginal female florets and disc florets, phyllaries and achene characters. Detailed distribution map, description, taxonomic notes...
Whereas temporal variability of plant phenology in response to climate change has already been well studied, the spatial variability of phenology is not well understood. Given that phenological shifts may affect biotic interactions, there is a need to investigate how the variability in environmental factors relates to the spatial variability in her...
In an era of global environmental change, empirical synthesis of biodiversity data across geographic scales and taxonomic groups is urgently required. Recently, with an upsurge in data synthesis, substantial progress has been made in making massive biodiversity data available on a global scale. However, most of these databases lack sufficient geogr...
A new species, Artemisia kargilensis, is described here from Ladakh (Trans-Hima-laya), India. The new species can be distinguished from its allied congeners Artemisia salsoloides Willd. and A. saposhnikovii Krasch. ex Poljakov in having leaves sessile, leaf rachis winged, leaf segments linear to linear-lanceolate, capitula globose and upright, pedi...
The book “Field Manual on Alien Flora of Kashmir Himalaya: Casual, Naturalised and Invasive Plants” has been prepared with two main goals in mind: (i) to promote awareness on the threats of invasive alien plants to biodiversity, ecology and environment, and (ii) to encourage research on, and management of, the alien plants.
The Manual contains co...
We are currently living in an age of Anthropocene [1]. Amongst the dominant drivers of Anthropocene, biological invasions by alien species are recognised as the second greatest threat to global biodiversity after habitat loss [2]. In recent times, the rising global trade, travel and transport have accelerated the rate of species’ introductions outs...
This Manual is based on the research work carried out by the authors in the Kashmir Himalaya. For documentation of the alien flora, we regularly surveyed the study region for field sampling, collection of data and plant specimens from 2019 to 2021. The study region lies between coordinates 33° 20′ to 34° 50′ North Latitude, 73° 55′ to 75° 35′ East...
Malvaceae
Button weed, Velvetleaf
‘Velvat-pan sotchel’
Studying functional trait diversity can provide crucial clues about the adaptive survival strategies of regional plant species pool. Despite large-scale trait datasets available worldwide, the plant trait data from many biodiversity hotpot regions, like the Himalaya is still scarce. In this study, we aimed to investigate the plant functional traits...
Climate warming-driven temporal shifts in phenology are widely recognised as the foremost foot- print of global environmental change. In this regard, concerted research efforts are being made worldwide to monitor and assess the plant phenological responses to climate warming across species, ecosystems and seasons. Here, we present a global synthesi...
Climate warming-driven temporal shifts in phenology are widely recognised as the foremost footprint of global environmental change. In this regard, concerted research efforts are being made worldwide to monitor and assess the plant phenological responses to climate warming across species, ecosystems and seasons. Here, we present a global synthesis...
Invasive alien species are currently considered as one of the dominant drivers of global environmental change. Till now, the majority of studies have focused on single or a few traits of alien species that facilitate their invasion. Also inclusion of all the traits which determine the transition of aliens along the different stages of invasion cont...
Whereas temporal variability of plant phenology in response to climate change has already been well studied, the spatial variability of phenology is not well understood. Given that phenological shifts may affect the magnitude of biotic interactions, there is a need to investigate how the variability in environmental factors relates to the spatial v...
In meeting the challenges of biodiversity conservation, the taxonomic documentation of floristic diversity needs priority, particularly in data-deficient regions of the world. In this study, we present a comprehensive and updated checklist on the vascular flora of Ladakh, a region located in the remote Indian Trans-Himalaya. The checklist, based on...
The recent adoption of Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework requires empirical synthesis of biodiversity data spanning across broad biogeographic scales to inform conservation policy and management. Although the availability and access to biodiversity databases have recently improved, yet majority of these databases lack sufficient geogra...
In temperate mountains, the belowground organ preformation prior to winter is a well-known adaptation
strategy in perennial plants, however its detailed phenology is still poorly understood, particularly with reference
to belowground floral morphogenesis. Here we investigate, in detail, the developmental stages occuring
belowground and its relation...
Worldwide, invasive alien species (IAS) cause significant ecological and economic impacts. To meet the Target-6 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework that deals with IAS, it is crucial to fill the geographical knowledge gaps in invasion research. Towards this end, making available inventories of IAS from data-deficient regions of th...
Compression of life zones along elevational gradients in mountains supports diverse vegetation types, and therefore offers ideal setting to study plant functional traits. Functional traits, the features that enable plants to live in varied environmental conditions, help in understanding ecological interactions, evolutionary adaptations, and predict...
Subalpine-alpine vegetation of Himalayan global biodiversity hotspot forms the highest and unique ecosystem of the world. These ecosystems inhabit diverse cold adapted plants, which are currently threatened by global warming. Deciphering vegetation forms and their ecological niches is pre-requisite for evolving conservation strategies. Emerging rem...
In the Himalaya, collection of fodder from protected areas by local communities for sustenance of their livestock is an integral part of mountain farming systems. Here, we assess the diversity and utilization patterns of fodder resources collected by local communities from Overa-Aru wildlife sanctuary in Kashmir Himalaya. A multi-stage random sampl...
Trillium govanianum is a multipurpose medicinally valuable herb known to treat various human and livestock diseases in the traditional medicinal systems of India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet (China). Traditionally, it has been used to treat different types of diseases such as boils, dysentery, inflammation, menstrual disorders, sex-related di...
In an era of global environmental change, the treeline shift triggered by recent climate warming has been reported worldwide. However, it is still unknown how site-specific microclimatic conditions regulate the soil-vegetation relationship at treelines, which constrains our capacity to down-scale broad global trends in the treeline shift at regiona...
Artemisia dracunculus subsp. ladakhensis L. Ali, A.A. Khuroo & A.H. Ganie (Asteraceae) is described here as a new subspecies from Nubra Valley, Ladakh (Trans-Himalaya), India. It can be distinguished from A. dracunculus by several characters such as presence of taproot; sessile leaves that are undivided (but occasionally the middle cauline leaves a...
Understanding the genetic diversity and population structure of pharmaceutically important endangered plant species is crucial for their conservation and sustainable use. Despite the continuous population decline in Trillium govanianum Wall. ex D. Don, a highly prized medicinal plant endemic to the Himalaya, information regarding its conservation g...
It is vital to integrate local communities’ perception of ecosystem services (ES) into the management planning of protected areas. We investigated community perceptions of a broad range of ES in the Overa-Aru Wildlife Sanctuary, a designated protected area in Kashmir Himalaya. We conducted focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews with...
Introduction: The genus Actaea L., comprising of 32 species, has recently emerged as a source of potential phytochemicals with promising pharmacological properties. However, there is no review available integrating the scattered scientific studies on this genus. To fill this knowledge gap, an extensive review of the genus Actaea is presented with f...
Majority of global biodiversity databases lack sufficient coverage from the developing world and thus severely limiting their worldwide applicability. Bridging these knowledge gaps in global databases merits urgent research priority in biodiversity science. Here, we present Trees of India (ToI), Version-I, a comprehensive database assembled from an...
Soil microbial communities, being situated at the interface of aboveground plant and belowground soil systems, can play a pivotal role in determining ecosystem response to the drivers of global environmental change, including invasive species. In mountains, invasive plants occuring along elevational gradients offer a unique natural experimental sys...
The foremost role of forest vegetation in storing biomass and carbon (C) stock constitutes one of the main nature-based solutions to mitigate climate change. In this study, we aimed to quantify biomass and C stock partitioning in multiple vegetation strata (tree, shrub, herb, and ground floor layers) of major forest types in Jammu and Kashmir, West...
The Overa-Aru wildlife sanctuary is one of the largest protected areas in terms of area (425 km2) in Kashmir Himalaya. Here, we present an annotated checklist of flora of the sanctuary, which includes 397 taxa (392 species, 1 subspecies, 3 varieties and 1 forma) belonging to 254 genera in 76 families. Asteraceae was the dominant family with 57 spec...
Several species of the regional pool rarely become part of local communities. Such a con- siderable fraction of the species pool which remains absent but have potential to establish is referred to as dark diversity, and has till now remained understudied. In this study, we aimed to estimate the dark diversity, site-specific species pool, community...
Viola suavis subsp. naqshii (Violaceae) from Kashmir Himalaya, India is described here. The new taxon is based on char- acters like linear-lanceolate stipules with long fimbriae, position of bracteoles on peduncle and curved nature of the spur. Comparison of diagnostic characters of this new taxon with closely related taxa and photo-illustrations a...
Biotic homogenization by invasive alien species is one of the dominant drivers of global environmental change. However, little is known about the patterns of biotic homogenization in global biodiversity hotspots. Here, we fill this knowledge gap by studying the patterns of biotic homogenization and associated geographic and climatic correlates in I...
The ethnic communities living near Protected Areas (PAs) are critically dependent on medicinal plants for their healthcare. Although several ethnomedicinal studies are available from the Himalaya, yet the quantitative studies focusing on PAs in this region are largely overlooked. In this study, we aimed to document ethnomedicinal plants of Overa-Ar...
Understanding the vegetation and soil ecology of natural habitats harbouring threatened species is critical in conservation planning and restoration. The present study investigated the vegetation composition and soil physico-chemical attributes of natural habitats of Trillium govanianum – a threatened Himalayan endemic species. We laid 120 quadrats...
In an era of global environmental change, conservation of threatened biodiversity and ecosystem restoration are formidable ecological challenges. The forest understory strata and the belowground soil environment including rhizospheric microbial communities, which are crucial for ecosystem functioning and overall forest biodiversity maintenance, hav...
Oxalis corniculata L. is recorded for the first time from the Trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh. The plant species has a conspicuous stem, obcordate leaf blades, and umbellate inflorescence with yellow flowers and cylindrical or narrowly ovoid fruits. As the plant is known to spread rapidly, it may become an aggressive weed of agricultural crops in...
Phytosociological analysis and soil physicochemical properties provide the baseline data to understand the overall vegetation composition and structure. In this study, we investigated the species composition and diversity of vegetation assemblages of an endemic plant species Actaea kashmiriana along with the edaphic parameters. We laid randomly sel...
In this study, we investigated the reproductive biology of Trillium govanianum — a medicinally important endangered plant species endemic to the Himalaya. We specifically aimed to unravel the key floral traits that aid and/or limit the species’ reproduction, including the breeding strategies and modes of pollination. We studied qualitative and quan...
Treeline ecotones, the transition zone between the upper closed forest limit (timberline) and treeless alpine vegetation, are the most conspicuous features of mountain ecosystems around the world. Understanding the patterns of plant species richness in the treeline ecotones is crucial in accurately assessing and monitoring the treeline shifts and v...
Canopy height is a key physiognomic parameter of biodiversity, productivity and other ecosystem functions in high-elevation alpine ecosystems. However, little is known as to how altitude influences canopy height in these ecosystems. This study makes use of an open-access global forest canopy height map with a spatial resolution of 30 m that integra...
Ethnopharmacological relevance: The traditional knowledge about ethnomedicinal plants has a significant impact on human healthcare. However, across the globe especially in remote areas, this treasure-trove of traditional knowledge is being rapidly lost. Therefore, it is important to scientifically document and validate the folklore claims about med...
In prioritising conservation and sustainable use of medicinal plants, endemic species merit immediate research priority. Towards this endeavour, understanding the basic reproductive biology of endemic medicinal plant species is crucial to their successful conservation and sustainable utilisation. In this study, the reproductive biology of Actaea ka...
This paper reports seven species of lichens for the first time from India.
Lack of sufficient studies on seed ecology of endemic species poses practical hurdles in their habitat restoration programs. Here, we studied the seed ecology traits and regeneration potential of Actaea kashmiriana – an endemic plant species to Kashmir Himalaya. We conducted population sampling of the species at four different sites in Kashmir Hima...
Despite a wide range of nutritional and nutraceutical diversity existing within the wild germplasm of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) that can be utilized to develop genetically superior cultivars, little research efforts have been focused on the characterization of this neglected and underutilized crop in the Himalaya. To fill this research gap,...
Swertia drassensis (Gentianaceae) is described as a new species from Drass, an area located in the Trans-Himalaya region of Ladakh, India. This new species resembles in few characters to its congeneric Swertia petiolata, but clearly differs from it in possessing a pair of fused nectaries, fimbriae characteristically absent, margin of sepals slightl...
Plant-pollinator studies are increasingly using network analysis to investigate the structure and function of such communities. However, many areas of high diversity largely remained unexplored in this way. Our study describes a plant-pollinator meta-network from an overlooked biodiversity hotspot, the Kashmir Himalaya, where we specifically invest...
Documenting distribution records of biodiversity at regional scale plays a pivotal role in bridging the Wallacean shortfall in global knowledge on biodiversity. Here we report the first distribution record of a tree species, Pinus wallichiana A. B. Jackson to the flora of Ladakh – a remote region in Indian Trans-Himalaya. The tree species grows wil...
The present study reports the chromosome number and meiotic behavior including microsporogen- esis of Actaea kashmiriana J. Compton and its relation with pollen fertility and seed set. The species showed a chromosome count of 2n=4x=32 and meiotic chromosomal irregularities such as chromatin stickiness, cytomix- is, laggard formation, chromosomal br...