Nasrullah Khan

Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL | WSL · Geography

Plain Language Summary The Kabul River is a transboundary river spanning eastern Afghanistan and northern Pakistan. It is an important tributary of the Indus, one of the world's largest rivers with intensive water withdrawals for human use. With climate change, the Kabul River is projected to have more frequent and larger floods, but the projection...

This study aims to investigate the importance of biomass allocation in the invasive success of Xanthium strumarium, an alien invasive species across an elevation gradient in Pakistan. This plant was selected as a model due to its lowland invasion capacity and going up the elevation gradient. Sites were sampled in three different elevation groups, ≤...

The fruit of Monotheca buxifolia is among the underutilized wild edible fruits that grows in Hindukush and Suleiman range mountains of Pakistan. Mountain communities consume this wild fruit as a food, medicine and it provides an important source of income. In this study, we aimed to investigate the total yield and the effect that altitude plays on...

A specific set of environmental conditions characterizes plant species patterns and distribution on Earth. Similarly, riparian vegetation can be impacted by anthropogenic activities like mining practices involving the removal of vegetation cover, which destroys the structure and diversity of the habitat, adversely affecting the ecosystem services....

The local community of the Suleiman and Hindukush mountain systems in Pakistan has largely depended on the natural resources of the environment since ancient times. The ecosystem of these regions is under huge pressure due to a lack of awareness and the uncontrolled interference of communal, commercial, security, political, and ecological condition...

The allelopathic potential of Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T. Aiton was investigated on germination, growth and mineral uptake of five Agricultural cash crops, including gram (Cicer arietinum L.), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L., mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek], fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). For thi...

The importance of understory vegetation cannot be denied as an integral component of forest ecosystems, but there is a dearth of studies to explore the effects of environmental variables and canopy species on its diversity and composition. Here we investigated the effects of environmental variables and overstory stand structure on the understory ve...

Vegetation composition and/or plant species coexistence is influenced by the environmental variations in any region. The ecological knowledge and order of importance of selected environmental variations is important in conservation and management of plant resources. Based on relevant knowledge gap, the study area of district Jhelum, Pakistan lying...

The present study aimed to assess the spatial distribution and invasion potential of naturalized Datura innoxia Mill., a member of the family Solanaceae, across elevation, edaphic, and climatic gradients in invaded communities of semiarid regions in northern Pakistan. The species’ phytosociological attributes, diversity indices, and biotic and envi...

Vegetation composition and/or plant species co-existence is influenced by the environmental variations in any region. The ecological knowledge and order of importance of selected environmental variations is important in conservation and management of plant resources. Based on relevant knowledge gap, the study area of district Jhelum, Pakistan lying...

Vegetation composition and/or plant species coexistence is influenced by the environmental variations in any region. The ecological knowledge and order of importance of selected environmental variations is important in conservation and management of plant resources. Based on relevant knowledge gap, the study area of district Jhelum, Pakistan lying...

The role of the Ti³⁺/Ti⁴⁺ ratio in colored titanium dioxide (TiO2) for photodegradation of environmental pollutants from real wastewater samples still remains under explored. The aim of this research was to modify the Ti³⁺/Ti⁴⁺ ratio in colored TiO2 and investigate its role in photocatalytic degradation of phenolic compounds in real agro-industrial...

Xanthium strumarium L. is a globally successful invasive herb that has had significant negative ecological, economic and social impacts in many world regions. The present study was therefore conducted to evaluate the invasive potential and spatial distribution patterns of X. strumarium in heavily invaded plant communities of the semiarid regions of...

The elevation is an important gradient across which the environmental variables and plant traits vary and is considered as a barrier to the recent global problem of plant invasion. However, certain invasive plants show plasticity traits to adapt and cope with the changes across the elevation. Silybum marianum (S. marianum) is one such invasive spec...

Monotheca buxifolia (Falc.) A. DC., a wild edible fruit-yielding tree species, has economic and ecological importance, yet there is a lack of studies concerning its distribution pattern and regeneration dynamics at a larger-scale. This study aims to produce the first country-level classification of Monotheca forests based on their unique floristic...

Background: Present survey was conducted to explore the status, socio-economic importance and impact of Anardana (Punica granatum L.) by the inhabitants of Dir, lower Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Method: Different techniques like semi-structured, open-ended questionnaires and interviews, a field survey, and group discussions were undertaken in...

Global biodiversity management is of concern due to invasive plant species that dramatically disturb the native communities causing biological homogenization. Therefore, the present research investigated the impacts of Silybum marianum, an aggressive invasive alien species, on communities’ diversity and environmental variables in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa...

Chilgoza pine is an economically and ecologically important evergreen coniferous tree species of the dry and rocky temperate zone, and a native of south Asia. This species is rated as near threatened (NT) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This study hypothesized that climatic, soil and topographic variations strongly inf...

This research aimed to investigate the bioaccumulation and health risk associated with absorption of the selected heavy metals (HMs) i.e., lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) in a wild leafy vegetable Nasturtium officinale that grows along the Swat River in swampy areas. The areas were categorized using the ecological risk index (RI...

Abstract: This research aimed to investigate the bioaccumulation and health risk associated with absorption of the selected heavy metals (HMs) i.e., lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) in a wild leafy vegetable Nasturtium officinale that grows along the Swat River in swampy areas. The areas were categorized using the ecological risk...

Invasive plant species have deliberately affected and reduced the populations of native species, thereby increasing their risk of extinction. The objective of this research was to compare the effects of the two most aggressive invasive alien species currently invading habitats of Calotropis procera "an ecologically and medicinally important native...

The sub-tropical broadleaved forests in Pakistan are the main constituents of the ecosystem services playing a vital role in the global carbon cycle. Monotheca buxifolia (Falc.) A. DC. is an important constituent of these forests, encompassing a variety of ecological and commercial uses. To our best knowledge, no quantitative studies have been cond...

Heavy metals (HMs) are widely recognized for their toxicity and have serious environmental implications as technology advances and public pressure mounts to guarantee the safest and healthiest environment. This study evaluates the phytoremediation potential of HMs i.e., Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Lead (Pb), and Cadmium (Cd) by Calotropis procera (Aito...

Quercus-dominated forests are among the most important broad-leaved evergreen forests of the Hindu Kush ranges and are currently prone to drastic anthropogenic and climatic changes. The aim of this study was to provide basic data for the development of a regional oak forest ecosystem framework for ecological restoration and management plan developm...

Invasive biology acknowledges the concept of better performance by invasive plants in the introduced range. Xanthium strumarium L. is one of the successful invasive species in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The phenological pattern, vegetative and reproductive traits plasticity analysis of the species was explored to explain the inva-sive success ac...

National parks are considered assets of an area in conserving and preserving flora and fauna and recreational purposes, but these parks also provide valuable folk benefits for the local peoples. This study aimed to document the folk benefits obtained by local inhabitants from different indigenous angiosperms and their products in Sheikh Buddin N...

Xanthium strumarium L. is native to North America and rapidly spreading in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Pakistan as an alien invasive plant species (AIPs) and possess a severe threat to crops. Hence this study was conducted to assess socioeconomic impacts on agriculture, livestock, and biodiversity along with the mode of invasion, spread, and willingnes...

The ecological impacts of invasive alien plant species (IAPS) are well-documented, but a dearth of studies exist concerning its economic, livelihood, biotechnological, and health risk assessment perspectives. IAPS management is currently expanding to ecological indicator and biotechnological aspects. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the phyto...

Background: Calotropis procera is one of the most effective herbal medicinal shrubs. Although many studies have explored the ecological aspects of Calotropis procera; still a lack of documented information about the quantitative

Abstract: The forest ecosystem has understory vegetation that plays a vital role in sustaining diversity, providing nutrients, and forming a useful association for developing a balanced ecosystem. The current study provides detailed insights into the plant biodiversity and species classification of the understory vegetation of Swat, Pakistan. The f...

The existing open ponding system for palm oil mill effluent (POME) treatment typically fails to eliminate phenolic compounds. The aim of this research was to develop an improved photocatalytic process that used visible light to remediate phenolics laden treated palm oil mill effluent (TPOME). The visible-light active core-shell structured black TiO...

In this study, the effect of seed priming using ascorbic acid (ASA) on three commercial wheat cultivars i.e., Punjab-2011, Faisalabad-2008, and Ujala-2016 under salinity stress in both homogenous and heterogeneous environments has been investigated. It revealed that different levels of salinity have significantly reduced the growth attributes like...

In this study, X. strumarium L., an alien invasive species, was used for the first time as a biomonitor of selected heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Zn, and Cu) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The soil and plant samples were collected from 15 locations categorized as roads, urban, and rural sites based on origin and intensity of the heavy metals for comparis...

Recently, research interest has shifted to the development of effective remediation technologies for treated palm oil mill effluent (TPOME) due to the failure of the existing treatment methods to comply with the standard discharge limits. Photocatalytic technology has been recognized as an extremely attractive and sustainable technology for the rem...

The present research focuses on the comparison of soil physiochemical properties, nutrients, and vegetation that are important factors influenced by the invasive species in the new environment. We compared the abiotic and biotic factors between Xanthium strumarium invaded sites and adjacent non-invaded Vitex negundo native populations. Sampling was...

Distribution patterns of plant species and their relationships with physiographic, soil and climatic variables were investigated in the subtropical pine forests across the natural limits in the Swat, Hindukush range of Pakistan. A vegetation survey identified 9 tree species belonging to 8 families and 8 genera, which were classified into 3 distinct...

Onion (Allium cepa L.) is a major vegetable crop, widely cultivated throughout the world. The very large genome of onion (16.35 Gbp) is not sequenced and chromosome structural analysis can assist in studies of the large genome, showing the nature and locations of major repetitive DNA families, including telomeric, ribosomal rDNA and satellite DNA s...

The efficacy of Allium sativum and Cannabis sativa against Rhipicephalus microplus ticks was evaluated using the adult immersion and the larval packet test. In addition, an in silico approach was utilized by performing a docking study in order to identify the active ingredients from both plants. Results showed a comparatively high lethal effect of...

Exploration of genetic variation may help to select diverse parents for open pollinated variety and hybrid development program in onion (Allium cepa L.). Thirty-five onion genotypes were analyzed by two-way cluster analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) on the basis of phenotypic traits. These genotypes were grouped in five different clust...

After habitat loss, drastic effects of biological invasion caused by alien invasive species to the native biodiversity have been acknowledged worldwide by the agriculturists, ecologists, and governments as it is more overwhelming than pollution, harvest and disease combined. One such example of biological invasion is P. hysterophorus which is consi...

Plants have played a critical role in maintaining human health and improving the quality of human life for thousands of years. Justiciaadhatoda is frequently distributed in protected and open areas in the lesser hill slopes of Malakand division. Numerous reports from Pakistan and abroad have established the medicinal importance of Justiciaadhatoda....

Plants have played a critical role in maintaining human health and improving the quality of human life for thousands of years. Justiciaadhatoda is frequently distributed in protected and open areas in the lesser hill slopes of Malakand division. Numerous reports from Pakistan and abroad have established the medicinal importance of Justiciaadhatoda....

Shoots of Salvia santolinifolia can be regenerated and multiplied on MS medium containing 3.0 mg/l of BA. Shoot tip necrosis has been noticed to be the main preventive factor in in vitro shoots regeneration. The necrosis of shoots appeared with the yellowing of top leaves following burn of leaf and finally death of whole shoots. The intensity of sh...

Salvia santolinifolia is a medicinal plant and an efficient in vitro conservation system is established. The influence of N6Benzylaminopurine (BAP), N6-(2-isopentyl)-adenine (2iP) and Kinetin at various concentrations were evaluated, single and in mixture with NAA (Naphthalene acetic acid) for the production of auxiliary shoots from nodal explants...

Shoots of Salvia santolinifolia can be regenerated and multiplied on MS medium containing 3.0 mg/l of BA. Shoot tip necrosis has been noticed to be the main preventive factor in in vitro shoots regeneration. The necrosis of shoots appeared with the yellowing of top leaves following burn of leaf and finally death of whole shoots. The intensity of sh...

The plant species of Hazarnoe Forest of District Malakand, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, were evaluated floristically from April 2016 to November 2017. Of the total 240 reported plant species, 38 were monocots, 196 dicots which belongs to 85 families and 188 genera respectively. Poaceae was the leading family contributed 20 species. Family Asteraceae contrib...

An inventory of the plant species in Swat Ranizai of District Malakand, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan was made during March 2013 to October 2015. A total of 264 plant species belonging to 90 families and 202 genera were recorded, including five ferns, one gymnosperm, 42 monocots and 216 dicots. Poaceae was found to be the most dominant family that c...

Abstract Keywords: Ethno-Veterinary; Frequency of citation; Relative Frequency of Citation; Informant’s Consensus Factor; Direct Matrix Ranking Introduction Medicinal plants are a good natural resource and safe drugs and have been used for the treatment of health disorders in human and livestock from time immemorable [1]. Approximately 85% of all m...

Study Objective: In order to analyze the local importance of medicinal plants and their availability status, a quantitative ethno-veterinary study has been carried out in the outskirts of district Malakand from March 2014 to February 2016. Materials and Methods: The plant resources with ethno-veterinary usages were evaluated via a semi-structured a...

Developing countries are often beset by poverty and hunger. While provisioning ecosystem services (Prov.ES) are essential for eradication of these issues, they are being rapidly depleted due to climate change and anthropogenic impacts. However, their depletion has not been accounted for in sustainable use policy. Taking Pakistan as a case study, th...

The sub-tropical broadleaved forests dominates the foothills in Malakand division, Hindukush range mountains of northern Pakistan. Olea ferruginea is one of the major constituents of these forests having a wide distribution with no quantitative relationships between stand structural parameters and biomass carbon which renders to estimate carbon bud...

Background: Local herbalists share valuable contribution in usages of plants for different medicinal purposes. The field of ethnobotany plays a key role for modern medicines. Due to the rapid advancement of medical sciences, the use of plant species in traditional ways is getting declining. Documentation of such knowledge was much more necessary fo...

Understanding the influence of environmental variables on the spatial distribution of ecological communities is essential to predict the response of vegetation to various environmental drivers. Ecological theory suggests that multiple environmental factors shape local species assemblages and should influence the various components of community stru...

Our understanding of the full range of natural variability in streamflow, including how modern flow compares to the past, is poorly understood for the Upper Indus Basin (UIB) because of short instrumental gauge records. To help address this challenge, we use Hierarchical Bayesian Regression (HBR) with partial pooling to develop six centuries long (...

The article is about Overweight and Obesity prevelence

Medicinal plants are considered to be the prime source of remedy for the ailment of the local community of the Rawalakot valley and its surrounding areas in Poonch District of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The basic aim of the current study was to record information regarding the population of the area about the use of medicinal plants and its crude...

We studied the prevalence and key risk factors responsible for overweight and obesity in different age and sex groups in Malakand Division Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. Several components of lipid profile and body mass index were obtained for 562 individuals of the population using standard techniques of WHO. Preclinical data were collected based on...

Background: This study contributes to the current ethnomedicinal knowledge of the Swat Valley, Pakistan. District Swat possesses remarkable biodiversity owing to its varied topographical and climatic conditions, prompting a distinct human-plant association. Our hypothesis is that the presence of such a great biodiversity has shaped into a formal e...