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Pak. J. Bot., 47(SI): 51-56, 2015. |
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Updated: 31-12-15 | ||||
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POTENTIAL DISTRIBUTION OF ENDEMIC SCUTELLARIA CHAMAEDRIFOLIA; GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM AND STATISTICAL MODEL APPROACH ABDUL MAJID1*, HABIB AHMAD2, ZAFEER SAQIB3 AND HAIDER ALI4 1 Department of Botany, Hazara University, Mansehra2 Department of Genetics, Hazara University, Mansehra3 Department of Environmental Sciences, International Islamic University, Islamabad4 Centre for Plant Sciences and Biodiversity, University of Swat*Corresponding author’s e-mail: drhahmad@gmail.com, abdulmajidhu@gmail.com Abstract Potential distribution and habitat suitability analyses are basic requirements for conservation of rare and endangered species. Scutellaria chamaedrifolia Hedge & Paton (Lamiaceae) is a rare endemic species confined to northern mountainranges of Pakistan with small geographic range. Potential habitats suitable for species survival were determined using species occurrence records obtained through field surveys. Twenty two topoclimatic factors derived from globally interpolated datasets using Arcmap were used as predictor variables. Look up tables generated through Generalized Regression Analysis and Spatial Prediction (GRASP) program were used to produce prediction maps. The results revealed that annual mean temperature, mean diurnal range, mean temperature of the driest quarter, mean temperature of the warmest quarter, precipitation of wettest month and precipitation of the coldest quarter were significantly affecting species distribution. Localities from Mansehra, Batagram, Torghar and adjoining Shangla and Buner districts were identified as best suitable habitats (p = 0.9) for the species. Establishment of the protected areas and seed banks are imperative for conservation of the species. Key Words: Scutellaria chamaedrifolia , Labiatae, Potential distribution, GRASP, GIS, Pakistan
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