A comprehensive survey of floristic diversity evaluating the role of institutional gardening in conservation of plant biodiversity

Identification of flora is generally considered necessary around the globe, as it plays an important role to maintain the national reserves of the area. An inventory of the plant species in GPGC Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan was made during fruiting and flowering seasons from 2017-2018.The human culture not necessarily decorate the floristic composition of an area but also preserves the biodiversity. In this context the study area was selected in order to investigate the cultural influences on the plant biodiversity. A total of 133 plant species belonging to 52 families were recorded. Habit wise classification showed 90 species were herbs, 25 species of trees and shrubs 19 plant species. The most leading family was Asteraceae with 16 plant species followed by Poaceae with 13 plant species, Solanaceae and Malvaceae with 7 plant species. Among vascular plants Angiosperms were dominated the area by contributing 120 plant species and gymnosperms with 4 plant species. Wild and dicot species are enriched as compared to cultivated and monocots. A sum of 74 medicinal plant species belonging to 37 families were documented. Biological spectrum showed that Therophytes (64%) were dominant followed by Hemicryptophytes (15%), Megaphanerophytes (12%), and Cryptophytes (5%), Geophytes (1%). According to the criteria of IUCN 14 plant species reported as threatened from study area being cultivated. The study aims to provide firsthand data and checklist of different plant species present in the area. This pioneer floristic information will provide a useful starting point for further ecological and bio-prospective researches and will serve as base line for the future researches.