Description
The Ziarat area is home to the largest area of juniper forest (juniperus excelsa polycarpus) in Pakistan, covering about 110 000 ha., and is believed to be the second largest of its kind in the world. The junipers of Ziarat are among the oldest living trees in the world. Although no dendrological study has yet been conducted, according to one estimate mature trees are often thousands of years old. Local people refer to the trees as „living fossils‟ and this remarkable longevity allows research into past weather conditions in the region, making the species of special significance for climate change and ecological studies. The forest lies in the mountain zone with elevation ranging from 1,181 to 3,488 masl and contains high species diversity. The Ziarat Juniper Forest ecosystem is located at the junction of five vegetation zones. The plant species constituting the vegetation cover therefore offer a unique combination of five different vegetation types, which makes it a distinct global site from plant composition point of view. The vegetation of Ziarat forest ecosystem includes species from: Western Irano-Turnian Sub-region, Eastern Irano-Turanian Sub-region, Sino-Japanese Region, Indian Region and Saharo Sindian Region The mountain ranges, including Khalifat Mountain, provide a habitat for endangered wildlife species; recorded mammals include endangered species such as Balochistan Black bear (also called Pakistan Black bear, which is a sub-species of the Asian Black bear), Ursus thibetanus, and the Sulaiman Markhor, Capra falconeri jerdoni, and birds such as Chukar, Mistle thrush, Dark throated thrush, Streaked Laughing Thrush, Simla Black Tit and Bar-tailed Tree Creeper. It also supports a rich diversity of plant species; including other trees such as Wild Ash, Wild Pistachio, Wild Almond, Makhi, Surai and Zralg. The essential oils of branchlets and fruits of the juniper (juniperus excelsa polycarpus) have antioxidant qualities that have made it an important medicinal plant since antiquity. The Ziarat forest also contains a rich diversity of plant species of medicinal significance with over 50 per cent of the 54 catalogued species known to have medicinal or ethno-botanic value, which local people use as indigenous treatments for a variety of diseases. The Ziarat Juniper Forest was declared a Biosphere Reserve in 2013 as a model region for researching and demonstrating successful approaches to protection and sustainable development. In accordance with UNESCO specifications, it is divided into a core area, buffer zone and transition area defined by how greatly they are affected by human activity. It also operates a biosphere management system. According to the IUCN Red List subpopulations of juniperus excelsa polycarpus are under pressure and in many areas the juniper forests are actually declining. There may be other regions in which junipers, which are in many respects pioneer trees, are increasing, but the overall trend appears at present to be one of decline. During the Earth Summit 2002 it was highlighted that old forests have global significance in terms of dealing with the threats from climate change. Due to its large area and old growth trees, the Ziarat Juniper Forest ecosystem as part of the global forest vegetation has assumed immense importance as carbon stock. It is predicted by the UN-REDD+ programme of Climate Change that such forests will play a vital role in storing amounts of carbon in their biomass and soils and that in the future these forests will play a pivotal role in furthering the cause of carbon sequestration.
