Plant Science, Ecology, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, General Agricultural and Biological Sciences
17
Scopus Publications
475
Scholar Citations
13
Scholar h-index
13
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
Tibetiodes himalaica and T. latisquamata (Asteraceae) are no longer different species: Evidence from morphological and molecular data Bandana Bhattacharjee, Ranjith Layola M. R., Farheen Banu, Priya Singh Kushwaha, Aadil Abdullah Khoja, et al. Taxon, 2026 Tibetiodes himalaica (Asteraceae) shows high phenotypic plasticity with respect to plant height, shape and size of leaves and phyllaries, number of ray florets in the capitulum, size of ray‐ligules, and colour of pappus‐hairs. Tibetiodes latisquamata is found conspecific with T. himalaica based on a detailed study of morphological characters, including scanning electron microscopic study of the cypsela, supplemented by DNA‐sequencing data using two nuclear and one chloroplast marker. The results obtained from the phylogenetic analyses also corroborate the taxonomic status of Tibetiodes as a distinct genus.
Plant cultural indicators of forest resources from the Himalayan high mountains: implications for improving agricultural resilience, subsistence, and forest restoration Shiekh Marifatul Haq, Aadil Abdullah Khoja, Muhammad Waheed, Andrea Pieroni, Manzer H. Siddiqui, et al. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 2024 Aim Biocultural legacy practices are intricately tied to forestry resources, ethnic identity, and social cohesiveness. This study aims to determine the plant cultural values of forest resources and identify plant cultural indicators in each ethnic group, which can aid in long-term natural resource management plans in the current debate on socio-environmental and ecological transitions. Methods Semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations were employed to collect data for a comprehensive and systematic ethnobotanical survey from February 2018 to October 2022. Results A total of 330 informants reported 154 plant species from 65 families. Asteraceae was the most prominent botanical family, with herbaceous plant groups outnumbering trees and shrubs. The Gujjar and Pahari groups exhibited the highest level of overlap, followed by significant overlaps between the Gujjar and Kashmiri communities. The close affinity observed between the Gujjar and Pahari groups suggests the horizontal pattern of local plant knowledge between these communities, influenced by their sociocultural interactions and intermarriages. Notably, the Pahari community displayed a rich understanding of medicinal plants and shared unique uses for the reported taxa. This study affirms that both ecological factors and sociocultural influences have played significant roles in shaping local plant knowledge. A total of 31 plant species have been identified as plant cultural markers among all four ethnic groups. We observed a positive correlation between plant cultural values and plant use with the Gujjar and Kashmiri ethnic groups. Artemisia absinthium reported the highest use value of (0.57) with use reports of (189). Adonis aestivalis, Cynoglossum nervosum, Geum elatum, Geranium himalayense, Juncus inflexus, Oxalis acetosella, Polygonatum biflorum, and Salvia hians from the Himalayan region are among the plant taxa whose ethnomedicinal applications are described here for the first time. Conclusion Our data show that local and indigenous forest knowledge and practices could significantly contribute to forest conservation and ecological transition. This may happen if stakeholders generate clear frameworks and biocultural conservation strategies aimed at both dynamically preserve natural habitats and ways of traditional management of local natural resources.
A cross-cultural study of high-altitude botanical resources among diverse ethnic groups in Kashmir Himalaya, India Shiekh Marifatul Haq, Muhammad Waheed, Aadil Abdullah Khoja, Muhammad Shoaib Amjad, Rainer W. Bussmann, et al. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 2023 Background In the Himalayas, traditional knowledge and biodiversity are strongly linked due to the symbiotic interaction between plant and cultural diversity, as well as the support provided by cultural memories, ecological awareness, and social norms. Our study was focused on documenting the vanishing knowledge in the Kashmir Himalaya with the following main objectives: 1) to document the ethnomedical and cultural knowledge of the local flora, 2) to evaluate the cross-cultural use of the flora in the region, and, finally, 3) to identify the key indicator species utilized by each ethnic group using multivariate statistical analysis. Methods We used semi-structured questionnaires to conduct interviews with people of different ethnicity, gender, age, and occupational categories. The intercultural relationships of species utilization among ethnic groups were examined using a Venn diagram. The overall trends between the indicator values and the plant species used by diverse ethnic groups were illustrated using the linear regression model. Results We recorded 46 species belonging to 25 different families used by the local people of the Kashmir Valley belonging to four ethnic groups (Gujjar, Bakarwal, Pahari, and Kashmiri). The dominant families recorded were Asteraceae and Ranunculaceae followed by Caprifoliaceae. Rhizomes were the most utilized plant part, followed by leaves. A total of 33 ailments were treated with plants, and gastrointestinal disorders were treated with most species followed by musculoskeletal diseases and dermatological problems. Across cultural relationships, the Gujjar and Pahari showed greater similarity (17%). This may be due to the fact that both ethnic groups share a common geographical landscape and are exogamous to each other. We identified key indicator species used by different ethnic groups with significant (p ≤ 0.05) values. For instance, in the Gujjar ethnic group, Aconitum heterophyllum and Phytolacca acinosa had significant indicator value, which was due to the fact that these plants were easily accessible and also had a wide range of uses. In contrast, the Bakarwal ethnic group showed different indicator species, with Rheum spiciforme and Rhododendron campanulatum being highly significant (p ≤ 0.05), because this ethnic group spends the majority of their time in high-altitude pastures, using a particularly wide variety of plant species for medicine, food, and fuelwood. While indicator values and plant usage were positively correlated for the Gujjar, Kashmiri, and Pahari ethnic groups, they were negatively correlated for the Bakarwal. The positive correlation indicates cultural preferences for certain plant use and underlines the cultural significance of each species. The current study reported new uses for the following species: raw roots of Jurinea dolomiaea used for tooth cleaning, seeds of Verbascum thapsus applied for respiratory diseases, and flowers of Saussurea simpsoniana given to anyone as a good luck wish. Conclusion The current study highlights historical ethnic group stratifications and cultural standing while comparing reported taxa across cultures. Each ethnic group made extensive ethnomedical use of plants, and knowledge, originally transmitted verbally, is now available in writing for reference. This could pave the way for providing incentives to local communities to showcase their talents, celebrate them, and gain from potential development initiatives.
Tibetiodes himalaica and T. latisquamata (Asteraceae) are no longer different species: Evidence from morphological and molecular data B Bhattacharjee, RL MR, F Banu, PS Kushwaha, AA Khoja, ... TAXON 75 (2), e70125 , 2026 2026
Ethnobotanical profile of plant resources utilized by local communities in the Trans-Himalayan Region N Niaz, AA Khoja, MAJA Jameel, M Waheed, SMHM Haq, ... Ethnobotany Research and Applications 33, 1-22 , 2026 2026
Alien floral homogenizes the traditional knowledge diversity of isolated ethnic communities: N. Niaz et al. N Niaz, SM Haq, AA Khoja, M Waheed, MA Jameel, MH Siddiqui, ... Biological invasions 28 (1), 8 , 2026 2026
Floristic composition, life history traits and phytogeographic SM Haq¹, AA Khoja, FA Lone, EA Mahmoud, HO Elansary Forest Ecosystems in Mountain Regions: Conditions, Risks and Impacts, 15 , 2025 2025
Elevational patterns and drivers of taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity of pteridophytes: A case study from the Himalaya SA Wani, SA Zargar, FA Dar, AA Khoja, AH Malik, I Rashid, AA Khuroo Flora 323, 152654 , 2025 2025 Citations: 6
Himalayan Apiaceae-A comprehensive ecological and ethnobotanical evaluation AA Khoja, M Hamid, B Hamid, M Waheed, MA Jameel, RW Bussmann, ... Ethnobotany Research and Applications 27, 1-18 , 2024 2024 Citations: 7
Food ethnobotany of forest resource in the high-altitude Himalaya Mountains: Enhancing the food sovereignty of ethnic groups SM Haq, AA Khoja, M Waheed, MH Siddiqui, S Alamri, AT Alfagham, ... Forest Policy and Economics 164, 103247 , 2024 2024 Citations: 25
Plant cultural indicators of forest resources from the Himalayan high mountains: implications for improving agricultural resilience, subsistence, and forest restoration SM Haq, AA Khoja, M Waheed, A Pieroni, MH Siddiqui, RW Bussmann Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 20 (1), 44 , 2024 2024 Citations: 33
The role of plants in traditional medicine and current therapy: A case study from North part of Kashmir Himalaya AA Khoja, M Waheed, SM Haq, RW Bussmann Ethnobotany Research and Applications 27, 1-23 , 2024 2024 Citations: 14
Cross-ethnic use of ethnoveterinary medicine in the Kashmir Himalaya-A Northwestern Himalayan region M Hassan, A Abdullah, SM Haq, U Yaqoob, RW Bussmann, M Waheed Acta Ecologica Sinica 43 (4), 617-627 , 2023 2023 Citations: 25
Floristic composition, life history traits and phytogeographic distribution of forest vegetation in the Western Himalaya SM Haq, AA Khoja, FA Lone, M Waheed, RW Bussmann, EA Mahmoud, ... Frontiers in Forests and Global Change 6, 1169085 , 2023 2023 Citations: 52
Measuring forest health at stand level: A multi-indicator evaluation for use in adaptive management and policy SM Haq, M Waheed, AA Khoja, MS Amjad, RW Bussmann, K Ali, ... Ecological Indicators 150, 110225 , 2023 2023 Citations: 51
A cross-cultural study of high-altitude botanical resources among diverse ethnic groups in Kashmir Himalaya, India SM Haq, M Waheed, AA Khoja, MS Amjad, RW Bussmann, K Ali Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 19 (1), 12 , 2023 2023 Citations: 54
Keeping healthy in your skin—plants and fungi used by indigenous Himalayan communities to treat dermatological ailments SM Haq, AA Khoja, FA Lone, M Waheed, RW Bussmann, R Casini, ... Plants 12 (7), 1575 , 2023 2023 Citations: 15
An ethnobotanical study on across different ethnic groups from high-altitude areas of the Northwestern Himalayas AA Khoja, SAH Andrabi, RA Mir Asian J Ethnobiol 6 (1), 48-59 , 2023 2023 Citations: 5
Ethnomedicine and Culture: exploitation of plant species for traditional use in the remote area of Kashmir Himalayas AA Khoja, SAH Andrabi, RA Mir, RW Bussmann Ethnobotany Research and Applications 24, 1-22 , 2022 2022 Citations: 6
Diversity, ecological and traditional knowledge of pteridophytes in the Western Himalayas AA Khoja, SM Haq, M Majeed, M Hassan, M Waheed, U Yaqoob, ... Diversity 14 (8), 628 , 2022 2022 Citations: 79
Traditional medicine in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases in northern part of Kashmir Himalayas AA Khoja, SAH Andrabi, RA Mir Ethnobotany Research and Applications 23, 1-17 , 2022 2022 Citations: 31
Diversity, Ecological and Traditional Knowledge of Pteridophytes in the Western Himalayas. Diversity 2022, 14, 628 AA Khoja, SM Haq, M Majeed, M Hassan, M Waheed, U Yaqoob, ... s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published … , 2022 2022
Ethnobiological uses of plant species among three ethnic communities in the administrative (Kupwara) of Jammu and Kashmir-India: A cross cultural Analysis AA Khoja, SAH Andrabi, RA Mir, RW Bussmann Ethnobot. Res. Appl 24, 1-22 , 2022 2022 Citations: 16
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Diversity, ecological and traditional knowledge of pteridophytes in the Western Himalayas AA Khoja, SM Haq, M Majeed, M Hassan, M Waheed, U Yaqoob, ... Diversity 14 (8), 628 , 2022 2022 Citations: 79
A cross-cultural study of high-altitude botanical resources among diverse ethnic groups in Kashmir Himalaya, India SM Haq, M Waheed, AA Khoja, MS Amjad, RW Bussmann, K Ali Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 19 (1), 12 , 2023 2023 Citations: 54
Floristic composition, life history traits and phytogeographic distribution of forest vegetation in the Western Himalaya SM Haq, AA Khoja, FA Lone, M Waheed, RW Bussmann, EA Mahmoud, ... Frontiers in Forests and Global Change 6, 1169085 , 2023 2023 Citations: 52
Measuring forest health at stand level: A multi-indicator evaluation for use in adaptive management and policy SM Haq, M Waheed, AA Khoja, MS Amjad, RW Bussmann, K Ali, ... Ecological Indicators 150, 110225 , 2023 2023 Citations: 51
Plant cultural indicators of forest resources from the Himalayan high mountains: implications for improving agricultural resilience, subsistence, and forest restoration SM Haq, AA Khoja, M Waheed, A Pieroni, MH Siddiqui, RW Bussmann Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 20 (1), 44 , 2024 2024 Citations: 33
Traditional medicine in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases in northern part of Kashmir Himalayas AA Khoja, SAH Andrabi, RA Mir Ethnobotany Research and Applications 23, 1-17 , 2022 2022 Citations: 31
An approach to the study of traditional medicinal plants used by locals of block Kralpora Kupwara Jammu and Kashmir India A Abdullah, SAH Andrabi International Journal of Botany Studies 6 (5), 1433-1448 , 2021 2021 Citations: 31
Food ethnobotany of forest resource in the high-altitude Himalaya Mountains: Enhancing the food sovereignty of ethnic groups SM Haq, AA Khoja, M Waheed, MH Siddiqui, S Alamri, AT Alfagham, ... Forest Policy and Economics 164, 103247 , 2024 2024 Citations: 25
Cross-ethnic use of ethnoveterinary medicine in the Kashmir Himalaya-A Northwestern Himalayan region M Hassan, A Abdullah, SM Haq, U Yaqoob, RW Bussmann, M Waheed Acta Ecologica Sinica 43 (4), 617-627 , 2023 2023 Citations: 25
Wild edible plants and fungi used by locals in the Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, India A Abdullah, SAH Andrabi Pleione 15 (2), 179-189 , 2021 2021 Citations: 19
Ethnobiological uses of plant species among three ethnic communities in the administrative (Kupwara) of Jammu and Kashmir-India: A cross cultural Analysis AA Khoja, SAH Andrabi, RA Mir, RW Bussmann Ethnobot. Res. Appl 24, 1-22 , 2022 2022 Citations: 16
Keeping healthy in your skin—plants and fungi used by indigenous Himalayan communities to treat dermatological ailments SM Haq, AA Khoja, FA Lone, M Waheed, RW Bussmann, R Casini, ... Plants 12 (7), 1575 , 2023 2023 Citations: 15
The role of plants in traditional medicine and current therapy: A case study from North part of Kashmir Himalaya AA Khoja, M Waheed, SM Haq, RW Bussmann Ethnobotany Research and Applications 27, 1-23 , 2024 2024 Citations: 14
Himalayan Apiaceae-A comprehensive ecological and ethnobotanical evaluation AA Khoja, M Hamid, B Hamid, M Waheed, MA Jameel, RW Bussmann, ... Ethnobotany Research and Applications 27, 1-18 , 2024 2024 Citations: 7
Elevational patterns and drivers of taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity of pteridophytes: A case study from the Himalaya SA Wani, SA Zargar, FA Dar, AA Khoja, AH Malik, I Rashid, AA Khuroo Flora 323, 152654 , 2025 2025 Citations: 6
Ethnomedicine and Culture: exploitation of plant species for traditional use in the remote area of Kashmir Himalayas AA Khoja, SAH Andrabi, RA Mir, RW Bussmann Ethnobotany Research and Applications 24, 1-22 , 2022 2022 Citations: 6
An ethnobotanical study on across different ethnic groups from high-altitude areas of the Northwestern Himalayas AA Khoja, SAH Andrabi, RA Mir Asian J Ethnobiol 6 (1), 48-59 , 2023 2023 Citations: 5
A comprehensive study on ethnomedicinal plants used by tribal communities of Ramhal forest division Kupwara A Addullah, SAH Andrabi Natural volatiles and Essential oils 8 (5), 9509-9530 , 2021 2021 Citations: 4
POLYSTICHUM ACULEATUM (DRYOPTERIDACEAE) IN JAMMU & KASHMIR-A EUROPEAN ELEMENT PREVIOUSLY UNNOTICED IN THE HIMALAYAS A ABDULLAH, SAH ANDRABI, CR FRASER-JENKINS, SP KHULLAR India fern journal 36 (1), 1-15 , 2022 2022 Citations: 2
Tibetiodes himalaica and T. latisquamata (Asteraceae) are no longer different species: Evidence from morphological and molecular data B Bhattacharjee, RL MR, F Banu, PS Kushwaha, AA Khoja, ... TAXON 75 (2), e70125 , 2026 2026
