Abstract:
Plants native to colder climates, higher elevations, or semi-arid regions have more
phenolic compounds in their organs. Faced with the current climate crisis, the effects
of global heating with overgrazing pressure on natural pastures are not fully recognized
in the Himalaya-Karakoram and Hindukush (HKH) region. The objective
of this research was to investigate how biological active compound accumulation
and concentration of high-elevation plants change under the influence of simulated
climate warming which was induced by open-top chambers. The bioactive profiling
plant species from experimental units were investigated through High-Performance
Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), and compared with control. That revealed a significant
increase in the major phenolic acid and flavonoid compounds (Rutin, Quercetin,
Myricetin, Gallic Acid, and Kaempferol). The accumulation of other minor
compounds, such as Vanillic Acid, Syringic Acid, Ferulic Acid, and Catechin, showed
species-specific
variation in concentration. The species-specific responses indicated
the dominant and positive adaptation species such as P. macrophylla, A. rupestris,
A. penduncularis, P. hololeuca, P. alpina, and under stress could accumulate more
secondary metabolites, explaining their capacity for adaptation. These species’ proliferation
under a stressed climate and higher elevation with grazing pressure provides
insightful information about their exploitation of phenolic compounds which may alter
the environmental sustainability.
