Abstract:

Aims: Nardostachys jatamansiis a precious medicinal plant endemic to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau-Himalayan region, with growing demand and increasing international trade in recent years. As its supply currently relies entirely on wild harvesting, factors such as over-harvesting, habitat destruction, and illegal trade have placed it at risk of natural population depletion. However, there is still a lack of systematic assessment of the reserves of domestic N. jatamansi resources. This has led to insufficient core data for its Non-Detriment Finding (NDF) within the region, which in turn affects the export regulation in international trade. This study aims to support NDF and scientific decision-making for international trade under the CITES framework, provide a case study on sustainable use for the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and offer scientific references for the sustainable utilization of other similar plateau herbaceous medicinal plants.

Methods: This study selected Hongyuan County in the Aba Prefecture of Sichuan Province, a major production area of N. jatamansi, as the research site. Based on field investigations, the community structure, growth characteristics, and biomass of N. jatamansi in both mesic and humid habitats were analyzed. By integrating species distribution models and resource estimation models, the potential suitable habitats and resource reserves of N. jatamansi in the region were assessed.

Results: A total of 108 plant species, belonging to 77 genera and 29 families, were recorded across the two habitat types. Community composition and diversity showed significant differences influenced by soil total phosphorus content. The mesic habitat exhibited higher species diversity, longer root lengths of N. jatamansi, and higher levels of nardosinone. Species distribution modeling results indicated that hotspots of potential suitable habitats were concentrated in Maiwa Township. Resource estimation modeling revealed that Hongyuan County possesses 16,028.26 tons of potential resources of N. jatamansi, showing a distribution pattern of being higher in the north and lower in the south. The annual harvesting volume accounts for approximately 3.12% of the total potential resources.

Conclusions: Through systematic investigation and model simulation, this study reveals the current resource status, spatial distribution characteristics, and challenges of sustainable management in the main production areas of N. jatamansi. At the same time, it provides data support for the in-situ conservation and precise management of sustainable harvesting of medicinal plants in plateau regions. Additionally, it offers methodological references for making NDF under the CITES and for the international trade and management of N. jatamansi in relevant countries.

Key words: Nardostachys jatamansi, medicinal plant, community structure, habitat simulation, Non-Detriment Findings of CITES