scholarly journals Changing pattern of plant species utilization in relation to altitude and their relative prevalence in homegardens of Kumaun Himalaya, India

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vibhuti . ◽  
Kiran Bargali ◽  
Surendra Bargali

The aim of the present study was to analyse the species utilization pattern and their relative prevalence in homegardens varying in size and altitude. Four sites were selected along an altitudinal gradient viz., very low (up to 350 m), low (350-700 m), mid (700-1500 m) and high altitudes (above 2000 m) in Kumaun Himalaya, India. At each altitude, homegardens were categorized into three size classes viz., large (above 0.007 ha), medium (0.004-0.006 ha) and small homegardens (up to 0.003 ha). Maximum species richness was recorded in large sized homegarden at all altitudes except mid altitude where maximum species was observed in medium sized homegardens. Across altitudes, maximum plant species (39) was recorded at mid altitude whereas minimum species (24) were present in high altitude homegardens. Amaryllidaceae was the most important family followed by Oxalidaceae across all the altitudes. In case of plant utilization pattern, maximum species were utilized as a medicine (44.23 %) followed by vegetables (26.66 %), fodder (18.1 %), miscellaneous (15.97 %), spices (13.97 %) and fruits (12.34 %). Among the species, <i>A. cepa</i> (1380) and <i>C. annuum</i> (1026) showed most prevalence whereas <i>S. cumini</i> (278) was the least prevalent species. Across the altitudinal gradient, mid altitude showed most (2341, 1330) relative prevalence whereas high altitude showed least (876, 0) relative prevalence for <i>A. cepa</i> and <i>M. indica</i>, respectively. Management practices and conventional activity could show a higher effect on species composition and their utilization pattern to improve food security and conserving plant genetic diversity in altitudes.

2016 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-110
Author(s):  
R. Verma

A study was conducted to understand the floristic diversity along an altitudinal gradient with elevations varying from 1800-2400m above msl in Lakadmandi beat of Kalatop Khajjiar Wildlife Sanctuary in district Chamba, Himachal Pradesh during 2011. Total number of plant species was 81 belonging to 52 families and 76 genera. The dominant families were Asteraceae, Rosaceae, Pinaceae and Polygonaceae. The number of trees species was 6, 6 and 10 with the dominance of Quercus leucotrichophora, Cedrus deodara and Cedrus deodara at 1800-2000m, 2000-2200m and 2200-2400m elevation ranges respectively. The number of shrub species was 16, 13 and 23 with the dominance of Quercus leucotrichophora sapling, Sarcococca saligna and Sarcococca saligna at 1800-2000m, 2000-2200m and 2200-2400m elevations respectively. The number of herb species was 46, 46 and 58 at 1800-2000m, 2000-2200m and 2200-2400m elevation ranges respectively. On the basis of Importance Value Index (IVI), Valeriana jatamansii was the dominant herb at 2000-2200m and 2200-2400m elevation ranges respectively. The distribution pattern of most of plant species was contiguous at all altitudinal ranges. Index of diversity for herb species in these elevational ranges was 3.420, 3.568 and 3.250. Out of 40 medicinal plant species recorded from the area, 3 species i.e. Paris polyphylla, Podophyllum hexandrum and Taxus wallichiana fall in the category of threatened plants. The better conservation of natural resources can be done through promotion of community based conservation, ex-situ conservation through tissue culture, developing cultivation technologies and nurseries of medicinal plants and conducting of regular training on the procedure of medicinal plants collection and processing among the end users.


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 148-160
Author(s):  
Arjun C.P ◽  
Anoop V.K ◽  
Tijo K.J ◽  
Anoopkumar T.K ◽  
Roshnath R

Butterfly diversity was recorded from Nov (2013) - May (2014) in Pookode region. A total number of 128 species recorded from the five families; Nymphalidae (46 species) Lycaenidae (28 species), Hesperiidae (22 species), Pieridae (17 species) and Papilionidae (15 species) respectively. During the survey invasive plant species were also recorded. There were 36 species of invasive plants from 18 families identified from the study area. More butterflies were attracted towards nectar offering invasive plants. Chromolaena odorata, Ipomea cairica, Lantana camara, Merremia vitifolia, Mikania micrantha, Mimosa diplotricha, Pennisetumpolystachyon, Pteridium aquilinum, Quisqualis indica and Sphagneticola trilobata were the major invasive plants found in the Pookode region and their flower attracts butterfly for pollination. Even though nectar offered by the plants are supportive for growth, in long run these species can affect butterfly population bydeclining native host larval plant species for butterfly reproduction. Invasive species compete with the native flora and reduce its population. Management practices like physical, chemical and modern bio control measures could be used for eradicating of invasive plants. Wise use of invasive plants for other economical purpose such as bio-fuel, medicinal purpose, bio-pesticide and handicraft could be suggested. Successful management of invasive species are needed for conserving Lepidoptera fauna and other native biota of the area.


2021 ◽  
Vol 38 ◽  
pp. 00022
Author(s):  
Sayfiddin Khairiddin Davlatov ◽  
Rakhmatullo Boboevich Sattorov ◽  
Jamoliddin Murotalievich Bobokalonov

The Karatag gorge is one of the natural areas where valuable genetic resources (wild, fruit and many valuable species) are preserved. A characteristic feature of the region is the richness of the diversity of flora and vegetation, where the main formations of Tajik vegetation are noted (maple, hazel, almond, frame, juniper). The article summarizes the results of the authors’ field research on the study of the state of xerophilic forests in the Karatag gorge. For the first time, the authors cite original materials on the phytocenology of all formations of this type of composition. According to the results of our research, the Shibleak communities in the study area are distributed in high-altitude belts from low-hilly 600–800 m to middle mountains 800–1800, 2000 m. The main formations of this type in the study area are: Acer regelii, Crataegus pontica, Celtis caucasic, Pistacia vera, Amygdalis bucharica, Ampelopsis vitifolia, Atraphaxis pyrifolia. As a result of the study, 340 plant species, 6 formations and more than 25 vegetation associations were identified in the composition of the flora of this type of the study area.


2013 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-74
Author(s):  
R. Verma ◽  
K. Kapoor

A study was conducted to understand the plant diversity along an altitudinal gradient with elevations varying from 2750 to 5000m above msl in Lippa – Asrang valley falling in cold desert area of Pooh sub division of district Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh during 2007. The number of tree species at 2750-3200m and 3200-3650m elevations were 10 and 8 with the dominance of Cedrus deodara and Pinus wallichian respectively. The number of shrub species were 19, 17, 7 and 3 in the elevations of 2750-3200m, 3200-3650m, 3650-4100m and 4100-4550m respectively. Juniperus communis taking shape of the dominant shrub at 2750-3200 m, 3200-3650 m and 3650-4100m elevations. Rhododendron anthopogon was the dominant shrub at 4100-4550m elevation range. The number of herb species were 76, 73, 46, 39 and 33 at 2750-3200m, 3200-3650m, 3650-4100m, 4100-4550m and 4550-5000m elevational ranges respectively. On the basis of importance value index (IVI), Artemisia brevifolia, Heracleum candicans, Thymus linearis, Bergenia stracheyi and Bistorta affinis were the dominant herbs dotting different elevational ranges and distribution pattern of plant species was mostly contiguous in all the altitudes. Index of diversity for herb species in different elevational ranges was 3.89, 3.82, 3.47, 3.21 and 2.95. Out of 78 medicinal plant species as recorded from the area, 20 species fall in the category of threatened plants. The better conservation of natural resources can be well achieved through promotion of community based conservation stressing in-situ conservation through the establishment of nature reserves and ex-situ conservation through tissue culture, developing cultivation technologies and nurseries of medicinal plants and conducting regular trainings on the procedure of medicinal plants collection, processing amongst the end users/ the local people, traders and real stake holders.


Agronomy ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pradeep Wagle ◽  
Prasanna Gowda

Adoption of better management practices is crucial to lessen the impact of anthropogenic disturbances on tallgrass prairie systems that contribute heavily for livestock production in several states of the United States. This article reviews the impacts of different common management practices and disturbances (e.g., fertilization, grazing, burning) and tallgrass prairie restoration on plant growth and development, plant species composition, water and nutrient cycles, and microbial activities in tallgrass prairie. Although nitrogen (N) fertilization increases aboveground productivity of prairie systems, several factors greatly influence the range of stimulation across sites. For example, response to N fertilization was more evident on frequently or annually burnt sites (N limiting) than infrequently burnt and unburnt sites (light limiting). Frequent burning increased density of C4 grasses and decreased plant species richness and diversity, while plant diversity was maximized under infrequent burning and grazing. Grazing increased diversity and richness of native plant species by reducing aboveground biomass of dominant grasses and increasing light availability for other species. Restored prairies showed lower levels of species richness and soil quality compared to native remnants. Infrequent burning, regular grazing, and additional inputs can promote species richness and soil quality in restored prairies. However, this literature review indicated that all prairie systems might not show similar responses to treatments as the response might be influenced by another treatment, timing of treatments, and duration of treatments (i.e., short-term vs. long-term). Thus, it is necessary to examine the long-term responses of tallgrass prairie systems to main and interacting effects of combination of management practices under diverse plant community and climatic conditions for a holistic assessment.


Botany ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 94 (7) ◽  
pp. 555-564 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl G. Yager ◽  
H. Martin Schaefer ◽  
Kevin S. Gould

Leaf shape, size, and colour are used by herbivores to identify sources of palatable foliage for food. It is possible, therefore, that an undefended plant might gain protection from herbivores by matching leaf characteristics of a chemically defended species. We demonstrate the use of a geometric morphometric approach to quantify spatial variation in leaf shape and size across populations of Pseudowintera colorata (Raoul) Dandy, and a putative Batesian mimic, Alseuosmia pusilla (Colenso) A. Cunningham. These are unrelated, sympatric species that, to the human eye, bear strikingly similar foliage. Using the Cartesian coordinates of leaf margins as descriptors of leaf shape, we found that in the chemically defended P. colorata, leaves were morphologically distinct from all of the neighbouring species except for the undefended A. pusilla. Alseuosmia pusilla individuals were more similar to neighbouring than to distant P. colorata, and 90% of leaf shape variation in the two species varied similarly across an altitudinal gradient. The data are consistent with Batesian mimicry, wherein the conspicuous characteristic of a defended model is replicated by an undefended mimic across its entire growing range. Our study provides the first detailed and powerful quantitative leaf shape evidence of leaf shape being matched between an undefended plant species to a chemically defended unrelated species across a shared growing range, and highlights the importance of using a spatially explicit morphometric method when investigating leaf shape, especially in relation to plant mimicry.


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