DIVERSITY, DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF LICHEN IN SIMILIPAL BIOSPHERE RESERVE, ODISHA

Lichens are organized symbionts that have their importance due to a potential indicator of the forest ecosystem. The lichen diversity of Odisha is not well explored as compared to the other phytogeographical region of India. Though the earlier study reported the occurrence of 252 lichen species from different parts of the state, it was limited to the northeast part of the Similipal Biosphere Reserve (SBR). The objective of the present study was to survey some unexplored areas of SBR, which revealed the occurrence of 84 species of lichens belonging to 38 families and 18 genera. Most of the lichens were found growing as phorophytes on the matured bark of the trees. The western part of the SBR is rich in lichen diversity as compared to the eastern part. Species frequency was found to be highest in the southwest part of the SBR, while the density and abundance were more or less similar within all the study sites. The correlation between frequency and density was found to be significant and insignificant between frequency and abundance.

People’s Forest Dependence: A Case Study of Similipal Biosphere Reserve, India

A forest, as a rich ecosystem, is the source of livelihood of a large number of people residing in its fringe areas. Forest dwellers’ dependence on the forest varies across forest zones due to several factors, such as natural features and socio-economic-demographic characteristics of the people in different zones. Using econometric tools, this study evaluates the forest dependence of people residing in and around the Similipal Biosphere Reserve in India, constructs an index, and determines key factors affecting the extent of the forest dependence. The study explores household size and non-forest income as sources of alternative livelihood. Forest-zonal characteristics have significant impact on determining the extent of the forest dependence. People’s forest dependence is likely to be more in the periphery compared to the core zone. Therefore, in any initiative for reducing people’s forest dependence, zone-wise differentiation is needed to ensure sustainable development.

Addition of 96 lichen species to the state of Odisha from Similipal Biosphere Reserve

A total of 96 species of lichens taxa belonging to 45 genera and 20 families are enumerated from Similipal Biosphere Reserve, in Mayurbhanj district as an addition to the lichen biota of Odisha, India. Most of the crustose lichen taxa usually growing as epiphytes on different phorophytes of the biosphere reserve exhibit their dominance. Among crustose lichens the members of family Graphidaceae with 26 species of 14 genera shown their maximum dominance. Together with Graphidaceae the lichen genus Pyrenula represented by 15 species found growing luxuriantly on smooth barked trees of the biosphere reserve. The dominant trees in the biosphere such as Shorea robusta Gaertn. followed by Mangifera indica L., Simarouba glauca DC. and Madhuca longifolia (L.) J. F. Macbr., provided suitable habitat for a number of lichen taxa to colonize. The south-west (SW) region of Similipal Biosphere Reserve exhibits the maximum additions of lichens, followed by north-west (NW), north-east (NE) and south-east (SE) respectively.

Gynochthodes cochinchinensis (DC.) Razafim. & B. Bremer (Morindeae: Rubioideae: Rubiaceae): an addition to the woody climbers of India

Gynochthodes cochinchinensis (Rubiaceae), a woody climber, is reported here as a new addition to Indian flora from Similipal Biosphere Reserve, Odisha. The species resembles its closely allied taxon Gynochthodes umbellata, but can be distinguished from it by a number of distinct morphological characters. A detailed description, notes on habitat, ecology and distribution are provided in this paper with color photographs for easy identification.