The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) is the center of the diverse food culture comprising fermented ... more The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) is the center of the diverse food culture comprising fermented and non-fermented ethnic foods and alcoholic beverages. Diverse tribal communities in IHR (Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Laddakh, Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, and Tripura) have been long known for their rich culture and food habits. Having strong ritual importance among the ethnic people of the IHR, alcoholic beverages are being consumed in various cultural, social, and religious events for ages. Consumption of in-house prepared alcoholic beverage is the socio-cultural tradition in India as well as across the globe. The processes and ingredients involved in alcoholic beverage preparations vary with raw material availability in different regions. The majority of the fermented drinks are cereal-based with a significant proportion of various plants and fruits as the main raw material, making a beverage more unique in taste. Some plant ingredients...
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences, 2016
A bibliometric assessment of scientific research outputs (N = 676) on Himalayan Biosphere Reserve... more A bibliometric assessment of scientific research outputs (N = 676) on Himalayan Biosphere Reserve (HBRs) with a special focus on Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve (NDBR) during the period 1990–2010 that described the growth, contribution and impact of research was made. Research outputs for NDBR showed remarkable contribution (41.9 %) amongst HBRs and floral category (34 %) dominated disciplines of biodiversity. The percent rate of publication has grown by over 73.7 % in HBRs and 43.9 % in disciplines of biodiversity. The limitations of bibliometric assessment are highlighted with reference to location, proximity to research institutions and funding opportunities. The patterns drawn from publication statistics are indicative of ongoing and potential changes in scientific research in Indian Himalayan region in future.
The forests in the Kumaun region of Uttaranchal, known for maintaining ecological balance and sus... more The forests in the Kumaun region of Uttaranchal, known for maintaining ecological balance and sustainable development, are getting degraded through biotic influences such as lopping for fodder, green manure, fuel, grazing, felling, fire etc. The levels of biotic pressures are so high that it is important to save them and enhance their ecological status. This paper deals with an ecological study of Cedrus deodara, Pinus roxburghii and Quercus leucotrichophora alongwith the phenological behaviour, regeneration, conservation and management aspects. The results based on analytical study and survey showed the presence of highly dense and well-regenerated deodar, while growth and establishment of other two species is affected by intense biotic pressure.
Aconitum violaceum Jacq. (Ranunculaceae) is an important medicinal plant of the Indian Himalayan ... more Aconitum violaceum Jacq. (Ranunculaceae) is an important medicinal plant of the Indian Himalayan Region shares its position with threatened plant species. The present study was carried out to investigate the altitudinal and seasonal variation in content of bioactive compound aconitine in different plant parts of Aconitum violaceum Jacq. Plants were collected in three seasons from five populations across the altitudinal gradients. Morphological features were, in general, negatively correlated with an increase in the altitude. Maximum plant height (26.9 ± 3.1 cm) was observed in populations from lower altitude (Hemkund I, 3650 m asl), whereas, the minimum value (14.2 ± 2.9 cm) was recorded from the relatively higher altitude (Hemkund V, 4400 m asl). Maximum vegetative growth was observed in month of September. The aconitine content of the plant ranged between 0.081 to 0.99% (on dry wt. basis, in different parts of the plant). The result indicated that the aconitine content was found t...
Medicinal Plants - International Journal of Phytomedicines and Related Industries, 2011
ABSTRACT The Devikund is located in Sunderdunga Valley of Bageshwar District, Uttarakhand, India.... more ABSTRACT The Devikund is located in Sunderdunga Valley of Bageshwar District, Uttarakhand, India. The high altitude wetland harbors a number of medicinal plants used in different purposes in traditional healers. A total of 62 medicinal plants have been enumerated in the present communication, with correct binomials, family, life form and local name(s) with detailed ethnomedicinal uses. Out of these enumerated plants, 14 species are categorized under different threat category. The populations of these threatened plants are already depleting from the wild and the inhabiting peoples nearby wetlands are collecting the plants inevitably from the wild locations. It is also necessary to monitor such rare plants to prevent their extinction. The wetland can also be conserved through religious aspects and should be declared as a conservation area, which would lead to the preservation of many important plant species.
Genetic stability and phytochemical analysis of in vitro established plants of Picrorhiza kurroa ... more Genetic stability and phytochemical analysis of in vitro established plants of Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth, have been carried out. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and inter simple sequence repeats (ISSR) markers were used to assess the genetic fidelity of tissue culture products including three adventitious shoots from three calli and 6 months old tissue culture raised plants growing in green house condition with mother plant. Apparent genetic variation was detected in the five types of plant materials. The percentage of polymorphic bands in the RAPD and ISSR analysis were 16.25 and 14.54 %, respectively. The genetic similarity was calculated on the basis of RAPD and ISSR data among the five types of plant materials and were ranged from 0.5 to 1.0 (mean 0.75) and 0.47 to 1.0 (mean 0.73), respectively. The similarity coefficient by both RAPD and ISSR analysis revealed that differences between tissue culture raised plants and mother plant was not remarkable, but notable differences were observed among three adventitious shoots regenerated from three calli. The phytochemical analysis of tissue culture raised products showed higher secondary metabolite (picrotin and picrotoxinin) content as compare to mother plant. The information gained on genetic stability/variability will be valuable for the large scale propagation and secondary metabolite production of P. kurroa.
Himalayan mountain forests have been a potential candidate for the investigation of perturbations... more Himalayan mountain forests have been a potential candidate for the investigation of perturbations due to the complex geography in which they sustain and the sensitivity of the species toward human disturbance and climate change. Among various tree species, brown oak (Quercus semecarpifolia), a very important component of the Himalayan mountains, has been identified as a keystone species due to its substantial economic and ecological benefits. Maintenance of microclimate and suitable habitats with a rich source of natural resources makes Q. semecarpifolia the most preferred forest for luxuriant growth of ground flora, shelter for fauna, and multipurpose uses by the local people. In a climax community, it plays a critical role in environmental balance both at the local and regional levels. Unfortunately, it has become one of the most overexploited tree species of the Himalayan region over the last few decades due to its high demand for dry season fodder and firewood. The wide range of...
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, Jul 3, 2021
It has been established that resurvey of historical vegetation stands, even those not marked perm... more It has been established that resurvey of historical vegetation stands, even those not marked permanently, could foster our understanding of vegetation dynamics and changes in structure and composition over time. However, such studies are poorly available, particularly in remote landscapes of the Indian Himalaya. There exists a complete lack of resurveys, which has limited our ability to provide reliable evidence of changes over the decades. This study, for the first time in the Indian Himalaya, considered repeat surveys (nearly after 25 years) of vegetation stands in eleven forest communities of the buffer zone of NDBR (Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve). Thirty historical forest stands, earlier studied in 1988–1990, were revisited during 2012–2014 and investigated using the same survey methods as used in the previous study. We found that previously reported dominant tree species, i.e., Alnus nepalensis, Acer cappadocicum, Quercus floribunda, Quercus semecarpifolia, Hippophae salicifolia, and Betula utilis, in nine out of eleven communities in the study area are continuing to exhibit dominance in the community. However, a significant increase in species richness and density in the seedling and sapling layer in Quercus floribunda, Quercus semecarpifolia, Rhododendron arboreum, and Abies pindrow is indicative of the ongoing process of change in forest composition. The compositional features of plant communities, when analyzed through Community Change Sensitivity (CCS) approach, identified Quercus floribunda, mixed Quercus—deciduous spp., Hippophae salicifolia, and Abies pindrow as the most change-sensitive communities in the study area and thus can be prioritized as the long-term ecological monitoring sites in the west Himalaya to understand intensity and patterns of changes. The potential changes based on the ecological information from two time period compositional data sets, having conservation and management implications, should be accommodated in the long-term perspective plans of the reserve.
Tropical Ecosystems: Structure, Functions and Challenges in the Face of Global Change, 2019
The extent and diversity of Himalayan forests are well known, and evidence suggests these forests... more The extent and diversity of Himalayan forests are well known, and evidence suggests these forests differ significantly from both tropical and temperate forests of the world. These forests are vulnerable to various perturbations (anthropogenic and natural). However, the extent of sensitivity for diverse forests is not known. Therefore, all forests are being treated equally for their conservation and management needs. Considering this, a repeat survey (conducted during 2010–2014) of some earlier studied (1988–1990) representative forest communities in part of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve (west Himalaya) provides evidence of importance level and change sensitivity of diverse forest communities. Various composition-based community indices, i.e., Community Importance Index (CII), Community Change Sensitivity (CSS), Community Threat Index (CTI), and Community Integrity (CI) score, were developed to signify importance of each forest community for conservation and management. Two most important communities that maintain compositional integrity in the region include Mixed Silver fir-Rhododendron-Maple (CII-90) and Quercus floribunda (CII-83) community. The Community Change Sensitivity (CCS) highlighted Q. floribunda (46) and A. pindrow (41) communities as most change sensitive, whereas Mixed Oak deciduous (CTI-93) and Q. floribunda (CTI-84) communities exhibited maximum threats of change. The overall scenarios of communities considering various priorities have been defined. Analysis of priorities, thus defined, suggests that different scenarios can be used for building strategies and management prescriptions depending upon the management objectives. The scenarios discussed herein are meant for (i) ensuring conservation of maximum plant diversity of the reserve by way of using CII, (ii) planning to accommodate the potential changes in community structure (i.e., shift in vegetation/species boundaries and/or change in dominance of forests, etc.) by building on CCS ranking, (iii) addressing the threats of non-native species proliferation through use of CTI, and (iv) defining community stability and resilience in a more holistic way using Community Integrity (CI) scores. The study for the first time provides diverse scenarios of management in regional forests.
New and Future Developments in Microbial Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 2019
Abstract The production of secondary metabolites through hairy root cultures has proven its impor... more Abstract The production of secondary metabolites through hairy root cultures has proven its importance by its escalating commercial relevance. In the present era hairy root cultures are good alternatives for the production of secondary metabolites, especially for the possibility of altering the formation of bioactive plant metabolites. Hairy roots are differentiated cultures of transformed roots which are developed by the infection of wounded higher plants with Agrobacterium rhizogenes and are an exceptional source of advantageous metabolites with high medicinal value for drug development. A. rhizogenes is the bacterium which induces the hairy-root disease in higher plants. Due to the infection of this bacterium plant cells show neoplastic growth that further differentiates to form “hairy roots.” These neoplastic roots possess high growth rates and genetic stability. A higher level of secondary metabolites (in comparison with the naturally growing plant) can be produced by these genetically transformed root cultures. Genetically transformed roots have the ability to regenerate the whole plant as a transgenic or clone. As a consequence hairy roots have been extensively used as a transgenic tool for the production of metabolites and for gene function studies in plants. Transgenic root systems are also useful for the introduction of a new gene and T-DNA, which is useful for the alteration of metabolic pathways and the production of compounds of interest, that is, pharmaceutically important metabolites. This chapter describes the function of rol genes in T-DNA transfer in the plant genome. This chapter also provides an up-to-date overview of hairy root culture and its applications, which mainly focus on secondary metabolite production.
Abstract The spatial distributions of plant species are results of variable environmental gradien... more Abstract The spatial distributions of plant species are results of variable environmental gradients, including climatic and edaphic factors, biotic factors, different eco-physiological processes, species-specific characteristics, and resource requirements, thus producing spatial heterogeneity. The species distribution and their rate of change across elevational gradients in nineteen forest communities were studied using the quadrat method and statistical modeling tools. Pindari-Sunderdhunga-Kafni (PSK) area of the Kumaun region and the Lata-Tolma-Phagti (LTP) area in the Garhwal region in the buffer zone of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve were selected as the extensive study sites. A total of 4278 individual trees belonging to 42 families in the PSK site and 6436 individual trees belonging to 25 families in the LTP site were recorded across elevational gradients between 2050 to 3800 m a.s.l. Because of the narrow elevational range and complexity in the field-based data structure, Generalized Additive Model (GAM) was used to predict the rate of change of species richness and species density. The results showed a significant decrease in density at a rate of 319–355 ind ha-1 per 100 m elevation in the Pindari-Sunderdhunga-Kafni site (P
It has been established that resurvey of historical vegetation stands, even those not marked perm... more It has been established that resurvey of historical vegetation stands, even those not marked permanently, could foster our understanding of vegetation dynamics and changes in structure and composition over time. However, such studies are poorly available, particularly in remote landscapes of the Indian Himalaya. There exists a complete lack of resurveys, which has limited our ability to provide reliable evidence of changes over the decades. This study, for the first time in the Indian Himalaya, considered repeat surveys (nearly after 25 years) of vegetation stands in eleven forest communities of the buffer zone of NDBR (Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve). Thirty historical forest stands, earlier studied in 1988–1990, were revisited during 2012–2014 and investigated using the same survey methods as used in the previous study. We found that previously reported dominant tree species, i.e., Alnus nepalensis, Acer cappadocicum, Quercus floribunda, Quercus semecarpifolia, Hippophae salicifolia, and Betula utilis, in nine out of eleven communities in the study area are continuing to exhibit dominance in the community. However, a significant increase in species richness and density in the seedling and sapling layer in Quercus floribunda, Quercus semecarpifolia, Rhododendron arboreum, and Abies pindrow is indicative of the ongoing process of change in forest composition. The compositional features of plant communities, when analyzed through Community Change Sensitivity (CCS) approach, identified Quercus floribunda, mixed Quercus—deciduous spp., Hippophae salicifolia, and Abies pindrow as the most change-sensitive communities in the study area and thus can be prioritized as the long-term ecological monitoring sites in the west Himalaya to understand intensity and patterns of changes. The potential changes based on the ecological information from two time period compositional data sets, having conservation and management implications, should be accommodated in the long-term perspective plans of the reserve.
Medicinal Plants - International Journal of Phytomedicines and Related Industries, 2020
Uttarakhand state is well known for its aesthetic beauty and great floristic diversity including ... more Uttarakhand state is well known for its aesthetic beauty and great floristic diversity including the richness of medicinal plants (MPs). The present study reports diversity, ethnomedicinal knowledge and conservation status of MPs in Dhanaulti (near Mussoorie) to Chamba localities of District Tehri Garhwal, India. Two hundred six medicinal plant species in 87 families are currently being used under traditional healthcare system, were recorded in the study area. Ethnomedicinally most dominant families were Asteraceae, followed by Fabaceae and Rosaceae. Of the total species, 104 species (50.48%) were herb, followed by shrub with 44 species (21.35%) and trees with 40 species (19.41%). Leaf of 69 species (33.49%) followed by root (50 species; 24.27%), whole plant (22 species; 10.67%), fruit (15 species; 7.28%) and tuber (6 species; 2.91%) were recorded to be used for preparation of medicine. Locally, various ailments such as asthma, bronchitis, cold, constipation, cough, cuts, diarrhoea, digestive problems, eye disorders, pyrexia, jaundice, joints pain, liver complaints, skin ailments, abdominal disorders, urinary troubles, and wounds are being treated using these plants. As per IUCN criterion, 8 species were recorded critically endangered, 3 endangered, 1 lower risk / near threatened, 3 vulnerable in the study area. The presence of high diversity and considerable number of threatened MPs indicate the conservation need of the region. Effective management interventions are urgently required for conservation and sustainable utilization of these plants in the region.
The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) is the center of the diverse food culture comprising fermented ... more The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) is the center of the diverse food culture comprising fermented and non-fermented ethnic foods and alcoholic beverages. Diverse tribal communities in IHR (Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Laddakh, Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, and Tripura) have been long known for their rich culture and food habits. Having strong ritual importance among the ethnic people of the IHR, alcoholic beverages are being consumed in various cultural, social, and religious events for ages. Consumption of in-house prepared alcoholic beverage is the socio-cultural tradition in India as well as across the globe. The processes and ingredients involved in alcoholic beverage preparations vary with raw material availability in different regions. The majority of the fermented drinks are cereal-based with a significant proportion of various plants and fruits as the main raw material, making a beverage more unique in taste. Some plant ingredients...
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences, 2016
A bibliometric assessment of scientific research outputs (N = 676) on Himalayan Biosphere Reserve... more A bibliometric assessment of scientific research outputs (N = 676) on Himalayan Biosphere Reserve (HBRs) with a special focus on Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve (NDBR) during the period 1990–2010 that described the growth, contribution and impact of research was made. Research outputs for NDBR showed remarkable contribution (41.9 %) amongst HBRs and floral category (34 %) dominated disciplines of biodiversity. The percent rate of publication has grown by over 73.7 % in HBRs and 43.9 % in disciplines of biodiversity. The limitations of bibliometric assessment are highlighted with reference to location, proximity to research institutions and funding opportunities. The patterns drawn from publication statistics are indicative of ongoing and potential changes in scientific research in Indian Himalayan region in future.
The forests in the Kumaun region of Uttaranchal, known for maintaining ecological balance and sus... more The forests in the Kumaun region of Uttaranchal, known for maintaining ecological balance and sustainable development, are getting degraded through biotic influences such as lopping for fodder, green manure, fuel, grazing, felling, fire etc. The levels of biotic pressures are so high that it is important to save them and enhance their ecological status. This paper deals with an ecological study of Cedrus deodara, Pinus roxburghii and Quercus leucotrichophora alongwith the phenological behaviour, regeneration, conservation and management aspects. The results based on analytical study and survey showed the presence of highly dense and well-regenerated deodar, while growth and establishment of other two species is affected by intense biotic pressure.
Aconitum violaceum Jacq. (Ranunculaceae) is an important medicinal plant of the Indian Himalayan ... more Aconitum violaceum Jacq. (Ranunculaceae) is an important medicinal plant of the Indian Himalayan Region shares its position with threatened plant species. The present study was carried out to investigate the altitudinal and seasonal variation in content of bioactive compound aconitine in different plant parts of Aconitum violaceum Jacq. Plants were collected in three seasons from five populations across the altitudinal gradients. Morphological features were, in general, negatively correlated with an increase in the altitude. Maximum plant height (26.9 ± 3.1 cm) was observed in populations from lower altitude (Hemkund I, 3650 m asl), whereas, the minimum value (14.2 ± 2.9 cm) was recorded from the relatively higher altitude (Hemkund V, 4400 m asl). Maximum vegetative growth was observed in month of September. The aconitine content of the plant ranged between 0.081 to 0.99% (on dry wt. basis, in different parts of the plant). The result indicated that the aconitine content was found t...
Medicinal Plants - International Journal of Phytomedicines and Related Industries, 2011
ABSTRACT The Devikund is located in Sunderdunga Valley of Bageshwar District, Uttarakhand, India.... more ABSTRACT The Devikund is located in Sunderdunga Valley of Bageshwar District, Uttarakhand, India. The high altitude wetland harbors a number of medicinal plants used in different purposes in traditional healers. A total of 62 medicinal plants have been enumerated in the present communication, with correct binomials, family, life form and local name(s) with detailed ethnomedicinal uses. Out of these enumerated plants, 14 species are categorized under different threat category. The populations of these threatened plants are already depleting from the wild and the inhabiting peoples nearby wetlands are collecting the plants inevitably from the wild locations. It is also necessary to monitor such rare plants to prevent their extinction. The wetland can also be conserved through religious aspects and should be declared as a conservation area, which would lead to the preservation of many important plant species.
Genetic stability and phytochemical analysis of in vitro established plants of Picrorhiza kurroa ... more Genetic stability and phytochemical analysis of in vitro established plants of Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth, have been carried out. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and inter simple sequence repeats (ISSR) markers were used to assess the genetic fidelity of tissue culture products including three adventitious shoots from three calli and 6 months old tissue culture raised plants growing in green house condition with mother plant. Apparent genetic variation was detected in the five types of plant materials. The percentage of polymorphic bands in the RAPD and ISSR analysis were 16.25 and 14.54 %, respectively. The genetic similarity was calculated on the basis of RAPD and ISSR data among the five types of plant materials and were ranged from 0.5 to 1.0 (mean 0.75) and 0.47 to 1.0 (mean 0.73), respectively. The similarity coefficient by both RAPD and ISSR analysis revealed that differences between tissue culture raised plants and mother plant was not remarkable, but notable differences were observed among three adventitious shoots regenerated from three calli. The phytochemical analysis of tissue culture raised products showed higher secondary metabolite (picrotin and picrotoxinin) content as compare to mother plant. The information gained on genetic stability/variability will be valuable for the large scale propagation and secondary metabolite production of P. kurroa.
Himalayan mountain forests have been a potential candidate for the investigation of perturbations... more Himalayan mountain forests have been a potential candidate for the investigation of perturbations due to the complex geography in which they sustain and the sensitivity of the species toward human disturbance and climate change. Among various tree species, brown oak (Quercus semecarpifolia), a very important component of the Himalayan mountains, has been identified as a keystone species due to its substantial economic and ecological benefits. Maintenance of microclimate and suitable habitats with a rich source of natural resources makes Q. semecarpifolia the most preferred forest for luxuriant growth of ground flora, shelter for fauna, and multipurpose uses by the local people. In a climax community, it plays a critical role in environmental balance both at the local and regional levels. Unfortunately, it has become one of the most overexploited tree species of the Himalayan region over the last few decades due to its high demand for dry season fodder and firewood. The wide range of...
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, Jul 3, 2021
It has been established that resurvey of historical vegetation stands, even those not marked perm... more It has been established that resurvey of historical vegetation stands, even those not marked permanently, could foster our understanding of vegetation dynamics and changes in structure and composition over time. However, such studies are poorly available, particularly in remote landscapes of the Indian Himalaya. There exists a complete lack of resurveys, which has limited our ability to provide reliable evidence of changes over the decades. This study, for the first time in the Indian Himalaya, considered repeat surveys (nearly after 25 years) of vegetation stands in eleven forest communities of the buffer zone of NDBR (Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve). Thirty historical forest stands, earlier studied in 1988–1990, were revisited during 2012–2014 and investigated using the same survey methods as used in the previous study. We found that previously reported dominant tree species, i.e., Alnus nepalensis, Acer cappadocicum, Quercus floribunda, Quercus semecarpifolia, Hippophae salicifolia, and Betula utilis, in nine out of eleven communities in the study area are continuing to exhibit dominance in the community. However, a significant increase in species richness and density in the seedling and sapling layer in Quercus floribunda, Quercus semecarpifolia, Rhododendron arboreum, and Abies pindrow is indicative of the ongoing process of change in forest composition. The compositional features of plant communities, when analyzed through Community Change Sensitivity (CCS) approach, identified Quercus floribunda, mixed Quercus—deciduous spp., Hippophae salicifolia, and Abies pindrow as the most change-sensitive communities in the study area and thus can be prioritized as the long-term ecological monitoring sites in the west Himalaya to understand intensity and patterns of changes. The potential changes based on the ecological information from two time period compositional data sets, having conservation and management implications, should be accommodated in the long-term perspective plans of the reserve.
Tropical Ecosystems: Structure, Functions and Challenges in the Face of Global Change, 2019
The extent and diversity of Himalayan forests are well known, and evidence suggests these forests... more The extent and diversity of Himalayan forests are well known, and evidence suggests these forests differ significantly from both tropical and temperate forests of the world. These forests are vulnerable to various perturbations (anthropogenic and natural). However, the extent of sensitivity for diverse forests is not known. Therefore, all forests are being treated equally for their conservation and management needs. Considering this, a repeat survey (conducted during 2010–2014) of some earlier studied (1988–1990) representative forest communities in part of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve (west Himalaya) provides evidence of importance level and change sensitivity of diverse forest communities. Various composition-based community indices, i.e., Community Importance Index (CII), Community Change Sensitivity (CSS), Community Threat Index (CTI), and Community Integrity (CI) score, were developed to signify importance of each forest community for conservation and management. Two most important communities that maintain compositional integrity in the region include Mixed Silver fir-Rhododendron-Maple (CII-90) and Quercus floribunda (CII-83) community. The Community Change Sensitivity (CCS) highlighted Q. floribunda (46) and A. pindrow (41) communities as most change sensitive, whereas Mixed Oak deciduous (CTI-93) and Q. floribunda (CTI-84) communities exhibited maximum threats of change. The overall scenarios of communities considering various priorities have been defined. Analysis of priorities, thus defined, suggests that different scenarios can be used for building strategies and management prescriptions depending upon the management objectives. The scenarios discussed herein are meant for (i) ensuring conservation of maximum plant diversity of the reserve by way of using CII, (ii) planning to accommodate the potential changes in community structure (i.e., shift in vegetation/species boundaries and/or change in dominance of forests, etc.) by building on CCS ranking, (iii) addressing the threats of non-native species proliferation through use of CTI, and (iv) defining community stability and resilience in a more holistic way using Community Integrity (CI) scores. The study for the first time provides diverse scenarios of management in regional forests.
New and Future Developments in Microbial Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 2019
Abstract The production of secondary metabolites through hairy root cultures has proven its impor... more Abstract The production of secondary metabolites through hairy root cultures has proven its importance by its escalating commercial relevance. In the present era hairy root cultures are good alternatives for the production of secondary metabolites, especially for the possibility of altering the formation of bioactive plant metabolites. Hairy roots are differentiated cultures of transformed roots which are developed by the infection of wounded higher plants with Agrobacterium rhizogenes and are an exceptional source of advantageous metabolites with high medicinal value for drug development. A. rhizogenes is the bacterium which induces the hairy-root disease in higher plants. Due to the infection of this bacterium plant cells show neoplastic growth that further differentiates to form “hairy roots.” These neoplastic roots possess high growth rates and genetic stability. A higher level of secondary metabolites (in comparison with the naturally growing plant) can be produced by these genetically transformed root cultures. Genetically transformed roots have the ability to regenerate the whole plant as a transgenic or clone. As a consequence hairy roots have been extensively used as a transgenic tool for the production of metabolites and for gene function studies in plants. Transgenic root systems are also useful for the introduction of a new gene and T-DNA, which is useful for the alteration of metabolic pathways and the production of compounds of interest, that is, pharmaceutically important metabolites. This chapter describes the function of rol genes in T-DNA transfer in the plant genome. This chapter also provides an up-to-date overview of hairy root culture and its applications, which mainly focus on secondary metabolite production.
Abstract The spatial distributions of plant species are results of variable environmental gradien... more Abstract The spatial distributions of plant species are results of variable environmental gradients, including climatic and edaphic factors, biotic factors, different eco-physiological processes, species-specific characteristics, and resource requirements, thus producing spatial heterogeneity. The species distribution and their rate of change across elevational gradients in nineteen forest communities were studied using the quadrat method and statistical modeling tools. Pindari-Sunderdhunga-Kafni (PSK) area of the Kumaun region and the Lata-Tolma-Phagti (LTP) area in the Garhwal region in the buffer zone of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve were selected as the extensive study sites. A total of 4278 individual trees belonging to 42 families in the PSK site and 6436 individual trees belonging to 25 families in the LTP site were recorded across elevational gradients between 2050 to 3800 m a.s.l. Because of the narrow elevational range and complexity in the field-based data structure, Generalized Additive Model (GAM) was used to predict the rate of change of species richness and species density. The results showed a significant decrease in density at a rate of 319–355 ind ha-1 per 100 m elevation in the Pindari-Sunderdhunga-Kafni site (P
It has been established that resurvey of historical vegetation stands, even those not marked perm... more It has been established that resurvey of historical vegetation stands, even those not marked permanently, could foster our understanding of vegetation dynamics and changes in structure and composition over time. However, such studies are poorly available, particularly in remote landscapes of the Indian Himalaya. There exists a complete lack of resurveys, which has limited our ability to provide reliable evidence of changes over the decades. This study, for the first time in the Indian Himalaya, considered repeat surveys (nearly after 25 years) of vegetation stands in eleven forest communities of the buffer zone of NDBR (Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve). Thirty historical forest stands, earlier studied in 1988–1990, were revisited during 2012–2014 and investigated using the same survey methods as used in the previous study. We found that previously reported dominant tree species, i.e., Alnus nepalensis, Acer cappadocicum, Quercus floribunda, Quercus semecarpifolia, Hippophae salicifolia, and Betula utilis, in nine out of eleven communities in the study area are continuing to exhibit dominance in the community. However, a significant increase in species richness and density in the seedling and sapling layer in Quercus floribunda, Quercus semecarpifolia, Rhododendron arboreum, and Abies pindrow is indicative of the ongoing process of change in forest composition. The compositional features of plant communities, when analyzed through Community Change Sensitivity (CCS) approach, identified Quercus floribunda, mixed Quercus—deciduous spp., Hippophae salicifolia, and Abies pindrow as the most change-sensitive communities in the study area and thus can be prioritized as the long-term ecological monitoring sites in the west Himalaya to understand intensity and patterns of changes. The potential changes based on the ecological information from two time period compositional data sets, having conservation and management implications, should be accommodated in the long-term perspective plans of the reserve.
Medicinal Plants - International Journal of Phytomedicines and Related Industries, 2020
Uttarakhand state is well known for its aesthetic beauty and great floristic diversity including ... more Uttarakhand state is well known for its aesthetic beauty and great floristic diversity including the richness of medicinal plants (MPs). The present study reports diversity, ethnomedicinal knowledge and conservation status of MPs in Dhanaulti (near Mussoorie) to Chamba localities of District Tehri Garhwal, India. Two hundred six medicinal plant species in 87 families are currently being used under traditional healthcare system, were recorded in the study area. Ethnomedicinally most dominant families were Asteraceae, followed by Fabaceae and Rosaceae. Of the total species, 104 species (50.48%) were herb, followed by shrub with 44 species (21.35%) and trees with 40 species (19.41%). Leaf of 69 species (33.49%) followed by root (50 species; 24.27%), whole plant (22 species; 10.67%), fruit (15 species; 7.28%) and tuber (6 species; 2.91%) were recorded to be used for preparation of medicine. Locally, various ailments such as asthma, bronchitis, cold, constipation, cough, cuts, diarrhoea, digestive problems, eye disorders, pyrexia, jaundice, joints pain, liver complaints, skin ailments, abdominal disorders, urinary troubles, and wounds are being treated using these plants. As per IUCN criterion, 8 species were recorded critically endangered, 3 endangered, 1 lower risk / near threatened, 3 vulnerable in the study area. The presence of high diversity and considerable number of threatened MPs indicate the conservation need of the region. Effective management interventions are urgently required for conservation and sustainable utilization of these plants in the region.
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Papers by Balwant Rawat