Pteridophyte Flora of Western Ghats- A Review | Chapter 1 | Innovations in Biological Science Vol. 6

 

The Western Ghats is a mountain range that runs parallel to India's western coast, covering 160,000 square kilometers in 1,600 kilometers. Older than the Himalayan mountains, the mountain chain of the Western Ghats represents geomorphic features of immense importance with unique biophysical and ecological processes. Pteridophytes are vascular cryptogams that dominated the earth 250 million years ago. Currently, there are 13,600 species of pteridophytes around the world, and is the second most dominant plant group. In India, there are 1200 pteridophyte species with 70 families and 192 genera. The pteridophyte hotspots in India are the Himalayas, Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, Central India, and Andaman and the Nicobar Islands. The Western Ghats occupies only 6% of the Indian landmass and still holds a pteridophyte diversity of 384 species. Fern and fern allies are highly sensitive to changes in their natural habitat, thus habitat destruction, anthropogenic influences, climate change, etc., are causing a fast decline in their population. Epiphytic species are easily destroyed due to the felling of trees and because of this at present 41- 43% of epiphytic pteridophytes in India are reported to be threatened. Frequent analysis of the pteridophyte flora of a region is necessary to ensure the existence of its species diversity. Understanding the flora of a region always helps in understanding the change in the ecosystem. The current study presents a review of the pteridophyte flora of the Western Ghats with the intention of assessing the extent of changes in the diversity of fern flora in this mountain range.

Author(s) Details:

Athira Krishnan,
Department of Botany, Sree Narayana College, Nattika, Thrissur, Kerala, 680566, India.

Dr. Rekha K (Associate Professor),
Department of Botany, Vimala College (Autonomous), Thrissur, Kerala, 680009, India.

Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/IBS-V6/article/view/14923

Utilization of Nontimber Forest Products by Primitive Tribal Groups of Kerala-cholanaikkan and kattunaikan | Chapter 4 | Research Highlights in Agricultural Sciences Vol. 2

 The Nilambur forest zones are found on the western slopes of the Western Ghats, and they are primarily covered by semi-deciduous and moist evergreen forests in the east, north, and south. The availability of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP), a key source of income for tribal groups less dependent on agriculture, and the presence of tribal settlements are further features of Nilambur. The current study on the Cholanaikkans and Kattunaikan tribes of Kerala's Malappuram district's Nilambur forests reveals and documents the existence of 99 plant species that may be used for food, medicine, or other purposes. These plant species, which span 42 families, are gathered and used by indigenous people. Many of these identified plant species are utilised as food and medicine because they have medicinal qualities in their bark, roots, leaves, stems, and fruits. A visible threat to some species in these areas is being caused by the overexploitation of non-timber forest products. The current study also came to the conclusion that Cholanaikkans and Kattunaikans have the best knowledge of how to employ a variety of plant species to treat various illnesses and to meet their nutritional needs. So, with the help of the indigenous groups, a proper strategic strategy is required to safeguard these priceless resources.

Author(s) Details:

Renjini Haridas,
All India Institute of Ayurveda, Ministry of AYUSH, New Delhi, India.

Tanuja Manoj Nesari,
All India Institute of Ayurveda, Ministry of AYUSH, New Delhi, India.

C. Kunhikannan,
Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, Division of Biodiversity, RS Puram, Coimbatore - 641 002, Tamil Nadu, India.

Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/RHAS-V2/article/view/8156

Lichens Distribution Pattern in Dry Rural Area of Malnad Region, Karnataka | Chapter 11 | New Visions in Biological Science Vol. 2

 The structure and species composition of tropical forest ecosystems are strongly linked to species diversity. Lichens and their constituents have long been used by humans for a variety of reasons, and they also serve as bioindicators. The primary goal of this research is to document the diversity and distribution pattern of lichen in the Malnad region's dry areas. In this paper, we looked at the diversity and distribution patterns of 29 lichen species found in tropical woods in Chikkamagaluru's Mallenahalli forest. The research area includes both moist and dry deciduous vegetation. We found 17 macrolichens and 12 microlichens in this enumeration, which are divided into 17 genera and 15 families. The coexistence of lichen species in tropical forests can be explained by habitat specialisation. The Parmeliaceae (7), Physciaceae (3), and Pertusariaceae (3) families have the most species in the area. Foliose lichens dominated our investigation, with 14 species, followed by crustose lichens with 12 species, and fruticose lichens with three species.

Author (S) Details

V. N. Sudhama
Department of Botany, I.D.S.G. Government College, Chikkamagaluru -577102, Karnataka, India.

J. Hemanthkumar
Department of Botany, I.D.S.G. Government College, Chikkamagaluru -577102, Karnataka, India.

K. S. Vinayaka
Department of Botany, Plant Biology Laboratory, Sri Venkataramana Swamy College, Vidyagiri, Bantwal-574211, Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka, India.

View Book:- https://stm.bookpi.org/NVBS-V2/article/view/3717