Assessment of Biodiversity in the Ratapani Forest Block of Dungarpur Range, District -Dungarpur

The dry deciduous forest is the most extensive forest type of India and exhibits a wide range in structural and functional attributes in response to marked spatial variation in soil and climatic conditions. Two subgroups, southern and northern, are clearly distinguished. The climax types under the southern subgroup are teak (Tectona grandis) forests, red sander (Pterocarpus santalinus) forests, and mixed forests without teak, and those in the northern subgroup are sal (Shorea robusta)-bearing forests, and mixed forests without sal. The most common species in the southern types are Tectona grandis, Anogeissus latifolia, Diospyros melanoxylon, Boswellia serrata, Emblica officinalis, Acacia leucophloea, Bridelia retusa, Wrightia tinctoria, Pterocarpus marsupium, etc. In the northern subgroup, main associates of sal are Anogeissus latifolia, Buchanania lanzan, Terminalia tomentosa, Emblica officinalis, and Lannea coromandelica. These forests are under-stocked and lack natural regeneration on account of excessive grazing, trampling, firewood removals and recurrent fire.

Aims and objectives: To explore and prepare records of the pharmaceutically important medicinal plants which are described in Ayurveda, from Shajapur forest divisions of Madhya Pradesh. Materials and methods: Exploration of Shajapur forest division was carried out in December 2018. During survey, the records of medicinal plants which are described in Ayurveda have been recorded with their GPS location and area in the division. Results: The exploration records of medicinal plants described in Ayurveda, with their GPS location and potential in the field have been recorded. The important medicinal plants, for example, are: Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa, Boswellia serrata Roxb. ex Colebr., Celastrus paniculatus Willd., Helicteres isora L., Holarrhena pubescens Wall. ex G. Don, Telosma pallida (Roxb.) W.G. Craib, Tectona grandis L.f., Gymnema sylvestre (Retz.) R. Br. ex Sm., Convolvulus prostratus Forssk., Maerua arenaria Hook. f. and Thomson, Anogeissus latifolia (Roxb. Ex DC.) Wall. ex Guillem., Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub, Annona squamosa L., etc. In Shajapur, farmers mainly cultivated Citrus reticulata Blanco (Nagrang/Santara) medicinal plant having commercial value for fruits and ayurvedic industries. Conclusion: The study area is occupied by plants of Santalum album L., Holarrhena pubescens Wall. ex G. Don, Gymnema sylvestre (Retz.) R. Br. ex Sm., Tectona grandis L.f., Carissa spinarum L., Convolvulus prostratus Forssk., and Vitex negundo L. for ayurvedic commercialization, whereas plants of Maerua arenaria Hook., Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb., etc., which are a rare habitat, so need conservation. Present study made an extensive exploration of Shajapur forest division for the first time by noting the geographical distribution of medicinal plants described in Ayurveda, which has not yet been recorded in the past.

Increasing soil organic carbon (SOC) concentration is a desirable aspect of afforestation. Glomalin‐related soil protein (GRSP) is a ubiquitous component of SOC, preferentially produced by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) during symbiotic association with the plant roots. Although the role of AMF in GRSP production is well established, the role of root in GRSP production is not yet clear. Hence, we aimed to assess the glomalin in different tree roots (i.e., glomalin‐related root protein; GRRP) and its influence on GRSP and SOC storage in trees’ rhizosphere and interspace. The experiment was conducted in a tropical dry forest (India) with six native trees (Hardwickia binata, Lagerstroemia parviflora, Diospyros melanoxylon, Terminalia tomentosa, Shorea robusta, and Anogeissus latifolia) and a planted Teak (Tectona grandis). The fine roots (from the rhizosphere) and topsoils (0–15 cm) were collected from the rhizosphere and interspace of each tree. We found GRRP concentration varying between trees, with higher values observed in the roots of native trees than those of Teak. The AMF colonization was positively correlated with GRRP (r2 = 0.88), and GRRP positively correlated with GRSP and SOC. The higher correlation of GRRP was observed with GRSP (r2 = 0.70–0.79) compared with SOC (r2 = 0.56–0.58), while the correlation was much stronger between GRSP and SOC (r2 = 0.91). These results indicate that GRRP influences SOC storage via mediating GRSP concentration. We suggest that GRRP can be used as an indicator for species screening during afforestation with the aim to improve SOC storage on an afforested landscape.

The study of the flora of Bori Reserve Forests, Hoshangabad District, Madhya Pradah has been undertaken during the years 1960 and 1961. The area stretches between 77°45' to 78°30' E. long. and 22°15' to 22°30' N. lat. on the southern slopes ef Satpura range. As a result of three seasonal visits 432 taxa belonging to 317 genera of 92 families could be collected and studied. The flora presents a typical dry deciduous type of vegetation without any change in the main components throughout. Some of the common species of plants in this forest are Anogeissus latifolia, Adina cordifolia, Aegle marmelos, Diospyros melanoxylon, Grewia tiliaefolia, Buchanania lanzan, Helicteres isora, Celastrus paniculata, Baliospermum montanum and Emblica officinalis . The area under study lacks in hydrophytic vegetation as there is hardly any perennial natural water source. Similarly orchids and ferns are also rare.

The rich biodiversity repository of Gandhamardan hill ranges, Eastern Ghats, India is under severe threat from various magnitudes such as deforestation, unsustainable collection of medicinal plants, invasion of alien species, forest fire, urbanization and habitat destruction. The Protected Forests (PFs) have lost a number of wild species from their natural habitat pose to loss of biodiversity. The hill range having two preservation plots of 100ha each identified in Nrusinghanath (SITE-I) and Harishankar (SITE-II) range as study area. The present study inventoried a total of 10775 trees belonging to 91 tree species within a 17.6 hectare sampled area (441 plots). The predominant tree species are Diospyros melanoxylon, Madhuca indica, Cleistanthus collinus, Anogeissus latifolia, and Lagerstroemia parviflora. The Shannon- Weiner index (H’) is 3.92 (SITE-I) and 3.31 (SITE- II) with Simpson’s value 1.0. This value indicates that the tropical moist deciduous forests are also species diverse systems. Mean stand density was 671 ha-1 in SITE-I and 565 ha-1 in SITE-II. Stem density and species richness have consistently decreased with increasing girth class of tree species from 50 cm girth. The present study on phyto-diversity of tree species and participatory approaches on sustainable use of natural resources will provide the baseline information for effective and sustainable biodiversity conservation of tropical moist deciduous forest.

The study was conducted regarding nest tree preference from March 2020 to July 2023 in Pench Tiger Reserve M.P. During the study in PTR, For MPH total 13 nest were recorded belongs to 5 plants species Madhuca indica, Sterculia urens, Terminalia arjuna, Terminalia tomentosa and Adina Cardifolia while in case of IGH 102 nest were recorded belongs to 16 plants species. Among the 16 plant species Madhuca indica was followed by Terminalia arjuna, Terminalia tomentosa, Bombax ceiba, Bridelia retusa, Sterculia urens, Hymenodyctyon orixense, Anogeissus latifolia, Syzygium cumini, Grewia tiliaefolia Vahl, Ficus religiosa, Tectona grandis, Lagerstroemia parviflora,. Lannea coromandelica, Senegalia catechu and Millettia pinnata. Among the 13 nest of MPH 9 recorded in protected area while 2 nests recorded in buffer area. Out of 102 IGH nest, 68 comes under the protected area while 34 comes under the buffer area. The mean height of the nest trees was 36±6 m, girth at breast height 3±1 m and nest height 17±6 m. Study reveals that the Madhuca indica followed Sterculia urens and Terminalia arjuna was mostly used for nesting by Malabar Pied Hornbill. In case of Indian Grey hornbill Madhuca indica followed by Terminalia arjuna, and Terminalia tomentosa was mostly preferred, because of longevity with maximum height, more resistance to climatic condition, natural cavity formation and better population in study area. These four plant species supports the successful nesting and significant population of Malabar Pied Hornbill and Indian Grey Hornbill in Pench Tiger Reserve.

The Achanakmar Tiger Reserve (ATR) is an integral part of the Achanakmar Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve (AABR) with a total area of 914.017 sq. km. The Maniyari River, which flows through the reserve, is known as its life line. It originates from the core zone (Sihawal sagar) of ATR and merges in the Seonath River of the Mahanadi Basin. It flows about 105 km through Mungeli and Bilaspur districts. This river supplies its catchment area with water seasonally (6-8 months) and flows more than half of its length (about 60 km) within the protected area. Its catchment area has a rich biodiversity of tree species such as Shorea robusta, Terminalia tomentosa, Diospyros melanoxylon, Adina cordifolia, Pterocarpus marsupium, Madhuca indica, Anogeissus latifolia, Dendrocalamus strictus etc. A geospatial analysis was performed to understand the course of the Maniyari River within the ATR area over a fourteen year period between 2000 and 2013. Imagery from Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellite 1D and P6 for years 2000, 2004, 2008, 2010 and 2013 and Survey of India toposheets were analyzed to examine the changes in planform characteristics of the Maniyari River. The meander shift of the river was delineated considering the R1 (11.61 km), R2 (11.19 km), R3 (5.33 km) and R4 (5.02 km) reach’s respectively. Sinuosity Index (SI) for different reaches was calculated and evaluated. The SI ranged from 1.40 to 1.63, 1.20 to 1.29, 1.17 to 1.37, and 1.20 to 1.49 in R1, R2, R3 and R4 respectively and the magnitude of the shift was analyzed with the year 2000 as the base year. The overall SI for all the reach’s ranges between 1.30 and 1.36. The present study will be helpful in understanding the river dynamics as well as to maintaining the flow of the Maniyari River and preventing bank line erosion. The study will be helpful for the conservation of river flow and its tributaries in the ATR area in Central India.

Achieving global biodiversity goals by 2050 requires urgent and integrated actions

The study of the flora of Bori Reserve Forests, Hoshangabad District, Madhya Pradah has been undertaken during the years 1960 and 1961. The area stretches between 77°45' to 78°30' E. long. and 22°15' to 22°30' N. lat. on the southern slopes ef Satpura range. As a result of three seasonal visits 432 taxa belonging to 317 genera of 92 families could be collected and studied. The flora presents a typical dry deciduous type of vegetation without any change in the main components throughout. Some of the common species of plants in this forest are Anogeissus latifolia, Adina cordifolia, Aegle marmelos, Diospyros melanoxylon, Grewia tiliaefolia, Buchanania lanzan, Helicteres isora, Celastrus paniculata, Baliospermum montanum and Emblica officinalis. The area under study lacks in hydrophytic vegetation as there is hardly any perennial natural water source. Similarly orchids and ferns are also rare.

Chhattisgarh in known for dense forest (44%) and it has forest division among them the survey of woody species structure was conducted in Rajnandgaon, Baghnadi and Khujji forest range of Rajnandgaon forest division Rajnandgaon district in C.G. Total woody species in Khujji forest range were identified as 50 therein 46 trees and 4 shrub with 81.2% Similarity index. The total woody species Density 444 ha-1 was recorded in Khujji forest range with Abundance 4185.12 ha-1 in Khujji forest range. The Basal area was recorded 21637 cm2 ha-1 in Khujji forest range. On the basis of Importance value index (IVI) of the top ten woody species were Lagerstroemia parviflora, Anogeissus latifolia, Tectona grandis, Diospyros melanoxylon, Casearia graveolens, Terminalia elliptica, Cassia fistula, Madhuca indica, Emblica officinalis and Buchanania latifolia in Khujji forest range. The Diversity and Dominance level of minor forest species was 1.58 and 0.03 in Khujji forest range.

Efficacy of AVIRIS-NG data for species-specific recognition towards a comparative analysis by hyperspectral classifiers

Species loss: climate plan saves only trees.

Free radicals are generated through various physiological processes in living organisms. Once generated, they can react with other biomolecules and either hinder or deviate normal metabolic activities. The present study was carried to evaluate the efficacy of tree barks of Ailanthus excelsa, Anogeissus latifolia, Diospyros melanoxylon, Gmelina arborea, Holoptelea integrifolia, Oroxylum indicum, Sterculia urens and Tamarindus indica to quench hydroxyl ions, superoxide, hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide. The study reveals comparatively highest absorbing activity by Tamarindus indica followed by Holoptelea integrifolia, Ailanthus excelsa and Gmelina arborea while Anogeissus latifolia, Diospyros melanoxylon and Oroxylum indicum had minimum efficacy to trap anions.

Biodiversity crunch

Mokhada located in Maharashtra's Palghar district, is home to a variety of vulnerable and indigenous species. This study intends to explore the plant biodiversity through analysis of floristic composition, particularly in Mokhada region of Palghar district to document its floral richness. Floristic composition was evaluated by means of field surveys in Suryamal, Deharje and Khodala village in Mokhada region. A total of 90 species belonging to 72 genera and 39 plant families were reported in the region. Out of the identified species in the selected region, Tectona grandis and Aegle marmelos have been described as an endangered and near threatened species respectively. as per IUCN red list. The current study highlights the significance of localised conservation initiatives and advance our understanding of the ecosystems connected with the Western Ghats.