Ethnobotanical uses and socio-economic importance of climbing species in Arunachal Pradesh, India

Soyala Kashung,Padma Raj Gajurel,Binay Singh

doi:10.14719/pst.2020.7.3.771

Soyala Kashung, Padma Raj Gajurel + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.2020.7.3.771

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Abstract

The species diversity of climber is found very high in the tropical region of the world. The tropical and sub tropical forests in the Eastern Himalayan state exhibit a good representation of climbing flora. A study on the taxonomic diversity and socio economic importance of climbing plants occurring in Papum Pare district, Arunachal Pradesh was carried out. A total of 187 climbing species were recorded amongst which 61 species distributed over 43 genera and 20 families are found having various economic applications. The detailed ethnobotanical uses and economic importance of all the species were evaluated and presented. Based on their end use, the species are grouped under six broad categories where the highest number of 29 species are found used as local medicines. Additionally, 22 other species were used as wild edibles, 7 species as construction and handicraft materials and 7 species for hunting and fishing. Among all, the species like Piper longum, Abrus precatorius, Calamus tenuis, Dioscorea spp. and Rubia cordifolia have good commercial and economic values. The study revealed that the climbing species are linked with the livelihood as well as for the socio economic support to the local communities. As the majority of the species are used for medicines, fruits and vegetables, the climbing species are found to be playing a vital role in the fulfilment of the medicinal and nutritional requirements of the local people.

Highlights

The climbing plants are found ecologically and economically one of the important floristic elements, in tropical and subtropical regions
A study on the taxonomic diversity and socio economic importance of climbing plants occurring in Papum Pare district, Arunachal Pradesh was carried out
The present study revealed the rich floristic diversity of the useful climbing plant resources of Papum Pare district of Arunachal Pradesh

Summary

Introduction

The climbing plants are found ecologically and economically one of the important floristic elements, in tropical and subtropical regions. The climbing species are most understudied among the various habit forms and their studies are more or less neglected by the majority of the researchers [1]. Studies on the climbing plants worldwide are often clumped together with plants of all growth forms and often fail to highlight the various contributions [2]. About 50% of the families of vascular plants contain climbing plants [3]. They occur in all forest ecosystems with its highest occurrence in tropical and sub-tropical forests [4, 5]. Studies on the climbing species are focussed primarily on lianas occurring in tropical forest communities by most of the researchers [6,7,8]

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