Geospatial Technologies for Threatened Medicinal Plant Conservation

Abstract

This chapter presents the applications of geospatial technology in managing threatened medicinal plant genetic resources for conservation. It ensures integrated approach to use geospatial technologies (remote sensing, geographic information system, global positioning system and information system) in precise way to map, quantify and predict threatened taxa and diversity-rich areas besides other applications in the forestry sector. The Indian sub-continent is endowed with unique combination of habitats, ecosystems and medicinal plants of economic importance, which together make up rich and diverse forest genetic resources. The relative abundance and richness of medicinal plant species is another criterion to measure the degree of diversity. Management of threatened medicinal plant genetic resources (MPGR) at national level involves collation of enormous data and its analysis crucial to the effectiveness of its organizational process and also adding extensively to the value of natural resources. Innovations in geospatial technology are underutilized in the management of plant genetic resources (PGR) including those of threatened medicinal plant genetic resources (MPGR) in India and many other countries around the world. Geospatial technology and Geographical Information system (GIS) technology could help better meet the challenges and facilitate enhanced decision support including planning colletcing, conserving and managing threatened MPGR. Herbal medicines continue to play significant role in country’s health sector, as evidenced by activities of Ayush Ministry. Hence sustainable management of threatened MPGR is of atmost important for the country’s health security. In this paper the potential of using geospatial technologies in the management of threatened MPGR are highlighted.