Cold Desert Of Ladakh Research Articles

Rock glacier Oasis: An alternative for agro‐pastoralism in a changing environment in the Himalayan cold desert

AbstractThe unprecedented climate change has catastrophic repercussions for high mountain communities and these issues need a multi‐disciplinary understanding for adaptation and mitigation strategies. The limited cultivable agricultural land and pastures along with an abridged cultivation season and water scarcity, all have severely impacted local communities in the cold desert of Ladakh. The indigenous people relying on glacier and snow‐melt have developed unique water management and agro‐pastoralism practices and are searching for additional alternatives owing to continuous climate and lifestyle changes. People are increasingly relocating to higher valleys in search of adequate cultivable land. In this endeavour, people are found to be practicing agro‐pastoral activities adjacent to the thermokarst lakes (Oasis) present on the rock glaciers. The present study is a one‐of‐a‐kind overview of such innovative and adaptive farming strategies to encourage research towards the water storage in such features, and how long it will remain sustainable.

Perceived Impacts of Climate Change on Economic Activities and Adaptation Strategies: A Case Study from Cold Desert of Ladakh, India

This paper aims at identifying the perception of local indigenous Peoples' living in the cold desert area of Nubra valley (Ladakh), India, on climate variability resulting in extreme events such as floods and cloudbursts and their impacts on various economic activities such as agricultural productivity, land degradation, soil erosion, water availability, and forest resources. It also aims to ascertain the vulnerability of the key sectors such as forest, agriculture and water sources, and local adaptation strategies to adapt to climate variability and extreme events. Stratified random sampling technique was adopted to select the sample size. The study is based on the primary data and information collected from 288 sample households in three blocks i.e., Diskit, Panamik, and Turtuk through semi-structured interviews, questionnaires, focus group discussions, and PRI tools. Study findings revealed that more than 90 percent of overall households' respondents of three blocks observed that temperature has been increased and low rainfall/snowfall over the last three decades. The result showed that the majority of respondents admitted that land degradation, severe soil erosion and shortage of water, low agricultural productivity, and decline in forest resources are major climate related problems due to low rainfall/snowfall, increase temperature, and natural disasters. To alleviate these problems, local people have implemented various adaptation strategies such as mixed farming, more plantations of trees, organic farming, and changing crop patterns. The policy recommendations for appropriate adaptation strategies are in consideration with the knowledge of local indigenous peoples and their perception of climate change. The study could be helpful to policymakers to design appropriate adaptation strategies to cope up with the impacts of climate change.

Distribution, ecological and taxonomic study of Locusta migratoria migratoria (Linnaeus, 1758) and long term monitoring of its outbreak in Cold desert of Ladakh (UT) India

Short horned orthopetra from the family acrididae in gregarious phase is generally known as locust. In solitary condition they are harmless and overlooked. In history no epidemic of locust was snoop in the cold desert of Ladakh. In the last two decades Locusta migratoria migratoria (Linnaeus, 1758) is enormously affecting the livelihood of the trans-Himalayan region. Present study emphasized in Changthang, Chusul and Pangom Tso area of the Ladakh from 2008 to 2019. The purpose of this study was to explore the distribution, ecological and taxonomical aspects of the outbreak of migratory locusts in the fragile ecosystem. The long term monitoring assessed the geographic coverage of the locust infestation, swarming hotspots; evaluate the population parameters such as densities and developmental stages in the region. It was observed that migratory locust impinge along the Indus river area from Tibet and China and swarms year to year in Ladakh. They drastically impacted on the livelihood of the region with demolish the greenery of the area.

Variation in Phytochemical Content in Polyploid Populations of Hyoscyamus pusillus Thriving at Different Altitudes in Cold Deserts of Ladakh, India

The nature of plant medicines is decided by the secondary metabolites it contains which may fluctuate with the altitude. We here studied the variation in total phenols and flavonoids and three marker compounds viz., atropine, caffeic acid, and chlorogenic acid in different plant parts of Hyoscyamus pusillus collected from three sites having varying altitudes. The ploidy level was determined through the standard acetocarmine technique. The atropine, caffeic acid, and chlorogenic acid content in different plant parts and populations were estimated using High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatography. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were evaluated using the Folin-Ciocalteau reagent and Aluminium chloride method respectively. The free radical scavenging activity was measured by DPPH assay. Investigation revealed that a high land population has a higher content of phenols and flavonoids and showed better scavenging of DPPH free radicals. The HPTLC analysis showed that the content of atropine, caffeic acid, and chlorogenic acid was maximum in roots and plants thriving at higher altitudes compared to plants at lower altitudes. Locally, the species is used for treating toothache and relieves the griping pain caused by drastic purgatives. Further, the populations at higher altitudes can be explored as an alternative source of atropine, caffeic acid, and chlorogenic acid.

A note on intraspecific cytomorphological comparison in two cytotypes (4x, 12x) of Potentilla atrosanguinea Lodd. from Cold Deserts of Ladakh, NW Himalayas, India

The present communication reports the record of intraspecific polyploids (4x, 12x) in Potentilla atrosanguinea from the cold deserts of Ladakh, India. The individuals of the specie showed morphogenetic variations in the studied area and two variants have been recoginized on the basis of flower colour and chromosome count. The study included the male meiosis, microsporogenesis, pollen fertility and morphometric parameters in the populations of 4 × and 12 × cytotypes. Both the polyploids exhibited normal meiotic behaviour characterized by normal chromosome pairing, regular segregation of chromosomes and high pollen fertility. The two cytotypes could be differentiated on the basis of size of stomata and pollen grains also, which are significantly larger in the 12 × compared to the 4x.

Deciphering the meiotic behaviour in species of genus Artemisia from Cold Deserts of Ladakh (Jammu & Kashmir)

Present study reports the chromosome counts and meiotic analysis including microsporogenesis and pollen fertility in 10 species of the genus Artemisia from the cold deserts of Ladakh in the state of Jammu and Kashmir for the first time. We here add the chromosome record for species, A. desertorum for the first time from India which also includes the new intraspecific hexaploid cytotype (2n = 54) for A. desertorum. The study also reports the presence of B-chromosomes for A. gmelinii. The course of meiosis in most of the accessions was observed to be regular except for some individuals of A. absinthium, A. desertorum, A. gmelinii, and A. sieversiana which showed certain meiotic abnormalities in meiocytes involving cytomixis, chromatin stickiness, chromatin bridges, lagging chromosomes and late segregation of bivalents and consequently irregular sporads and sterile pollen grains. The genus Artemisia shows a considerable heterogeneity in chromosome numbers varying from 2n = 14 to 2n = 144. The genus exhibits several base numbers (x = 7, 8, 9, 11, 17) but x = 9 is regarded as the most common and favoured basic number. The next favoured base number is x = 8. On the otherhand, other basic numbers, x = 7, 11 and 17 are rather less common. The affect of polyploidy in genus evolution seems to be quite significant as 52.12 % of the species exists at various ploidy levels (3x, 4x, 5x, 6x, 8x, 10x, 12x, 14x). Aneuploidy causing chromosome variation in the genus is equally important from the existence of intraspecific aneuploid/ dysploid cytotypes.

A case of intraspecific euploidy (2x, 4x) and secondary chromosomal associations in wild accessions of Geranium pratense L. from cold deserts of Ladakh (India)

The present communication reports the existence of intraspecific euploid cytotypes (2n = 28, 56) and secondary chromosomal associations in Geranium pratense L. from the cold deserts of Ladakh (India). The study includes the detailed male meiosis, microsporogenesis, pollen fertility and morphometric analysis in the accessions of 2x and 4x cytotypes. Both the cytotypes grow under similar cold desert environmental conditions on mountain slopes between 3000 and 3500 m altitudes, but 4x plants grow much taller and possessed large sized pubescent leaves. These 2x and 4x cytotypes can also be segregated on the basis of microscopic characters involving stomata, pollen grains and trichomes which are significantly large sized in tetraploids compared to the diploids.

Impact of Structural Heterozygosity on Pollen Fertility and Chiasma Frequency in <i>Leontopodium jacotianum</i> from the Cold Deserts of Ladakh (Jammu and Kashmir), India

Meiotic studies have been carried out on three plants of Leontopodium jacotianum from Cold deserts of Ladakh. The chromosome number of n=24 counted in all the plants adds a new tetraploid cytotype for the species. The plants collected from Zoji-La showed a normal meiotic course leading to high pollen fertility. However, the plants collected from Sankoo region of cold deserts of Ladakh, Jammu, and Kashmir showed abnormal meiosis caused by structural heterozygosity for reciprocal translocations. The structural heterozygosity was observed for the first time in the species. Chiasma frequency was also calculated by using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) in the plants to see the effect of reciprocal translocations. Besides reciprocal translocation, the plant also showed various meiotic abnormalities in the form of early disjunction of bivalents, chromatin bridges, and laggards. Structural heterozygosity and other meiotic abnormalities in the plant seem to be responsible for a reduction in pollen fertility.

Chromosome Count and Meiotic Behaviour in <i>Anemone rupicola</i> Cambess. from Cold Deserts of Ladakh, India

Chromosome Count and Meiotic Behaviour in <i>Anemone rupicola</i> Cambess. from Cold Deserts of Ladakh, India

Two more bird’s nest fungi from cold desert of Ladakh, India

Two more bird’s nest fungi from cold desert of Ladakh, India

Late Pleistocene aeolian activity in the cold desert of Ladakh: A record from sand ramps

Ladakh, northwest India, lies in the rain shadow zone of the Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM) where sand ramps provide a good record of past aeolian activity. Here we present an archive from five sand ramps that is based on their sedimentological structure and Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) chronology. Sedimentary architecture indicates that the sand ramps are composite records of aeolian, hill slope erosion and fluvio-lacustrine activity. The OSL chronology suggests that aridity and aeolian activity was dominant during 25–17 ka and <12–8 ka. Wetter conditions, as evidenced from intra-dunal lake formation and fluvial gullying, prevailed at ∼12 ka and 7 ka. These dry and wet phases correspond to variations in SW monsoon strength. One sand ramp, at Saboo, is studied in detail using mineral susceptibility and clay mineralogy. The environmental magnetic susceptibility shows significant enhancement in fluvial and lacustrine sediments and also shows sharp positive excursions at hiatuses where a hard crust is formed, and confirms warm and wet conditions at ∼12 ka and ∼7 ka BP. Clay mineralogy is dominated by illite and shows no changes through the profile, suggesting that sediment generation took place mainly due to physical weathering and that the threshold of climate fluctuations between wet and dry phases (as visible in magnetic mineralogy) were never reached so as to alter the clay mineralogy.

Molecular, physical and biochemical characterization of an edible mushroom, Psathyrella spadicea (P. Kumm.) Singer, from cold desert of Ladakh, India

Molecular, physical and biochemical characterization of an edible mushroom, Psathyrella spadicea (P. Kumm.) Singer, from cold desert of Ladakh, India

Isolation of cold-active, acidic endocellulase from Ladakh soil by functional metagenomics

Mining of soil sample from cold desert of Ladakh by functional metagenomics led to the isolation of cold-adapted endocellulase (CEL8M) that hydrolyses carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). Mature CEL8M, a 347-residue polypeptide with a molecular mass of 38.9kDa showed similarity to β-1,3-1,4 D-glucanase from Klebsiella sp. The enzyme contains the catalytic module of glycosyl hydrolase family 8 but does not possess a carbohydrate-binding domain. 3D structural model of the enzyme built by homology modeling showed an architecture of (α/α)6-barrel fold. The purified enzyme was found to be active against CMC, xylan, colloidal chitosan and lichenan but not active against avicel. Glucose was not among the initial hydrolysis products, indicating an endo mode of action. CEL8M displayed maximal activity at pH 4.5 and remained significantly active (~28%) when the temperature decreased to 10°C. Cold-active endocellulase CEL8M may find applications in textile industry at low temperature which can result in energy savings.

Solubilization of insoluble inorganic phosphates by a novel temperature-, pH-, and salt-tolerant yeast, Rhodotorula sp. PS4, isolated from seabuckthorn rhizosphere, growing in cold desert of Ladakh, India

The study was aimed to develop biofertilizer solubilizing inorganic phosphates for region experiencing temperature, pH and salt stressed conditions. A yeast strain PS4, which was temperature-, pH- and salt-tolerant and capable of solubilizing insoluble inorganic phosphate was isolated from rhizosphere of seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.), growing in the Indian Trans-Himalaya. Based on morphological, biochemical, whole cell FAME analysis and molecular characterization, strain PS4 was identified as Rhodotorula sp. The soluble phosphate production under optimal conditions at pH 7 and 30°C was 278.3 mg l−1. Strain PS4 showed ability to solubilize insoluble phosphate under different stress conditions viz. 5–40°C temperature, 1–5% salt concentration and 3–11 pH range. Soluble phosphate production from Ca3(PO4)2 under combined stress conditions at extreme values of temperature, pH and salt concentration showed 81.6–83.2% reduction as compare to optimal conditions after 5 days incubation. The strain solubilize Ca3(PO4)2 to a great extent than FePO4 and AlPO4. The solubilization of insoluble phosphate was associated with drop in pH of the culture media. Inoculation of tomato seedling with the strain increased fruit yield, roots and shoot length. Rhodotorula sp. PS4 with phosphate-solubilizing ability under stress conditions appeared to be attractive for exploring their plant growth-promoting activity towards the development of microbial inoculants in stressed region.

The occurrence of keratinophilic fungi in selected soils of Ladakh (India)

138 soil samples were collected from various loca-tions in Ladakh, a cold desert in the Himalayan region, India and the samples were screened for the presence of keratinophilic fungi using the hair baiting techniques. 58 isolates were recovered and identified. The cultures were identified based on their macro- and micro-morphological features. A total of six genera and fourteen species were isolated namely Amauroascus kuehnii (0.72%), Aphanoascus keratinophilus (4.34%), Aphanoascus terreus (2.17%), Auxarthron alboluteum (0.72%), Auxarthron conjugatum (0.72%), Chrysosporium articulatum (0.72%), Chrysosporium mephiticum (0.72%), Chrysosporium minutisporosum (2.17%), Chrysosporium siglerae (0.72%), Chrysosporium sp. (1.44%), Chrysosporium tropicum (15.94 %), Chrysosporium submersum (3.62%), Chrysosporium state of Ctenomyces serratus (6.52%) and Geomyces pannorum (1.45%). The present study shows that keratinophilic fungi exist in the cold desert of Ladakh.