Global warming has increasingly threatened the suitable habitats of many species. However, ignoring dispersal limitations can substantially increase the uncertainty of species distribution predictions. This study employed optimised MaxEnt and MigClim models to explore the effects of global warming and dispersal limitations on the suitable habitat distribution of Castanopsis indica, Castanopsis hystrix, Schima wallichii (C. indica, C. hystrix, S. wallichii) forest in China. The results reveal that under current climatic conditions, this forest is mainly distributed in southwestern China. The key environmental factors influencing its distribution include isothermality, temperature seasonality, minimum temperature of the coldest month, and precipitation seasonality, among which temperature-related factors play a dominant role. Under future climate scenarios, the suitable habitat distribution of this forest is projected to expand overall and exhibit a northwestward migration trend. Notably, dispersal limitations significantly constrain the actual expansion of this forest, preventing it from keeping pace with climate change. The inclusion of dispersal limitations results in a contraction of the suitable habitat distribution of this forest under future climate scenarios, with the overall centroid migrating towards the southwest. In the future, C. indica, C. hystrix, S. wallichii forest will have some unoccupied suitable areas in China, which are primarily located north of its current suitable habitats. This study provides new insights for reducing uncertainties in species distribution predictions under climate change.

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia and its sequelae in micro- and macrovascular disease. Although various synthetic anti-diabetic drugs are available, long-term use of these causes serious side effects and cost more to the patient as well as patients' non compliance lead us to develop safer and antidiabetic drugs with multiple targets. Medicinal plants with traditional uses serve as the significant source of bioactive compounds from different classes that work on variety of modes to regulate glucose. India, a biodiversity hot spot region of world, is located in northeastern India and has valuable ethnomedicinal knowledge for treatment of diabetes. Among these, Schima wallichii (DC.) Korth. and Xylosma longifolia Clos. which receive much attention as an old remedy and increasing scientific evidence. In this review, pharmacognostic, phytochemical, and biological studies on S. wallichii and X. longifolia were critically compiled and appraised with focus on their anti-diabetic potential. The macroscopic characters, microscopical characteristics, physico-chemical constants and chromatographic profiling were described as standard parameters to support the authenticity and quality control of these herbs. Phytochemicals reported studies appear to contain flavonoids, phenolics, tannins and other bioactive molecules having antidiabetic abilities. Sequential in vitro and in vivo studies showed pronounced antihyperglycemic effects associated with α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition, antioxidantmediated protection of pancreatic β-cells, and increased peripheral glucose uptake reflecting an enhanced sensitivity towards insulin as well as a corrected lipid metabolism. Preliminary toxicological assessment indicate an overall positive safety profile, which is however based on few chronic toxicity and clinical investigations. In conclusion, this review emphasizes the therapeutic potential of S. walalichii and X. longifolia as multi-targeted antidiabetic agents and advocates for a systematic standardization, isolation of bioactive compounds along with clinical validation to enable them to be developed into evidence-based phytotherapeutic agents

The thermal transformations of nitrogen and other soil parameters were studied during October 2007-September 2008 in a control (CL) and burnt (BT) forest sites of a subtropical forest of Manipur, Northeast India dominated by Quercus serrata and Schima wallichii by using the buried bag technique. In the present study burning treatment significantly increases total nitrogen and soil moisture. Two-way ANOVA testing the effect of burning and months revealed that the rates of nitrification and nitrogen mineralization exhibited an insignificant transient increase while ammonification exhibited a significant difference due to the variance in months. The NO3-N concentration ranged from 0.31 to 10.9 mg kg− 1 and NH4-N concentrations varied from 1.84 to 29.5 mg kg− 1 across the sites. In CL significant influential factors of nitrification are total nitrogen (TKN) and air and soil temperature while for ammonification and N mineralization total organic carbon (TOC) but total nitrogen and soil temperature also exhibited significance with ammonification. In BT, none of the abiotic variables have significant influence but rainfall exhibited significant difference with ammonification while air and soil temperature with nitrogen mineralization. Present study concludes that the process of nitrogen transformation in soil is site specific and regulated by the climatic and edaphic factors and upon burning there is a transient increase in soil nutrients especially nitrates (14.07%) and nitrogen mineralization (44.69%) but nitrification and ammonification decrease by 16.26% and 30.92% respectively. Hence, mild fire with proper management and monitoring can be used as a tool to improve the nutrient and fertility in nitrogen limited ecosystems.

This study aims to assess the sustainability of an agroforestry system integrating Schima wallichii (puspa) and Amomum cardamomum (cardamom) within the Gunung Walat Educational Forest—IPB University Educational Forest (HPGW), Indonesia, by applying the RAP-AFS (Rapid Appraisal Technique for Evaluating Agroforestry Sustainability) approach. The assessment was conducted across four key dimensions: ecological, economic, social, and institutional. The findings suggest that the overall sustainability of the agroforestry system in HPGW is moderately good, with a sustainability index value of 55.94. The social and ecological dimensions performed particularly well, scoring 67.51 and 61.43, respectively. The economic dimension achieved an index score of 55.45, although price fluctuations and reliance on middlemen continue to pose challenges. Meanwhile, the institutional dimension showed the lowest performance, with an index value of 39.37, underscoring the need to enhance institutional support, capacity building, and extension services to strengthen sustainability. In light of these findings, it is recommended to prioritize strengthening institutional frameworks, stabilizing market prices, and expanding soil conservation practices, alongside promoting greater social participation, to ensure the long-term sustainability of the agroforestry system in this region.

The issue of climate change continues to be a hot topic of discussion in all circles today. This issue received an extraordinary response, because the impact it had could affect the order of life on earth and humans in particular. Indonesia is United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC). Line with tis commitment implement it the ground, including in national park areas. Rawa Bunder is part of the Way Kambas National Park (WKNP) management area lowland tropical forest ecosystem which can support the achievements of Indonesia’s Nationally Determined Contriibutions (NDCs). A forest ecosystem dominated by trees is a biodiversity system to prevent an increase in carbon concentrations in the atmosphere. The aim of this research is to analyze vegetation diversity and its aboveground carbon stock in Rawa Bunder. 5 sample plots (nested plot) measuring 50m x 20m (tree more then 20 cm of diameter at breast geight/dbh), 10m x 10m (poles with 5 cm to 20 cm of dbh), 5m x5m (saplings with less of 5 cm of dbh) were taken randomly. The species found was dominated by Sonokeling (Dalbergia latifolia) and Puspa (Schima wallichii), accounted for 13.41 tonnes/ha aboveground carbon stock in the study area. It is proven that the less diversity of vegetation does not guarantee the amount of carbon in a plot. Trees in forests are the largest component capable of absorbing and storing carbon.

Sikkim is a mountainous state situated in the Eastern Himalaya region of India, which constitutes an area with rich cultural diversity, having different traditional healthcare practices and rituals. Traditional formulations for treating bone fractures are prevalent in rural areas of Sikkim. The present study was designed to document and analyse the traditional knowledge, practices, and medicinal plants used by traditional healers of Sikkim for the treatment of Bone fractures. And network pharmacological perspectives on the bone-mending properties of the medicinal plants used by the traditional healers of Sikkim. Semi-structured questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and guided field walks were used in this explorative study for four years in all six districts of Sikkim, India. The quantity indices frequency of citation (FoC) and Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) are used to authenticate the most important medicinal plant species. Further, to examine the intricate relationships among drugs, targets, and diseases, we conducted network pharmacological annotations using several advanced tools, including Swiss Target Prediction, STRING, STITCH, DAVID, GeneCodis, and SwissADME. The study documented 18 distinct traditional polyherbal formulations that incorporate 32 medicinal plant species native to Sikkim and are utilised for the therapeutic management of bone fractures. Notably, several plant species identified in this investigation, particularly those exhibiting high Frequency of Citation (FoC) values, represent promising candidates for further pharmacological evaluation targeting osteoregenerative properties. Additionally, four plant species, Urtica parviflora Roxb., Saurauia napaulensis DC., Rubus calycinus Wall. ex D.Don, and Schima wallichii (DC.) Korth., employed by traditional healers in this study, warrant prioritised phytochemical investigation due to their limited scientific exploration in existing literature. The network pharmacological annotations revealed several pathways that are directly or indirectly affecting bone development, biomineralisation, calcium signalling, endochondral ossification with skeletal dysplasia, RANK signalling, RUNX2 regulation, and Vitamin D-sensitive Ca signalling. This study systematically documents traditional treatments for bone fractures in Sikkim, highlighting 32 medicinal plants with therapeutic potential. The findings of this study will provide baseline data to address an immediate need to preserve and scientifically validate (in vivo and in vitro) indigenous ethnomedicinal knowledge. Furthermore, provide valuable insights into the development of safe and effective lead compounds by considering the biological processes, molecular functions, and cellular components involved in bone mending from natural formulations.

A fl oristic exploration of the family Loranthaceae in the Cachar district resulted in the addition of two showy mistletoe species, Macrosolen cochinchinensis (Lour.)Tiegh.and Helixanthera ligustrina (Wall.)Danser.to the Flora of Barak Valley, Assam.A detailed description with key identifying features and photographs is provided to identify the species easily.In addition, periodic fi eld surveys were carried out to assess the host range of both the mistletoes within the Cachar district of Barak Valley.M. cochinchinensis and H. ligustrina parasitized 16 and 3 host species belonging to diverse angiospermic families.Among the host species, Terminalia arjuna, Ceiba pentandra, Camphora offi cinarum, Litsea glutinosa, Litsea monopetala, Elaeocarpus serratus, Ficus religiosa, Flacourtia jangomas, Schima wallichii, Ziziphus mauritiana, and Choerospondias axillaris are recorded as new hosts of M. cochinchinensis; and Aphanamixis polystachya as a new host of H. ligustrina for the state of Assam.This study has established a foundation for investigating the host range of both mistletoes within the study area.The existence of M. cochinchinensis and H. ligustrina on different horticulturally important host plants indicate increased adaptability of the hemiparasites in Cachar district of Barak Valley.

The Nilbarahi Community Forest contains the needle leaved tree species Pinus roxburghii (Chir pine) and mixed broad leaved tree species such as Schima wallichii, Engelhardtia spicata, Eurya acuminate, Litsea monopetala and Alnus nepalensis. This community forest’s some part is naturally of mixed broad leaved trees and some part is planted trees of Pinus roxburghii (Chirpine). The SRS method was used to determine the carbon component of the forest to assess the amount of carbon stock and carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e) absorption of needle leaved tree and the mixed broadleaved tree of the community forest. The carbon stock of the forest was measured per hectare basis of the biomass contained by the trees. It is very essential to know the type of trees that can absorb much carbon component from the atmosphere through Photosynthesis and store it in their leaves, branches, stems, barks and in the roots. The much carbon retained by the trees would help to mitigate the climate change. The biomass of the trees was determined by the biomass regression model and then the carbon retained in them was obtained by converting the biomass stock of trees into carbon stock by using the IPCC default carbon fraction of 0.47. After then the CO2-e absorption was calculated by multiplying one ton of carbon value to 3.67 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e) which was expressed in metric tons. The total above ground tree biomass was found 188.70 ton/ha at site-3 of mixed broad leaved forest seemed to be the highest biomass followed by the planted forest of Pinus roxburghii (Chir pine) at site-1 which had the biomass of 147.78 ton/ha. The carbon content of above ground tree biomass of the study area was also found to be 88.69 ton/ha followed by 69.45 ton/ha at site-3 and site-1 respectively. The study showed that the needle leaved trees (Pinus roxburghii) had low carbon stock than the natural mixed broadleaved trees in the Nilbarahi Community Forest. The CO2-e was also found to be highest as 295.21MT in the mixed broad leaved trees than the needle leaved conifer trees of 231.18 MT at site-3 and site-1 respectively. The average carbon stock and average CO2e was found to 72.41 t/ha and 241.03 MT in the Nilbarahi Community Forest. The biomass, carbon (C) stock and carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e) in the forest ecosystems of Nilbarahi which have been managed and conserved well by the community forest user groups could play an important role in carbon cycle and serve as significant carbon sink to reduce the burning issue of global warming.

HIGHLIGHTS- Castanopsis tungurrut prefer mid-altitude forest habitat- The population show clumped pattern on steep slopes- Vegetation cluster shift with altitudinal gradient- Cisarua is the highest density of Castanopsis tungurrut ABSTRACTCastanopsis tungurrut is an endangered species that has received limited attention in terms of research, with scarce ecological information and description of its native distribution area, the Cibodas Biosphere Reserve. This study aimed to investigate the ecological characteristics, vegetation clusters, population structure, and habitat preferences of C. tungurrut along the altitudinal gradient. To assess the vegetation, a total of 41 plots were used, with dimensions of 20 × 20 m for trees, 10 × 10 m for poles, 5 × 5 m for saplings, and 2 × 2 m for wildings. The results revealed that the vegetation in four different locations (Cibodas, Bodogol, Cisarua, and Selabintana) within the altitude range of ca. 750 - 1800 meters above sea level (m asl) could be grouped into three distinct zone clusters based on the dominant species. These clusters were named Zone I (ca. 500 - 1,000 m asl), Castanopsis-Lithocarpus and Schima wallichii forest characterized by the dominance of Castanopsis tungurrut, Maesopsis eminii, and Schima wallichii; Zone II (ca. 1,000 -1,500 m asl), Castanopsis and Schima wallichii forest, dominated by Castanopsis (Fagaceae forest) and Schima wallichii; and Zone III (ca.1,500-2,400 m asl), Schima wallichii, Castanopsis, and Altingia excelsa forest where Schima wallichii, Castanopsis, and Altingia excelsa were prevalent. C. tungurrut was found to dominate at elevations between ca. 750 and 1,500 m asl, gradually decreasing in higher elevations or even absent. It exhibited a clumped distribution pattern, favoring steep to highly steep habitats. The highest population density was observed in Cisarua (53.1 individuals/ha), followed by Bodogol (25 individuals/ha), Cibodas (10.7 individuals/ha), and Selabintana (5 individuals/ha). These findings emphasize the species' selective habitat preferences, particularly with regard to altitude and slope factors, which should be taken into consideration when planning conservation efforts.

Abstract Forest vegetation is a vital component of ecosystems, supporting biodiversity and providing ecological services. Its diversity is shaped by interrelated environmental factors. Belitung Island, with exceptional ecological features and rich biodiversity, offers great potential for sustainable tourism. This study analyzes forest vegetation diversity and ecosystem characteristics to support tourism planning. Research was conducted at 10 lowland forest sites using the quadrat transect method with purposive sampling. Vegetation parameters observed included importance value index, diversity, density, dominance, and evenness. Results identified 59 species from 35 families, consisting of 28.9% understorey, 37% saplings, 17% poles, and 21% trees. Schima wallichii had the highest number of individuals. Heatmap analysis showed species distribution across locations, with families Myrtaceae and Dipterocarpaceae exhibiting the widest spread, indicating adaptability. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) revealed that factors such as pH, C/N ratio, Ca, P 2 O 5 , and soil texture influenced vegetation distribution. Overall, Belitung forests demonstrated high species diversity and richness, including unique species of ecological significance. These findings highlight the island’s strong potential for integrating biodiversity conservation into sustainable tourism planning, ensuring both ecological preservation and long-term development.

Abstract. Atsaury ZIA, Husodo T, Megantara EN, Lastini T, Hernawan E, Wulandari I, Shanida SS. 2025. Population and habitat analysis of Javan gibbon (Hylobates moloch) in fragmented forests of West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 26: 2857-2872. Javan gibbons (Hylobates moloch) face various anthropogenic disturbances that are intensive enough to damage and even eliminate their habitat. Additionally, previous studies have primarily focused on protected areas. However, there is limited information on the Javan gibbon in non-conserved areas, such as Ciletuh Geopark, Cisokan, Cijedil, and Kanaan, West Java, Indonesia. The study objective was to determine the distribution and habitat of Javan gibbon in non-conservation areas in West Java. Line transect distance sampling and quarter methods were used in this study. Despite the high level of anthropogenic disturbance, Cisokan exhibited the highest density of Javan gibbon individuals and groups, with 19.48 individuals per square kilometer and 7.79 groups per square kilometer. Generally, the habitat of Javan gibbons is dominated by food plants, such as kondang (Ficus variegata), puspa (Schima wallichii), and beunying (Ficus fistulosa). Hence, 97 plant species were identified as food plants of Javan gibbons, while 84 were eaten by their fruits, 25 by their leaves, and 12 by both. Javan gibbons tend to live in forests with closed and interconnected canopies, as well as on slopes and hilltops with a slope greater than 40% at altitudes ranging from 115 to 1,564 meters above sea level (m asl). Establishing ecological corridors to enhance habitat connectivity in degraded vegetation is crucial for conserving Javan gibbon populations.

Schima wallichii is a well-known evergreen tree belonging to the Theaceae family. It is delightful to look at and has a vital function in maintaining biological diversity and enhancing the ecosystem. Locals oftenuse the various sections of the Schima wallichii tree for a variety of therapeutic uses. The maceration process and Soxhlet process extraction are used for extracting bioactive substances through the tree bark and producing components that are high in phytochemicals such as terpenoids, flavonoids, polyphenols, tannins and saponins. These substances highlight the bark's possible pharmacological uses, which include the anti-tumour, antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Traditional uses of Schima wallichii, known as Chilauni, highlight its significance in folk medicine. The bark is used extremely medicinally to treat a variety of ailments, including intestinal worms, gonorrhoea, and injuries. Alongside its bark, other parts of the plant also provide medicinal benefits by demonstrating the diverse range of uses in traditional medical treatment. This plant has proven a useful natural asset for medical uses because it has been shown to demonstrate a variety of pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, along tumor-fighting agent effects.

Soil respiration, the carbon dioxide emitted by the biological activity of soil, is one of the primary ways of carbon release from forest ecosystems. Soil respiration can be partitioned into its two components: autotrophic respiration by roots (R<sub>A</sub>) and heterotrophic respiration by soil microorganisms (R<sub>H</sub>). This study aims to assess the seasonal fluctuations of R<sub>A</sub> and R<sub>H</sub> in the subtropical forest of Nepal dominated by <i>Schima wallichii</i> and <i>Castanopsis indica</i>. The trenching method (root exclusion method) was applied to partition R<sub>A</sub> and R<sub>H</sub>. The closed chamber method was applied to measure soil carbon emission. A Portable Infra-Red Gas Analyzer (IRGA) was used to measure CO<sub>2</sub> concentration in control and trenched chambers every month for one-year period. Soil temperature and soil water content were measured to analyze the effect of these environmental variables on soil respiration rate. The results revealed that the mean R<sub>A</sub> and R<sub>H</sub> were 116.1±10.61 and 130±6.9 mg CO<sub>2</sub>m<sup>-2</sup>h<sup>-1</sup>, respectively, with higher contribution (52%) of R<sub>H</sub> to total soil respiration. Significant seasonal variation with summer peak was remarkable in both components of soil respiration. R<sub>A</sub> and R<sub>H</sub> showed significant exponential relationships with soil temperature and soil water content. Soil temperature had a greater influence on R<sub>H</sub> than R<sub>A</sub>. Correspondingly, the temperature sensitivity of soil respiration (Q10) values of R<sub>A</sub> and R<sub>H</sub> were 3.218 and 2.083, respectively. This suggests that the soil CO<sub>2</sub> emissions in these subtropical forests may increase with future climate warming with more temperature sensitivity of autotrophic respiration.

Strawberry is being cultivated in low and mid hills of Sikkim in considerable area and mulching is one of the most beneficial intercultural practices in strawberry cultivation. It has strong influence on growth, yield, quality and duration of harvesting, which is primarily due to better soil and moisture conservation, changes in soil temperature, improvement in nutrient availability by suppressing weed population and growth, protection from frost injury and by way of reducing the number of unhealthy and diseased berries. Paddy straw and polythene are most common mulch material used for strawberry. The study was conducted to assess the performance of three different mulching systems i.e. black polythene, paddy straw and Schima wallichii leaves along with no mulching on Strawberry cv. Chandler. The experiment was laid out in Randomised Block Design with 9 replications under the organic production system at ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Sikkim Centre. The results indicate that strawberry is very much sensitive crop to mulching. Maximum number of leaves (36.41), Plant height (18.22cm), Berry length (35.26mm), Berry breadth (30.28mm), Berry weight (11.73g), Fresh berry per plant (10.59) and Yield (92.42 q/ha.) was recorded in S. wallichii leaves mulching. Pulp (11.16%), TSS (6.49%), Acidity (0.99%) and Total sugar (6.41%) were significantly better in harvested fruits from S. wallichii leaves mulched plants followed by black polyethylene. Minimum Plant height (14.99cm), leaves (28.25), Berry length (30.93mm), Berry breadth (29.99mm), Berry weight (8.19g), Fresh berry per plant (4.78) and Yield (29.69 q/ha.) was recorded in control plots with no mulching. Minimum Pulp (10.81%), TSS (6.35%), Total sugar (6.25%) with maximum Acidity (1.01) was also reported in control plots. Minimum days to harvest was recorded in black polythene (30.15) followed by S. wallichii leaves and maximum in control (36.11). So, S. wallichii leaves mulch may be recommended under organic cultivation condition for strawberry.

The lower mountainous region's Siranggas Wildlife Sanctuary is a conservation area with a variety of tree species, however it is susceptible to exploitation-related harm. Despite the area's ecological advantages, little is known about the diversity of tree species and their associations. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to ascertain the Siranggas Wildlife Sanctuary Area's tree species diversity and associations. Using the purposive sampling approach, the study was carried out from March to April 2022. Five plots, each measuring 30 by 60 meters, were set up at various heights. The Importance Value Index (IVI) and the Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index (H') were used to examine the vegetation data. Associations between tree species were identified by considering two species with the highest IVI in the observation plot. The results showed that there were 119 tree species, 38 families, and 79 genera in the Siranggas Wildlife Sanctuary Area. The diversity index across the plot was relatively high with an H' value > 3. Trees with a height of 10 to 15 meters were the prevalent canopy height profile in the plot, while the dominant trunk diameter across the whole plot was 10 to 20 cm. The association that occurred in the study area was the Schima wallichii – Syzygium cerasiforme based on two of the greatest IVI and their distribution throughout all plots from varying altitudes. Future forest management and restoration initiatives in the Siranggas Wildlife Sanctuary area can benefit from the presence of both of these species.

Abstract. Fardhani I, Kitagami Y, Torimaru T, Kisanuki H. 2025. Effect of host tree site conditions of Schima wallichii on vertical structure of epiphytic orchid community. Biodiversitas 26: 715-722. It is crucial to recognize the conservation challenges and potential intertwined with the delicate balance of epiphytic orchid communities. Therefore, it is imperative to deepen our understanding regarding the factors influencing the ecology of epiphytic orchid community, including how orchid diversity is distributed on a host tree. To clarify the variation in vertical community structure of epiphytic orchids on a host tree species, Schima wallichii, species richness and abundance of these orchids were investigated. Epiphytic orchids occurring on each host tree were allocated to one of five vertical zones. To understand their effects on community structures, host tree site factors such as density of trees surrounding the host, and angle and direction of slope on which the host tree stood, were measured. Crown zones of S. wallichii trees accumulated more species of epiphytic orchids than the trunk zone because the crown contains many branches, to which epiphytes can attach more easily than on the trunk. Zone 3, at the bottom of the crown zone, offered the most potential for many kinds of epiphytic orchid to colonize, according to the accumulation curves of species richness against both the number of host trees and orchid abundance; this is probably because it had larger branches than the other crown zones. The vertical community structures of epiphytic orchid on S. wallichii were not clearly segregated, even between trunk and the three crown zones. Host tree angle of slope significantly drove the vertical structure of the epiphytic orchid community.

This study documents the relationship between modern pollen deposition and vegetation types in the Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya, India. Five characteristic modern pollen assemblages are recognised based on the representation of marker pollen taxa observed in the surface soil samples obtained from different areas based on vegetation types and land use. The Pinus–Alnus–Betula–Quercus–Schima–Impatiens assemblage is associated with subtropical pine forest with a relatively cold and wet climate. The Schima forest is characterised by the Schima–Cinnamomum–Alnus–Quercus–Pandanus–Impatiens pollen assemblage. The evergreen forest is characterised by the Mesua–Syzygium–Duabanga–Ilex–Nepenthes–Dendrophthoe assemblage, indicative of the warm and wet climate in response to the high rainfall activity in this region. The grassland was characterised by the presence of the non-cereal–Cyperaceae–Pandanus–Schima–Asteroideae–Cichorioideae–Impatiens assemblage in the Jaintia Hills. The cropland was represented by cereal–Polygonum–Pinus–Schima–Nepenthes–Impatiens palyno-assemblages. Multivariate principal component analysis (PCA) was applied and showed a close correlation between the recorded pollen assemblage in relation to the different vegetation types in Jaintia Hills. The different forest types, especially evergreen and Schima wallichii (DC.) Korth., forests, along with the consistent recovery of Nepenthes and Pandanus pollen reflect the vicinity of coastal habitats in this part of the Indo-Burma region. This investigation demonstrates that this newly developed modern pollen analogue could be a potential proxy for the interpretation of palaeovegetation and palaeoclimate in the Jaintia Hills and other adjacent regions of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot.

Forests are considered a cost-effective way to reduce global CO2 emissions, yet the viability of community forest management for climate change mitigation remains underexplored. This study evaluates the carbon sequestration potential of the Piple Pokhara Community Forest, which spans 209.09 hectares and contains diverse tree species like Shorea robusta and Schima wallichii. Using stratified random sampling, 42 circular plots were established for carbon pool measurements. The findings reveal significant carbon stocks, with a total of 138.94 tons per hectare. Converted to CO2 equivalent, the forest sequesters 509.91 tons of CO2 per hectare. Shorea robusta is the dominant species, contributing 75.93% of the total carbon stock. The highest carbon reserves were in trees with a diameter at breast height (DBH) over 30 cm and heights between 15.1 and 20 meters. This study underscores the Piple Pokhara Community Forest's considerable carbon sequestration potential and suggests economic benefits through carbon trading. It highlights the forest's role in climate change mitigation and its benefits for both forest conservation and community well-being.

Ganoderma spp. is a genus of macrofungi in the Basidiomycota, comprising both saprophytic and phytopathogenic species. Ganoderma spp. prefers woody substrates and can attack various trees in the forest. While it often acts as a phytopathogenic fungus, it also serves an ecological role for surrounding insects, providing food and shelter. This study aims to determine the interactions and preferences of Ganoderma spp. with its hosts and to observe the interactions between Ganoderma spp. and surrounding insects. Research on these interactions was conducted through scan sampling exploration in the Gunung Walat Educational Forest. Identification of fungi, trees, and insects was based on morphological characteristics. A total of 155 fruiting bodies of Ganoderma were found. Three species of Ganoderma were successfully collected and described morphologically, both macroscopically and microscopically. Ganoderma spp. were found infecting Agathis sp., Schima wallichii, and Pinus merkusii trees. The fruiting bodies of Ganoderma spp. interacted with insects such as larvae, Trichomyrmex destructor ants, and Eumorphus marginatus beetles, which used the fruiting bodies as breeding and shelter sites

The present study was conducted in tropical and sub-tropical forests of Mizoram, Northeast India. A total of 49 species belonging to 40 genera and 26 families were recorded in the tropical forest (TF). Whereas, in the subtropical forest (STF), 47 species belonging to 42 genera and 28 families were recorded. As per Importance Value Index (IVI), the most dominant species in TF were : Castanopsis tribuloides (47.67), Schima wallichii (40.71), Aporosa octandra (20.96) and Wendlandia budleioides (17.79). Whereas, the species such as Ilex godajam (41.42), Saprosma ternatum (32.74) and Diospyros racemosa (31.34) were the most dominant species in STF. The total tree density and basal area were 1610 individuals ha-1 and 25.016 m2 ha-1 in TF and 1380 individuals ha-1 and 24.20 m2 ha-1 respectively in STF. The diversity indices such as Shannon’s diversity index (H′), Simpson’s dominance index (CD), Margalef richness index (d), and Pielou’s evenness index (J) ranged from 2.93-3.16, 0.91-0.94, 7.82-8.15, 0.76-0.81 in both the forests. The total tree biomass was 178 Mg ha-1 in TF and 144 Mg ha-1 in STF. Similarly, the total carbon stock in TF was 85 Mg C ha-1 and 68 Mg C ha-1 in STF. Such information on these forests can serve as a valuable tool for improving our capacity to enhance biodiversity conservation efforts and management of tropical forests for their sustainable use in the future.