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Rawal, Ranbeer S.

Genetic Diversity Assessment of Valeriana jatamansi Jones Using Microsatellites Markers

Abstract Views :263 | PDF Views:160

Authors

Arun Kumar Jugran ¹, Indra D. Bhatt ¹, Suvendu Mondal ², Ranbeer S. Rawal ¹, Shyamal K. Nandi ¹

Affiliations
1 G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development Kosi-Katarmal, Almora 263 643, IN
2 Bhabha Atomic Research Center, Mumbai 400 005, IN

Source

Current Science, Vol 109, No 7 (2015), Pagination: 1273-1282

Abstract

Valeriana jatamansi (family Valerianaceae) is a highvalue medicinal plant used in traditional and modern medicine. In the present study, 25 populations (151 genotypes) of V. jatamansi were collected from Uttarakhand, India and investigated using nuclear and chloroplast SSR markers. Six nuclear and seven chloroplast polymorphic SSR primer pairs were used to evaluate genetic variability and population relatedness. These primer pairs have generated 55 fragments (27 nuclear, 33 chloroplast). The number of alleles per locus ranged from 3 to 7. Expected heterozygosity of the 25 V. jatamansi population was 0.108-0.222 with a mean of 0.165 for nuclear SSR markers and 0.147- 0.265 with a mean of 0.215 for chloroplast SSR markers. Based on AMOVA analysis, 6.0% (P = <0.001) of total genetic variation was found. Nuclear SSR markers exhibited highest genetic diversity in samples collected from 1501 to 1800 m amsl altitudinal range and from pine forest habitat. In case of cpSSR, samples collected from 2101 to 2400 m amsl and grassland habitat exhibited highest diversity. These markers could be helpful in the identification and prioritization of genetically diverse populations/individuals for conservation and utilizing them in genetic improvement of V. jatamansi.

Keywords

Conservation, Gene Flow, Genetic Diversity, Microsatellites, Valeriana Jatamansi.

Full Text

Connecting Researchers in the Himalaya-Institutionalizing a Mechanism of Active and Sustained Interaction

Impact of Climate Change on the Flowering of Rhododendron arboreum in Central Himalaya, India

Abstract Views :276 | PDF Views:106

Authors

Kailash S. Gaira ¹, Ranbeer S. Rawal ¹, Balwant Rawat ¹, Indra D. Bhatt ¹

Affiliations
1 G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Kosi-Katarmal, Almora 263 643, IN

Source

Current Science, Vol 106, No 12 (2014), Pagination: 1735-1738

Abstract

Studies from different parts of the world have generated evidences of the effects of climate change on phenology and persistence of species. However, datasets or evidences are lacking for majority of the regions and species, including the climate-sensitive Himalayan biodiversity hotspot. Recognizing this gap in the information and realizing wide-ranging implications of such datasets, the present study generates evidences of changes in flowering phenology of an important trees species, Rhododendron arboreum in Indian central Himalaya. Real-time field observations (2009- 2011) showed peak flowering during early February to mid-March. Analysis on long-term temperature data revealed significant (P < 0.01) increase in seasonal (winter and post-monsoon) and annual mean maximum temperature. Generalized additive model (GAM) using real-time field observations (2009-2011) and herbarium records (1893-2003) predicted 88-97 days early flowering over the last 100 years. Furthermore, GAM using long-term temperature data, real-time field observations and herbarium records depicted annual mean maximum temperature responsible for shifts in flowering dates of the target species. The study provides an important insight of species response to climate change in the Indian central Himalaya and highlights the need for further research on the subject to improve our understanding of the effects of climate change on species and consequently on ecology of the region.

Keywords

Climate Change, Flowering Phenology, Herbarium Records, Rhododendron arboreum.

Full Text

Lichen Colonization on Nylon Net Houses in Surya-Kunj Nature Interpretation Site, Kosi-katarmal, Almora, Uttarakhand

Popularization of 'Ashtvarga' Plants for Conservation and Sustainable Utilization

Variations in the Abundance and Diversity of Insects in Apple Orchards of Kumaun, Western Himalaya, India

Abstract Views :239 | PDF Views:103

Authors

Bhawana Kapkoti ¹, Ravindra K. Joshi ¹, Ranbeer S. Rawal ¹

Affiliations
1 Biodiversity Conservation and Management, G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Kosi-Katarmal, Almora 263 643, IN

Source

Current Science, Vol 110, No 3 (2016), Pagination: 438-443

Abstract

Availability of pollinators in a landscape plays a significant role in pollination success, which is essentially important for crops like apple with high dependence on animal-mediated pollination. Realizing this, to estimate the availability (diversity and density) of insect visitors, including pollinators, the present study included pan trap experiments and transect walks for assessment of foraging resources across eight apple orchards in Kumaun, Western Himalaya, India. It was observed that insects were attracted more towards yellow traps, and availability was highest in summer season. Apple mass flowering during summer, in spite of lower diversity of other foraging resource, helps in maintaining availability of insect groups.

Keywords

Apple Orchards, Insect Diversity, Landscape, Pollinator Abundance.

Full Text

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Indian Himalayan Timberline Ecotone in Response to Climate Change – Initial Findings

Abstract Views :224 | PDF Views:80

Authors

S. P. Singh ¹, A. Bhattacharyya ², Amit Mittal ³, Aseesh Pandey ⁴, Ashish Tewari ³, Avantika Latwal ⁵, Bency David ², Bhupendra S. Adhikari ⁶, Devendra Kumar ⁴, G. C. S. Negi ¹, Ishfaq Ahmad Mir ⁷, Krishna Kumar Tamta ³, Kumar Sambhav ⁵, Mayank Shekhar ², Mohit Phulara ⁵, Munisa Manzoor ⁷, Nandan Singh ³, Pankaj Tewari ¹, Parminder S. Ranhotra ², Pradeep Singh ⁵, Pratap Dhaila ¹, Priyanka Sah ⁵, Rahul Kumar ⁶, Rajesh Joshi ⁵, Ranbeer S. Rawal ⁵, Renu Rawal ⁵, Ripu Daman Singh ¹, Shruti Shah ³, Subrat Sharma ⁵, Subzar Ahmad Nanda ⁷, Surabhi Gumber ¹, Utsa Singh ¹, Zafar Reshi ⁷

Affiliations
1 Central Himalayan Environment Association, 6 Waldorf Compound, Mallital, Nainital 263 001, IN
2 Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, 53, University Road, Lucknow 226 007, IN
3 Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, D.S.B. Campus, Kumaun University, Nainital 263 001, IN
4 G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment and Sustainable Development, Sikkim Regional Centre, Pangthang, Gangtok 737 101, IN
5 G. B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment and Sustainable Development (GBPNIHESD), Kosi-Katramal, Almora 263 643, IN
6 Department of Habitat Ecology, Wildlife Institute of India, P.O. Box 18, Chandrabani, Dehradun 248 001, IN
7 Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Srinagar 190 006, IN

Source

Current Science, Vol 120, No 5 (2021), Pagination: 859-871

Abstract

This article enumerates the findings of a team research on the Indian Himalayan timberline ecotone, with focus on three sites (located in Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Sikkim). Timberline elevation increased from west to east, was higher in the warmer south aspect than the cooler north aspect, and was generally depressed. Betula, Abies, Rhododendron and Juniperus were important treeline genera. The Himalaya has not only the highest treelines (Juniperus tibetica, at 4900 m), but also the widest elevational range (>1700 m). Remotely sensed data revealed that the timberline is a long, twisting and turning ecotone, traversing a length of 8–10 km per km horizontal distance. Surface temperature lapse rate in the monsoonal regions was lower (–0.53°C/100 m elevation) than generally perceived and varied considerably with season, being the lowest in December. The Himalayan treeline species are not water-stressed at least in monsoonal regions, predawn tree water potential seldom getting below –1 MPa. The upward advance of Rhododendron campanulatum (a krummholz species) may deplete alpine meadows with climatic warming. Tree-ring chronology indicated that winter warming may be favouring Abies spectabilis. Early snowmelt increased growth period and species richness. Treelines generally are stable in spite of decades of warming. Dependence of people on timberline was still high; so economic interventions are required to reduce the same.

Keywords

Climate Change, Temperature Lapse Rate, Timberline Ecotone And Elevation, Tree Water Relation, Treeline Genera.

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