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The Himalaya, as provider of range of goods and ecosystem services, is vital for sustaining the life of billions of people
. Recognition as one of the Global biodiversity hotspot implies its global significance. The forest ecosystems and plant biodiversity in the region is predicted to respond to the rapid warming and the human induced perturbations. However, documentation of these responses and likely consequences is meagre so as to provide a basis for future comparison. Realizing the importance of understanding relationships of climate change (CC) and forest biodiversity, systematic collection of data sets, covering various aspects of environment was attempted through establishing Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) and monitoring. The LTERs in general, have emerged to be important to improve our understanding on spatio-temporal variations happening in a particular ecosystem. Indian National Action Plan for Climate Change (NAPCC) sets out National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE) to conserve Himalayan ecosystem from the brunt of climate vulnerabilities. Considering importance of Himalaya forests and their sensitivity to CC impacts, NMSHE has stressed on undertaking Long-Term Ecological Monitoring (LTEM) and development of monitoring protocol with forest biodiversity specific parameters and indicators. In this context first of its kind attempt have been made to develop long-term ecological monitoring protocol along with suitable criteria and indicators for the Indian Himalaya, and demonstrate it through documenting base line data of established LTEM plots in diverse forest types in the Indian western Himalaya
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Biodiversity conservation and management is a global issue of concern for biologists keeping in view the rapid rate of degradation
. The present study focuses on Valeriana jatamansi, a medicinally important herb used in traditional and modern medicines. The raw material of the species is collected from the wild, which puts pressure on its natural habitat; hence, data on diversity attributes including morphological, phytochemical, antioxidant activity, and genetic diversity of V. jatamansi are analyzed to identify promising sources and to develop conservation and management strategies for target species. Neighbor joining cluster and principal component analysis was used to identify elites based on all these attributes. Based on neighbor joining cluster and principal component analysis two populations, Dunagiri and Tharali, were identified as elites and promising sources for raw material collection and conservation purposes. However, individually, each attribute prioritizes different populations. The approach of the present study can be further utilized for developing conservation planning and management of different medicinal plants of the region. This will also promote the interest of researchers in future studies and will aid in collecting plant material from a choice of population
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The present paper discusses the development of a participatory approach to promote medicinal and aromatic plant (MAP) cultivation as a tool for biodiversity conservation and livelihood enhancement in Champawat district of Uttarakhand state in India
. People perception analysis revealed that farmers were dependent solely on the wild collection of MAPs before the initiation of the National Agriculture Innovation Project. However, they later engaged in cultivation practices. During the course of study, the propagation protocols of 11 selected MAPs of that area were developed and a cost-benefit analysis was performed. A series of meetings and exposure visits were organized and a memorandum of understanding was simultaneously signed between farmers and traders for promoting a buy-back system of MAPs. One hundred thirty-two farmers adopted MAP cultivation in 14 hectares of land. This approach provides opportunities for farmers to build skills, knowledge, and self confidence, and conserve MAP diversity in their natural habitat
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Myrica esculenta Buch
.-Ham. ex D. Don is a popular, potentially income-generating wild edible in the Indian Himalaya. The species prefers Pinus roxburghii Sarg., Quercus leucotrichophora A. Cam., and mixed Quercus forests, contributing 15–26% of total tree density in the forests. It performs best in Pinus roxburghii forests, where its density correlates with Pinus tree biomass. The regeneration of Myrica is poor in all the habitats. However, recruitment of species increases consistently from abundant Myrica to no-Myrica stands. The fruit yield increases with tree size category and differs between habitats. The potential yield at different sites is 2.0–4.2 tonnes/ha, of which 2.8–7.2% is harvested for income generation. The income generated from Myrica fruit is significant, considering the regional annual per capita income. The possible impact of fruit harvesting and other disturbance factors on the regeneration of the species is discussed. There are significant options for enhancing the income-generating potential through value addition
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Myrica esculenta Buch
.-Ham. ex D. Don is a popular, potentially income-generating wild edible in the Indian Himalaya. The species prefers Pinus roxburghii Sarg., Quercus leucotrichophora A. Cam., and mixed Quercus forests, contributing 15–26% of total tree density in the forests. It performs best in Pinus roxburghii forests, where its density correlates with Pinus tree biomass. The regeneration of Myrica is poor in all the habitats. However, recruitment of species increases consistently from abundant Myrica to no-Myrica stands. The fruit yield increases with tree size category and differs between habitats. The potential yield at different sites is 2.0–4.2 tonnes/ha, of which 2.8–7.2% is harvested for income generation. The income generated from Myrica fruit is significant, considering the regional annual per capita income. The possible impact of fruit harvesting and other disturbance factors on the regeneration of the species is discussed. There are significant options for enhancing the income-generating potential through value addition
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