ECOLOGICAL FEATURES AND CONSERVATION OF ARNEBIA EUCHROMA. A CRITICALLY ENDANGERED MEDICINAL PLANT IN WESTERN HIMALAYA
IR@IHBT: CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur
View Archive Info| Field | Value | |
| Title |
ECOLOGICAL FEATURES AND CONSERVATION OF
ARNEBIA EUCHROMA. A CRITICALLY ENDANGERED
MEDICINAL PLANT IN WESTERN HIMALAYA
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| Creator |
Singh, K N
Lal, Brij Chand, Gopi Todaria, N P |
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| Subject |
Ecology
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| Description |
Arnebia euchroma (Royle ex Benth.) Johnston, commonly known as ‘Ratanjot’ is an important
medicinal plant species and is found distributed in the western Himalaya at elevations ranging
between 3200 - 4500 m above sea level. Considering its potent medicinal properties, cultural
significance, declining population density and critically endangered status of this taxon, the
present investigation was carried out for the assessment of its availability in the natural alpine
landscapes of the Spiti cold desert of western Himalaya in Himachal Pradesh (India). We
focused our study on its ecological features, population dynamics and performance in natural
habitats, so as to formulate conservation plans. In order to achieve the objectives of the
present study, a total of 620 areas were set by using a random sampling technique at six
different locations where A. euchroma was found distributed naturally. The highest population
density was recorded in undulating meadows (5.30 individuals/m2) with a maximum
circumference (4.18±1.80cm) at an elevation of 4240 m above sea level, with maximum
frequency of occurrence (100%). Ecological surveys revealed that distribution was restricted
in specific habitats rich in soil nutrients with high pH (8.025 - 8.37). The significance of the
role of various ecological variables is explained in detail in the present paper. Habitat
specificity, low population, and anthropogenic pressure justify the rarity status of this taxon in
the Spiti valley. The authors discussed different implications to develop appropriate strategies
for a long-term monitoring and sustainability of A. euchroma in the Spiti cold desert of western
Himalaya
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| Date |
2012
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| Type |
Article
PeerReviewed |
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| Format |
application/pdf
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| Identifier |
http://ihbt.csircentral.net/1212/1/15_Ecological.pdf
Singh, K N and Lal, Brij and Chand, Gopi and Todaria, N P (2012) ECOLOGICAL FEATURES AND CONSERVATION OF ARNEBIA EUCHROMA. A CRITICALLY ENDANGERED MEDICINAL PLANT IN WESTERN HIMALAYA. International Journal of Conservation Science, 3 (3). pp. 189-198. |
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| Relation |
http://ihbt.csircentral.net/1212/
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