Akhtar H. Malik

Altitudinal distribution patterns of the native and alien woody flora in Kashmir Himalaya, India.

BACKGROUND Many studies have shown that alien species richness pattern follows that of native species richness patterns along environmental gradients, without taking the specific composition of the two groups into account. OBJECTIVES To compare species richness patterns of native and alien woody plants along an altitudinal gradient in Kashmir Himalaya, India, and to analyse the specific composition, e.g. proportion of life forms. METHODS Analysis of secondary data from published floristic inventories. The gradient (500-4800m asl) was split into 100m bands and presence/absence data for each species were obtained, for each band. RESULTS Species richness of both native and alien species followed a hump-shaped distribution. Alien species richness dropped faster above 2000masl than the native did. The ratio of trees to shrubs decreased monotonically along the gradient in native species, but showed a peak at c. 2500masl in alien species. Alien species flowered in average earlier than native species. CONCLUSIONS The change of species richness of native and alien species along altitude is similar, but the proportion of life forms is not. Most likely both climatic and socio-economic factors affect alien species richness and its specific composition in the Kashmir Himalaya.

Impediment to Taxonomy and Its Impact on Biodiversity Science: An Indian Perspective

Taxonomy is the science which serves as the major tool in discovering, describing and classifying the diversity of life. However, the existence of impediments to taxonomy is recognized as one of the major obstacles in the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. The acute shortage of taxonomic expertise and resources has resulted into a poor knowledge and database of global biodiversity, particularly in the developing world. India, a mega-diverse country sharing four global biodiversity hotspots, is having several lacunae in taxonomic knowledge, which has serious implications on the growth of biodiversity science, conservation planning and policy making. It is in this context that the present article critically reviews the existing impediments to taxonomy in India, underscores the various causes responsible for the poor taxonomic knowledge of Indian biota; and also evaluates the country-level initiatives taken, so far. Looking ahead, the authors suggest a way-forward to infuse a fresh lease of life into the taxonomic research, that in turn could provide ‘bricks and mortar’ for building the National Biodiversity Information Infrastructure in the country.

Atropa acuminata Royle Ex Lindl. blunts production of pro-inflammatory mediators eicosanoids., leukotrienes, cytokines in vitro and in vivo models of acute inflammatory responses.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Atropa acuminata Royle Ex Lindl. has been widely used in folk medicine for several inflammatory disorders such as arthritis, asthma, conjunctivitis, encephalitis, pancreatitis, peritonitis, acute infections and neuroinflammatory disorders. AIM OF THE STUDY Our aim was to evaluate Atropa acuminata for its anti-inflammatory properties and to delineate its possible mechanism of action on the modulation of the inflammatory mediators. MATERIALS AND METHODS We investigated the inhibitory action of ethanolic extract of Atropa acuminata (AAEE) on production of NO, TNF-α and IL-1β in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells and also assayed it for COX 1/2 and 5-LOX inhibitory activities. Next AAEE was tested in acute inflammatory animal models., carragenean induced rat paw edema, carragenean induce pleurisy in rats and vascular permeability in mice and the effects on NO, PGE2 and LTB4 production in the pleural fluid and paw exudates were evaluated. In addition the effects on leukocyte migration and exudation and vascular permeability were also observed. RESULTS Our findings summarized novel anti-inflammatory mechanisms for Atropa acuminata based on dual in vitro cyclooxygenase 1/2/ and 5-Lipoxygenase inhibitory activities and also significant downregulation of nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokin (TNF-α and Il-1 β) release in LPS-stimulated RAW 246.7 macrophage cell line. In acute inflammatory models in vivo (carragenean induced edema, carragenean induced pleurisy in rats and vascular permeability in mice), AAEE exhibited an extensive diverse mechanism for anti-inflammatory properties. This was indicated on the basis of dose dependent suppression of multi targeted inflammatory mediators., NO, TNF-α and IL-1β, eicosanoids., PGE2 and leukotrienes., LTB4 along with significantly decreased leucocyte migration, exudation and decreased vascular permeability. These effects were more potent and prolonged than traditional NSAIDS, thereby indicating fewer side effects. AAEE was found to be safe for long term administration, as confirmed by the results of acute toxicity studies and MTT assay. The complex mode of action of the herbs was attributed possibly due to the high polyphenolic, flavanol and flavonoid content present in the extracts as observed by means of quantitative screening for phytochemicals. CONCLUSION Our study provides scientific evidence to support the traditional anti-inflammatory uses of Atropa acuminata and is probably due to inhibitory effects on multiple inflammatory mediators which indicates a promising potential for the development of a strong anti-inflammatory agent from this plant.

A Contribution to the flora of Rajouri and Poonch districts in the Pir Panjal Himalaya (Jammu & Kashmir), India

The current paper provides a taxonomic inventory of the vascular plant species collected by the authors during the last two decades from the Rajouri and Poonch districts, located along the Pir Panjal range in the Indian Himalayan State of Jammu and Kashmir. The inventory records a total of 352 species, which belong to 270 genera in 83 families. Of the total taxa, the angiosperms are represented by 331 species in 253 genera and 77 families; gymnosperms by 12 species in 9 genera and 3 families; and pteridophytes by 9 species in 7 genera and 3 families. Asteraceae is the largest family, contributing 42 species; while Artemisia is the largest genus, with 5 species. The inventory is expected to provide baseline scientific data for further studies on plant diversity in these two border districts, and can be used to facilitate the long-term conservation and sustainable use of plant resources in this Himalayan region.

An Updated Taxonomic Inventory of Flora of Srinagar City (Kashmir Himalaya) India, Using Herbarium Reconstruction Approach

The historical collections in herbaria are increasingly used for documentation of biodiversity. The use of herbarium reconstruction in the Himalayan biodiversity hotspot, using a case study from Srinagar city in Kashmir Himalaya has been shown. During the present investigation, a comprehensive and updated biodiversity database of 937 plant taxa has been developed, which is based on expert investigation of ca. 45,000 plant specimens deposited in the herbarium of University of Kashmir, and careful supplementation of field records in the study area made over the last one decade. The results indicate a clear dominance of herbaceous growth form as 602 species were herbs. Majority of the plant species possess perennial life span, as 610 plant species fall under this category. Inspite of being a rapidly urbanising centre, Srinagar city owing to its location in the global biodiversity hotspot of Himalayas exhibits a clear dominance of wild-growing plant species. In the database, 20 species fall under different threat categories. The present study is the documentation of plant biodiversity of this eco-fragile mountainous region and clearly demonstrates the precious value of biological collections in bridging the knowledge gaps in global biodiversity hotspots, including Himalayas. Looking ahead, the biodiversity database can serve as a baseline in the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity; and more importantly, the database can provide the reference framework in assessing and monitoring the impending impacts of land use and climate change on the biodiversity of this Himalayan city.

Floristic diversity along the roadsides of an urban biodiversity hotspot in Indian Himalayas

Abstract In the urban landscapes, scientific understanding of the roadside vegetation is a prerequisite for better planning and designing of sustainable cities. The Srinagar city, located in the Indian Himalayas, represents an urban biodiversity hotspot but the information about the floristic diversity especially along its roadsides is lacking. In order to fill this knowledge gap, the present study using field-based plant collection surveys was undertaken to investigate the floristic diversity growing along the roadsides of Srinagar. A total of 206 vascular plant species were recorded with the proportion of alien species relatively higher (52%) than the native species (48%). Of the 108 alien species, 24 were invasive, 44 naturalized, 12 casual and 23 were cultivated. Most of the species were herbs (165 spp.) and the majority of these were wild growing (155 spp.). Based on Raunkiaer’s lifeform characterization, therophytes (94 spp.) were the most dominant. Interestingly, the therophytes harboured the highest number of alien species (50 spp.), followed by phanerophytes (29 spp.). There was significant difference between the floristic spectrum obtained during the present study and the normal Raunkiaer’s spectrum. The present study provides policy-relevant baseline data which can guide the urban planners to develop sustainable planning in this Himalayan city.

Benefitting from Geoinformatics: Estimating Floristic Diversity of Warwan Valley in Northwestern Himalaya, India

The Himalaya harbor rich floristic diversity which is of immense scientific interest and socio-economic importance. In this study, floristic diversity of a remote alpine valley has been studied based on information extracted from remotely sensed satellite data along with field surveys undertaken during 2008–2014. Analysis of vegetation information from satellite data revealed that ∼75% of the area is covered with natural vegetation which comprises lush green coniferous forests, alpine pastures and alpine scrub lands. With inputs from vegetation information extracted from satellite data, comprehensive field surveys were planned to document the floristic diversity of the region. Analysis of species composition showed a total of 285 plant species, belonging to 191 genera in 60 families. Of these, 250 species are herbs, 14 shrubs, 2 sub-shrubs and 19 trees. The dicotyledons are represented by 240 species, monocotyledons 30, gymnosperms 04, and pteriodophytes 11 species. Asteraceae is the largest family with 35 species. During the present study, 5 species (Corydalis cashmeriana, Hippophae rhamnoides, Primula minutissima, Saussurea sacra and Inula orientalis) have been recorded for the first time from this Himalayan region. The study demonstrates the benefits of geo-informatics in floristic studies, particularly the robustness of remotely sensed data in identifying areas with potentially high species richness, which would be otherwise difficult in a complex mountainous terrain using traditional floristic surveys alone. The present study is expected to provide baseline scientific data for cutting edge studies relating to long term ecological research, bioprospecting, possible impacts of changing climate on vegetation and sustainable use of plant resources in this Himalayan region.