G. H. Dar

The alien flora of Kashmir Himalaya.

Compilation of alien flora from phytogeographically distinct regions is of immediate relevance not only for better understanding the patterns of plant invasion but also for explicating the processes promoting invasion at local, regional or global scales. Despite being at higher risk of invasion by plants because of its European colonial past, south Asia has received very little attention in respect of characterization of its alien flora. This paucity of baseline data necessitated compilation of the first catalogue of alien flora from the Kashmir Himalaya—a phytogeographically distinct south Asian region nestled in the northwestern folds of Himalayan biodiversity hotspot. Total alien flora of the region is represented by 571 plant species, belonging to 352 genera and 104 families. It constitutes a relatively higher (29%) proportion of the total flora of the region. Families with largest number of alien representatives are Poaceae (60 species), Asteraceae (54 species), and Brassicaceae (30 species). However, families such as Amaranthaceae (83%) and Chenopodiacae (71%) show higher percentage of aliens relative to their total number of plant species in the region. Most of the alien plant species (38%) trace their origin to Europe, followed by Asia (27%) and Africa (15%). Present study also reports, for the first time, occurrence of seven plant species in this region. Each alien plant species is provided with information on the origin, habit, mode/purpose of introduction, current invasion status, altitudinal range and the primary published source.

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.

Operational characterization of alien invasive flora and its management implications

A continuing lack of consensus on the operational characterisation of alien invasive species (AIS) in invasion biology has hampered the integration of research results generated worldwide. This impedes our progress in devising sound management strategies to stem the tide of biological invasions. In this regard, we here use the neutral terminology model of Colautti and MacIsaac (Divers Distrib 10:135–141, 2004) (CM model) for the characterization of alien invasive flora of the Kashmir Himalaya, India; and more emphatically, expound the utility of such a stage-based operational framework in the management of plant invasions. Out of the total of 436 alien invasive plant species recorded in the region, the number of species belonging to invasion stages II, III, IVa, IVb and V was 119, 107, 56, 77 and 77 species, respectively. In terms of relative proportion of species belonging to the different invasion stages, trees dominated the Stage-V (31.25%), followed by aquatics, subshrubs, biennial herbs, perennial herbs, annual herbs and shrubs, in descending order. Based on the results obtained in the present investigation, and in an attempt to link the characterisation of AIS with the management of plant invasions, we here propose a hierarchical management framework based on prediction, prevention, prescription, and public awareness. While the present study focuses on plants only, the proposed management framework can be operationally used across different taxonomic groups, and within varied ecosystems, with potentially immense management implications.

Towards an integrated research framework and policy agenda on biological invasions in the developing world: a case-study of India.

BACKGROUND Scientific literature on biological invasions in the developing world is currently scarce. India, a fast-globalizing country, faces a high risk of biological invasions. However, research and policy efforts on biological invasions in India are presently inadequate. OBJECTIVES To propose an integrated research framework and policy agenda on biological invasions for India. METHODS The framework and agenda, drawn from research insights gained from plant invasion studies in the Kashmir Himalaya (India), adopts a stage-based model for characterization of invasive alien biota in India. RESULTS The research framework explicates crucial information on the origin, purpose and pathway of introduction, residence time, species invasiveness, invasiveness elsewhere, habitat invasibility, latitudinal and altitudinal ranges and ecological and economic impacts of invasive species. The policy agenda highlights an urgent need for regulation of introduction pathways, prioritization of the worst invasive species, shifting from species- to biota-centric approaches, looking beyond political borders, forging interdisciplinary collaboration, launching a national network, and generating public awareness. CONCLUSIONS Adoption of such an integrated framework and agenda in India, and in other developing countries, can significantly fill the geographical knowledge gaps in invasion biology research-which is crucial in winning the global battle against harmful biological invasions.

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.

Chemical composition of the essential oils of Nepeta laevigata and Nepeta elliptica from India

The genus Nepeta (Lamiaceae), also called Glechoma and Cataria, is a multiregional genus and consists of about 250 species of perennial herbs distributed in central and southern parts of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East [1–3]. These plants are commonly known as catmint [4], and about 30 species occur in India. Many Nepeta species have been reported to be biologically active and are used in folk medicine because of their spasmodic, diuretic, antiseptic, antitussive, antiasthmatic, and febrifuge activities [5–9]. Several Nepeta species are also reported to reduce serum lipids and to possess anti-inflammatory effects [10, 11]. Most Nepeta species are rich in essential oils, and various biologically active iridoids/monoterpene nepetalactones have been reported in several Nepeta species possessing diverse biological activities, viz., feline attractant, canine attractant, insect repellant, arthropod defense [12, 13], antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral activities [14]. N. laevigata and N. elliptica are distributed through Afghanistan, China, Nepal, Pakistan, and India. In India, the two plant species are largely confined to Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttar Pradesh. Nepeta laevigata, also known as Betonica laevigata, is a perennial aromatic herb that grows to a height of 80 cm, is white pubescent, and has petiole 2–12 mm and leaf blade ovate to triangular, while N. elliptica is a small ascending or flexuous herb, 30–60 cm high. Both N. laevigata and N. elliptica are used in traditional medicine. Nepeta laevigata, is reported to be used locally in fevers and for sore throat, while, as an infusion of the seeds, N. elliptica is used in dysentery. According to our finding, there is no report on the chemical compostion of the essential oil of N. laevigata and N. elliptica growing in J & K, India, so the aim of the present work was to compare the chemical composition of these two Nepeta species. The chemical constituents of the volatile oils were analyzed by capillary GC-FID and GC-MS. The components of the oils of the air-dried aerial parts of N. laevigata and N. elliptica are listed in Table 1 with their percentages and relative retention indices (RRI). The different chemical constituents of the essential oils are listed in order of their elution from an RTX-5 column. As shown, 24 components belonging to different class of compounds were identified in the oil of N. laevigata, making up 86.7% of the total oil. -Citronellol (16.5%), germacrene D (19.4%), -caryophyllene (10.8%), -bisabolol oxide B (12.4%), -bourbonene (4.5%), -humulene (3.5%), spathulenol (3.9%), and -bisabolol (5.3%) were the major ones. Other constituents such as 4a,7,7a-nepetalactone (2.0%), allo-aromadendrene (1.1%), and caryophyllene oxide (3.2%) were present in small amounts. In addition, some other constituents such as -pinene, 1,8-cineole, linalool, geraniol, citronellyl acetate, etc. were present in trace amounts. The essential oil composition is dominated by the presence of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, oxygenated sesquiterpenes, and oxygenated monoterpenes constituting 40.9%, 25.1%, and 20.7%, respectively, of the total oil composition. Of the various nepetalactone isomers, viz., 4a,7,7a-nepetalactone, 4a,7,7a-nepetalactone, and 4a,7,7a-nepetalactone, which have been labeled as the biochemical markers of the Nepeta essential oils and are very useful in chemotaxonomic studies, only one nepetalactone isomer viz., 4a, 7, 7a-nepetalactone, as a minor constituent, was present in the essential oil of Nepeta laevigata. -Caryophyllene, which is one of the major constituents of the essential oil, has been reported in some Nepeta species such as N. depauperata [15], N. flavida [16], and N. nuda [17] as the major component. Likewise, germacrene-D, the other major constituent of the oil sample, has also been reported in various other Nepeta species such as Nepeta macrosiphon [18] and Nepeta sintensii [19]. In addition, the other major components such as -bourbonene and spathulenol have been reported in N.depauperata [15], N. macrosiphon [18], and N. sintensii [19].