Ethnopedological knowledge of upland Karbi Community: A case study from Dima Hasao District of Assam, North-Eastern Himalaya, India

This paper describes the ethnopedological knowledge of indigenous upland Karbi farmers inhabiting a hilly area of Assam, India. Semi-directive interviews, focused group discussion and joint field visit methods were used for eliciting information on soil from key knowledge holders identified through chain referrals. Soil was classified into eight folk types based on fertility which were determined via its physical properties viz., colour, texture, water retention capacity and compactness. This classification helped them in land-use and crop-selection related decisions and some other uses. Plant species viz., Albizia spp., Imperata cylindrica, Lantana camara and Schima wallichii indicating soil fertility were valued for identification of most suitable jhum sites. To minimize soil erosion, indigenous techniques like inverted ‘U’ shaped channels, maintaining standing trees and cut stumps, and placing horizontal wooden logs across shifting agricultural fields on steep slopes were employed. The laboratory analysis of physico-chemical parameters viz., bulk density, colour, texture, water holding capacity, pH, soil organic carbon and total nitrogen support the ethnopedological knowledge of the farmers. Study may help in preservation and protection of local knowledge on soil which is eroding fast under the influence of modernity

Phylogenetic classification of the world's tropical forests

Knowledge about the biogeographic affinities of the world’s tropical forests helps to better understand regional differences in forest structure, diversity, composition, and dynamics. Such understanding will enable anticipation of region-specific responses to global environmental change. Modern phylogenies, in combination with broad coverage of species inventory data, now allow for global biogeographic analyses that take species evolutionary distance into account. Here we present a classification of the world’s tropical forests based on their phylogenetic similarity. We identify five principal floristic regions and their floristic relationships: (i) Indo-Pacific, (ii) Subtropical, (iii) African, (iv) American, and (v) Dry forests. Our results do not support the traditional neo- versus paleotropical forest division but instead separate the combined American and African forests from their Indo-Pacific counterparts. We also find indications for the existence of a global dry forest region, with representatives in America, Africa, Madagascar, and India. Additionally, a northern-hemisphere Subtropical forest region was identified with representatives in Asia and America, providing support for a link between Asian and American northern-hemisphere forests.</p

Assessing the Provisioning Services of Forest Ecosystem in a Bhuj Forest

Abstract This research shows the general view on acquisition of forest resources by local communities. Forest not only provides provisioning services rather it is a concrete source of economic, social, political and cultural process as well. The study is conducted in Tapkeshwari Forest which is located far district of Kuch, Gujarat named as &quot;Bhuj&quot;. The perception of community and impact of people on forest is main focal point of this research. Two villages named Haripur and Jadura which are adjoining villages near forest were sampled. The research was conducted merely on the basis of focal group discussion and prepared questionnaire which was asked to villagers. 82.5% of villagers responded that they collect firewood only from forest; 80% of households collect fodder from the forest and approximately 95% of households use the forest to graze their animals. Firewood is used as major fuel energy source for cooking at the households. A total of 82.5% of households were using firewood for cooking in the study area whereas 72.5% use Timber product. Haripur and Jadura village has together of 468 numbers of livestock which depend daily in Tapkeshwari Forest. Goats and Sheep are in large numbers that graze in forest for a longer period of time followed by cow. Detailed vegetation analysis and regeneration status of the forests are necessary as they form the basis for future plans to manage and restore these vanishing resources

Ethnopedological knowledge of upland Karbi Community: A case study from Dima Hasao District of Assam, North-Eastern Himalaya, India

30-39This paper describes the ethnopedological knowledge of indigenous upland Karbi farmers inhabiting a hilly area of Assam, India. Semi-directive interviews, focused group discussion and joint field visit methods were used for eliciting information on soil from key knowledge holders identified through chain referrals. Soil was classified into eight folk types based on fertility which were determined via its physical properties viz., colour, texture, water retention capacity and compactness. This classification helped them in land-use and crop-selection related decisions and some other uses. Plant species viz., Albizia spp., Imperata cylindrica, Lantana camara and Schima wallichii indicating soil fertility were valued for identification of most suitable jhum sites. To minimize soil erosion, indigenous techniques like inverted ‗U‘ shaped channels, maintaining standing trees and cut stumps, and placing horizontal wooden logs across shifting agricultural fields on steep slopes were employed. The laboratory analysis of physico-chemical parameters viz., bulk density, colour, texture, water holding capacity, pH, soil organic carbon and total nitrogen support the ethnopedological knowledge of the farmers. Study may help in preservation and protection of local knowledge on soil which is eroding fast under the influence of modernity

Functional leaf traits indicate phylogenetic signals in forests across an elevational gradient in the central Himalaya

Krishna M, Winternitz J, Garkoti SC, Penuelas J. Functional leaf traits indicate phylogenetic signals in forests across an elevational gradient in the central Himalaya. Journal of plant research. 2021.Traits are the primary attributes that distinguish a species niche. Species and higher taxa are part of a structured phylogeny, and variation in plant traits depends on lineage as well as on environmental conditions. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate linkages between taxonomic identity, shared ancestry, and environment for understanding the variation in leaf traits. We investigated the evolutionary relationships, based on multiple gene sequences among 26 plant species sampled along an elevational gradient from 650 to 3600m a.s.l. in the central Himalaya. We tested for the phylogenetic signal based on three different measures in 10 leaf traits having a significant association with the resource acquisition-conservation trade-offs axis and influencing plant growth, development, and ecological performance. We further assessed the role of elevation and growth forms as the potential drivers of leaf traits variation while controlling for phylogeny. 5 out of 10 leaf traits showed significant phylogenetic signal. Plant species clustered more often by growth forms at the tips of the phylogeny indicating multiple instances of independent evolution. Evergreen taxa showed niche separation with deciduous and incorporated larger trait variation. Trait variations were guided by both growth forms and elevation when accounted for phylogeny. Growth form has a higher contribution to trait variation compared to elevation. Trade-offs were detected between resource conservation and resource acquisition machinery traits (that would maximise carbon gain), differing between growth forms and along elevation

Phylogenetic classification of the world's tropical forests.

Knowledge about the biogeographic affinities of the world's tropical forests helps to better understand regional differences in forest structure, diversity, composition, and dynamics. Such understanding will enable anticipation of region-specific responses to global environmental change. Modern phylogenies, in combination with broad coverage of species inventory data, now allow for global biogeographic analyses that take species evolutionary distance into account. Here we present a classification of the world's tropical forests based on their phylogenetic similarity. We identify five principal floristic regions and their floristic relationships: (i) Indo-Pacific, (ii) Subtropical, (iii) African, (iv) American, and (v) Dry forests. Our results do not support the traditional neo- versus paleotropical forest division but instead separate the combined American and African forests from their Indo-Pacific counterparts. We also find indications for the existence of a global dry forest region, with representatives in America, Africa, Madagascar, and India. Additionally, a northern-hemisphere Subtropical forest region was identified with representatives in Asia and America, providing support for a link between Asian and American northern-hemisphere forests