Does forest type classification reflect spatial dynamics of vegetation? Analysis using GIS techniques

The existing methods of classification of forest vegetation rely more on the structure and composition of tree vegetation with little information derived from other layers. We suggest that any classificatory process of forest vegetation should consider the spatial dynamics of all the three layers namely, tree, shrub and herb. In this paper we have attempted to offer an objective method of classifying the vegetation at all the three layers utilizing GIS and multivariate statistical tools. Unlike the existing techniques, our method views the forest as a continuously changing mosaic of vegetation and not as an assemblage of discrete patches. Our study suggests that understanding the spatial dynamics of vegetation at one layer may not reflect that at others. Further, as an alternate to the existing methods, we also develop a continuum map of biodiversity of the forest that offers the conservation value of each patch, an element that is not conveyed in the existing classificatory processes. Discover the world's researc

Does forest type classification reflect spatial dynamics of vegetation? An analysis using GIS techniques

The existing methods of classification of forest vegetation rely more on the structure and composition of tree vegetation with little information derived from other layers. We suggest that any classificatory process of forest vegetation should consider the spatial dynamics of all the three layers namely, tree, shrub and herb. In this paper we have attempted to offer an objective method of classifying the vegetation at all the three layers utilizing GIS and multivariate statistical tools. Unlike the existing techniques, our method views the forest as a continuously changing mosaic of vegetation and not as an assemblage of discrete patches. Our study suggests that understanding the spatial dynamics of vegetation at one layer may not reflect that at others. Further, as an alternate to the existing methods, we also develop a continuum map of biodiversity of the forest that offers. the conservation value of each patch, an element that IS not conveyed in the existing classificatory processes

Development and characterization of microsatellite markers for Phyllanthus emblica Linn., important nontimber forest product species

Phyllanthus emblica and P. indofischeri, commonly known as the Indian gooseberry, are important nontimber forest product (NTFP) species widely distributed across the Indian subcontinent. The fruits of these species are rich in vitamin C and are used in the preparation of a number of herbal medicines for treating a wide range of disorders. Due to the increased demand, they have been harvested extensively and form a major source of income for the forest-dwelling communities living in southern India. There are limited studies to understand the impact of harvesting on the genetic structure of these species. In this study, 15 polymorphic microsatellite markers have been developed for P. emblica and were characterized by screening 20 individuals each of P.emblica and P. indofischeri. The number of alleles per locus ranged 2–9 for P. emblica and 2–11 for P. indofischeri. The observed and expected heterozygosity of P. emblica ranged 0–1 and 0.401–0.825, respectively. Similarly, the observed and expected heterozygosity of P. indofischeri ranged 0.5–1 and 0.366–0.842, respectively. Cross-amplification of the designed primers was assessed with seven related Phyllanthus species. The microsatellite markers developed can be used for studying the population genetic structure, gene flow and genetic diversity of P. emblica and P. indofischeri

Hundreds of millions of people in the tropics need both wild harvests and other forms of economic development for their well-being

Local access to “wild,” common-pool terrestrial and aquatic resources is being diminished by global resource demand and large-scale conservation interventions. Many theories suggest the well-being of wild harvesters can be supported through transitions to other livelihoods, improved infrastructure, and market access. However, new theories argue that such benefits may not always occur because they are context dependent and vary across dimensions of well-being. We test these theories by comparing how wild harvesting and other livelihoods have been associated with food security and life satisfaction in different contexts across ∼10,800 households in the tropics. Wild harvests coincided with high well-being in remote, asset-poor, and less-transformed landscapes. Yet, overall, well-being increased with electrical infrastructure, proximity to cities, and household capitals. This provides large-scale confirmation of the context dependence of nature’s contributions to people, and suggests a need to maintain local wild resource access while investing in equitable access to infrastructure, markets, and skills

Regeneration of Amla, an Important Non-Timber Forest Product from Southern India

Amla fruits collected from Phyllanthus emblica and P. indofischeri are an important non-timber forest product for the indigenous Soliga community in the Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary, India. Seedlings, saplings and trees of these two congeners were monitored over three years in ten 0.1 ha plots each to assess and compare their regeneration status. The densities of seedlings and of adult trees of both species were similar, but the density of saplings of P. emblica was lower than that of P. indofischeri. The size class distribution of P. indofischeri, but not of P. emblica, followed the inverse J-shaped curve typically associated with regenerating populations, suggesting a higher mortality of seedlings and saplings of P. emblica than of P. indofischeri. Furthermore, re-sprouting individual-spresumably a response to damage by fire or grazing constituted a larger proportion of the population in the case of P. emblica and may constitute a future population bottleneck. We suggest that anthropogenic pressures other than harvest could be responsible for differences in population structure between these two species, which are managed under similar harvest intensities and subject to similar disturbance regimes

Conservation through conversation:a collaborative corridor restoration initiative in the Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Tiger Reserve, Karnataka, India

Wildlife corridors are critical in maintaining ecological processes and wildlife management, but they are fragmented and degraded due to various land-use practices. It is crucial to restore wildlife corridors through participation of communities/institutions of the landscape. Ironically, however, most of the proposed conservation plans are devoid of them in conservation and policy-making. Therefore, valuing the onus of people and their inputs to restore and manage wildlife corridors would be a practical strategy. We are addressing this ‘restoration initiative’ in the Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Tiger Reserve, Karnataka, India by integrating knowledge from social and ecological sciences. The preliminary result indicates that, people and institutions from the landscape are willing to support the restoration efforts. This initiative would emerge as one of the successful, actionoriented and policy-driven projects in this landscap

Impacts of gum-resin harvest and Lantana camara invasion on the population structure and dynamics of Boswellia serrata in the Western Ghats, India

Assessing the effects of harvesting on the population dynamics of important non-timber forest products (NTFPs) species is important for informing species conservation options, guiding sustainable harvesting practices and offtake and supporting local livelihoods. However, harvesting is rarely the only pressure on NTFP populations, and it is vital that the effects of interactive pressures be considered. This applies to Boswellia serrata, an NTFP tree species which is widely harvested for gum-resin used in religious practices. However, in many settings populations are in decline, presumably due to heavy harvesting, but other factors may play a role, such as altered fire regimes and invasive species. Here we report on the effects of harvesting and invasion by Lantana camara on B. serrata populations in three protected areas in the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot in southern India. We considered tree and juvenile density, size class distribution, and growth, mortality, and recruitment rates in harvested and unharvested populations over two years

Evaluation of a Participatory Resource Monitoring System for Nontimber Forest Products: the Case of Amla (Phyllanthus spp.) Fruit Harvest by Soligas in South India

Enhancing incomes from the sustainable harvest of nontimber forest products can help to maintain local livelihoods and provide local communities with economic incentives to conserve biodiversity. A key feature of a successful enterprise approach to the conservation of these products is a sound monitoring and evaluation program that involves all concerned stakeholders and leads to adaptive management. However, few studies have presented any of the approaches, successes, or challenges involved in participatory monitoring initiatives for nontimber forest products. We present our experiences using a participatory research model that we developed and used over a 10-yr (1995-2005) period for the wild harvesting of Phyllanthus spp. fruits (amla) by indigenous Soliga harvesters in the Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary, South India. We describe the establishment and evolution of our participatory resource monitoring activities, compare some of the results of our activities to those obtained from monitoring using standard ecological approaches, and evaluate some of the successes and challenges associated with our participatory resource model. An initial step in this work was the establishment of Soliga-run enterprises for the processing and value addition of amla and other nontimber forest products. Participatory resource monitoring activities consisted of participatory mapping and assessments of fruit production, fruit harvest and regeneration combined with pre- and postharvesting meetings for sharing information, and adaptive management. Over the years, harvesters rejected, changed, and adapted various participatory resource monitoring methods to select those most appropriate for them. Visual estimates of fruit production made by harvesters at the forest level were very similar to estimates obtained using standard scientific monitoring protocols. Participatory research monitoring techniques that were effective included strategies for participatory resource mapping, fruit productivity estimation, and promotion of improved harvest techniques. Major challenges involved ensuring adequate incentives for monitoring activities that lead to benefits only over the longer term, such as monitoring of extraction and regeneration rates. Maintaining long-term participation and interest in the latter requires ensuring resource tenure