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Phalaris canariensis L. (Poaceae): A new alien plant record for Kashmir Himalaya, India
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The misidentification of Myriophyllum aquaticum (Vell.) Verdc. in the Kashmir Himalaya, India is corrected. In addition to its taxonomic description and illustration, the paper discusses the range expansion of this invasive plant species into different aquatic habitats and management implications in the region.
Ceratophyllum platyacanthum Cham. subsp. oryzetorum (Kom.) Les (Ceratophyllaceae) is recorded for the first time from Kashmir Himalaya and India. The species differs from its closely related taxon, Ceratophyllum demersum, in having smaller leaves and the fruit with a facial spine. A comparison between Ceratophyllum demersum and C. platyacanthum subsp. oryzetorum, and the taxonomic description, photographs and distribution map are provided to facilitate its field identification in the region.
The Kashmir Himalaya, being nestled within north-western folds of the Himalaya, harbours a rich floristic diversity of immense scientific interest and enormous economic potential. Though scientific studies on the floristic diversity in the Kashmir Himalaya have been started about two centuries ago, yet they fall short of the requirements needed urgently in the post-Rio Summit. In fact, at the spatial scale, many far flung areas and difficult terrains in the hinterland are still either least- or totally-unexplored; and at the taxon scale, floristic studies especially with regard to the lower plants are insufficient, thus posing serious problems in assessing the floristic diversity in the region. With such a perspective in hindsight, the present paper dilates upon the progress achieved so far, highlights the problems being faced and envisages the future prospects with regard to floristic diversity in this region. First, a broad overview of the current status of floristic diversity in this Himalayan region is presented, followed by a critical analysis of the knowledge base presently available on various taxonomic groups of plants. The yawing gaps in our knowledge of floristic diversity in this region are identified and an action plan to bridge these gaps is also outlined. Hopefully, addressing these challenges in the immediate future could facilitate the documentation, conservation and sustainable use of plant resources in this region, so as to steer this 'Himalayan Paradise' towards the path of sustainable development.
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.
Biodiversity is the very basis of human survival and economic well-being, and encompasses all life forms, ecosystems and ecological processes. The current estimates of the total number of species on earth vary from 5 to more than 100 million, with a more conservative figure of 13.6 million species. Of these, only 1.78 million species have yet been described and awarded scientific names. Thus, our knowledge of diversity is remarkably incomplete. Biodiversity at any point in time is the balance between the rates of speciation and extinction. Biodiversity is not uniformly distributed on the earth and shows prominent latitudinal and altitudinal gradients. At least five major mass extinctions have occurred in the past at geologic-time boundaries. Studies indicate that we have entered into the sixth phase of mass extinctions. In all ecosystem types, terrestrial, freshwater and marine, species populations are declining. The current rates of species extinction are 100–1000 times higher than the background rate of 10−7 species/species year inferred from fossil record. It is now in the order of 1,000 species per decade per million species. Today we seem to be losing two to five species per hour from tropical forests alone. This amounts to a loss of 16 m populations/year or 1,800 populations/h. Major drivers for changes of biodiversity in future, in decreasing rank of their impact are land use change, climate change, N deposition, biotic exchange and atmospheric loading of CO2. Accuracy of estimates of the total number of resident species and current rates of extinction remains undetermined, and the impact of species deletions on ecosystem function and stability is still a subject of debate among ecologists. There are two basic, often complementary strategies for biodiversity conservation. The in situ strategy emphasizes the protection of ecosystems for the conservation of overall diversity of genes, populations, species, communities and the ecological processes which are crucial for ecosystem services. Establishment of networks of protected areas are effective in this regard as these have the possibility to conserve primary forests and red-listed ecosystems. The concept of biodiversity banking could induce public participation. Establishment of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, an independent, international science panel (like IPCC) would help coordinate and highlight research on pressing topics, conduct periodic assessments on regional as well as global scales and provide predictions.
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.
Biodiversity and its conservation are among the main global topics in science and politics and perhaps the major challenge for the present and coming generations. This book written by international experts from different disciplines comprises general chapters on diversity and its measurement, human impacts on biodiversity hotspots on a global scale, human diversity itself and various geographic regions exhibiting high levels of diversity. The areas covered range from genetics and taxonomy to evolutionary biology, biogeography and the social sciences. In addition to the classic hotspots in the tropics, the book also highlights various other ecosystems harbouring unique species communities including coral reefs and the Southern Ocean. The approach taken considers, but is not limited to, the original hotspot definition sensu stricto and presents a chapter introducing the 35th hotspot, the forests of East Australia. While, due to a bias in data availability, the majority of contributions on particular taxa deal with vertebrates and plants, some also deal with the less-studied invertebrates. This book will be essential reading for anyone involved with biodiversity, particularly researchers and practitioners in the fields of conservation biology, ecology and evolution.
The following species are recognized: Phalaris rotgesii, arundinacea, caesia, aquatica, elongata, minor, maderensis, truncata, canariensis, brachystachys, coerulescens, paradoxa, appendiculata, angusta, caroliniana, amethystina, lemmonii, platensis, californica, peruviana, lindigii and daviesii. A key to the species is provided in addition to individual species accounts. The following information appears for each species: flowering period, chromosome number, habitats in which found, notes on distribution, general notes and location/dates of voucher specimens. Distribution maps are also included: general distribution of the genus Phalaris L.; of P. caesia; of P. angusta; of P. caroliniana; of P. amethystina. lindigii, peruviana and platensis; of P. lemmonii; and of P. californica. -S.R.Harris
Incluye bibliografía e índice
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