Floristic diversity of the Tagdempt region,Tiaret Mountains,Algeria

Tiaret massif forest offers a very interesting model for studying the evolution of the flora in the region, with a variety of very remarkable vegetation distribution conditioned by a significant number of ecological factors (climate and anthropogenic activities). A floristic study was carried out in Tagdempt sector, characterized by semi-arid Mediterranean climate and forming a natural barrier against steppe development.The floristic analysis based on the method of Braun-Blanquet with a minimum surface of 100 m² allowed us to draw up a list of 126 species belonging to 100 genera of 40 families. The most dominant family was Asteraceae with 23 species (18.3%), followed by Fabaceae and Poaceae with 12 (9.5%) and 9 species (7.1%), respectively. Among life forms, annual herbs represented 53.2%, followed by perennial shrub species (32.5%) and finally trees (14.3%). Biogeographically, the Mediterranean was the most dominant type (49.6%), whereas other types had low percentages. Moreover, out of the plants identified, six with different status were rare (4.76%), nine were endemic (7.14%) and only five of the taxa have official protection status under the Algerian legislation (3.96%).     

Floristic inventory and ecological characterization the village Sherpao,District Charsadda,Khyber Pakhtunkhwa- Pakistan

Floristic inventory of village Sherpao, District Charsadda comprised of total 104 plant species belonging to 46 families and 95 genera. The leading families included Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Poaceae and contributed by 8 species one (7.69%).The most pre-dominant life form was therophytes having 35 species (33.65%). Most dominant habit of flora were herbs having 77 species (74%) followed by trees contributed by 18 species (17.30%) and shrubs having 9 species (8.65%). Leaf size spectra of the flora showed that the most dominant leaf size class were microphyll having 38 species (36.53%) followed by nanophyll contributed by 32 species (30.76%), mesophyll represented 22 species (21.15%) and leptophyll contributed by 12 species (11.53%). Based on habitat 77 species (74%) were xerophytic in nature followed by 14 species (13.46%) in wet condition and 13 species (12.5%) were present in both conditions. In 104 plant species 85 were non spiny and 19 were spiny. Plant growth and distribution are having strong correlation with environment. Therefore, it is important to understand the environmental aspects that affect plant growth and distribution.     

Species diversity,biological spectrum and phenological behaviour of vegetation of Biha Valley (Swat), Pakistan

A study was conducted to explore the plant biodiversity, phenology, life form and leaf size spectra of the vegetation of Biha Valley, District SWAT. The study area was surveyed thoroughly in different seasons of the year. Floristic diversity of the area consists of 202 plant species belonging to 154 genera and 70 families. There were two flowering seasons, 85.15% plant species flowers during May to August while 14.65% plant species flowers during the September to November. Biological spectrum of the area indicated that Therophytes (46.60%) was the dominant life form class, followed by Hemicryptophytes having 15.53%, Nanophanarophytes (11.65%), Megaphanerophytes (8.25%), Chamaephytes (7.77%), Geophytes (5.34%), Liana (2.91%) and Mesophanarophytes (1.94%). Leaf spectra of study area revealed that Microphylls was dominant with (41.26%) followed by Nanophylls (32.04%), Mesophylls (15.53%), Leptophylls (8.85%) and Megaphylls (2.91%).     

Observations on the floristic,life-form,leaf-size spectra and habitat diversity of vegetation in the Bhimber hills of Kashmir Himalayas

Vegetation analysis provides the prerequisites to understand the overall community structure and function of any ecosystem and is a fundamental requirement for the precise evaluation of biodiversity. Although many studies have assessed floristic attributes of specific areas, there are still unexplored regions, as is the case of the mountain region in the Kashmir Himalayas. Current research highlighted the recent findings of the scientific characterization of floristic and ecological aspects on the forest flora found in the Bhimber hills, Pakistan. Floristically, a total of 93 species belonging to 80 genera in 41 families were recorded. The species distribution patterns across the families were disproportionate with half of the species contributed by 8 families and 25 families were monotypic. Based on the floristic analysis, Asteraceae was the largest family with 12% of species followed by Poaceae with (11%) species. PAST software, a multivariate ecological community analysis was used to classify the species similarities and differences among the different habitat types. According to the habitat wise distribution, 21% of species were growing in the natural forest habitat, while 15% of species were dispersed in highly distributed habitats along roadsides and 8% on pedestrians. In terms of functional diversity, the herbaceous growth form was dominant (58%). The biological spectrum revealed therophytes as the dominant life form as it indicates the disturbed habitat vegetation. The phytogeographical analysis revealed that the maximum (69%) species were native, while the minimum (31%) species were exotic. Thus, the study of these functional and habitat diversity patterns can significantly improve our understanding of the ecological aspects of the flora in the geographical location. This information may additionally be useful in devising management plans to ensure sustainable utilization and better management of forest landscapes in this Himalayan region.     

Quantification and characterization of vegetation and functional trait diversity of the riparian zones in protected forest of Kashmir Himalaya,India

Globally, riparian zones along river banks are widely recognized for their vital role in water regulation and conservation of biodiversity. Here, we specifically investigated the floristic and functional diversity of the vegetation of the riparian zones of protected forests in Kashmir Himalaya, India. A random sampling method was used for site selection while a transect method was used for data collection. Data obtained from the field was subjected to taxonomic and functional classification. Floristic analysis revealed a total of 78 species belonging to 68 genera in 40 families, suggesting an unequal distribution of species among families. Nine families contributed half of the species: Rosaceae was the dominant family with nine (12%) species followed by Asteraceae with eight species (10%), while 23 families were monotypic. In terms of functional trait diversity, herbaceous and perennial taxa dominated, and the biological spectrum showed a dominance of the therophytic life form, indicative of disturbed vegetation. The phenological spectrum revealed that the maximum flowering periods starts in March and extends into May, in which a total of 61% of the species were observed to flower. The leading leaf size spectra were mesophyll with 35%, followed by microphyll (31%). Most (64%) of the species had a simple leaf lamina type. The results of the present study serve as a means to evaluate best management practices, assess restoration and mitigation projects, prioritize riparian related resource management decisions, and establish aquatic life use standards.     

A Note on a Sclero microphyllous Evengreen Broad leaved Forest Association Olea ferruginea,Pistacia weinmannifoliain Lancang (Upper Mekong) River

An unique sclero microphyllous evergreen broad leaved community in the valley of Lancang (upper Mekong) River was recorded using the methodology of Braun Blanquet’s relevé. The plant community was nominated by Association Olea ferruginea, Pistacia weinmannifolia. It was mainly happened at altitude 1300m to 1900m above sea level along the river banks. Its physiognomy, life/growth form, and floristic components were summarized, depending field collected releves. The results indicated community structure was relatively simple, with average species number of 18; Phanerophytes were the most common life form, and growth form was dominated by herbs; There were 116 vascular species, 39 families, and 84 genera in 15 relevés; Its flora had a tropical characteristics at family and genus level. This association was supposed to be a relic vegetation of paleomediterrean subtropical vegetation which is characterized by small and scelrophyllous leaves. With growing human impact of dams construction, this plant community type which remains and evolves in a narrow valley were worth of protection and further research.     

Vegetation analysis,phenological patterns and chorological affinities in Wadi Qena,Eastern Desert,Egypt

The present study, which was conducted between 2009 and 2010, provides an analysis of the floristic composition, life forms, phenology, chorological spectrum and analysis of the vegetation in the deltaic part of Wadi Qena using multivariate analysis techniques. Twenty‐five stands were sampled to represent, as much as possible, the vegetation variation in the study area. A total of 54 species (nineteen annuals and 35 perennials) belonging to 47 genera and nineteen families were recorded. The largest families were Fabaceae and Brassicaceae (nine and seven, respectively), Asteraceae and Poaceae (six for each), Chenopodiaceae (five), and Zygophyllaceae (four). Therophytes are the predominant life form (37%) followed by chamaephytes (24%), phanerophytes (18.5%), hemicryptophytes (9.29%) and cryptophytes (5.5%). Chorological analysis revealed that Saharo‐Arabian (48%) and the Sudano‐Zambezian (19.2%) chorotypes constitute the main bulk (67.2%) of the total flora of the studied area. The majority of the perennial species behave similarly to each other in their phenology, and usually perennials sprout at the end of February, become leafy in March, flower in April and produce fruits between April and July. Three main vegetation groups resulted from classification of the dominant vegetation. Canonical correspondence analysis revealed that magnesium, potassium and pH were the most effective soil variables.     

Traditional knowledge of wild medicinal plants used by the inhabitants of Garam Chashma valley,district Chitral,Pakistan

Garam Chashma valley is a mountainous valley situated in the Hindukush mountain range in Pakistan. This area is blessed with rich and diverse medicinal flora extensively utilized by the local community to cure health issues. The present article aims to explore and document the indigenous traditional knowledge about wild plants and their curative properties. This survey was carried out during April 2018 to September 2019. Data was collected from 153 indigenous people through semi structure questionnaire, group discussion, field survey and formal talks with elder people. Quantitative analysis of recorded data was obtained by applying quantitative indices like Frequency of Citation (FC) Use Reports (UR), Family Use Value (FUV), Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), Use Value (UV) and Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC). About 83 plant taxa belonging to 36 different families were recorded for the treatment of 95 different disorders grouped into sixteen disease categories. Herbs were the most leading plant habit (81.9%) and dried plant material (51.8%) usually preferred for therapeutics uses. Among families Asteraceae (16.86%) was recorded as major taxon with highest number of species followed by Lamiaceae (12.06%). Leaves 33% were recorded most abundantly used plant part followed by flowers (17%). Regarding to formulations, decoction (39.3%) and powder (17.1%) were recorded most frequent mode of preparation while oral intake (78%) was most preferred administration route. About (40%) plants species were utilized to treat Gastrointestinal diseases (GIT) disorders. Informant consensus revealed that Gastrointestinal disorders and Dermatological disorders were top ranked ailments categories with 0.94 consensus. The current study imparted that medicinal plants are still used by the indigenous communities of Garam Chashma valley, district lower Chitral, Pakistan. Thus, this investigation provides basis for the conservation of medicinal flora in the area. Medicinal plants (MPs) having high value of FC, RFC, UV, FUV, FL and ICF should be further study for phytochemistry and ethnopharmacology to evaluate novel active ingredients for new drugs discovery.     

Floristic inventory and biological spectra of Balakot,District Mansehra,Pakistan

This study was conducted to assess the floristic composition, biological spectra and phenology of Tehsil Balakot. Frequent visits were made in different seasons during 2012–13. Field notebook was used to record the data within field. Biological spectrum and leaf sizes classes were determined. The floristic diversity revealed 228 plant species belonged to 184 genera and 72 families. Asteraceae family contributed maximum number of species (27) followed by Rosaceae (18), Apiaceae and Lamiaceae (12) species each, Papilionaceae (11) species while remaining 67 families contributed less than 10 species. Herbaceous growth form was the most leading one (71%), followed by shrub (15%) and tree (14%), respectively. Biological spectrum revealed that hemicryptophytes (32.45%) were the most prevalent, followed by therophytes (31.57%), nanophanerophytes (15.35%), megaphanerophytes (13.59%) and chamaephytes (4.38%). Leaf spectra showed that microphyll (28.94%) were dominant, followed by nanophyll (27.19%), leptophyll (22.80%), mesophyll (14.03%) and megaphyll (7.01%). The flora was influenced by two flowering seasons i.e. March to August and September to February. In the first spell, 193 species were recorded, of these 15.54% trees, 15.02% shrubs, 63.21% herbs, 3.62% grasses and 2.59% ferns; while in the second spell, there were 35 species having 2.85% trees, 17.14% shrubs, 74.28% herbs, and 5.71% grasses. The flowering data shows that June and July were the utmost flowering months with 28.50% in 65 and 20.17% in 46 plant species.     

赤水河上游主要森林植被中苔藓物种多样性研究

对赤水河上游典型森林植被中苔藓植物多样性调查分析。(1)苔藓植物有15科19属28种(含变种、亚种);生活型有3种：交织型(64.29%)、矮丛集型(28.57%)和平铺型(7.14%)。(2)丰富度以竹叶林中最大(2.131),残存阔叶林中次之(0.687),针叶林中最小(-1.444)。(3)α多样性呈现一定的规律,竹叶林（3.170）＞残存阔叶林（3.000）＞人工植被地（2.807）＞灌木林（2.322）＞针叶林=谷顶区(1.585),α多样性的排序规律与丰富度基本保持一致,均出现在竹叶林中最大。(4)β多样性出现灌木林—残存阔叶林生境中最高（1.000）,竹叶林—残存阔叶林中次之（0.938）,灌木林—针叶林（0.857）中最小的变化差异趋势。分析得出了植被型、湿度和荫蔽度是制约着该地区苔藓植物多样性的主要生态因素。通过苔藓植物多样性的探究,为保护该流域生态环境和生物多样性提供参考价值。     

怒江中游西藏境内干旱河谷荒漠植被特征

基于实地调查资料,对西藏境内怒江中游河谷的特殊荒漠型植被进行了研究。结果表明：（1）22个样方中有85种维管植物,其种子植物属的分布区类型以泛热带分布为主,占21．6％;种以中国特有分布中的西南特有成分为主,占53．2％;（2）生活型谱以矮高位芽植物为主,占41．2％,地面芽植物占40．0％;（3）采用Raunkiaer频度分析,出现在10个以上样方中的物种有白刺花、垫状卷柏、芸香草和阔盖中国蕨等,频度分别是68．2％、50．0％、50．0％、45．5％;（4）根据该河谷区域的气候特点、干旱程度、群落的生态外貌特征和生活型等,并结合《中国植被》对灌丛和荒漠的划分,认为该河谷区域的植被盖度极低,不属于灌丛类型,而是非地带性的干旱河谷型荒漠植被。     

Biodiversity Characterization in Nubra Valley, Ladakh with Special Reference to Plant Resource Conservation and Bioprospecting

Trans-Himalayan mountains, owing to harsh climatic conditions and a short growing season support low vegetation cover (<20%), yet it is known to harbour a unique assemblage of flora and fauna which have not been systematically inventoried and documented so far. This paper deals with spatial and non-spatial information on landscape units, vegetation characteristics and plant species diversity of Nubra Valley in Ladakh, India. Based on digital – visual (on screen) interpretation of remote sensing data coupled with knowledge-based classification we delineated 19 cover classes (11 vegetation types and 8 non-vegetation categories). The vascular plants (angiosperms and gymnosperms) were systematically collected using stratified random sampling of different landscape/vegetation to characterize plant communities and assess the distribution patterns of species. The study reveals that nearly 78–80% of plant species in Nubra are restricted to the valley bottoms. In all, 414 species of vascular plants were recorded from the study area. These belongs to 56 families and 202 genera. Of these, 102 species were reported to be used in traditional system of medicine by Amchis over 80 species are largely associated with cultivated fields and human habitation. As many as 49 species were cultivated which include several varieties of crop plants especially those of barley and buckwheat. Aspects of bioprospecting and conservation of valuable species have been discussed.     

Diversity of Odonata (Insecta) from Dholbaha Dam (Distt. Hoshiarpur) in Punjab Shivalik,India

Study on the species diversity of the order Odonata was carried out during 2002 ∼ 2004 at Dholbaha dam, which has a moist deciduous forest surrounding it in district Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India. A total of 30 species belonging to 7 families of order Odonata were recorded during the study period. The family Libellulidae, represented by 18 species was the most dominant followed by Coenagrionidae (6 species), Aeshnidae (2 species) and Calopterygidae, Chlorocyphidae, Euphaeidae and Gomphidae each having 1 species. In terms of total number of individuals, family Libellulidae constituted maximum with 64.36% followed by Coenagrionidae (28.50%), Chlorocyphidae (1.83%), Gomphidae (1.62%), Euphaeidae (1.56%), Calopterygidae (1.38%) and Aeshnidae (0.75%). Pantala flavescens (Fabricius), a migratory species was the most dominant in number of individuals constituting 17.12% of the total. The least dominant species included Anax immaculifrons Rambur (0.38%) and Anax parthenope parthenope (Selys) (0.36%). Shannon-Wiener index of species diversity of Odonata was 2.988 and 3.029 during 2002–2003 and 2003–2004, respectively. Seven new species have also been reported from the Dholbaha dam during this study period thus increasing the total species number of odonates so far recorded from this area from 29 to 36.     

Ethnomedicinal flora of Frontier Region Tank,Fata, Pakistan

Main objective of the study was to record the ethnobotanical uses of indigenous plants of the federally administered tribal area (FATA), Bhittani (Local Tribe). Total interviewed local informants of different ages through questionnaire were 212 (196 male and 16 female). Well-known statistical indices, Use Value (UVi) formula and Fidelity Level (FL%) were used for quantification of the recorded data. After identification, the collected specimens were deposited in the Herbarium of Botany Department, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Present findings reveal that 38 plants species belonging to 26 families were being used in the treatment of 31 different diseases. Regarding plant habit, herbs were the leading growth form (63%), followed by trees (24%) and shrubs (13%) respectively. Solanaceae (13.16%) was leading family used in curing various diseases, followed by Asteraceae and Moraceae (7.89% each). Most cited families by the informants were Solanaceae (5 species, 137 citations), Asteraceae (3 species, 81 citations), Moraceae (3 species, 69 citations) and Amaryllidaceae (2 species, 57 citations). Most of taxa were used in curing constipation and stomach problem (9.88% each), followed by pain and cough (7.41% each), digestive and fever (4.96% each). Most frequently used plant part for curing different diseases was leaves (33.33%), followed by fruits (21.67%) and roots (13.33%). Medicinal plants with most use values and high ranks were Withania coagulans (0.88) ranked 1^st and Cichorium intybus 2^nd (0.81) while Cichorium intybus also showed 100% FL value. Plants of study area provide most of the basic requirements for the survival of local communities. There is huge pressure exerted on the natural vegetation due to their overuse by the inhabitants of the area. If proper remedial measures are not taken soon, this process may lead to decline of the valuable plant species from the study area.     

Vegetation Heterogeneity and Life-Strategy Diversity in the Flora of the Heterogeneous Landscape of Nizanda, Oaxaca, Mexico

We updated the floristic checklist of the Nizanda region, Isthmus of Tehuantepec (southern Mexico), characterized the occurring plant communities based on dominant species, and described the region’s flora according to life form, growth form, growth type, and growth habit spectra. Ten years of botanical exploration, along with surveys in 188 100-m² samples from different vegetation types, provided the baseline floristic information. Ordination and classification analyses were performed to examine the degree of differentiation between communities. Geographical ranges of all species were used to assess biogeographical relationships of this flora. The inventory includes 920 species (553 genera, 124 families). More than one-third of the families were represented by a single species, whereas the 10 richest families had 43% of the species richness. Dendrograms showing plot classification at three taxonomic levels (species, genus and family) revealed savannah as the most strongly differentiated community amid seven vegetation types. Regarding growth forms, forbs and trees prevailed. Phanerophytes were the most common life form category, whereas herbs and woody plants were the dominant growth types. The largest richness for all taxonomic levels was recorded in the tropical dry forest. The expanded floristic knowledge gained for the Nizanda region provided better criteria to revise the classification scheme of its vegetation. Our preliminary biogeographical analysis illustrates the role of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec as a corridor for thermophilous floras between two oceanic watersheds, and as a natural distributional limit for several Mesoamerican plant species.     

Exploring and understanding the floristic richness,life-form,leaf-size spectra and phenology of plants in protected forests: A case study of Dachigam National Park in Himalaya,Asia

Protected areas are contributing people's livelihoods and working as the backbone of all forms of biodiversity conservation. The reformed rules and the legal local protection have come up as a means of conserving trees and associated diversity of life throughout the world. But due to the anthropogenic pressures and climate change especially in the global south and even those within the well-recognized national parks, community conserved forests, wetlands, nature reserves, and similar other species-rich sites are under human pressure. Lots of research works have been carried out related to conservation parameters, still, the qualitative studies on legal protection and management of forest biodiversity in many hotspots regions such as the Himalayas and Indo-Myanmar are lacking. Realising the future perspective of potential and economic valued higher plants in forests, the assessment of species composition of Dachigam National Park (DNP) was carried out in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) of Himalaya. A total of 181 plant species belonging to 129 genera and 56 families were documented from DNP. It has been observed that the species distribution pattern across the documented families was unequal, with 11 families contributing approximately half of the species number, while 21 families were monotypic and represented by only 1 species. Family Rosaceae (19) with the maximum number of species was the dominant group followed by Asteraceae (16 spp.) and Lamiaceae (10 spp.). In terms of functional trait diversity, herbaceous and perennial woody forms of plants were dominant over the other forms. The biological spectrum analysis revealed the dominance of therophyte life-form, indicating the disturbed vegetation in DNP. A multivariate ecological community analysis software was used to classify the phenological similarities and differences among the different flowering seasons. The phenological spectrum revealed the maximum plant flowering season ranges from March to June, where a total of about 53% species were recorded in full blooming. The leaf-size spectra were also investigated and found 36% of the structure were microphyll, followed by mesophyll (28%); the majority of the species (62%) had simple leaf lamina. These research findings provide important baseline data for better prediction of phenological shifts associated with Himalayan species over contemporary climate change and species composition of protected areas in Himalaya.     

记澜沧江河谷一硬叶小叶常绿阔叶林类型——锈鳞木樨榄、清香木群丛

采用法瑞地植物学派的样地调查法记录了澜沧江中上游河谷中一独特的硬叶小叶常绿阔叶林类型——锈鳞木樨榄、清香木群丛。该群丛由南向北分布于1300~1900m的河谷下部,对群落外貌、生活型与生长型、植物种类科属的组成、分布区类型等进行了分析。结果表明：（1） 群落结构简单,物种数平均为18种;（2） 生活型以高位芽植物居多,生长型以草本居多;（3） 群落中计有维管植物116种,隶属于39科,84属;（4） 植物科级、属级水平上均显示出了热带性质,植物区系表现出一定的古老性,反映了与古地中海硬叶小叶林的历史渊源。该植物群丛适应澜沧江干热-干暖河谷气候,分布区域狭窄,是一类值得重点保护和深入研究的植被类型。     

Floristic diversity and utility of flora of district Charsadda,Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

The District Charsadda has a wide diversification with nature beauty and greenery. The area has rich biodiversity and natural resources. The District is geographically organized into two primary parts: Hashtnagar and Do Aaba. Research was carried out during 2017–18, in blooming season to collect different taxa from the area. The study depicted 253 taxa floristically with 189 genera and 71 families in which 4 families were pteridiophytes, 3 were gymnosperms and 64 were angiospermic families included 11 Monocot and 53 Dicot. The number of taxa per family varies from 1 to 56. Poaceae was the leading family in term of number of genera and species with 36 genera (19.04%) and 56 species (22.13%) followed by Asteraceae with 15 genera (7.936%) and 17 species (6.719%). The important groups in terms of species percentage were Dicots with a share of (53 species) followed by Monocots (11 species), Pteridophytes (5 species) and Gymnosperms (4 species). Herbaceous layer consists of 173 species (68.37%) followed by trees 46 species (18.18%), 25 species (9.881%) were shrub, 8 species (3.162%) were climbers and only 1 species (0.395%) was parasitic in the area. Biological spectrum depicted that Therophytes (126 species, 49.80%) and Microphyll (78 species, 30.83%) were the leading life form and leaf size classes. Ethnobotanical study proved that majority of species 164 were used as fodder/forage, 27 species were fruits, 28 species were vegetables, 28 species ornamental, 47 species fuel, 66 species were medicinals, 21 species used as timber, 8 species for thatching, 29 species for insect attractant and only 4 species used as spices (condiments) while some species have no local use in research area like Dryopteris stewartii, Equisetum arvense L., Marsilea L., Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms, and Potamogeton nodosus Poir. This is the first ever record of the area, no prior work exists in this regard. This work might help for future intensive and extensive researches.     

Photosynthetic pathway and morphological functional types in the vegetation from North-Beijing agro-pastoral ecotone, China

Photosynthetic pathways (C₃, C₄, and CAM) and morphological functional types were identified for the species from vegetation in agro-pastoral ecotone, North Beijing. 792 vascular plant species (nearly half of the total species in the ecotone), in 66 families and 317 genera, were identified with C₃, C₄, and CAM photosynthesis (Table 1). 710 species (90 % of the identified species in Table 1) in 268 genera and 64 families were found with C₃ photosynthesis, 68 species (9 % of the total identified species) in 40 genera and 7 families with C₄ photosynthesis, and 14 species in 4 genera and 1 family with CAM photosynthesis. Gramineae is the leading family with C₄ photosynthesis (43 species), Cyperaceae ranks the second (16 species) followed by Chenopodiaceae (5 species). The significant increase of C₄ proportion (C₄/total species) with land deterioration suggested the plants of this type are remarkably responsive to land use in the ecotone. 792 species were classified into nine morphological functional types and the changes of most of these types (e.g. perennial forbs (PEF), annual grasses (ANG), and annual forbs (ANF)) were consistent with habitats and vegetation dynamics in the agro-pastoral ecotone. Hence the photosynthetic pathways, combined with the morphological functional types, are efficient indications for studying the linkage between species and ecosystems in the ecotone.     

Endemism and sexual systems in the evergreen tree flora of the Western Ghats, India

This study reports the endemism and sexual system in the wet evergreen tree flora of the Western Ghats. A total of 656 species from 66 families and 231 genera were listed. This included a gymnosperm family (Podocarpaceae) and a monocot family (Arecaceae). No family was endemic to the Western Ghats, but 352 species (53%) from 43 families and five genera were endemic. Nearly 35% of the families had no endemics. The largest families with endemics were Dipterocarpaceae (92%), Anacardiaceae (84%), Lauraceae (72%), Fabaceae, Rubiaceae and Myrtaceae (68%). The top five contributing families in the tree flora of the Western Ghats were Euphorbiaceae, Lauraceae, Rubiaceae, Myrtaceae and Annonaceae. The 656 species were largely hermaphrodites (57%) followed by dioecious (20%), polygamous (16%) and monoecious species (5%). The rate of dioecy reported in this study (20%) is higher than reports for Puerto Rico (18%) but lower than the Malaysian rainforest (26%). Structurally, like the Neotropical forests, most evergreen forest types of the Western Ghats could be classified into four ensembles. Yet, the Western Ghats had fewer species than other tropical and Neotropical forests. The proportion of endemics in the ensembles of the Western Ghats ranged from 34% (ensemble IV) to 14% (ensemble I).