Biodiversity Characterization in Nubra Valley, Ladakh with Special Reference to Plant Resource Conservation and Bioprospecting |
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Authors: | P K Joshi G S Rawat H Padilya P S Roy |
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Institution: | (1) Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (NRSA), 4 Kalidas Road, 248001 Dehradun, Uttaranchal, India;(2) Wildlife Institute of India, Post Bag #18, 248001 Chandrabani, Dehradun, Uttaranchal, India;(3) National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA), 500 037 Balanagar, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India |
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Abstract: | 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. |
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Keywords: | Biodiversity Biopropecting Nubra valley Plant resource |
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