Floristic Diversity of the Himalaya in Relation to Climate Change: Status, Values and Conservation

Authors

  • S. S. Samant Director, Himalayan Forest Research Institute, Conifer Campus, Panthaghati – 171 013, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13052/jgeu0975-1416.913

Keywords:

Indian Himalayan region, floristic diversity, orchids, medicinal and wild edible, factors, climate change, conservation initiatives

Abstract

The Himalayan region is very well known for the unique ecosystems. The
Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) forms the major part of the Himalayan
region. The vegetation along an altitudinal gradient comprises of tropical,
sub-tropical, temperate, sub-alpine and alpine types and supports a great
variety of forests with unique species that vary from east to west and from low
to high altitudes. The present study is based on the review of literature and
surveys in some parts of the IHR. A total of 10,503 species (10,452 species
of Angiosperms and 51 species of Gymnosperms) are reported from the
Himalayan region. The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) represents 18,940
species of plants representing Angiosperms, Gymnosperms, Pteridophytes,
Bryophytes, Lichens, and Fungi. A total of 6745 species of Angiosperms (604
trees, 1049 shrubs & 5092 herbs) belonging to 225 families, 1768 genera are
recorded from the Trans, North-West and West Himalaya based on surveys
and review of literature. Diversity of the orchids, medicinal plants, wild edi-
bles, other economically important plants, factors affecting floristic diversity,
impact of climate change and conservation initiatives have been discussed.

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Author Biography

S. S. Samant, Director, Himalayan Forest Research Institute, Conifer Campus, Panthaghati – 171 013, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India

S. S. Samant is Ph.D. and D.Sc. from Kumaun University, Nainital. He dis-
covered new species, new hybrid, species new to India; new to Western
Himalaya and Kumaun Himalaya; developed an integrated approach for
floristic diversity assessment; State of art approaches for extraction trends
of fuel and fodder resources; threat categorization; and prioritization; imple-
mented in protected, unprotected and Hydro – Electric Project areas of Trans,
North Western and Western Himalaya; Developed Environment Management
Framework for Satluj Basin; Data base on Medicinal, Wild Edible, Essential
Oil Yielding and Sacred Plants and Orchids; Documented information on
HBRs and data base on NDBR for UNESCO MAB net recognition; Assessed
ecosystem services of agro-ecosystems and Sacred Groves; Populations of
threatened species, developed Ecological Niche Models; Established and
maintained Arboretum and Herbal Garden at Kosi-Katarmal and Arbore-
tum, MPs Nursery, Rural Technology Park and Herbal Garden in Himachal
Pradesh; Agrotechniques of 26 MPs documented; Pollination Deficit Pro-
tocol for Apple tested, distributed 109 Apis cerana boxes and apiculture
equipment to 99 farmers for conservation; Citizen Science Programmes (19)
organized; Prepared PBRs for 45 BMCs; installed Manual Weather Stations
in 22 Schools for awareness; Trained 10,000 stakeholders, guided 27 students for Ph.D. and published >330 Papers, Articles, Books, Booklets and Bio-
sphere Reserves (Biannual Bulletin). He is the Elected Fellow of National
Academy of Sciences (FNASc), Allahabad and Elected Fellow of the Society
of Ethnobotanists (FSE); recipient of Prof. P. N. Mehra Memorial Young
Scientist Award; Prof. S. P. Vij Memorial Award; ICFRE, Dehradun Forest
Conservation Award; SEED Award; Award of Excellence; Green Mapple
Foundation Award; Care Himalaya Award; Rajbhasha Shield and Certificate,
etc.; Expert Member of various National, Regional and State Committees and
Life Member of various Societies.

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Published

2021-05-25

How to Cite

Samant, S. S. (2021). Floristic Diversity of the Himalaya in Relation to Climate Change: Status, Values and Conservation. Journal of Graphic Era University, 9(1), 31–54. https://doi.org/10.13052/jgeu0975-1416.913

Issue

2021: Vol 9 Iss 1 2021

Section

Articles