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Diversity, distribution and need of urgent conservation of endemic plants in Himalaya

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Abstract

The Himalaya is known for its unique and rich endemic plants. Diversity of endemic plants is considered for prioritizing areas including delineating the Biodiversity Hotspots and conservation implications. In view of limited authentic dataset on endemic plants, the study investigated the diversity and distribution patterns of endemic vascular plants of Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) and recorded a total of 1076 endemic plant taxa including 1061 angiosperms, 03 gymnosperms and 12 pteridophytes belonging to 432 genera and 100 families. Richness of endemic plants was found maximum in the Arunachal Pradesh (294), followed by Meghalaya (213) and Sikkim (212). Maximum number of endemic taxa was found in family Orchidaceae (115) followed by Asteraceae (79) and Poaceae (63). More than 81% endemic are recorded in mid elevation (1001–1500 m) altitude range. Among the recorded taxa, 28 species of IUCN viz. Critically endangered (9), Endangered (13), and Vuln-erable (3) categories. Endemic taxa having narrow distribution range, high use-value and low population density were prioritized for conservation implications. Amentotaxus assamica, Gymnocladus assamicus, Ilex venulosa, Pittosporum eriocarpum are recorded highest threat categories due to timber harvesting, unsustainable harvesting of fruits, habitat destruction, large-scale lime quarrying etc. Total 1258 grid cells (15′ × 15′) representing IHR were analysed to identify the endemic rich areas in the region. Based on the set criterion, 20 endemic rich areas were identified and maximum congruence of endemics recorded in Eastern Himalaya. Of the total, 69% endemic rich areas were covered under the Protected Areas and Biosphere Reserve Networks, however, remaining 31% were unprotected. Further, the conservation related studies are available only for 7% (88) and 2% (29) are having the propagation protocols (tissue culture and seed germination). In view of importance of conservation of endemic plants, the study recommends location-specific population assessment, in-situ and ex-situ conservation approaches, climate and anthropogenic impacts, reproductive biology for identifying the bottleneck and improving germination are required, before vanishing the endemic plant assets in Himalaya.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to Director, G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment (NIHE), Kosi-Katarmal, Almora for providing the necessary facilities and encouragement. We are thankful to Botanical survey of India, and Forest Research Institute, Dehradun for providing necessary permissions for herbarium consultation. The funding support from In-House project (no. 04) entitled “Mainstreaming Himalayan Biodiversity for Sustainable development” and National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE), TF-03 (IInd Phase) are gratefully acknowledged. We highly thankful to Dr. I.D. Bhatt, Centre Head, CBCM for providing inputs and suggestions to improve the manuscript. We are highly thankful to the anonymous reviewers for providing wonderful comments for improving the manuscript.

Funding

Financial assistance received from in-house project of NIHE ‘Mainstreaming Himalayan Biodiversity for Sustainable Development’.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, Kosi, Katarmal, Almora, Uttarakhand, 263643, India

    Himani Tiwari, Aseesh Pandey, Ashutosh Tiwari & K. S. Kanwal

  2. Garhwal Regional Centre, G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, Srinagar, Garhwal, Uttarakhand, 246174, India

    K. Chandra Sekar & Pooja Mehta

  3. Department of Botany, Soban Singh Jeena University, Almora, Uttarakhand, 263601, India

    Dhani Arya

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  1. Himani Tiwari
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  2. K. Chandra Sekar
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  4. Ashutosh Tiwari
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  5. Pooja Mehta
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Contributions

HT collected the relevant data, analysis and draft writing. Research concept, planning, collection of data and finalizing the manuscript were performed by KCS. Statistical analysis and draft writing were carried out by AP. Preparation of grid-based distribution maps and map-based data analysis were conducted by AT. Collection of location specific data and finalizing the endemic listing were completed by PM and KSK and also inputs from DA. All the authors read and approved the final manuscript for submission.

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Correspondence to K. Chandra Sekar.

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Communicated by Mukunda Dev Behera.

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Tiwari, H., Sekar, K.C., Pandey, A. et al. Diversity, distribution and need of urgent conservation of endemic plants in Himalaya. Biodivers Conserv (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-024-02815-y

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