Diversity and distribution of Primula species in western Arunachal Pradesh, eastern Himalayan region, India

Main Article Content

Amal Bawri
Padma Raj Gajurel
Ashish Paul
Mohamed Latif Khan

Abstract

The paper highlights the diversity, distribution and population status of Primula species in western Arunachal Pradesh. The present study has established the rich diversity of Primula species in western Arunachal Pradesh with a record total of 25 species, out of which five species, viz., Primula ioessa W.W.Sm., Primula munroi Lindley, Primula obliqua W.W.Sm., Primula prolifera Wall. and Primula jigmediana Hook. f. & Thomson ex Watt, are new to Arunachal Pradesh.  More than 60% of the taxa of Primula of the state occurs in two districts of the western part of the state.  A maximum diversity (76%) of Primula species was recorded between 3500m and 4000m and a minimum (4%) was between 1500m and 2000m.  This study showed the poor population of some Primula species in the study area.  Among the four sampling sites the Panga-Teng-Tso is highly disturbed which is clearly reflected by very poor population density of P. hookeri (1.36 individuals m-2). Various natural and anthropogenic threats have led to the pressure on the habitat of Primula species. Considering the rich species diversity of Primula and their distributional affinities, western Arunachal Pradesh may be considered as a centre of diversity of Indo-Chinese Primula species and appropriate conservation strategies should be adopted for the conservation of this genus.

 

Article Details

Section
Communications
Author Biographies

Amal Bawri, Department of Forestry, North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology (Deemed University), Nirjuli, Arunachal Pradesh 791109, India

Amal Bawri is a PhD scholar, pursuing his Doctoral Research under the Joint Supervision of Dr. P.R. Gajurel and Prof. M.L. Khan on Primula species of Arunachal Pradesh.

 

Padma Raj Gajurel, Department of Forestry, North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology (Deemed University), Nirjuli, Arunachal Pradesh 791109, India

Dr. Padma Raj Gajurel is an Associate Professor and a field Botanist by profession; did his doctoral research on the experimental taxonomic studies of Piper L. in Arunachal Pradesh. Presently he is engaged in research works on taxonomy of higher plant groups, ethnobotany and conservation biology.  

 

Ashish Paul, Department of Botany, Rajiv Gandhi University, Rono Hills, Doimukh, Arunachal Pradesh 791112, India

Dr. Ashish Paul is a UGC-Dr. D.S. Kothari Post Doctoral Fellow, did his doctoral research on studies on diversity and regeneration ecology of rhododendrons in Arunachal Pradesh. His research focuses on agro-biodiversity, forest ecology, biodiversity conservation, especially in the field of plant diversity, their ecology and management and regeneration ecology.  

 

Mohamed Latif Khan, Department of Botany, Dr. Hari Singh Gour Central University, Sagar, Madhya Pradesh 470003, India

Prof. Mohamed Latif Khan is a professor, his field of research interest is the evaluation on the regeneration status of forest trees, exploration on germplasm of bamboo and cane, conservation of endangered plant species, analysis and monitoring the biodiversity of sacred groves, mapping and quantitative assessment, population status, and geographic distribution of plant resources.

 

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