The Role of Bamboo, Rattan and Medicinal Plants in Mountain Development

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

The Role of Bamboo, Rattan and Medicinal Plants in Mountain Development The Role of Bamboo, Rattan and Medicinal Plants in Mountain Development Proceedings of a workshop held at the Institute of Forestry, Pokhara, Nepal 15-17 May 1996 Editors: Madhav Karki, A.N. Rao, V. Ramanatha Rao and J.T. Williams INBAR Technical Report No. 15 International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) International Development Research Centre (IDRC) 1997 International Development Research Centre All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. The presentation of material in this publication and in maps which appear herein does not imply the expression of any opinion on the part of INBAR or IDRC concerning the legal status of any country, or the delineation of frontiers or boundaries. ISBN 81-86247-21-1 Design & production Christopher Samuel & VVT Communications Pvt. Ltd. International Network for Bamboo and Rattan 17 Jor Bagh New Delhi 110 003 INDIA Contents FOREWORD Introduction Inaugural Speech 3 Hun. Asst. Minister of Forest and Soil Conservation, His Majesty’s Government of Nepal Background to the Workshop 6 Mudbav Karki Thematic Papers 13 Sustainable utilization 15 Pitamber Sharma Gender and the environment 24 Vineeta Hoon Research and development 34 J. T. Williams Sustainable management of MFP 45 N.K. Joshi Mountain bamboos and rattans 59 A.N. Rao, Abdou Salam Ouedraogo and V. Ramanatha Rao Country Reports 77 Bangladesh 79 Priority bamboo research for denuded hills of Bangladesh and other high rainfall zones of South Asia R.L. Banik III China 87 Integrated approaches and existing policies for maintaining development in China with special reference to bamboo, rattan and medicinal plants Jiang Zehui and Cai Mantang. Indigenous management of bamboo 97 and rattan processes in the Chinese Himalayan mountains Pei Shengji Medicinal and aromatic plants in mountain 108 enterprise development in China Hu Zhi-ha0 India Endangered biodiversity of bamboo, 113 rattan and medicinal plants in Indian Himalaya Sas Biswas, S. Chandra and S.S.Jain Economic and ecological rehabilitation 122 through sustainable commercialization of medicinal plants in the Indian Himalaya D.N. Tewari Nepal Resource management in mountain 131 development through farm forestry in Nepal Pradeep Dixit and Madhav Karki Bamboo production, use and trade 144 in eastern Nepal: a case study J.B.S. Karki and Madhav Karki Rattan in Nepal 156 Chhotelal Chaudha y and Shyam K. Paudel Medicinal and aromatic plants of Nepal 162 Nirmal K. Bbattarai iv Status of commercialization of 174 medicinal and aromatic plants in Nepal Rana Bahadur Rawal Medicinal plants, markets and margins: 189 implication for development in Nepal Himalaya C.S. Olsen Pakistan 207 Medicinal plants of Pakistan Zahoor Ahmad A note on bamboo in Pakistan 215 Zahoor Ahmad Thailand 216 Medicinal plants, bamboos and rattans in mountain development of Thailand Songkram Thammincha, Bunvong Tbailltsa and Wanida Subansenee Working Group Recommendations 219 The Pokhara Declaration 228 List of Participants 230 Foreword These proceedings of the workshop held 15-17 May, 1996 in Pokhara, Nepal focus on the roles of three important non-timber forest products-bamboo, rattan and medicinal plant- in the development of mountain areas of the Hindu Kush-Himalaya and beyond The workshop was sponsored by a group of international organizations involved with development, poverty alleviation and wise use of natural resources: the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) and the IDRC Medicinal Plants Network (IMPN) both hosted and headquartered by the International Development Research Centre of Canada (IDRC); the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD). The Institute of Forestry of Tribhuvan University in Pokhara readily consented to co-sponsor the workshop and hosted it. Bamboo, rattan and medicinal plants are renewable natural resources. While rattan is more abundant at lower altitudes, many high-value medicinal pIants grow at colder ‘and higher altitudes, and bamboo is common throughout the greater part of the Himalayas. In addition, all three groups of plants are often common property resources and are of direct practical use to rural communities, offering oppor- tunities for income generation, particularly for landless rural households. Therefore, the scope of this workshop encompassed the whole range of ecological zones in the mountains and involved discussions on the environmental, socio-economic, and cultural value systems in integrated development with a specific focus on bamboo, rattan and medicinal plants. While we have some understanding of the present use of these keystone commodities, we also know that the increasing levels of exploitation are not sustainable and that rural communities benefit insufficiently from this exploitation. The workshop participants identified the policies and practices for improved management of these groups of plants that would contribute to environmental stability, conservation vii of the resources and enhanced utilization for increased incomes and other benefits to the poor mountain households of this region. Innovative mechanisms for improved resource management, processing and trade are required to tap the full potential of these versatile plants. It was clear that much remains to be done in developing a more comprehensive knowledge base and strategic approaches for not only sustainable but also more productive systems. We hope that the present document can play a role in further promoting collaboration and information exchange in the development of this group of plants. Cherla B. Sastry Egbert Pelinck Abdou Salam Ouedraogo Director INBAR Director General Senior Scientist Director IMPN ICIMOD Forest Genetic Resources IDRC, New Delhi Kathmandu IPGRI, Rome Viii Introduction Inaugural Speech Hon. Mohan Bahadur Khatri Asst. Minister of Forest and Soil Conservation, His Majesty’s Government of Nepal On behalf of His Majesty’s Government of Nepal, I extend greetings and salutations to all of you attending this august gathering. It gives us great pleasure and satisfaction that the international workshop on the role of bamboo, rattan, and medicinal plants in mountain devel- opment is being held in Nepal. The sponsoring organizations, International Development Research Centre (IDRC), International Net- work for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR), International Plant Genetic Resources (IPGRI) and International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) deserve our gratitude for choosing the Insti- tute of Forestry, Pokhara, as the venue for this important international meeting. His Majesty’s Government of Nepal has attributed highest priority to environmental protection and economic development in the mountain regions, since Nepal is largely a mountainous country. The Forest Policy implemented by our Government gives greater emphasis on community participation in the management of forest ‘resources. The highly liberal small-enterprise development policies adopted by our Government, I hope, will help promote non-timber forest products in our mountain regions. The fast-growing forest-user group system in Nepal will assist in this by providing organizational support. In our view, this workshop is both timely and of immense impor- tance to the people and environment of the Hindu Kush-Himalaya region. It is timely, because the rapid deterioration of biological resources in the region threatens to impact all of us in very real ways soon. It is of immense importance to the local people, because there is a more urgent need than ever to uplift the sliding socio-economic 3 quality of the lives of people in this region, which proper manage- ment and use of these plants may also serve to accomplish. Historically, all the three plant groups covered by this workshop are highly important to the lives of the poor people. Bamboo has found ubiquitous use in our daily life. As most of you are probably aware, our ancient traditions fully recognized the intrinsic role played by bamboo and canes, and took steps to ensure that these resources were sustainably managed. Bamboos are found throughout Nepal; in the hills and mountains, they provide multiple services and products, especially to the poor and disadvantaged people. Cane or rattan-based furniture industries are gradually developing in the urban areas of Nepal where they find ready markets and thus provide employment opportunities and cash income to the urban poor. Medicinal and aromatic plants are high- value and low-volume cash crops which are very suitable to meet subsistence and commercial goals of the mountain economy. Even now, over 90% of the people in Nepal still depend on medicinal plants for treating most of their ailments. The goals of an integrated development in the mountain region should be the alleviation of poverty, diversification and enhancing employment opportunities, conserving the environment, and creating enabling opportunities for sustainable development. Sustainable development in the mountain context can be viewed as development involving changes in the production and distribution of desired goods and services which result, in a given target population, in an increase in welfare that can
Recommended publications
  • Status of Research on Rattans: a Review
    http://sciencevision.info Sci Vis 10 (2), 51-56 Research Review April-June, 2010 ISSN 0975-6175 Status of research on rattans: a review Lalnuntluanga1*, L. K. Jha2 and H. Lalramnghinglova1 1 Department of Environmental Science, Mizoram University, Aizawl 796009, India 1 Department of Environmental Science, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793022, India Received 20 July 2010 | Accepted 28 July 2010 ABSTRACT Rattan forms one of the major biotic components in tropical and sub -tropical forest ecosys- tem. Contributions made by the researchers on the distribution, taxonomy and uses of rattan species in the world with special reference to India are reviewed here. Key words: Rattan; distribution; taxonomy; utilisation; N.E. states. INTRODUCTION Argentina, the Caribbean, Africa and South-East Asian regions. Rattan diversity is rich in Malay- The name ‘cane’ (rattan) stands collectively sia, Indonesia, Philippines, China, Bangladesh, for the climbing members of a big group of Sri Lanka, Myanmar and India. Rattan is of palms known as Lepidocaryoideae, fruit bearing great economic importance in handicraft and scales. Rattans/canes are prickly climbing palms furniture making because of its richness in fibre, with solid stems, belonging to the family Areca- with suitable toughness and easy for processing. ceae and the sub-family Calamoideae. They are The innumerable pinnate leaves, which extend scaly-fruited palms. The rattans/canes comprise up to two metres in length, with their mosaic more than fifty per cent of the total palm taxa arrangement play a major role in intercepting found in India.1 They are distributed throughout the splash effect of rains and improve the water South-East Asia, the Western Pacific and in the holding capacity of the soil.
    [Show full text]
  • Registered with the Ministry of Justice of the RF, March 22, 2002 No. 3326
    Registered with the Ministry of Justice of the RF, March 22, 2002 No. 3326 MINISTRY OF HEALTH OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION CHIEF STATE SANITARY INSPECTOR OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION RESOLUTION No. 36 November 14, 2001 ON ENACTMENT OF SANITARY RULES (as amended by Amendments No.1, approved by Resolution No. 27 of Chief State Sanitary Inspector of the RF dated 20.08.2002, Amendments and Additions No. 2, approved by Resolution No. 41 of Chief State Sanitary Inspector of the RF dated15.04.2003, No. 5, approved by Resolution No. 42 of Chief State Sanitary Inspector of the RF dated 25.06.2007, No. 6, approved by Resolution No. 13 of Chief State Sanitary Inspector of the RF dated 18.02.2008, No. 7, approved by Resolution No. 17 of Chief State Sanitary Inspector of the RF dated 05.03.2008, No. 8, approved by Resolution No. 26 of Chief State Sanitary Inspector of the RF dated 21.04.2008, No. 9, approved by Resolution No. 30 of Chief State Sanitary Inspector of the RF dated 23.05.2008, No. 10, approved by Resolution No. 43 of Chief State Sanitary Inspector of the RF dated 16.07.2008, Amendments No.11, approved by Resolution No. 56 of Chief State Sanitary Inspector of the RF dated 01.10.2008, No. 12, approved by Resolution No. 58 of Chief State Sanitary Inspector of the RF dated 10.10.2008, Amendment No. 13, approved by Resolution No. 69 of Chief State Sanitary Inspector of the RF dated 11.12.2008, Amendments No.14, approved by Resolution No.
    [Show full text]
  • Consolidated Version of the Sanpin 2.3.2.1078-01 on Food, Raw Material, and Foodstuff
    Registered with the Ministry of Justice of the RF, March 22, 2002 No. 3326 MINISTRY OF HEALTH OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION CHIEF STATE SANITARY INSPECTOR OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION RESOLUTION No. 36 November 14, 2001 ON ENACTMENT OF SANITARY RULES (as amended by Amendments No.1, approved by Resolution No. 27 of Chief State Sanitary Inspector of the RF dated 20.08.2002, Amendments and Additions No. 2, approved by Resolution No. 41 of Chief State Sanitary Inspector of the RF dated15.04.2003, No. 5, approved by Resolution No. 42 of Chief State Sanitary Inspector of the RF dated 25.06.2007, No. 6, approved by Resolution No. 13 of Chief State Sanitary Inspector of the RF dated 18.02.2008, No. 7, approved by Resolution No. 17 of Chief State Sanitary Inspector of the RF dated 05.03.2008, No. 8, approved by Resolution No. 26 of Chief State Sanitary Inspector of the RF dated 21.04.2008, No. 9, approved by Resolution No. 30 of Chief State Sanitary Inspector of the RF dated 23.05.2008, No. 10, approved by Resolution No. 43 of Chief State Sanitary Inspector of the RF dated 16.07.2008, Amendments No.11, approved by Resolution No. 56 of Chief State Sanitary Inspector of the RF dated 01.10.2008, No. 12, approved by Resolution No. 58 of Chief State Sanitary Inspector of the RF dated 10.10.2008, Amendment No. 13, approved by Resolution No. 69 of Chief State Sanitary Inspector of the RF dated 11.12.2008, Amendments No.14, approved by Resolution No.
    [Show full text]
  • ON TUE OCCURRENCE of WARTY STRUCTURES in RATTAN Jianhua Xu 1 & Walter Liese2
    IAWA Journal, Val. 20 (4),1999: 389-393 ON TUE OCCURRENCE OF WARTY STRUCTURES IN RATTAN by Jianhua Xu 1 & Walter Liese 2 SUMMARY A study on cellular details of rattan sterns by the resin casting method revealed the presence of wart-like structures as apposition on the cell wall of metaxylem vessels, protoxylem tracheids, fibres and also paren­ chyma. They were apparent for some species, but not observed in oth­ ers. Conventional SEM confirmed the presence of warts with a con­ siderable variation in occurrence. Therefore they have only limited taxonomic significance for the rattans. Key words: Warts, rattan, wood anatomy, resin casting method, scan­ ning electron microscopy. INTRODUCTION The occurrence ofwarty structures respectively vestures as an apposition on cell walls and pit chambers in tracheids, fibres and vessels of gymnosperms and angiosperms has been extensively reviewed by Jansen et al. (1998). In contrast, records for mono­ cotyledons are rare. In bamboo they were reported for Dendrocalamus (Liese 1957) and further investigated by Parameswaran and Liese (1977) in 34 species, of which about half exhibited wart-like structures in fibres, vessels and parenchyma cells. For pa1ms wart-1ike particles were identified in the parenchyma cells of Mauritiaflexuosa (Hong & Killmann 1992). Detailed investigations on the structure of numerous rattan palms did so far not reveal any such structures (Bhat et al. 1990, 1993, Weiner & Liese 1990; Weiner 1992). This lack of information does not necessarily indicate their absence, but may also be related to the material investigated. Warts are generally small particles on the tertiary wall/S3 layer. Their size for fibres and vessel members ofbamboo ranges between 150-300 nm.
    [Show full text]
  • In Vitro Anthelmintic Activity of Leaf Extracts of Four Different Types of Calamus Species
    Pharmacy & Pharmacology International Journal Research Article Open Access In vitro anthelmintic activity of leaf extracts of four different types of calamus species Abstract Volume 5 Issue 2 - 2017 Development of anthelmintic resistance and high cost of conventional anthelmintic Sajan Das, Rumana Akhter, Sumaiya Huque, drugs led to the evaluation of medicinal plants as an alternative source of anthelmintics. In the present study, methanol, ethanol and chloroform leaf extract Rafi Anwar, Promit Das, Kaniz Afroz Tanni of Calamus guruba, Calamus viminalis, Calamus erectus and Calamus tenuis were and Mohammad Shahriar explored for anthelmintic activity at two concentrations (50 and 100mg/ml), using Department of Pharmacy, University of Asia Pacific, Bangladesh adult earth worm Pheretima posthuma. All the leaf extracts of Calamus species tested Correspondence: Mohammad Shahriar, Department for the anthelmintic activity possess significant activity in a dose dependent manner of Pharmacy, University of Asia Pacific, Bangladesh, Tel as compared to the albendazole. The overall findings of the present study have shown +881841844259, Email [email protected] that Calamus guruba, Calamus viminalis, Calamus erectus and Calamus tenuis contain possible anthelmintic compounds. Received: January 30, 2017 | Published: April 17, 2017 Keywords: Calamus guruba, Calamus viminalis, Calamus erectus, Calamus tenuis, Anthelmintic activity, Pheretima Posthuma, Albendazole, In vitro study, hookworm infestation, entrobiasis, filariasis, taeniasis; hydatidcyst, fluke infection, helminthiasis, wonder drug, niclosamide, oxyclozanide, bithionol Introduction viminalis is known as Khorkoijja bet in Bangladesh and is widely used as handicrafts and furniture material. Ripe fruit pulps are edible. This Infections caused by various species of parasitic worms plant has also been used in traditional medicine for treatment of dog (helminths) of the gastrointestinal tract are the most widespread of bite, urogenital and gynecological infection.6 The leaf extract of C.
    [Show full text]
  • Evaluation of Antidiabetic Activity of Calamus Erectus in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats
    Available online a t www.pelagiaresearchlibrary.com Pelagia Research Library Asian Journal of Plant Science and Research, 2013, 3(1):47-53 ISSN : 2249-7412 CODEN (USA): AJPSKY Evaluation of antidiabetic activity of Calamus erectus in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats Mitali Ghosal and Palash Mandal* Plant Physiology and Pharmacognosy Research Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of North Bengal, Siliguri 734 013. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT The present study was designed to evaluate the hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant activity of Calamus erectus (CE) fruit in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic wistar rat. The fruit extracts of 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg body weight (bw) were administrated orally to normal and STZ induced (55 mg/kg bw) diabetic (>200 mg/dl) rats. Glibenclamide (10 mg/kg) were used as a reference drug. Antioxidant effects were assayed in diabetic rats by estimating thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) levels. Daily oral treatment with 400 mg/kg fruit extract for 14 days resulted in 73.68, 20.46, 36.6 and 43.9% reduction of blood glucose, serum cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL (low-density lipoprotein) respectively whereas HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol was found to be improved 12.7% when compared with STZ treated rats. GSH, SOD and CAT activity of liver homogenate was improved 33.46, 49.36 and 52.48% respectively while the TBARS decreased 36.18% with same treatment. Decreased levels of TBARS and increase of GSH, SOD and CAT activity indicated a reduction in free radical formation in liver of diabetic rats. The present study demonstrated that CE fruit extract possess good antidiabetic potential and could improve lipid profile and oxidative stress efficiently during diabetic condition.
    [Show full text]
  • Medicine Plants of Folk Medicine Used for Treatment of Gastro-Intestinal Problems in Fergana Valley
    국내․외 기술정보 Medicine plants of folk medicine used for treatment of gastro-intestinal problems in Fergana valley Valeriy V. Pak 식품기능연구본부 This article presents a review of indigenous medicinal plants used in folk medicine in Fergana valley (Uzbekistan) for treatment of gastro-intestinal problems. The 29 different plantsbelong to 18 different plant spices are presented. The methods of preparation of remedies and utilized parts of plants are described. Ⅰ. Introduction The purpose of this article is to review the remedies of the folk medicine for treatment of Plant products – as part of foods or botanical gastro-intestinal problems used in Fergana portions and powder – have been used with valley presenting the most densely populated varying success to cure and prevent diseases part of Uzbekistan. throughout history. Several diverse line of evidence indicates that medicinal plants represent the oldest and most widespread form of Ⅱ. Geographic characteristic medication. Until recently, plants were an of Fergana valley important source for the discovery of novel pharmacologically active compounds, with many Fergana valley occupiesa territory about 22.000 blockbuster drugs being derived directly or sq km and divided among Uzbekistan, Tajikistan indirectly from plants [1,2]. As it is estimated and Kyrgystan (Fig. 1). The Fergana Range by World Health Organization (WHO) that 25 % rises in the northeast and the Pamir in the of the active compounds in currently prescribed south. The Gissar and Alay ranges stand across synthetic drugs were first identified in plant the Fergana valley, which lies south of the sources [3]. Thus, to collect information about western Tian-Shan. The Xinjiang region of medicine plant used in folk medicine is valuable China borders the valley in the southeast.
    [Show full text]
  • A Molecular Phylogeny of the Solanaceae
    TAXON 57 (4) • November 2008: 1159–1181 Olmstead & al. • Molecular phylogeny of Solanaceae MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS A molecular phylogeny of the Solanaceae Richard G. Olmstead1*, Lynn Bohs2, Hala Abdel Migid1,3, Eugenio Santiago-Valentin1,4, Vicente F. Garcia1,5 & Sarah M. Collier1,6 1 Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, U.S.A. *olmstead@ u.washington.edu (author for correspondence) 2 Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, U.S.A. 3 Present address: Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt 4 Present address: Jardin Botanico de Puerto Rico, Universidad de Puerto Rico, Apartado Postal 364984, San Juan 00936, Puerto Rico 5 Present address: Department of Integrative Biology, 3060 Valley Life Sciences Building, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, U.S.A. 6 Present address: Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, U.S.A. A phylogeny of Solanaceae is presented based on the chloroplast DNA regions ndhF and trnLF. With 89 genera and 190 species included, this represents a nearly comprehensive genus-level sampling and provides a framework phylogeny for the entire family that helps integrate many previously-published phylogenetic studies within So- lanaceae. The four genera comprising the family Goetzeaceae and the monotypic families Duckeodendraceae, Nolanaceae, and Sclerophylaceae, often recognized in traditional classifications, are shown to be included in Solanaceae. The current results corroborate previous studies that identify a monophyletic subfamily Solanoideae and the more inclusive “x = 12” clade, which includes Nicotiana and the Australian tribe Anthocercideae. These results also provide greater resolution among lineages within Solanoideae, confirming Jaltomata as sister to Solanum and identifying a clade comprised primarily of tribes Capsiceae (Capsicum and Lycianthes) and Physaleae.
    [Show full text]
  • Conservation Status Assessment of Native Vascular Flora of Kalam Valley, Swat District, Northern Pakistan
    Vol. 10(11), pp. 453-470, November 2018 DOI: 10.5897/IJBC2018.1211 Article Number: 44D405259203 ISSN: 2141-243X Copyright ©2018 International Journal of Biodiversity and Author(s) retain the copyright of this article http://www.academicjournals.org/IJBC Conservation Full Length Research Paper Conservation status assessment of native vascular flora of Kalam Valley, Swat District, Northern Pakistan Bakht Nawab1*, Jan Alam2, Haider Ali3, Manzoor Hussain2, Mujtaba Shah2, Siraj Ahmad1, Abbas Hussain Shah4 and Azhar Mehmood5 1Government Post Graduate Jahanzeb College, Saidu Sharif Swat Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa, Pakistan. 2Department of Botany, Hazara University, Mansehra Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa, Pakistan. 3Department of Botany, University of Swat Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa, Pakistan. 4Government Post Graduate College, Mansehra Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa, Pakistan. 5Government Post Graduate College, Mandian Abotabad Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa, Pakistan. Received 14 July, 2018; Accepted 9 October, 2018 In the present study, conservation status of important vascular flora found in Kalam valley was assessed. Kalam Valley represents the extreme northern part of Swat District in KPK Province of Pakistan. The valley contains some of the precious medicinal plants. 245 plant species which were assessed for conservation studies revealed that 10.20% (25 species) were found to be endangered, 28.16% (69 species) appeared to be vulnerable. Similarly, 50.6% (124 species) were rare, 8.16% (20 species) were infrequent and 2.9% (7 species) were recognized as dominant. It was concluded that Kalam Valley inhabits most important plants majority of which are used in medicines; but due to anthropogenic activities including unplanned tourism, deforestation, uprooting of medicinal plants and over grazing, majority of these plant species are rapidly heading towards regional extinction in the near future.
    [Show full text]
  • Toxic/Poisonous to Livestock Plants of Mongolian Rangelands
    Toxic/Poisonous to Livestock Plants of Mongolian Rangelands Daalkhaijav Damiran and Enkhjargal Darambazar Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center, Union, OR-97883, Oregon, USA Briefly about Mongolian rangelands Mongolian natural rangeland covers 128.8 million ha. There are about 2823 vascular plant species and over 662 genera and 128 families have been recorded (Gubanov, 1996). Mongolian rangeland can be divided into 4-5 zones according to locations that differ in landscape, annual and seasonal climatic conditions, species composition and growth rate: high mountains, forest-steppe, steppe, desert-steppe and desert belt. Desert-steppe and desert belt account for 44.6% of the pastureland and the main domestic herbivores are camels and goats. Forest-steppe and high mountains accounts for 27.4% and the main domestic herbivores are cattle, sheep, horse and yaks. The rest 28% of the pastureland belongs to steppe and is the main stock-raising zone for cattle, sheep, horse, camels and goats. Mongolia is the only country of Eurasia to retain huge areas of steppes vegetation (Gunin et al. 1999). Mongolian rangeland is distributed over the extremely continental climate with harsh continental and extremely unpredictable climatic conditions. North and central part of country’s isohyets of 250-300 mm annual rainfall and over the southern-desert part of the country 50 to 100 mm annual rainfall. In Mongolia, the growing season is short and very dependent on climate, particularly rainfall. New growth in the forest steppe and steppe zones begins in mid- April, whereas elsewhere it may not begin until mid-May. Growth is often very slow, and the grazing of young grass may only be possible after 30-35 days.
    [Show full text]
  • Diversity of the Mountain Flora of Central Asia with Emphasis on Alkaloid-Producing Plants
    diversity Review Diversity of the Mountain Flora of Central Asia with Emphasis on Alkaloid-Producing Plants Karimjan Tayjanov 1, Nilufar Z. Mamadalieva 1,* and Michael Wink 2 1 Institute of the Chemistry of Plant Substances, Academy of Sciences, Mirzo Ulugbek str. 77, 100170 Tashkent, Uzbekistan; [email protected] 2 Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 364, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +9-987-126-25913 Academic Editor: Ipek Kurtboke Received: 22 November 2016; Accepted: 13 February 2017; Published: 17 February 2017 Abstract: The mountains of Central Asia with 70 large and small mountain ranges represent species-rich plant biodiversity hotspots. Major mountains include Saur, Tarbagatai, Dzungarian Alatau, Tien Shan, Pamir-Alai and Kopet Dag. Because a range of altitudinal belts exists, the region is characterized by high biological diversity at ecosystem, species and population levels. In addition, the contact between Asian and Mediterranean flora in Central Asia has created unique plant communities. More than 8100 plant species have been recorded for the territory of Central Asia; about 5000–6000 of them grow in the mountains. The aim of this review is to summarize all the available data from 1930 to date on alkaloid-containing plants of the Central Asian mountains. In Saur 301 of a total of 661 species, in Tarbagatai 487 out of 1195, in Dzungarian Alatau 699 out of 1080, in Tien Shan 1177 out of 3251, in Pamir-Alai 1165 out of 3422 and in Kopet Dag 438 out of 1942 species produce alkaloids. The review also tabulates the individual alkaloids which were detected in the plants from the Central Asian mountains.
    [Show full text]
  • M.Sc. Ag. II Sem. Study Material Course : Plant Genetic Resources: Conservation & Sustainable Use Chapter
    M.Sc. Ag. IInd Sem. Study material Course : Plant Genetic Resources: Conservation & Sustainable Use Chapter : 03 (Biodiversity Vs. Genetic resources) Course Leader: Prof. SS Gaurav Biodiversity: Historical perspective 1. Our knowledge of biodiversity is as old as humanity. Though we may have never recognized, our ancestors who lived in the wild as hunter-gatherers, had a subtle understanding of ‘biodiversity’ of sorts. Through their continuous interaction with their environment, they recognized what can be eaten, what is poisonous, what animals can be hunted or what animals pose danger. 2. The earliest known attempt to document and classify biodiversity finds its place in the ancient Greek civilisation. The Greek philosopher Aristotle, observed the different animals and classified them into different groups based on their morphology, behaviour and physiology. Aristotle’s method of classification stood strong for the next 2000 years. Until the early 17th century, it was believed that all the biodiversity that was seen on the Earth then, had existed forever. 3. A key discovery in 1676 -Robert Plot, a British naturalist and the first keeper of Ashmolean museum, found a very large bone and documented it as the bone of a ‘giant’. Little did he know that he was documenting the first ever bone of a dinosaur! Over the next 100 years, more such bones were discovered and documented which were similar to each other, but resembled none of the current animals. 4. Yet another discovery in the 1670’s also set a similar chain of events that further expanded our perception of biodiversity. This time, it was too small for the naked eye! With the help of a simple microscope, that he himself had created, Antonie Philips van Leeuwenhoek discovered and documented the fascinating world of microorganisms.
    [Show full text]