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STUDIES ON THE USE OF BRYOPHYTE DIVERSITY AND THEIR FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION PATTERN AS AN IMPORTANT TOOL FOR MONITORING AIR QUALITY

ARUN CHAUDHARY1 AND B.L. CHAUDHARY2 Universal Impact 1 Factor0.9285:2012; DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY , 1.2210:2013 Index Copernicus M P GOVT P G COLLEGE, CHITTORGARH – 312001.

ICV 2011: 5.09 CHAIRMAN RBSE2, - 305001. ICV 2012: 6.42 ICV 2013: 15.8 Corresponding author’s e-mail: [email protected] ICV 2014:89.16 NAAS Rating 2012 : 1.3; ABSTRACT: 2013-2014-2015:2.69 SJIF 2012: 3.947, (Map I), the only hill station in , is the highest peak at 2013: 4.802 INFOBASE INDEX the South- West end of the , is an isolated plateau, which is 2015:4.56 separated from the main range by the valley of the West Banas river, and COSMOS IMPACT FACTOR arises like a precipitous granite island from the surrounding plains of 2015: 4.366 Marwar in Rajasthan. It is a detached hill of the Aravalli ranges and is Received on: situated between 24º31′ to 24º43′ N and 72º38′ to 72º53′ E, on the border of 14th July 2016 the arid region of western Rajasthan. The irregular plateau is about twelve Revised on: 10th August 2016 miles in length (S. W. & N. E.) and two to three miles in breadth (S. E. & Accepted on: N. W.), situated at an average height of 4500ft. above the sea level. The 10th August 2016 highest peak is Guru Sikhar, towards the northern end being 5653 ft. above Published on: 1st September 2016 sea level. The place is dry for the greater part of the year though the Volume No. temperature here is always ten to twenty degrees lower than that in the Online & Print neighbouring plains. The annual maximum temperature being 23.9ºC and 79 (2016) Page No. minimum 16.4ºC. The annual rainfall is about 69 inches but may vary from 45 to 54 year to year. The annual mean humidity is 64% at 8.30 hrs. I.S.T. The Life Sciences Leaflets relative humidity reaches its maximum (99%) in the month of July and is an international August. Floristically Mt. Abu is the richest spot in Rajasthan due to heavy open access print & e journal, peer reviewed, rains, higher altitudes, and humidity. worldwide abstract For the present study ten sites of Mt. Abu was selected for monitoring air listed, published every quality. Various parameters like habitat, climate, number of species and month with ISSN, RNI Free- membership, frequency distribution pattern for Bryophyte population at each site was downloads and access.

http://lifesciencesleaflets.ning.com/ PEER-REVIEWED Page | 45 Life Sciences Leaflets FREE DOWNLOAD ISSN 2277-4297(Print)0976–1098(Online) analyzed. The frequency distribution pattern at each site was then used to calculate Index of atmospheric purity (IAP). The obtained value of IAP from various sites was plotted on an outline map of the study area to categorize the pollution gradients or the degree of pollution as a function of zone of atmospheric purity. Automobiles are the major cause of air pollution which is evident by the fact that the common species of Bryophytes like Hyophila involuta, Stereophyllum ligulatum, Entodon prorepens, Plagiochasma appendiculatum, Asterella angusta, Riccia discolor, Cyathodium barodae, Philonotis mollis, Targionia hypophylla and Anthoceros angustas has now restricted distribution.

KEY WORD: Mount Abu, Aravalli ranges, Banas River, IAP.

INTRODUCTION: Mount Abu has been point of attraction for researchers of various disciplines involved in exploring biodiversity of the region. This region is well known for its rich bioresources, but in last two decades increase in population pressure, deforestation, landslide, water scarcity, automobile exhaust, poverty, unplanned construction and many other such phenomenon have been identified as a threat to the equilibrium of Mount Abu ecosystem. The destruction of natural forest along with population explosion has caused the disappearance of innumerable species and has helped in making the system imbalance. In addition to it, a large number of pollutants including heavy metals are adversely effecting the environment. Heavy metals are emitted from thousands of automobile running daily in Mount Abu. Automobiles utilize diesel and petrol as fuel, which on combustion spew out high doses of CO, CO2, SO2, NOX, and metals present as mining contaminants or from wear and tear of vehicle (Huang et al., 1994). Most of the atmospheric pollutants cause severe stress due to increased synthesis of toxic O2 species or reactive O2 species. Plants which are exposed to severe stress have been shown to increase susceptibility to photo-inhibition with subsequent development of chlorosis (Wise, R et al., 1987). These atmospheric pollutants exacerbate photo-oxidative damages.

Atmospheric pollutants such as ozone (O3) and sulphur dioxide (SO2) have been implicated in free radical formation (Mehlhron et al., 1997) and are considered to be one of the major influencing modern forest declines. Ozone, which originates from a natural photochemical degradation of Nitrous oxides (NOx), seems to be a greater threat to plant then SO2 (Heagle, A. S., 1989). Mehlhorn suggested that the phyto-toxicity of O3 is due to its oxidizing potential and the consequent formation of radicals that induce free radical chain reactions. The O3 concentration in intercellular air spaces of leaves is close to zero (Laisk et al., 1989). Thus ozone is unlikely to reach the chloroplast, but it nevertheless causes pigment bleaching and lipid peroxidation (Heath., 1987). Stimulation of synthesis

http://lifesciencesleaflets.ning.com/ PEER-REVIEWED Page | 46 Life Sciences Leaflets FREE DOWNLOAD ISSN 2277-4297(Print)0976–1098(Online) and degragdation of PS II- D I protein occurs in spruce trees following O3 treatment (Lutz et al., 1992) and a decrease in the activity and quantity of Rubisco has been found in poplar following exposure to O3 (Landry et al., 1993). Exposure to SO2 results in tissue damage and release of stress hormone ethylene from both photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic tissues (Peiser et al., 1985).

Fumigation with SO2 causes a shift in cytoplasmic pH. The proton concentration of the cytoplasm is one of the most important factor regulating cellular activity. When cells are exposed to SO2 an appreciable acidification of the cytoplasm occurs, because this gas reacts with water to form sulphurous acid which may then be converted into sulphuric acid (Laisk et al., 1988 and Veljovic- Jovanovic et al., 1993). The oxidation of sulphite is initiated by light and is mediated by photosynthetic electron transport. This results in loss of photosynthetic function caused by inhibition of the activity of SH-contaning, light activated enzymes of the chloroplast (Shimazaki et al., 1980 and Covello et al., 1989). In absence of effective antipollution measures and poor enforcement the particulate and gaseous pollutants spewed out in air have deleterious effect on biota (Pearson et al., 2000). Industrial revolution and man made activities have led to high anthropogenic emission of heavy metals in the biosphere (Lombi et al., 2000; Riget et al., 2000). There is a real danger of large-scale disturbances of natural flora and fauna due to pollution over years. Control of atmospheric pollution requires an adequate eco-friendly program for the monitoring of air quality, which should be cost effective, self-sustained, rapid, reliable and safe (Ernst et al., 2000). Plants occupy an important position in the ecosystem being directly in contact with substratum, water and air. Various biological materials have been used as biomonitor in past few years throughout the globe e.g. lichens (Pfiffer and Barclay 1992, Jeran et al., 2002) and bryophytes (Louis et al., 2001 Ruhling and Tyler 2004, Saleman et al., 2004). Bryophytes are non vascular cryptogams and are important group of plant kingdom. They occur through out the globe in different habitats, particularly on moist and shady places. They grow on soil, rocks, tree trunks, branches, leaves, buildings, hillsides and various other artificial substrates in and around Mount Abu. They are ecologically important diversified plant community; differ morphologically and physiologically from higher plants. Bryophytes can influence a diverse range of ecological processes (Wieder 1990) and might have significant effect on carbon, water, mineral and energy budget of ecosystem (Miller et al., 1978), even when they occur at low biomass within the community (Longton 1992). Bryophytes are widely used as bio-indicators for their unique and very specific responses. Some bryophytes species are extremely sensitive to pollutants and exhibit visible

http://lifesciencesleaflets.ning.com/ PEER-REVIEWED Page | 47 Life Sciences Leaflets FREE DOWNLOAD ISSN 2277-4297(Print)0976–1098(Online) injury symptoms even in presence of very minute quantities of pollutants. The Mount Abu ecosystem is an evolving ecosystem and still it has to stabilize the resources that are in fact crucial for the survival of humanity. Little has been attempted to mitigate the man-made pollution and its influence on Mount Abu ecosystem. Pollutants through changing physiological processes in individual plants affect growth, development, reproduction and also the tolerance to environmental and competitive stresses (Wu et al., 2002). The physiological and biological changes manifested at individual level, influence the biological processes at the supra-individual level also (e.g. succession and degradation in communities). In fact, it is the supra-individual level that provides reliable information about pollution (Csintalan and Tuba 1992). Present study is an attempt to use bryophyte community structure as a passive biomonitoring agent for environmental quality.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: (a) Calculation of IAP: For study of IAP, regular and extensive surveys were made to the undertaken sites of Mount Abu i.e. Sunset point, Nakki lake, Guru shikhar, Achalgarh, Gomukh, Trevor tank, Adhar devi, house, Delvara and Palanpur point. During each survey the distribution pattern and abundance of undertaken species of bryophytes viz Hyophila involuta, Stereophyllum ligulatum, Entodon prorepens, Plagiochasma appendiculatum, Asterella angusta ,Riccia discolor, Cyathodium barodae, Philonotis mollis, Funaria hygrometrica and Anthoceros erectus were studied (Figure plate I and II). IAP was computed in accordance to Mikhailova and Vorobeichik (1995). IAP =  f x Q / 10 Where, IAP = Index of Atmospheric Purity, Q = Ecological Index of the species (calculated as an average number of neighboring species) and f = Frequency of species.

(b) Preparation of IAP map: The IAP values were plotted on an outline map prepared for the study area. The sites having low IAP values in the rang of 0-8 represented the most polluted area and marked as zone I. Area having the IAP value of 9-16 was marked as zone II representing the moderate pollution level. The sites having the IAP value in between 17-24 represents the almost clean status and thus classified as zone III. The areas having the IAP value more than 24 (i.e. pure habitat) were designated as zone IV. The field study was conducted thrice in a year, each time in triplicate sets. The data presented herein are the average of all the experiments.

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RESULTS: Amongst all the undertaken sites, the maximum IAP value (30) was calculated for Gomukh, representing the zone IV (Table 1,). The minimum IAP value (4) was calculated for Adhar devi and Bikaner house representing most polluted amongst all the site studied. Of all the studied species of Bryophytes, Philonotis mollis and Anthoceros erectus were found to be in occurring in few sites. Philonotis mollis was present in 3 sites only i.e. Achalgarh, Gomukh and Trevor tank while Anthoceros erectus was found in five sites i.e. Sunset point, Achalgarh, Gomukh, Trevor tank and Palenpur point. The abundance of these two species was also found to be very low as compare to all other species. The three species of Bryophytes viz. Hyophila involuta, Plagiochasma aapendiculatum and Riccia discolor were found to be in almost 9 sites with high enough abundance. Study sites 1. Sunset point, 2. Nakki lake, 3. Guru shikhar, 4. Achalgarh, 5. Gomukh, 6. Trevor tank, 7. Adhar devi, 8. Bikaner house, 9. Delvara, 10. Palanpur point.

DISCUSSION: During the entire investigation several diversity indices were prepared on species richness for pollution monitoring studies but the calculation of IAP value using distribution and relative abundance of the species is vital and of wider application for pollution monitoring studies (Burton 1990 Palmieri et al., 1997, Manuel et al., 2000). Field observations were made frequently in the last three years after completion of rainy season. Field investigation revealed that at most of the sites the species diversity and distribution pattern was in accordance with IAP value. But in not all cases it holds true as micro-environment also influences the bryophyte diversity and abundance (Vitt and Slack 1984 Rice et al., 2001 Gombert et al., 2004). This may be the reason for low IAP value of Adhar devi, in spite of rich bryophyte vegetation. The least affected site was the Gomukh (IAP = 30), which has limited automobile movement and dense forest cover. The study revealed that Hyophila involuta were frequently distributed along the roadsides, which reflect to their ecotypic adaptation. It was also very interesting to note that in spite of high abundance of Entodon prorepens at most of the sites it was not observed at Sunset point and Guru shikhar, which suggest that it could be due to its peculiar niche or microclimate requirement. The lowest IAP value was calculated for Adhar devi and Bikaner house showing IAP value of 4 only representing the worse environmental conditions. Patches of Hyophila involuta and Riccia discolor were found in both areas while no species of Cyathodium, Philonotis and Anthoceros was found in Adhar devi and Bikaner house showing that toxic particulate and gases spewed out in automobile

http://lifesciencesleaflets.ning.com/ PEER-REVIEWED Page | 49 Life Sciences Leaflets FREE DOWNLOAD ISSN 2277-4297(Print)0976–1098(Online) exhaust may have deleterious effect on physiological and metabolic processes of plant and may be responsible for disappearance or migration of species from polluted areas. Nakki lake (IAP = 10) and Palanpur point (IAP = 14) represented the IAP zone II. The individual species appear to interact independently to different gradients and accordingly bryophytes are classified in to equilibrium species having well defined niches distinct from close competitor and fugitive species having overlapping niche with similar species (Vitt and Slack 1984). During survey it was also found that at heavy to moderately polluted sites represented by IAP zone I & II sensitive species like Anthoceros erectus and Philonotis mollis were scarecely available. From the field survey it was concluded that habitat of Sunset point, Guru shikhar, Achalgarh, Adhar devi, Bikaner house and delvara was highly polluted and are grouped under IAP zone I. habitat of Trevor tank, grouped under IAP zone III represents almost clean status. Trevor tank is a protected area under Forest department and tourist activities and vehicular movements are therefore restricted in this area which is ideal condition for growth of Bryophytes. Habitat of Gomukh experience rich bryoflora both in variety and frequency and is grouped under IAP zone IV i.e. pure habitat which support minimum pollution load. Since this region is of religious importance and is present at slope of mountain so there is no vehicular movement, further the relative humidity is high from other studied habitats and its low temperature represents an ideal niche for luxuriant growth of bryophytes at Gomukh. Beside test species, thick forest cover and high abundance of other sensitive bryophytes like Fossombronia himalayensis, Pellia epiphyla, Marchantia polymorpha, Phaeoceros laevis, Notothylas indica, Gymnostomiella vernicosa, Physcomitrium japonicum, Anomobryum auratum, Diaphanodon procumbens, and Levierella fabroniacea describes clean and healthy environmental status of Gomukh.

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Table 1: Distribution of bryophytes and computation of IAP at few different sites of Mount Abu

Species 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Hyophila 3 1 2 - 3 2 2 2 1 2 Stereophyllum - 1 - 2 3 1 2 - 1 3 Entoden - 2 2 - 3 4 2 2 1 3 Plagiochasma 2 3 1 2 3 1 - 1 2 1 Asterella 2 - 3 4 2 2 - 2 - - Riccia 2 3 2 1 4 1 2 1 - 3 Cyathodium 1 2 - - 2 1 - - 2 2 Philonotis - - - 1 3 2 - - - - Funaria 1 2 - - 3 1 1 - 2 2 Anthoceros 1 - - 2 2 2 - - - 1 No. of bryophytes sp. (n) 7 7 5 6 10 10 5 5 6 8 f 12 14 10 12 30 17 9 8 9 17 IAP value 8 10 5 7 30 17 4 4 5 14 IAP zone I II I I IV III I I I II Study sites 1. Sunset point, 2. Nakki lake, 3. Guru shikhar, 4. Achalgarh, 5. Gomukh, 6. Trevor tank, 7. Adhar devi, 8. Bikaner house, 9. Delvara, 10. Palanpur point.

Figure: Map of Rajasthan & Mount Abu showing various collection sites in the study area

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