Flora of Pathanamthitta (Western Ghats, Kerala, India)

Flora of Pathanamthitta (Western Ghats, Kerala, India)

Author: N. Anil Kumar

Publisher: Daya Books

Published: 2005

Total Pages: 658

ISBN-13: 9788170355892

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The Pathanamthitta District consists of three natural divisions viz, the lowlands, midlands and highlands. The topography of the district is highly undulating with hills and valleys. The vegetation is divided into 3 categories such as lowland vegetation, midland vegetation and upland vegetation. The Flora presents a systematic account of a total of 1249 species belonging to 658 general of 148 families of seed plants. The species index is registered as 460/1000 sq km which is comparatively very high and indicates the richness of the floristic diversity of the district. Seven new species and two new varieties have been discovered from the district. An analysis of the flora showed that 260 species are endemic which formed 22% of the total species. About 200 species are rare and 175 are severely threatened; most of which are local endemics. A total of 90 wild relatives of cultivated crop plants have been collected. Each species is provided with detailed up-to-date nomenclatural citations including synonyms if any, descriptions, phenology, distribution and notes on ecology, nomenclature, uses etc, if any. Illustrations of good quality of 59 species are also provided. The comprehensive floristic account will be of immense use to the botanists, agriculturists, foresters, pharmacists, phyotochemists, nature conservationists, ethnobotanists and to all the scientists working in other allied disciplines. Contents Chapter 1: Introduction; Chapter 2: Area of Study; Chapter 3: Vegetation; Chapter 4: Review of Earlier Work; Chapter 5: Present Work; Chapter 6: Floristic Analysis; Chapter 7: Threats of the Flora; Chapter 8: Proposed Area for Conservation; Chapter 9: Systematic Treatment.


Biodiversity Hotspot of the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka

Biodiversity Hotspot of the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka

Author: T. Pullaiah

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2024-02-20

Total Pages: 652

ISBN-13: 100090704X

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Biodiversity is declining at an alarming rate due to anthropogenic activities around the world. This book is the first volume in the new series Biodiversity Hotspots of the World, which highlights the 36 hotspot regions of the world, regions that were designated as reaping maximum benefit from preservation efforts. This series is our humble attempt to document these hotspots as a conservation and preservation measure. This first volume in the series focuses on the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka, construed as forming a community of species because of their shared biogeographical history. The volume explores the diversity and conservation efforts of the extraordinarily rich species found here, including plants, many of which are found nowhere else in the world; forests, which face tremendous population pressure and have been dramatically impacted by demands for timber and agricultural land; as well as the hotspot’s diverse mammals, birds, insects, and amphibian species, and more. The volumes in this series will be essential resources for researchers and practitioners in the fields of conservation biology, ecology, and evolution.


Microbial Biodiversity, Biotechnology and Ecosystem Sustainability

Microbial Biodiversity, Biotechnology and Ecosystem Sustainability

Author: Cristóbal Noé Aguilar

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2023-01-05

Total Pages: 529

ISBN-13: 9811943362

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This book gives insight into several aspects of the microbiology, biotechnology, and ecosystem sustainability of special and under-explored regions, that captivate human beings by their natural richness, their extensive biodiversity, the extraordinary forms of adaptation of the living beings that they inhabit, and even that keep living secrets as is the very origin of life. The chapters emphasize all aspects of biological diversity-its description, analysis, and conservation, and its controlled rational use by humankind. Also, the book is elaborated from a wide and multidisciplinary point of view. It presents reviews, research papers, comments, and research notes on biodiversity, ethnobiology, geoscience, chemistry, biological conservation, biotechnology, and ecosystem sustainability Two hotspots are the reference for this enriching book that describes details of extraordinary areas of the planet, from Cuatrociénegas, Coahuila (Mexico) to the Southern Western Ghats (India). The book will contribute to dealing with the practicalities of conservation management, economic, social, and political issues. It provides a forum for examining conflicts between sustainable development and human dependence on biodiversity in agriculture, environmental management, and biotechnology, and encourages contributions from developing countries to promote broad global perspectives on matters of biodiversity and conservation.


Ethnic Knowledge and Perspectives of Medicinal Plants

Ethnic Knowledge and Perspectives of Medicinal Plants

Author: Münir Öztürk

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2023-10-20

Total Pages: 662

ISBN-13: 1000811700

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This new 2-volume set aims to share and preserve ethnic and traditional knowledge of herbal medicine and treatments, while also emphasizing the link between biodiversity, human nutrition, and food security. Ethnic Knowledge and Perspectives of Medicinal Plants is divided into two volumes, with volume 1 focusing on the traditional use of curative properties and treatment strategies of medicinal plants, and volume 2 addressing the varied nutritional and dietary benefits of medicinal plants and the practice of Ayurveda. Both volumes stress the importance of bioresources for human nutrition and nutraceuticals based on ethnic knowledge and the need for efforts to protect biodiversity in many regions rich with medicinal plants. Exploring the benefits of medicinal plants in disease prevention, treatment, and management, Volume 1 discusses the traditional use of medicinal plants as promising therapeutics for cancer, liver conditions, COVID-19, and other human ailments. It examines the efficacy of Ayurvedic and Chinese herbal medicine, Indian traditional medicine, and other ethnic herbal practices used by indigenous peoples of Azerbaijan, South America, Turkey, India, etc. A variety of plants are discussed, and the ethnomedicinal applications of over 100 wild mushrooms for their medicinal and healthcare purposes are elaborated on. While volume 1 focuses primarily on natural plant resources for addressing specific health issues, volume 2 looks at traditional medicinal plant use for their nutritional and dietary benefits, while also encouraging the preservation of biodiversity for healthy and sustainable diets. The volume presents information on over 2200 vascular plant taxa from 127 families as well as many taxa from leaf parts, fruits, underground parts, floral parts, seeds, and more that have potential use as edible food plants. Ethnic knowledge on the wild edible mushrooms is an emerging area, which is unique and is dependent on the folk knowledge of tribals; this volume discusses the unique nutritional attributes of wild edible mushrooms (206 species belonging to 73 genera) in Southern India. The authors look at various lichens as nutritional aids and medicine and as flavoring agents and spices. Fucoidans derived from the seaweeds (and spirulina) are described for their antioxidant activity, nutritional and anti-aging properties, antiviral activities, anti-cancer properties, anti-diabetic properties, and more. The authors also examine how ethnicity affects healthcare/nutritive systems at different levels through various dynamics such as lower income, inability for services uptake, disputes among different ethnic groups, cultural attitudes (some ethnic group are vegetarian), lack of socio-economic resources, and disease prevalence. Together, these two important volumes aim to preserve and disseminate the valuable ethnic knowledge of medicinal plants gained over thousands of years and to promote the value of integrating and safeguarding biodiversity.


Ethnobotany of India, 5-Volume Set

Ethnobotany of India, 5-Volume Set

Author: T. Pullaiah

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2021-03-11

Total Pages: 2242

ISBN-13: 135173766X

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This new 5-volume set, Ethnobotany of India, provides an informative overview of human-plant interrelationships in India, focusing on the regional plants and their medicinal properties and uses. Each volume focuses on a different significant region of India, including Volume 1: Eastern Ghats and Deccan Volume 2: Western Ghats and West Coast of Peninsular India Volume 3: North-East India and Andaman and Nicobar Islands Volume 4: Western and Central Himalaya Volume 5: The Indo-Gangetic Region and Central India With chapters written by experts in the field, the book provides comprehensive information on the tribals (the indigenous populations of the region) and knowledge on plants that grow around them. Each volume includes an introductory chapter with an overview of the region and then goes on to cover ethnic diversity and culture of the ethnic tribes plants used for healing and medical purposes for humans and animals ethnic food plants and ethnic food preparation specific information on the ethnomedicinal plants, the parts used, and the diseases cured other uses of plants by the ethnic tribes, such as for fiber, dyes, flavor, and recreation conservation, documentation, and management efforts of the ethnic communities and their plant knowledge The books include the details of the plants used, their scientific names, the parts used, and how the plants are used, providing the what, how, and why of plant usage. The volumes are well illustrated with over 100 color and 130 b/w illustrations. Together, the five volumes in the Ethnobotany of India series bring together the available ethnobotanical knowledge of India in one place. India is one of the most important regions of the old world, and its ancient and culturally rich and diverse knowledge of ethnobotany will be valuable to many in the fields of botany and plant sciences, pharmacognosy and pharmacology, nutraceuticals, and others. The books also consider the threat to plant biodiversity imposed by environmental degradation, which impacts cultural diversity.


Phytomedicine

Phytomedicine

Author: Rouf Ahmad Bhat

Publisher: Academic Press

Published: 2021-02-20

Total Pages: 776

ISBN-13: 0128241101

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Phytomedicine: A Treasure of Pharmacologically Active Products from Plants aims to present updated knowledge of plant-based medicines in terms of their research and development, production, and utilization, from the viewpoint of sustainability and by using the latest technologies. The book explores different phytometabolites on a mass scale, coupled with the efficacy, performance and applicability on target organisms to treat curable and fatal diseases. Readers will find a coherent package of phytotherapeutic information regarding inclusive assortment of research based, scientific amplitude of metabolites from the plant world encompassing various action plans. Information is presented sequentially regarding phytochemistry, biological activity and the serviceable aspects of bioactive compounds. The book also addresses various advancements and achievements of novel drugs from plants using molecular and enzymatic activities, and various technological tools in an ecofriendly fashion. Discusses phytotherapeutic properties for a wide range of medical conditions, including anti-pyretic, anti-infective, anti-malarial, Anti-AIDS, anti-diabetic, anti-cancerous, immune-modulatory applications Includes a discussion of synergistic effects of formulations and antagonistic drug interactions Addresses advancements and achievements of novel plant-based drugs using molecular, enzymatic activities and various technological tools in an eco-friendly fashion


Ethnobotany of India, Volume 1

Ethnobotany of India, Volume 1

Author: T. Pullaiah

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2016-12-01

Total Pages: 524

ISBN-13: 1771883391

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Ethnobotany of India: Volume 1: Eastern Ghats and Adjacent Deccan, the first of a five-volume set, provides an informative overview of human-plant interrelationships in this southern area of India. The volume looks at the ethnic diversity, ethnobotany, ethnomedicine, ethnoveterinary medicine, and ethnic food of the region. With chapters written by experts in the field, the book provides comprehensive information on the tribals (the indigenous populations of the region) and knowledge on plants that grow around them.