LIST OF PUBLICATIONS LIST OF PUBLICATIONS Paper published: 1. Rout, J., Singha. A.B. and Upreti, D.K. (2010). Pigment profile and chlorophyll degradation of Pyxine cocoes lichen: a comparative study of the different degree of disturbance in Cachar district, Assam. Assam University Journal of Science and Technology 5:85-88. 2. Rout, J., Singha, A.B. and Upreti, D.K. (2012). Lichen flora on Betel nut {Areca catechu) palm tree from a pristine habitation Southern Assam, India. Vegeios, In Press. Paper presented: 1. Singha, A.B. and Rout. J. (2006). Pigment profile and chlorophyll degradation of a foliose lichen, Pyxine cocoes in disturbed and undisturbed areas in Silchar, Cachar district (Southern Assam) North East India. In International Conference on Current trends in Algal Bioresource Utilization, 4-6 December, 2006, organized by Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Assam University, Silchar, Assam, India, 2. Rout, J., Singha, A.B., Upreti, D.K. and Dubey, U. (2010). Distribution of lichens on Areca catechu in Cachar district of Assam. In fourth International conference on plants and environmental pollution, 8-11 December, 2010, organized by International Society of Environmental Botanists and National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, India. 3. Rout, J., Singha, A.B. and Upreti, D.K. (2012). Distribution and diversity of lichens in northern part of Cachar district, Assam, Noi1h East India.In International Conference on Global ecosystems. Biodiversity and Environmental Sustainability in the 2P' century, and 15-17 February, 2012, organized by Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Assam University, Silchar, Assam, India. ISSN 09 75-2773 ^. ... ..J: Voluihe:,5. ' N u m b e r - I 2010 f^~ r^\ £B«*I. ^'•Jlfr^ \ (An "Sfe iiii '^r^M rr?'.*A • ^--v-^i li *^:^* ASSAM U N I v i i i p r Y PRESSAssam University, Silcliar-788 011/India Assam University ./ournal ofScicnce & Ibclinology Biological and Environmental Sciences Vol. 5 Number I 8S.R8,2niO Pigment Profile and Chllorophyll Degradation of Pyxine cocoes lichen: A Comparative Study of the Different Degree of Disturbance in Cachar District, Assam Jayashrcc Rout*', A. Bichitrn Singha' and D.K. Uprcti^ 'Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Assam University, Siichar ^Lichenology Lab., National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow-226001, India. *Correspondingauthor: e-mail: routjaya@rediffmail.com Abstract Present investigation has been promulgated to study pigment profile and chlorophyll degradation of lichen communities within areas of different degree of disturbances in Cachar district. Chlorophyll a, chlorophyll />, total chlorophyll and carotenoid were measured to estimate the possible damage caused by the metallic pollutants in the lichen, Pyxine cocoes collected from 25 sites of the study area. Total chlorophyll is highest in Ecoforest (1.43 mg/l whereas Carotenoid is lowest in Ecoforest (0.17 mg/l).Chlorophyll degradation was measured as a parameter of air pollution experiment. Key words: Lichen, Pyxine cocoes, physiological interaction. Introduction Lichens are often and effectively used as monitors orpolhilion, 1 .Iclicnw hnvo ccrliiin chnrneloiislics that make them ideal biomonitoring organisms (Upreti et.al. 2008). During the last few decades increased human interference, urbanization and heavy vehicular activity in Cachar district have resulted the changes air quality. Lichens are among the most valuable biomonitors of atmospheric pollution (Upreti et. at. 2006).They have certain characteristics which meet several requirements of the ideal biological inonilor. The first observation on sensitivity of lichens to air pollution dates back to 19* Century (Nylander, 1886). Since then large number of investigations in various countries have been carried out (Carreras, et. al. 1998, Bargagli et. al. 2002). Das et.al. (1986) studied lichens of Kolkata city streets in relation to traffic load. The use of lichens in biomonitoring of particulate pollutants has gained increasing acceptance in recent years. Lichen biomonitoring is especially useful in urban areas, where high density of different emitting sources make monitoring of air pollution with conventional chernico-physical gauge an extremely difficult task due to variety of pollulanlN. A miin\>i-i ol |)arnnictfis iiic \iscil in estimate the effect of air pollution on lichens (Roncn &Galun, 1984). Chlorophyll content and chlorophyll degradation are parameters commonly used to assess the impact of air pollution on lichens (Silberstein and Galun, 1988). The most obvious sign of pollution damage to lichens is bleaching of the thalli, caused by decomposition of chlorophyll. Metallic pollutants arc known to disrupt the vitnl physiological proccs.ses (Upreti &. Shukia, 2007). Chlorophyll in lichens is very sensitive to changes in environmental factors including air pollution (Boonpragob, 2002). The analysis of lichens for different mineral concentrations could provide a method for monitoring atmospheric deposition of elements in an area. The aim of this study is to investigate damage to chlorophyll in lichens in relation to different levels of air pollution at selected monitoring sites in the district. Materials and methods Siichar is the district headquarter of Cachar district. -Z5- Pigment Profile and Chllurophyll.. It lies belwecn 24°49' N latitude and 92°48'E longitude on the left bank of fiver Barak . 'ilie study area is covered by a distance of about 25 km. It is surrounded by Borail bills on tiie north, Manipui- on (he east, Bangladesh on the west and Mizo hills on the south. The study area has been divided into live major grou[)s. Cach group contains five different sites. I'he group has been differentiated on the basis of their traffic load, types of veliicles, etc. Group A is considered as the main town area, business centre, and heavy traffic load. Group B is considered as thickly populated and nearby town area; all types of any natural variations of chlorophyll content. The specimens were dried and preserved in the laboratory and identified on the basis of morphology, anatomy and chemistry with the help of recent literature and Lichenology laboratory, NBRI, Lucknow. Lichen samples were carefully removed from the bark, using a snapper blade and were air dried and washed with acetone and then ground in mortar with Quartz sand in 80% acetone. The supernatant was obtained at 5000 rpm for 10 minutes and conserved in crushed ice. Absorbance (A) measures were taken at 663,645, 435, 415, 480, 510 nm using spectrophotometer. The ratio of OD 435/OD 415 as parameter for chlorophyll degradation (Ronen &Galun ,1984).The chlorophyll content was calculated from absorbance values at 663 and 645 nm according to the equation of Arnon (1949). The total carotenoid content was calculated according to Parsons et. al. (1984) from absorbance values at 480 and 510 nm using Genesys 10 UV scanning spectrophotometer. Results and discussion Fig.l. Pyxine cocoes (Sw.) Nyl. vehicle arc running. Group C &D are the outskirts from town; Group C is thickly populated residential area in both sides of the main road whereas Group D is more or less open vegetation, rice field, less populated area. Last three sites of Group E are totally undisturbed and first two sites are less populated and University area is also less affected from pollution except those vehicles servicing within the campus. The study was carried out with a foliose lichen, Pyxine cocoes growing on trees of 25 different sites (Fig. I). Samples were collected from 2.0-150 cm height from the gicinnd in the loailsidc ol tile sillily area. S a m p l i n g was performed during March-May, 2006 from polluted and relatively clean areas. In each sampling period 8-10 samples were collected in order to represent The study was conducted on the occurrence of Pyxine cocoes growing luxuriantly on the tree bark. All the sites show good growth of lichens on the bark surface. Among the Physciaceae family Pyxine is the dominant contributor. Pyxine cocoes and Pyxine petricola were found from the study site. In the present study Pyxine cocoes was undertaken for the pigment analysis. Results of various pigments (chl.a. chl.b. total chl. and carotenoid) and chlorophyll degradation analysis are presented in Table 1. The table shows the value of quantified parameters corresponding to each one of the sampling points. From the observation it is clear that chlorophyll content is more in site23 (Ecoforest-l,1.43mg/l) followed by site -24 (Ecoforest-2,1.27mg/l) and lowest in site-1 (Sadarghat-0.79ing/l) and Fakirtilla (Site15,0.51 mg/l). It is observed that the concentration of chl.a. and chl.b., is affected by the traffic load. (Iilorophyll conlcnl may vary fi'om one si(c lo another depending on their habitat, climatic condition, pollution level, etc. Chlorophyll content decreases when the pollution decreases. It may vary depending on the air quality of that area. The -86- Pigment Profile and Chllorophyll.. highest amount of carotenoid was noted in site-3 -11 (Medical road-2.12mg/l) followed by site-1 7 (Hospital road-0.46mg/l) and site-12 (veterinary (Barambaba-2.02ing/l). Medical road has received 0.46mg/l). Higher carotenoid content was reported lots of smoke, dust, dirt from heavy traffic, from disturbed area. It becomes higher in more automobile workshops, etc. Since it is a medical polluted area, and it may also be le^s in polluted college area that received 24 hours of heavy area depending upon the vegetation type, climatic traffic and the garbages, either it may be medicinal condition, etc. Chlorophyll (icgradation or may be domestic were thrown in the roadside measurements were intended as a parameter of and the area becomes polluted after a period of air pollution experiment. I'rom the result it was time. Chlorophyll degradation is lowest in sitc23 found that chlorophyll degradation is highest in site and 25 (ixoforest I and 3), both sites are Table I Analysis of Chlorophyll concentration, Chlorophyll degradation and Caroteniod content (mg/1) GROUP Site Site Name No. A B C D E Chi. a Chi. b Total Chi. Chi.Degradation Carotenoid (mg/l) (mg/1) (mg/1) (mg/1) (mg/1) 1 Sadarghat X)3b 0.44 D.79 1.29 0.37 2 Premtala 0.41 0.43 0.84 1.72 0.33 3 Hospital Road 0.51 0.52 1.01 1.58 0.46 4 Rangirkhari 0.54 0.37 0.91 0.47 0.23 5 Link Road 0.56 0.52 1,08 0.45 0.40 6 Kathal Road 0.45 0.39 0.84 0.76 0.19 7 Meherpur 0.33 0.40 0.73 1.06 0.24 8 Polytechnic 0.41 0.43 0.84 1.04 0.33 9 Green Park 0.44 0.47 0.91 0.64 0.38 10 Durga Palli 0.31 0.37 0.67 1.1 1 ""^ 11 Medical Road 0.36 0.37 0.73 2.12^~ 12 Veterinary 0.33 0.47 0.80 0.94 0.46 13 Kuarpar 0.57 0.67 1.24 1.12 0.27 14 NIT 0.42 0.43 0.85 0.84 0.18 15 Fakirtilla 0.16 0.35 0.54 0.72 0.23 16 Barik Nagar 0.49 0.40 0.89 1.49 0.24 17 Barambaba 0.43 0.46 0.89 2.02 0.32 18 Silcoorie 0.41 0.53 0.94 1.09 0,37 19 Mitha Pani 0.41 0.46 0.87 1.72 0.24 20 Forest Gate 0.43 0.41 0.84 0.95 0.28 2! Darga kona 0.24 0.41 0.65 0.91 0,28 22 University CnmpuS 0.47 0.50 0.95 0.77 0,33 23 Ecoforest (1) 0.72 0.71 i.43 1.34 oTi'g 24 Ecoforest (2) 0.68 0.59 1.27 0.48 0.35 25 Ecoforest (3) 0.45 0.50 1.95 0.36 0.32 87- '"" " '"" ^^ 0.!7" 0.18 Pigment Profile andChllorophyll.. undisturbed habitat, which received clean air, no traffic and other smoke producing activities are also absent. Lichens can grow very well in this type of habitat. It means that if there is less chlorophyll degradation, the amount of chlorophyll content will be more. Similar studies were also found by Backor el al. 2002. In their study, the highest value forchl. a. concentration was found in control sites and the lowest chl. a. coficentrations were recorded at the industrial area. The highest content of chl.b. was measured in the outskirts and lowest in the city center. However the lowest degree of chlorophyll degradation was observed at sites related to city periphery while the highest were observed at sites related to industry and city center. The amount of total chlorophyll, of chlorophyll a, and of chlorophyll b was inversely proportional to the SO., concentration (Le blanc and Robitaille 1976). It is a baseline records for carrying out futyre studies related with the ambient air in the area. It can be inferred that Pyxine is a good mitigato.r of industrial fallouts. Conclusion The study using a single epiphytic lichen species showed that a single species can be used to determine air pollution in Cachar district. The present pigment analysis will provide a baseline data for further impact assessment programme related on ambient air quality in the area. Acknowledgement Authors are thankful to the Head of Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Assam University, Silchar for providing laboratory facilities. We wish to thank Dr. D.K. Upreti ( S c i e n t i s t - F ) , N a t i o n a l Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow herbarium consultation. References !. Arnon, D. I. 1949. Copper enzymes in isolated chloroplasts polyphenoloxidases in Beta vulgaris. Plant Physiology, 24:1 -15. 2. Backor, M. Paulikova, K. Geralska, A. and Davidson, R. 2002. Monitoring of air pollution in Kosice (ilastcrn Slovakia) using lichens, Polish Journal of Environmental Studies 12(2): 141-150. 3. Boonpragob, K. 2002. Monitoring physiological change in lichens: Total chlorophyll content and chlorophyll degradation In: Monitoring with Lichens. Monitoring Lichens. Rd.s, P.L.Nimis , C"..Scheidcgger and P.A. Wolscley, Khwvcv Academic Publishers. 323-326. 4. Brown, D.il. and Hooker, T.N. (1977). The significance of acidic lichen substances in the estimation of chlorophyll and phaeophytin in lichens, New Phylologist 78: 617- 624. 5. Carreras, H.A., G.L. Gudino and M.L.Pignata. 1998, Comparative biomonitoring of atmospheric quality in five zones of Cordoba City (Argentina) employing the transplanted Usnea sp.. Environmental pollution. \()2-3\l-325. 6. Das, T.M., Guha, N., Majumdar, S., Samim, K. A., Roy, S., Das, G. and Das, A.K.(1986). Studies on plant responses to air pollution: Occurrence of lichens in relation to traffic load of Calcutta city. Indian Bryologisi, 1 8(2): 26-29. 7. I -cblanc, F. and Robitaille, G. 1976. Ixophysiological -SH response of lichen transplants to air pollution in the Murdochville Gaspe Copper mines area, Quebec. Journ Haltori Dot. Lab. No. 40:27-40. 8. Nylander, W. 1886. Less lichen du Jardin de Luxemberg, Bulletin de la Societe Botanique de France \2:364-312. 9. Parsons, T. R., Malta, Y., and Lalli, C. M. 1984. A manual of chemical and biological methods for seawater analysis. Oxford, Pergarnon. 10. Ronen, R., andGalun, M.1984. Pigment extracdon from lichens with Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) and estimation of chlorophyll degradation. Environmental and Experimental Botany, 24,239245. 11. Silberstein, L., and Galun, M.,1988. Spectrophotometric estimation of chlorophyll. 12. Upreti. D. K., Shukla.V, andNayaka. S. 2006. Heavy metal accumulation in lichens of Dehradun City, Uttaranchal , India , Indian Journal of Environmental Sciences .Pp-165- i 69. 13. Upreti D. K.,and Shukla. V. 2009. Effect of metallic pollutants on the physiology of lichen, Pyxine subcinerea. Stirton in Garhwal Himalayas,''£'«v/rort, Monit. Assess. 141:237-243. 14. Upreti, D. K., Bajpai. R., and Dwivedi .S.K.2008. Arsenic accumulation in lichens of Mandav monuments, Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh, India Environ. Monit. .Assess.-7. Regd. No. IB-14052-88 Phone : H.O. (0121) 2888501 C O . 094128-22433 SOCIETY FOR PLANT RESEARCH Corporate & Business Office : 204, Green Estate, Opposite Agriculture University, Meerut 250 110 U.P. Editorial Office : Department of Cell Biology, College of Biotechnology, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut 250 110 U.P. Head Office : Department of Botany> Bareilly College, Bareitly 243 001 U.P. Email: drskb2000@yahoo.com , subodhbhatnagarl8@gmaii.com and dabrol2000@yahoo.com TENTATIVE ACCEPTANCE OF MANUSCRIPT (VEGETOS : A 6.2 1U.TED J O l RNAL BY NAAS) Reference: VEGETOS/2011/New-Revised Date : February 10,2012 This is to inform you that your manuscript entitled "Lichen Flora on Betel Nut {Areca catechu) Palm Tree from a Pristine Habitat in Southern Assam, India" authored by Jayashree Rout, A. Bichitra Singha and D.K.Upreti has been accepted for publication in VEGETOS Vol 25 No.OlYear 2012 Kindly remit the PRINTING /MEMBERSHIP DUES along with duly filled PRINT PAGES DATA FORM latest by March 10, 2012 so that your manuscript may be processed further. Thank you very much for your kind collaboration and contribution to the SOCIETY FOR PLANT RESEARCH. With best regards (S K BHATNAGAR) Chief Editor. VEGETOS Lichen Flora on Betel Nut (Areca ccitechii) Palm Tree from a Pristine Habitat in Southern Assam, India Jayashree Rout*', A. Bichitra Singha' and D.K.Upreti^ 'Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Assam University, Silchar. ^Lichenology Lab., National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow-226001, India. Epiphytic lichen flora occurring on betel nut palm {Areca catechu) host tree have been investigated from an abandoned tea-garden area with sporadic human habitation in southern part of Assam, India. A total of 37 lichen species belonging to 16 genera and 10 families were enumerated in the area under study. The crustose form represented by 29 species was most dominant followed by 10 species of foliose lichens. No fruticose forms were detected. The Graphidaceous family contributed 13 species followed by 6 species of Trypetheliaceae family. Biatoraceae, Lecanoraceae, Opegraphaceae and Stereocaulaceae families were sparsely represented with single species each. Keywords - Epiphytic lichen, Betel nut tree, Assam, India. INTRODUCTION Areca catechu Linn, a palm family tree, commonly called betel nut tree is a slender, singlestemmed, upto 30ft high with sparse canopy growing all over tropical Asia. In fact, India is the largest producer and consumer of betel nut with the states of Kamataka, Kerala and Assam being * Corresponding author e-mail: routjaya@rediffmail.com most contributor to net national productivity. Cachar district located in southern part of the state 1 of Assam has a suitable agroclimatic conditions which favours extensive growth of betel nut palm. The tree is grown almost in every home, both in rural and urban areas of the district primarily for economic, religious and cultural reason. Epiphytic lichens growing on a particular tree are a function of complex interrelated factors. The microclimatic conditions, topography and the nature of bark determine the diversity and extent of lichen growth on a tree. The age of bark, extent of roughness, pH, nutrient status, water holding capacity, etc are vital factors that govern the growth of lichens on bark. Lichens colonising on barks of different trees accounts for largest share of 2050 lichens reported from India so far (Singh et.al. 2002). Wide varieties of trees have served as substratum for lichens. Among these, sal (Upreti 1996, Satya et.al. 2005), oak and pine (Upreti and Chatterjee, 1999a, 1999b), mango( Bajpai et al 2004),kadam ,jari, bhelu , modar etc. ( Rout et al 2010) are quite remarkable in supporting different species of lichens. As a part of our systematic ongoing exploration of lichen diversity from North East India, in general, and Assam, in particular, we have so far reported about 200 lichen species from southern Assam alone (Rout et al 2005, Das 2008 and Rout el al 2010) and about 130 species from the state of Arunachal Pradesh (Dubey et al 2007 and Dubey, 2009) covering diverse range of habitats including tree barks. In contrast to many other parts of Assam, Cachar district located in southern part is devoid of any polluting industries, has less pronounced human interferences and minimal vehicular emissions and characterised by fluctuating climate and extended rainy season. The Scottish lichenologist, Stirton (1879) described many new taxa based on collections of G. Watt and A. Watt from Assam and Darjeeling. Nagarkar and Patwardhan (1982) described about 16 species of the genus Graphis collected from different parts of North East India. Rout et al (2005) enumerated the epiphytic lichen species growing in ten different host plants from National Institute of Technology (NIT) campus in Cachar district. An account of lichen diversity from Loharbond Reserve forest in Cachar district were furnished by Rout et al recently (2010). Interestingly, though the study indicated as many as 46 lichen species that were recorded for the first time from Assam, Areca catechu as host plant was, however, not included in this or any previous studies. In view of the aforementioned discussion, it is evident that exploration of lichens colonising on smooth bark surface of Areca catechu plant assumes immense significance. Accordingly as a part of our long-term systematic investigations on lichen diversity from southern Assam, we report herein epiphytic lichen diversity on Areca catechu host plant from a pristine habitat in Cachar district of Assam (India). MATERIALS AND METHODS Site Description An abandoned tea garden area, the field of present study situated in Chengkuri near Silchar in western part of Cachar district of the state of Assam (India) lies between 24°4y North latitude and 93''l5'^ East longitude(Fig.l). It covers an area of 7 sq. km. approximately. The terrain located at an altitudinal range of 45 m, strewn with small hillocks is relatively inaccessible. The boundary of the study area is delineated on the south-western side by Hailakandi district and north-eastern side by Silchar town. Thin and scattered human population is settled in lovv land fringe areas. The people Uving in the area rely mostly on marginal rice cultivation, forest products and many are daily wage earners. In addition, they maintain livestock and carry out small scale plantation of Areca catechu. The 'supari' trees as they are commonly called, are considered value added for betel nuts and also for delineating boundaries of their homes. There are no factories , industries or even moderate vehicular flow near the 15 km radius of the study area. Due to frequent rains( average annual rainfall 3000 nini) spread over almost the whole year, the air is surcharged with high moisture content. The average humidity in the area is about 80% and average temperature is 30^C. Methodology During the month of January-February, 2010, more than 500 specimens were collected with the help of hammer and chisel from the bark of Areca catechu plant growing in the study area. The study area was strategically divided tentatively into seven zones of about 1 sq. km. each and ten betel nut trees from each zone were selected for lichen sampling. The collected lichen specimens were identified based on their morphology, anatomy and chemistry at Lichenology Laboratory of the National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow. The keys used were by Awasthi (1988, 1991), Upreti (1998),Upreti et al (2005, 2007) and Staiger (2002). The identified specimens are preserved in the Lichen Herbarium of Ecology and Environmental Science Department, Assam University, Silchar and National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Lucknow (LWG). Fig 1. Map showing study area. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The Areca catechu trees in the study area are about 20-25 years old, as old as the human habitation in the area. Unlike the bark of many other trees which serve as host to wide variety of lichens, the bark of Areca catechu trees are rather smooth and due to thin canopy provide the right mix of light and moisture for lichen growth. Though the tree is quite commonly found to grow in most of the states of North East India under different agroclimatic conditions, no study so far addressed the epiphytic lichen diversity from this host tree. The present work was undertaken to obtain a preliminary account of lichens growing in this plant as well as to draw a comparison with epiphytic lichens reported earlier from southern Assam. The present investigation revealed occurrence of 37 species belonging to 16 genera and 10 famiUes from the Areca catechu tree bark of Chengkuri area (Table 1). The crustose form dominated the host trees with 29 species followed by 8 foliose lichens. Graphidaceae family with 13 lichen species was most dominant followed by 6 species of Trypetheliaceae family. Among the genera Trypethelium has shown the maximum number with 6 species followed by 5 species of Graphis while the family Biatoraceae, Lecanoraceae, Opegraphaceae, and Stereocaulaceae are each represented by the a single species (Table 1). Among the foliose lichens, Dirinaria aegialita and Pyxine cocoes of the family Physciaceae were found to grow luxuriantly in all the host trees in the locality. It may be emphasized that the number of epiphytic lichen species recorded from the study area is based on a random sampling scattered over an area of 7 sq. km and the actual number of species might even be more. Rout et al (2010) in a recent study provided an account of 55 species of epiphytic lichens erowiny in different host nlanls of Loharbund Reserve Forest in Cachar district. Graphidaceae and Pyrenulaceae contributed more than 50% of the poulation. The genera Pyrenida, Sarcographa and Graphis were most common in the Reserve Forest. The Graphidaceae and Physciaceae families were found to be the dominant forms in NIT campus near Silchar town of Cachar district, Assam (Rout et. al. 2005). The genera Phaeograph'ma with maximum species number was found to be most dominant in the NIT campus. These explorative studies led to a good number of new species hitherto not accounted from the state of Assam. The present floristic studies carried out on a single host tree of a pristine habitat of Chengkuri area of Assam within a small patch of 7 sq. km. area revealed 9 new species from southern Assam. These species include Diorygma hieroglyphiciim, Dirinaria confluens, Lepraria lobificans, Parmotrema reticulatum, Phaeographis lobata, Phaeographis medusiformis, Phaeographis suhtrigina, Sarcographa leprieurii, and TrvDethelium indicum The species Pyrenula introducla detected in this study and also encountered earlier from this region(Rout et al 2010) is endemic to India( Singh 1999). Extenxive study covering Areca catechu trees and different host trees from other areas of the district are likely to afford more newer species . As lichens are capable of indicating the microclimatic changes of their habitat the present enumeration of lichens in the area will constitute a baseline record for conducting future environmental biomonitoring studies. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS One of the authors ( ABS) thank UGC, Govt of India and Assam University for financial support. Director, National Botanical Research Institute(NBRI), Lucknow is also thanked for providing laboratory facilities. 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Nagarkar M B and Patwardhan P G (1982) Notes on some lichens from north east India IV: Genus Graphis. Biovigyanam.%:\25-\'i\. Rout J, Rongmei R and Das P (2005) Epiphytic lichen flora of a pristine habitat (NIT campus) in Southern Assam, India. Phytotaxonomy.S: 117-119. Rout J, Das P and Upreti D K( 2010) Epiphytic lichen diversity in a Reserve Forest in southern Assam, North East India. 7>o/7/c(3/^co/ogv 51 (2): 281-288. Satya, Upreti D K and Nayaka, S. (2005) Shorea rohmta an excellent host tree for lichens growth in Indxa.Current Science. 89(4): 594-595. Singh K P (1999) Lichens of Eastern Himalayan Region.pp. 153-204. In : K G Mukherji, B P Chamola, D K Upreti and R K Upadhyay(eds) Biology of Lichens. Aravali Books International, New Delhi Singh K P, Sinha G P and Bujarbarua P (2002) Endemic Lichens of India. Geophytology 33: 116. Staiger B (2002) Die Flechtenfamile Graphidaceae:StudieninRichtung einer naturlicheren Gliederrung. - Biblioth. Lichenol.SS: 1-526. Stirton J (1879) New rare lichens from India and the Himalayas. Proc. Phil. Soc. 306-322. . • Glasgow.ll: : : Upreti D K (1996) Lichens on Shorea rohusla in Jharsuguda District, Orissa. Flora and Fauna.!'. \59-\6\. ' ' ' Upreti D K and Chatterjee S (1999a) Distribution of lichens on Querciis and Pinus in Almora District, Kumaon Himalayas, India. Geop/zj-'/o/ogy 28 (1-2): 41-49. Upreti D K and Chatter] ee S (1999b) Epiphytic Uchens on Quercus and Pinus trees in the three forest stands in Pithoragarh district, Kumaon Himalayas, India. Tropical Ecology 40(1): 4149. Upreti D K ( 1998) A key to the lichen genus Pyrenula from India with Nomenclature notes. Nova Hedwigia. 66(3-4): 557-576. Upreti D K, Nayaka S and Satya (2005) Enumeration of lichens from Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh, India / Appl. Biosci. 31(l):55-63. Upreti D K, Nayak S, Tandon J and Bajpai A (2007) Lichens of Kolkata city and Indian Botanical Gardens, West Bengal. J Appl. Biosci.33 (1): 70-72. Table 1: List of lichen species recorded from the study area at Chengkuri( Cachar district) SI. No. Lichen Taxa 1 Arthonia subgyrosa Nyl. Cryptothecia lumilata fZahlbr.) Makh. & 2 Patw. Diorygma hieroglyphiciim (Pers.)Staiger 3 & Kalb. 4 Dirinaria con/Juens (Tr.)Awasthi. 5 Dirinaria aegialita (Afz. In Acii.) Moore. 6 Dirinaria consimilis (Fr.) Awasthi. 7 Graphis cdpillacea Stirton 8 Graphis ceylanica Zahlbr. 9 Graphis proserpens Vain. 10 Graphis scripta (L.) Ach. 11 Graphis suhserpentina (Nyl.) Mull. Arg. Hemilhecium chrysenteron (Mont.) 12 Trevis. 13 Lecanactis patellarioides (Nyl.) Vainio. 14 Lecanora achroa Nyl. 15 Lepraria lobificans Nyl. Parmotrema reticulatum (Taylor) M. 16 Choisy. 17 Parmotrema saccatilobum (Taylor) Hale. Parmotrema tinctorum (Despr. Ex Nyl.) 18 Hale. Phaeographis dendritica (Ach.) Mull. 19 Arg. 20 Phaeographis lohata{Es,c\\v<.) Mull. Arg. Phaeographis medusiformis (Krempelh.) 21 Mull. Arg. 22 Phaeographis siibtrigina (Vain.)Zahlbr. Phyllopsora biieltneri (Mull. Arg.) 23 Zahlbr. Pyrenula ochraceojlava (Nyl.)R.C. 24 Harris. 25 Pyrenula anomala (Ach.) Vainio. Growth 1 Family Arthoniaceae Form Crustose Substratum Bark Arthoniaceae Crustose Bark Graphidaceae Physciaceae Physciaceae Physciaceae Graphidaceae Graphidaceae Graphidaceae Graphidaceae Graphidaceae Crustose Foliose Foliose Foliose Crustose Crustose Crustose Crustose Crustose Bark Bark Bark Bark Bark Bark Bark Bark Bark Graphidaceae Opegraphaceae Lecanoraceae Stereocaulaceae Crustose Crustose Crustose Crustose Bark Bark Bark Bark Parmeliaceae Parmeliaceae Foliose Foliose Bark Bark Parmeliaceae Foliose Bark Graphidaceae Graphidaceae Crustose Crustose Bark Bark Graphidaceae Graphidaceae Crustose Crustose Bark Bark Biatoraceae Crustose Bark Pyrenulaceae Pyrenulaceae Crustose Crustose Bark Bark 26 Pyrenula confines R.C. Harris. Pyrenulaceae Crustose Bark 27 Pyrenula introducta (Nyl.) Zahlbr 28 Pyxine cocoes (Swartz.) Nj'l. 29 Pyxine petricola Nyl. Sarcographa labyrinthica (Ach.) Mull. 30 Arg. Sarcographa leprieurii (Mont.) Mull31 Arg. Trypethelium albopndnosum Makh. & 32 Patw. Trypethelium assimile Stirton 34 Trypethelium eluteriae Spreng. Trypethelium endosulphureum MakJi. & 35 Patw 36 TrypetheUum indicum Makh. & Patv\' 37 Trypethelium tropicum (Stirton) Zahlbr. Pyrenulaceae Phvsciaceae Physciaceae Crustose Foliose Foliose Bark Bark Bark Graphidaceae Crustose Bark Graphidaceae Crustose Bark Trypetheliaceae Trypetheliaceae Trypetheliaceae Crustose Crustose Crustose Bark Bark Bark Trypetheliaceae Trypetheliaceae Trypetheliaceae Crustose Cx'ustose Crustose Bark Bark Bark International Conference on Current Trends In Bloresource-UtMf 4 - 6 December, 2006 JDoNERJVIINIS AMS .•.*j^;jv*Xr;iH-.'..;.;i''.;-1 JCCTABU 2006 Dept of Ecology and Environmental Science, AUS Poster - 51 PIGMENT PROFILE & CHLOROPHYLL DEGRADATION OF A FOLIOSE LICHEN, PYXINE COCCOES IN DISTUl^ED & UNDISTUl^ED AREAS IN SILCHAR, CACHAR DISTRICT (SOUTHERN ASSAM) NORTH EAST INDIA A. Bichitra Singha and Jayashree Rout Department of Ecology & Environmental Science Assam University, Silchar. Lichen are one of the most important groups of epiphyllous organisms. Lichens also react to pollution by changing some of their organic contents, e.g. vital or less vital pigments. The present investigation has been promulgated to study pigment profile & chlorophyll degradation of lichen communities in disturbed & undisturbed habitat from Silchar to Assam University, Cachar district of Barak Valley, North East India. The survey area is covered by a distance of about 25 kms. The study revealed the occurrence of Pyxine species, a foliose form Irom the ti'ee bark that are found in the stiidy site. The oigment profile of the lichen is presented here and the chlorophyll degradation was measured as a parameter of air pollution experiment. The chlorophyll degradation was found to be lowest in Ecoforest, comparatively less undisturbed habitat as compaie to other sites. Due to heavy traffic, automobile exhaust, smoke & dust particles in air, the growth of the lichen (pigment composition, reproductive structures) is found to decrease in polluted areas. Si 1CPEP-4 "Btf >9M Fourth international Conference Plants & Environmental Pollution • < - ^ , » :v"^ - •^^•.^•*f«!l'»' Organised by Interhational SoGiety 6f Enviforirnerital Bptanists • ^ • - . v - . « • • • ' • • • • • : • : - : ^ : ' •• . • • / , . • • ' • . N a t i o n a l B o t a n i c a l Reseeirch Institute '':••• :Lu.Gknpw,,Jndia. 'J:';.; ,:•,.-•.•:•:.•• • INTEENATIONAL CONFEEENCE ON .|, &•>" " * > -•'^:^^vC: GLOBAL ECOSYSTEMS, BIODIVERSITV AND ^ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY IN THE 21" CENTURY (ICGEBEnS) February, 15-17'\ 2012 Or^<^^mAed/hy I Department of Ecology and Environmen|al Assam University, Silchar / / Assam, India / / / / a... ' y^ s Abstracts . ?H»; \\ International Conference on Global Ecosystems, Biodiversity and Environmental Sustainability in the 2l8t Century 11 . _ PI Organised by Department of Ecology <fc Environmental Science, Assam University, Silchar, on February, 15-17,2012 t l South-Western side of Imphal city. The study was conducted for a period of two years at five different study sites. A total of 36 macrophytic species were recorded among which the emergent macrophytes viz. Alternanthera philoxeroides, Echinochloa stagnina and the submerged species Ceratophyllum demersum and Hydrilla verticillata were found to be the dominant species in site I to IV, whereas in site V, the dominant species was represented by Salvinia cucullata, a free floating macrophyte. The highest frequency percentage (95%) was exhibited by Alternanthera philoxeroides and Echinochloa stagnina and the submerged species Ceratophyllum demersum. The peak density and abundance values (i.e 356.80 plants m"^ and 448.00 plants m"^) were exhibited by Echinochloa stagnina. Ceratophyllum demersum recorded the maximum IVI value followed by Echinochloa stagnina (92.19) and Kyllinga tenuifolia (78.83). Key words: Awangsoipat, Eutrophic, Freshwater, Keinou, Macrophytes, Phytosodology. Taxonomical studies on certain rare, threatened and endangered plant species found in Manas biosphere reserve in Assam S. Paul, N. Devi and G. C. Sarma Department of Botany, Gauhati University, Guwahati-781014, Assam, India. Corresponding author: santalaceae09@gmail.com Manas Biosphere reserve is rich for its different types of flora and fatma. The Manas Biosphere reserve has different types of vegetation from evergreen forest to grassland. Due to these various types of vegetation wide range of plant species are found in Manas Biosphere reserve. These species consists of rare, threatened and endangered species along with some common plant. But, these plants are also going to be extinct due to over exploitation and some other man made factors. The present paper deals with on the description and uses of rare, threatened and endangered plants of the study area. Therefore, authors feels that it needs to be survey, conserved and protect these rare, threatened and endangered plants in their natural habitat as well as preservation of plants through in situ conservation. Key Word: Manas Biosphere reserve; Diversity; Rare, threatened and endangered plants. Distribution and diversity of lichens in Northern part of Cachar district, Assam, North East India Jayashree Rout*^ A. Bichitra Singha^ and D.K.Upreti^ 'Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Assam University, Silchar. 'Lichenology Lab., National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow-226001, India *Corresponding author: routjaya@rediffmail.com. Lichens are complex organisms that live in symbiotic association between fungi and green algae or a cyanobacteria. The peculiar structure and umque physiology of lichens enable them to colonize on many substrates in different climatic conditions ' 4.'il!.l Di%riS:s:.. . .'•^rsft^J? c; I o - » r o f R sc#i5:' '• • ' •!• -V /:r * - ^ - ^ •*" i\ International Conference on Global Ecosystems, Biodiversity and Environmental Sustainability in the 21st Century 11 y Organised by Department of Ecology & Environmental Science, Assam University, Silchar, on February, 15-17, 2012 t l where others can not grow. The study area comprises of Cachar district of Assam located in Southern north eastern region of India lies 24 °49' N latitude and 92 °98' E longitude on the left bank of the river Barak. The district covers an area of 3786 sq. km. at an altitude of 36.5 msl. The present study provides the diversity and distribution of epiphytic lichens growing on a single phorophyte, Areca catechu at 10 sites within the Cachar district, Assam, India. Areca catechu is a commonly growing palm tree in the district and the tree supports luxuriant growth of lichens on their substratum. The diversity of corticolous lichen is remarkable with a single phorophyte provides 57 species belonging to 26 genera and 12 families throughout all the sampling sites. Graphidaceae family has shown the dominant species contributor. Among the growth form crustose lichen dominates the area followed by foliose and total absent of fruticose lichen in the whole district. Sarcographa labyrmthica has highest Important value index (IVI). The value of Margalef, Menhinick and Shannon index is highest in site 3(KP) i.e. 7.34, 3.62 and 3.33 respectively. Simpson index is highest in site 1(BH) and lowest in site 3(KP). So far the distributions of Areca catechu in India are not available. The rich lichen diversity in a small patch of area and a single phorophyte will be helpful to know the status of epiphytic lichen diversity of Indian trees in general and also indicates the need for more exploration of lichen diversity in the region. Some observations on the Orchid flora of Barak Valley (Southern Assam), Assam, India and their conservation B. Bhattacharya a n d B. K. Dutta Microbial & Agricultural Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation Laboratory. Department of Ecology & Environmental Sciences, Assam University, Silcbar-788011, Assam (India). Corresponding author: bha ttachaijee_bikash©rediffmail com A seasonal survey (January, 2004- January 2006) was carried out in the Karimganj district (Southern Assam)Survey w a s c o n d u c t e d for the inventorization a n d conservation of the orchids of the Barak Valley (Southern Assam) during January, 2004- January 2008. As many as 61 species of orchids were collected & identified, most of the species are situated on the high altitude Reserve forests i. e; Bhuban range under Sonai Reserve forest, Nimata pahar under Barail Reserve forest & foothills of North Cachar Hill Reserve forest i.e. Pathecherra, Koomber, Maticherra Tea estates. Some interesting / r a r e / endangered species collected & identified are Acanthephippium sylhetense L i n d l . , Arundina graminifolia (D.Don) H o c h r . , Bulbophyllum trichocephalum (Schltr.) Tang. & Wang., Chiloschita lunifera (Reichb.f.)Smith., Dendrobium densifloruzn Lindl., D. pachyphyllum (Ktze.) Backh. f. D. transparens Lindl., D. 77705c/?afU777(Buch.-Ham.) Sw., Panisea uniflora Lindl., Paphiopedilum spicerianum (Reichb. f.) Pfitz., Phalaenopsis cornu- cerw'(Breda.) Bl. &. Reichb.f., P. parishii Reichb.f. & Thunia alba (Lindl.) Reichb.f. etc. Largest orchid population observed in from the genus Dendrobium Sw. (17 nos.). Most of the orchid species have been found to be flowering during the month of April- ]n\y.Lagerstroemia reginae Roxb. has been observed to be the most common host plant for large number of orchid