Floristic composition and biological spectrum of a sacred grove in West Midnapore district, West Bengal, India

Sen, Uday Kumar; Bhakat, Ram Kumar

doi:10.1016/j.chnaes.2020.09.005

Cited by 8 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…However, in the Indian tropics, cryptophytes died back to underground storage organs to survive the unfavourable dry period, fire, etc. In the tropical ecosystem, cryptophytes were conceived as relics of the paleoclimate, which prevailed prior to the present exterminating of the Indian subcontinent [53][54]. According to Zohary [55], a fraction of the flora of a place might be in discordance with the present-day climate and could be the remnant of past climate.…”

Section: Discussion: Patterns In Biological Spectrummentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Biological Spectrum and Phenological Behaviours of Coastal Vegetation in East Midnapore District, Eastern India

Sen

Bhakat²

2020

J.Trop.Life.Science

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The open coastlines of the world are dominated by sand dunes and salt marshes. They are the primary areas for human recreation and provide a wide range of frequently overlooked ecosystem services. Their intrinsic ecological significance lies in having unique biological assemblies and supporting a range of ecological processes, such as water filtration and nutrient cycling. In addition, in the coastal zone, these areas link marine and terrestrial systems. The objective of this paper is to check the psammophytic species diversity, conservation status and threat; and also prepare a biological spectrum m in the Costal East Midnapore (CEM) district's sand dune and salt marsh areas. A part of floristic inventories in the CEM, various field trips in different season were carried out, quadrate method is done to examine the ecological impact and richness. Specimens were collected, prepared voucher specimen and enlisted according APG IV classification system to prepare biological spectrum. CEM vegetation was diverse and composed of 162 species of 132 genera distributed among 52 families of 28 orders according to APG IV classification, of which 37 species were exotics. Fabales (19.14%) and Fabaceae (19.14%) were the dominant order and family. Biological spectrum shows the study area was classified as "thero-chamaephytic" type of phytoclimate. Mesophyll (24.07%) and lanceolate as well as oblong (19.14%) were found to be high in the leaf size spectrum and lamina. The area of study was highly ecotonal potential and fairly undisturbed. This study is useful in comparing and contrasting the adjacent natural vegetation along the gradients of the environment; and recommends effective long-term conservation and better management of the coastal area.

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Section: Discussion: Patterns In Biological Spectrummentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Biological Spectrum and Phenological Behaviours of Coastal Vegetation in East Midnapore District, Eastern India

Sen

Bhakat²

2020

J.Trop.Life.Science

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“…Gnanasekaran et al (2012) conducted similar research on angiosperms in a sacred grove in the Cuddalore area of Tamil Nadu, India. Pérez-Luque et al (2014) and Sen and Bhakat (2021a) have illustrated similar types of order contributions.…”

Section: Taxonomic Compositionmentioning

confidence: 78%

“…The medium leaf size revealed the sub-tropical climate. In the sacred grove, meso-and microphyllous elements were dominant, showing moisture and perennial availability of water or wet condition (Sen and Bhakat 2021a). Leaf laminae present in the sacred grove came in various shapes and sizes, ranging from oval to lunate.…”

Section: Leaf Size Spectra Leaf Lamina and Phenologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Species diversity, biological spectrum and phenological behavior of vegetation of a Muslim sacred grove in Southwest Bengal, India

Uday

Bhakat

2021

Nusantara Biosci

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Abstract. Sen UK, Bhakat RK. 2021. Species diversity, biological spectrum and phenological behavior of vegetation of a Muslim sacred grove in Southwest Bengal, India. Nusantara Bioscience 13: 219-231. Sacred groves are an age-old and worldwide phenomenon. Sacred groves are an age-old and worldwide phenomenon. They are traditionally made up of forest or surrounding forest zones that local people safeguard them based on their spiritual relationship with the deities or ancestral spirits believed to reside in them. Social practices play a crucial role in the conservation role of the environment and biodiversity. This research aimed to examine the current flora of a sacred grove's plant resources, biological spectrum, leaf size spectra, conservation status, and management of the Faringdanga Pir Babar Asthana in the Paschim Medinipur District of West Bengal in India. The floristic element of the study area revealed that the vegetation was diverse and composed of 162 species belonging to 148 genera over 51 families under 26 orders according to Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (APG) IV classification. Because the study area is a sacred grove, it is relatively undisturbed, and traditional beliefs ensure that germplasm in the grove is protected. The current study could serve as a model for phytoclimatic research in India's sacred forests.

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“…As Bhagwat and Rutte [8] have noted, sacred natural sites are found on all the continents except Antarctica. Examples of sacred natural sites include sacred groves in eastern Guinea-Bissau [10], Apra Hills sacred groves in Ghana [11], sacred shrines in southern Ethiopia [12], Indian sacred groves [13,14] and monastery gardens in Europe [15]. They incorporate places within the landscape including rocks, hills, mountains and caves; rivers, lakes, ponds, coastal water and islands; and forests groves; and other natural features that have a special meaning to people [16,17].…”

Section: Understanding Sacred Natural Sitesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Conflict between Preserving a ‘Sacred Natural Site’ and Exploiting Nature for Commercial Gain: Evidence from Phiphidi Waterfall in South Africa

2021

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Over the years, the Phiphidi sacred natural site has been protected by traditional methods or cultural codes. However, over the past three decades, anthropogenic pressures have affected the site. This study aimed to investigate the historical uses of the Phiphidi sacred natural site and contemporary anthropogenic threats to the area, and the implications on the sustainability of the area. The data supporting this study were collected between June 2018 and May 2021, during which (i) interviews, (ii) observations and (iii) documents were used as the main techniques of data collection. Non-probabilistic purposive (also known as judgemental) sampling was used to select respondents including the custodians of the Phiphidi sacred natural site, officials working at Phiphidi Waterfall, representatives of the Dzomo La Mupo committee and local communities. The data obtained from interviews were analysed using thematic content analysis. Field observations helped in validating the data that were collected through interviews. The study showed that although the sacred site was historically a ‘no go area’ and was used to connect with ancestors and perform rituals, contemporary anthropogenic threats affecting the Phiphidi sacred site include weak property right systems and tourism infrastructure development that has led to land-use conflicts that have been driven by vested interests. The contemporary practices not only undermine the Vhavenda culture but also have negative implications for the biodiversity of the area. In addition, the current practices undermine the founding principles of the 1996 Constitution of the Republic of South Africa; these embrace culture, religion and the country’s environmental laws. While passion to save the sacred sites by custodians and local communities is still alive, government support is weak and, as a result, there are fears that other sacred sites in the region may also be targeted for tourism purposes. Several suggestions are made that, if implemented, could help to protect the remaining sacred natural sites.

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Floristic composition and biological spectrum of a sacred grove in West Midnapore district, West Bengal, India

Cited by 8 publications

References 24 publications

Assessment of Biological Spectrum and Phenological Behaviours of Coastal Vegetation in East Midnapore District, Eastern India

Assessment of Biological Spectrum and Phenological Behaviours of Coastal Vegetation in East Midnapore District, Eastern India

Species diversity, biological spectrum and phenological behavior of vegetation of a Muslim sacred grove in Southwest Bengal, India

The Conflict between Preserving a ‘Sacred Natural Site’ and Exploiting Nature for Commercial Gain: Evidence from Phiphidi Waterfall in South Africa

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