Geospatial multiple logistic regression approach for habitat characterization of scarce plant population: A case study of Pittosporum eriocarpum Royle (an endemic species of Uttarakhand, India)

Abstract

Increasing concern for biodiversity conservation at species level resulted in the development of cost effective tools for getting information at larger scale. Modeling distribution of species using remote sensing and geographic information has already proved its potentials to get such information with less effort. Pittosporum eriocarpum Royle is an endemic and threatened tree species of Uttarakhand, yet till now its regional distribution is poorly known. This study using geospatial modelling tools indentified several localities of potential occurrence of this species in the Mussoorie hills and Doon valley, and also provides information on its habitat specificity. The main objective of the study is to predict the suitable habitats for endangered plant species in Himalayan region using logistic regression model where availability of sufficient data on species presenceabsence is a major limitation for larger areas.

No place to hide: Rare plant detection through remote sensing

“…DEMs are commonly generated through RS techniques and their direct survey is rare; therefore, when the DEM source is other than RS, it is usually stated in the literature (e.g. Padalia et al., 2010; Sperduto & Congalton, 1996).…”

Genetic Homogeneity Revealed Using SCoT, ISSR and RAPD Markers in Micropropagated Pittosporum eriocarpum Royle- An Endemic and Endangered Medicinal Plant

“…Pittosporum eriocarpum (Pittosporaceae), commonly known as Agni [ 1 ] , is an endangered [ 2 ] and endemic medicinal tree species of Uttarakhand region occurring at an altitudinal range of 1000-2200m [ 3 ]. It is represented by a few populations in lesser Himalayan range, including Mussoorie hills, Doon valley, Dehradun, Dhanlagiri, Chamba, Nagli in Tehri, Kurakhad, Jeullikot and Nainital [ 4 , 5 ]. It is reported to occur mostly on the calcium rich rocky slopes in exposed sites [ 6 ].…”

Untitled

“…In Uttarakhand, it is reported from Sahastradhara (Dehradun), Mussoorie, and Tehri district. [5][6][7] It is used in Uttarakhand for fodder, fuel, wood, and for the treatments of narcotic, expectorant, bronchitis, etc. [8,9] To the best of our knowledge, it is the first report on radical scavenging and antimicrobial properties of leaf extract of P. eriocarpum, while preliminary investigation of phytochemicals was previously reported by Semwal et al [10] MATERIALS AND METHODS…”