Journal of Functional and Environmental Botany 87

Exploration of Homegardens as Important Lichen Conservation Areas

Exploration of Homegardens as Important Lichen Conservation

Areas in Dargakona Village of Southern Assam, Northeast India

Pulak Das1*, Santosh Joshi2, Jayashree Rout3 and DK Upreti4

1Former PhD Scholar, Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Assam University, Silchar, Assam–

788011, India, & Independent Environment Researcher, House No.-2, Lane No.-2, 1st Link Road, Silchar-

788006, Cachar, Assam, India2Post Doctoral Fellow, Korean Lichen Research Institute, Sunchon National University, Sunchon, Jeonnam

540-742, South Korea3Professor, Dept. of Ecology and Environmental Science, Assam University, Silchar, Assam–788011, India4Senior Principal Scientist, Lichenology Laboratory, Plant Biodiversity and Conservation Biology Division,

CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow (UP)–226001, India

*Email: pulakdas.ecology@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Homegardens create a forest like multistorey structure with different vertical and horizontal layers and it

has a characteristic pattern of species diversity. The present paper throws light on the importance of

homegardens as a significant lichen refuge. The study explored a lichen diversity of 44 species with a

representation of 17 genera and 9 families. Graphidaceae is the dominant family followed by Pyrenulaceae

and Arthoniaceae. Graphis and Pyrenula are found to be the dominant genera representing about 40% of

total species richness. It is observed that the homegardens are shelters to about 15% of lichens, which

have restricted distribution (endemic) in the eastern Himalayan region. The traditional wisdom along with

ecological knowledge of the local people in maintaining homegardens in northeastern region seems to be

helping in conserving the genetic heritage of wild lichen species of the eastern Himalayan region. This

becomes more important in the wake of wanton destruction of forests and hence lichens growing there.

Keywords: Conservation, Diversity, Eastern Himalaya, Epiphytic lichens, Homegardens, Southern Assam

1. INTRODUCTION

Homegardens are agro-ecosystems located close to the

area that serves as a permanent or temporary residence

and are the options for conserving natural flora other

than urban gardens [Smith et al. 2010; Stevenson 2008].

Species diversity in tropical homegardens is reported to

be very high due to species having different life forms,

height and canopy structure [Babu et al. 1982;

Soemarwoto and Conway 1991]. Tropical homegardens,

which are found throughout the tropics are characterised

by vegetation layers (stories), imitating the tropical forest

structure. The top storey consists of a canopy of tall trees,

which reduces radiation and mechanical impact of

rainfall and creates a relatively constant micro-climate

in the lower layers. Besides the vertical structure,

homegardens also have a distinct horizontal structure,

which together help in the efficient utilisation of water,

light and space, and support diverse wildlife species [Das

and Das 2005]. Homegardens are important in situ

conservation sites and in accordance with the convention

of biological diversity, inventorisation of such areas can

help in the identification and conservation of biodiversity

Journal of Functional and Environmental Botany

Volume 2, Number 2, November, 2012, 87-95

Research Article

Article DOI: 10.5958/j.2231-1742.2.2.013