Ecosystems provide many of the material building blocks for human well-being. Although quantification and appreciation of such contributions have rapidly grown, our dependence upon cultural connections to nature deserves more attention. We synthesize multidisciplinary peer-reviewed research on contributions of nature or ecosystems to human well-being mediated through nontangible connections (such as culture). We characterize these connections on the basis of the channels through which such connections arise (i.e., knowing, perceiving, interacting with, and living within) and the components of human well-being they affect (e.g., physical, mental and spiritual health, inspiration, identity). We found enormous variation in the methods used, quantity of research, and generalizability of the literature. The effects of nature on mental and physical health have been rigorously demonstrated, whereas other effects (e.g., on learning) are theorized but seldom demonstrated. The balance of evidence indicates conclusi...

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Humans and Nature: How Knowing and Experiencing Nature Affect Well-Being

This long-awaited book would seem to mark the end of classical tropical botany and phytogeography as subjects for scholarly pursuits. Since the middle of the century, when the first edition of The Tropical Rain Forest appeared, the wet tropical lowlands of the world have become an industrial battleground and, today at the end of the "Second Millennium", the future of the remaining rainforests that have evolved over millions of years looks bleak. Indeed, the book may well become "a record of what the rainforest was like in the twentieth century", as stated on its first page. This elegiac declaration not only reflects world concern about its pending extinction, but also Professor Richards' increasingly personal involvement with rainforest conservation in his later years.

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The Tropical Rain Forest: An Ecological Study

Boerhavia diffusa (BD) is a plant of rasayana category as per ayurvedic claims. It is reported to possess antiaging, disease prevention, and life strengthening activities which hold enormous influence in disease burden and affordability/availability of healthcare in the world. Objective. This paper has been compiled to comment on the studies reported for BD to highlight its chemical and therapeutic potential along with its ethnopharmacological considerations. Methods. In the present paper, a detailed account of chemical constituents and pharmacological activities has been presented. All the findings were correlated with modern pharmacological activities to appraise the value of BD. Results. Chemical analysis of BD gives a wide variety of chemical constituents, namely, rotenoids, flavonoids, xanthones, purine nucleoside, lignans, and steroids. Various ethnopharmacological reports emphasize its role in disorders of reproductive system, gastrointestinal system, respiratory system, urinary system, hepatic system/jaundice, cardiovascular system, and cancer. Conclusions. The studies on the therapeutic activities of BD range from studies on crude extracts to isolated compounds; however some of the studies require sophistication and validated results. BD is a plant of enormous importance in the purview of its chemical and therapeutic properties.

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Phytochemical, therapeutic, and ethnopharmacological overview for a traditionally important herb: Boerhavia diffusa Linn.

https://cyberleninka.org/article/n/397759.pdf

Ethnobotany, ethnopharmacology and toxicity of Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae): A review

Tree diversity, stand structure, and community composition of tropical forests in Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh, India

S Jeeva, S Kiruba, BP Mishra, N Venugopal, SSM Dhas, GS Regini, C Kingston, A Kavitha, S Sukumaran, ADS Raj & RC Laloo Ecology Research Laboratory, Department of Botany, School of Life Sciences, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong-793 022, Meghalaya Research Centre in Zoology, Scott Christian College, Nagercoil 629 003, Tamil Nadu Research Centre in Botany, Scott Christian College, Nagercoil 629 003, Tamil Nadu Email: rclaloo4@yahoo.com; solomon_jeeva@rediffmail.com

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Weeds of Kanyakumari district and their value in rural life

The paper deals with traditional farming systems practiced by indigenous communities of Meghalaya. Majority of tribal people (ca. 83 per cent) in the state is engaged in agriculture. The shifting cultivation and terrace (bun) agriculture are two major farming systems, prevalent in Meghalaya. Tree based farming practices are also prevalent in the state. The crops are grown in association with tree species like alder, Aquilaria, areca nut, coconut, bamboo, Khasi pine, etc. Due to undulating topography and hilly terrain, the farmers predominantly use bamboo drip irrigation practice. The harvesting of crops adds a new dimension towards improvement of soil fertility. The farmers pick up ear heads of crops only, other parts of plant are left on cultivated land. The farmers store grains in structures, made of soil and plant materials. The seed storage structures are traditional and resistant to insects.

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Traditional agricultural practices in Meghalaya, North East India

The people of Meghalaya are very close to nature, and forests are one of the important natural resources in the state. The tribes of the state largely depend on forests for their livelihood and have acquired a vast knowledge about plant wealth and utilization of forest products. The present communication aims to document the traditional knowledge about wild edible plants used by tribal people of Meghalaya. During present investigation, a total of 249 species of wild edibles belonging to 153 genera and 82 families were inventorised. Among them 129 are trees, 54 shrubs, 37 herbs and 29 climbers. The majority of the species were fruits bearing (125). Some edible plants have great economic value and are highly linked with socio-economic development of tribal communities of the state. A few such species may be introduced in agroforestry systems, which could be potential genetic resources for tree breeding programmes in other areas of the country and also to provide edible plant resources to the communities in addition to creating photosynthetic pool to counter environmental degradation.

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Wild edible plants of Meghalaya, North-east India

The present study was conducted in a subtropical humid forest (sacred grove) at Mawnai, West Khasi hills district of Meghalaya. A total of 133 woody species (92 genera and 48 families) were present. Tree (gbh >15 cm) density (1256±64 individuals ha -1 ) and basal area (42.8±3.9 m ha ) were markedly high. Species richness index and diversity index were also high, while dominance index was low. Citrus medica (Rutaceae), the dominant species, was the only species exhibiting random distribution. All other species showed contagious distribution. Cryptocarya amygdalina, family Lauraceae, was the co-dominant species. Lauraceae (17 species) was the species rich family in the grove and exhibited maximum tree density and basal area. However, generic composition was highest (9 genera) in the case of Euphorbiaceae, which is the co-dominant family in the grove. Majority of the families were represented by single genus and single species. Log-normal dominance-distribution curves at the levels of species and family, and wide girth structure signify the complexity and stability of the community. Density-distribution and population structure of ten important tree species indicated preponderance of young trees (gbh 15-50 cm) suggesting high regeneration potential of these tree species. 2 -1

Community characteristics of a climax subtropical humid forest of Meghalaya and population structure of ten important tree species

The people of Meghalaya believe that the sacred groves (forests) are the abode of deities. It bestows the welfare of people, their cattle & land, and keeps the evil spirits away. Those who do not obey the traditional norms of these groves may have to face the wrath of the deity. A religious belief is one of the major factors for conservation of plant resources in such groves. Local people believe that the Sylvan deities would be offended if trees are cut and twigs, flowers, fruits, etc. are plucked. These groves are considered as one of the most species-rich areas for plants, birds and mammals. The mythological stories and indigenous knowledge associated with the groves have been the principal factor in preserving the sacred groves in the immaculate condition.

Roytre Christopher Laloo

Papers

Weeds of Kanyakumari district and their value in rural life

Traditional agricultural practices in Meghalaya, North East India

Wild edible plants of Meghalaya, North-east India

Community characteristics of a climax subtropical humid forest of Meghalaya and population structure of ten important tree species

Traditional knowledge and biodiversity conservation in the sacred groves of Meghalaya