GAP analysis of protected areas in WesternGhats, India for conservation of Bamboo and Rattan resources
Investigators: Dr. R. Uma Shaanker & Dr. K.N. Ganeshaiah
Location: Western Ghats
Duration: 2002- 2004
Description: The proposal seeks address the relevance of "protected areas"
in the conservation of the genetic resources of bamboo and rattans. Specifically, we wish to
evaluate the effectiveness of the protected area network vis a vis the non-protected areas in
the Western Ghats to conserve the genetic resources of bamboo and rattans. We propose to
identify critical gaps if any, in the protected areas to conserve these resources, and
formulate strategies that could lead to a robust approach to the conservation and management
of bamboo and rattan genetic resources in the Western Ghats
Progress: We have examined the population structure and genetic diversity of
an economically important Rattan, Calamus thwaitesii, in the core, buffer and peripheral regions
of three protected areas in the central Western Ghats, South India. Our results indicate that
in two of the three protected areas, the core regions maintain a better population stand as well
as a higher level of genetic diversity compared to the buffer and peripheral regions of the
protected area. Thus, despite the pressures of extraction, the protected areas seem to be effective
in conserving the genetic resources of rattan. These results underline the importance of protected
areas and emphasize the need to further strengthen the protected area network to offer refugia for
economically important plant species.
Outputs: The outputs of the project are expected to contribute to the development of
a comprehensive strategy and action plan for the long-term conservation of bamboo and rattan genetic
resources in the Western Ghats, India. Specifically, the project outcome would help in:
- identifying and prioritizing the protected areas in the Western Ghats that could serve as repositories of
bamboo and rattan genetic resources,
- identifying the hot-spots of genetic variability of a few economically important bamboo and rattan species in the protected areas and in the adjoining
non-protected areas, and
- determining the socio-economic consequences of loss of bamboo and rattan resources on the livelihoods of forest fringe communities in the Western Ghats. Finally,
the project would also provide an opportunity to develop approaches and algorithms that could be
useful in extending the study to other parts of the country.
Publications
- Ravikanth,G., K.N Ganeshaiah and R.Uma Shaanker., 2002. Identification of hot spots of species
richness and genetic variability in rattans: an approach using geographical information systems
(GIS) and molecular tools. Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter 132: 17:21
- Uma Shaanker.R., Ganeshaiah K.N., Nageswara Rao.M. and Ravikanth.G., 2002, Forest gene banks –
a new integrated approach for the conservation of forest tree genetic resources, pp 229-235, In:
Managing Plant Genetic Resources, Engels, J.M.M., Brown, A.H.D. and Jackson, M.T. (eds), CABI
Publishing, Nosworthy. Wallingford. Oxon. UK
- Uma Shaanker, R., Aravind N.A and Ganeshaiah, K. N 2004, Forest Management for Conservation.
In Genetics and Genetic Resources, Pages 215-224. Elsevier Ltd
- Ganeshaiah, K.N., Uma Shaanker, R., Narayani Barve, Kiran, M.C., Bawa, K.S., and Ramanatha Rao, V.,
2002. In situ conservation of forest genetic resources at regional level: two complementary programmes
using GIS approach. Managing Plant Genetic Resources Chapter 18 : 413-423
- Ramesha. B.T, Ravikanth.G, Nageswara Rao. M, Ganeshaiah, K.N and Uma Shaanker, R. Genetic
structure of rattan, Calamus thwaitesii in core, and buffer and peripheral regions of three
protected areas at central Western Ghats, India: Do protected areas serve as refugia for genetic
resources of economically important plants? (Manuscript submitted to Molecular Ecology)
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