Unseen threat in the roof of the world: a meta-analysis of microplastic pollution leading to heightened ecological risk in the Hindu Kush Himalaya
The paper synthesises evidence from 562 published studies on microplastic pollution across the Hindu Kush Himalaya, examining its presence in glaciers, snow, freshwater systems and soils, as well as the potential ecological implications and pathways of transport across the region. The study also highlights the need for coordinated monitoring, evidence-based management and transboundary cooperation to […]
Integrative taxonomy of Parastrachia nagaensis Distant (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Parastrachiidae) from Nagaland, India
The genus Parastrachia Distant, 1883 has long been associated with taxonomic uncertainty within Pentatomoidea and comprises two species: Parastrachia japonensis (Scott, 1880) and Parastrachia nagaensis Distant, 1908. In this study, P. nagaensis is rediscovered from Nagaland (India) and re-examined for its taxonomic identity using additional evidence based on integrative taxonomy by combining morphology and molecular […]
Two regions, two lineages: Untangling two centuries of confusion between Machilus glaucescens and M. macranthus (Lauraceae) through integrative taxonomy
The Asian genus Machilus (Lauraceae) of the Persea group is widely distributed across South and Southeast Asia. Like many other genera of Lauraceae, Machilus has received limited systematic attention, particularly in India. As a result, the nomenclature and systematic positions of Machilus glaucescens (Nees) Wight and M. macranthus Nees have remained unclear. In this study, […]
Assessing awareness to aid action: Stakeholders’ perception of invasive alien species in a metropolis from the Global South
We assessed awareness of invasive alien species (IAS) among ornamental plant buyers and sellers across 44 nurseries in Bengaluru, using the Knowledge-Attitudes-Practices framework. Fewer than 30% of buyers and only 5% of sellers were familiar with IAS concepts, and over 75% of respondents did not know where the plants they bought or sold came from. […]
How do common pool natural resources relate to rural income, poverty and inequality? A multi-country assessment
Who gets to eat wild fish and meat? A socially disaggregated analysis of wild animal consumption across diverse rural environments in five countries of the Global South
Wild fish and meat (WFM) are vital provisioning ecosystem services in tropical regions, supporting food security, livelihoods, and cultural identity. Yet their use increasingly intersects with conservation and nutrition challenges amid rapid social and ecological change. Actors engaged in WFM span a wide spectrum, from rural subsistence consumers to commercial harvesters and urban consumers for […]
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Inlet-focused Interventions on the Water Quality and Ecosystem Services of Urban Lakes in the Tropics
Wastewater treatment infrastructure has not kept pace with rapid urbanization in many large cities across the tropics. This has resulted in severe organic pollution affecting urban lakes and reservoirs, with lakeside communities demanding action to protect and restore the water resources. This study compares two restoration interventions aimed at addressing the quality and quantity of […]
Back to the roots
Gram sabhas demonstrate that everyday knowledge of the forest yields better outcomes than top-down ideas driven by a government-knows-best attitude.
Distribution and niche dynamics of invasive
Invasive species pose the greatest threat to biodiversity, having a significant impact on the native biota and ecosystems. With the added challenge of climate change, it remains uncertain how these invasive mammals will spread globally in the future. Using species distribution modelling, we assessed the potential distribution of 64 invasive mammals and identified hotspots of […]
Online plant trade in India: species inventory and invasion risk assessment
The study compiled an inventory of plants sold on India’s major online nursery platforms and assessed their invasion risk. Of 1,856 species recorded, alien species (1,371) far outnumbered native ones (480). We found that 327 species invasive elsewhere in the world, and 57 already invasive within India, are freely available for purchase online. The findings […]
