Sharad Tiwari

The natural population of Dalbergia sissoo, is declining due to biotic and abiotic stressors. Existing studies focus on pathogen-induced mortality in D. sissoo, but the impact of climate on habitat loss and population decline is limited. This study fills this gap by integrating climate change impacts and pathogen outbreaks to assess their combined influence on the distribution and survival of D. sissoo. Field assessments identified Neofusicoccum solani and Ganoderma lucidum as the predominant pathogens contributing to widespread mortality. Using MaxEnt, we evaluated habitat suitability across the Indian subcontinent under climate models IPSL-6A_LR and MIROC6A proxied through Shared Socioeconomic Pathways; SSP-126, 245, 370, 585. Presently, ~ 19% of the study area was found suitable for D. sissoo distribution, primarily concentrated in northern and eastern India. However, depending upon the climate scenario, projections for 2050 suggest a substantial reduction in habitat, limiting the current suitable range to ~5–16%, with a northward shift. Among bioclimatic variables, Bio_9 (mean temperature of driest quarter) contributed most to limiting the distribution of D. sissoo. We recommend a collaborative approach to assess pathogen risk and climate resilience into restoration planning and advocates for a combined in-situ and ex-situ conservation and sustainable management of D. sissoo population.

Eastern India’s tropical deciduous forest ecosystems, dominated by Shorea robusta C.F.Gaertn., are increasingly threatened by abiotic stressors and climate change, posing significant risks to species survival, regeneration dynamics, and forest genetic resources. This study assessed the current status and future distributional dynamics of S. robusta and its five major associates, Terminalia alata B.Heyne ex Roth, Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb., Lagerstroemia parviflora Roxb., Diospyros melanoxylon Blume, and Madhuca longifolia (J.Koenig ex L.) J.F.Macbr., under changing climatic conditions in eastern India. Field surveys were conducted across 870 quadrats distributed throughout the tropical deciduous forests of Jharkhand, Bihar, and West Bengal during 2020–2023 to collect species occurrence, population structure, and regeneration data. Species distributions under current and future climate scenarios were modelled using the Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) software under different CMIP6 climate models (INM-CM5-0, IPSL-CM6A-LR and MIROC6) proxied through four shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs). Under current climatic conditions, S. robusta occupied highest coverage (~ 12.13%) across the study area as suitable habitat, proving its dominance. Future projections indicated a northward shift and contraction of suitable habitat for S. robusta, P. marsupium, and L. parviflora, with S. robusta projected to lose approximately 14–67% of its suitable habitat by 2050. Under a business-as-usual scenario, all studied species were predicted to experience habitat decline, with the greatest reduction (~ 84%) observed for L. parviflora. Population assessments revealed good regeneration status for S. robusta, M. longifolia, P. marsupium, T. alata, and D. melanoxylon, whereas L. parviflora exhibited comparatively poorer regeneration. Notably, P. marsupium and M. longifolia exhibit resilience to climate stress, supported by favorable regeneration status. These findings provide a scientific basis for location- and species-specific conservation and restoration strategies to enhance the long-term resilience of eastern India’s tropical deciduous forest ecosystems under climate change.

Populations of Gmelina arborea (Lamiaceae), a fast-growing deciduous tree widely used in afforestation, agroforestry and timber production, and valued for carbon sequestration and land rehabilitation, are declining across parts of its range due to escalating anthropogenic pressure and climate-driven environmental change. As large-scale planting and restoration programmes increasingly rely on this species, identifying areas where climate conditions will remain suitable is essential for climate-smart site selection and long-term plantation viability. We applied species distribution modelling to quantify the current and projected habitat suitability of G. arborea under present and future climatic conditions proxied through several Shared Socioeconomic Pathways climate change scenarios. We used the low-resolution global climate model by the Institut Pierre-Simon Laplace Climate Modelling Centre, Version 6A, to simulate future climate conditions for the year 2050 across the eastern Indian state Jharkhand. At present, approximately 38% of Jharkhand's area provides suitable habitat for the species; however, projections indicate that this may decline to 17-40% by 2050, depending on the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways scenario. Precipitation of the driest month and mean temperature of the driest quarter were the most influential predictors, indicating that the species is probably highly sensitive to moisture deficits and seasonal climatic extremes that regulate establishment and growth. These results provide a scientific basis for climate-informed management strategies, including targeted site selection, assisted dispersal, and silvicultural interventions, to sustain future restoration and farm forestry initiatives involving G. arborea in vulnerable tropical landscapes.

Glycine max (L.) Merrill is a vital leguminous oilseed crop valued for its high protein and oil content, contributing significantly to human and animal nutrition. Understanding genetic diversity exist within soybean germplasm lines is essential for breeding, conservation and crop improvement. This study aimed to assess the qualitative trait variability present among 153 soybean genotypes to aid in genotype classification and conservation strategies in future crop improvement programmes. The experiment was conducted at Zonal Agricultural Research station ZARS, Morena, RVSKVV, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India during the Kharif 2024, using an augmented block design. Ten morphological traits viz., hypocotyl colour, leaf shape, leaf colour, plant growth habit, flower colour, pod pubescence, seed shape, seed colour, seed lustre and hilum colour were evaluated following the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPVFRA) and Distinctiveness, Uniformity and Stability (DUS) testing criteria. The results indicated existence of considerable phenotypic variation among the genotypes. For instance, the semi-erect growth habit, which was predominant and observed in 122 genotypes and dark green leaf colour, which was the most common and recorded in 102 genotypes. The Shannon diversity index (H′) identified seed hilum colour as the most variable trait, suggesting its potential utility in genetic improvement. Cluster analysis (UPGMA) classified the genotypes into two major clusters, providing insights into genetic relationships and aiding in parental selection for hybridization. These findings underscore the importance of morphological characterization in genotypic classification, germplasm conservation and utilization in breeding programmes. This study provides a scientific foundation for soybean genetic resource management, supporting breeding efforts for improved yield, adaptability and sustainability.

Understanding the response of species’ habitats to climate change is vital for their conservation and management. A growing body of evidence suggests that climate change is causing contraction in plant species’ habitats, leading to declines in their natural populations. Habitat modeling has emerged as a powerful tool for studying the potential response of plant species to climate change. However, most studies have focused on climate scenarios represented by the representative concentration pathways (RCPs), with very few employing the novel shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs). Furthermore, these studies often lack proper ground validation and fail to integrate phytosociological evaluations for gaining a better insight into plant dispersal scenarios. This study aimed to fill these gaps by integrating extensive field surveys, a phytosociological evaluation of the study area, and using SSPs as proxy pathways. We modelled the potentially suitable habitats for a threatened medicinal tree Boswellia serrata Roxb. Ex Colebr in the subtropical eastern Indian region encompassing Jharkhand. Using MaxEnt, we predicted the potential suitable habitat range of B. serrata, for the current and future climatic scenarios IPSL-CM6A-LR, MIROC6 and MPI-ESM1-2-HR proxied through the SSP 126, 245, 370 and 585. The study revealed that currently approximately 16,348 km² (~20.51% of the study region) area serves as a suitable habitat for B. serrata. However, the findings indicate an overall ~9% decline in the suitable habitat range of B. serrata by 2060 in the region, and might become locally extinct in the northeastern part of Jharkhand. These findings have significant implications for both research and practical conservation efforts, providing new insight to the distribution ecology of B. serrata, and identifying priority areas for conservation interventions.

The natural population of Cinnamomum glaucescens is declining due to anthropogenic stress and climate change in the Himalayan region. We assessed the potential suitable habitat range of C. glaucescens in the North Bengal region, under current and future climate scenarios using Maxent. Two climate models, Institut Pierre-Simon Laplace (IPSL-CM6A-LR) and Model for Interdisciplinary Research on Climate 6 (MIROC6) proxied through the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP) SSP126, 245,370, and 585 were employed to project future climate scenarios for 2050. The study found that currently 1,302 square kilometers, or ~ 9% of the total study area, comprising the central and northern parts of North Bengal are potentially suitable for the distribution of C. glaucescens. The distribution was found up to 1900m elevation range. Depending upon the climate scenario, by 2050, the potential suitable habitat of C. glaucescens might decline in the range of ~7-22% (IPSL_6A_LR), and ~39-70 % (MIROC6) across all the SSPs. Overall, the suitable habitat range of C. glaucescens might be limited to ~ 6% of the total geographical area of Northern Bengal by 2050. The suitable habitat of C. glaucescens is predicted to shift northward by 2050, leading to significant decline from the central part of the region. Out of nine bioclimatic variables used for the modelling the habitat suitability, Precipitation of the warmest quarter (Bio_18) and annual precipitation (Bio_12) contributed most to limiting the distribution of C. glaucescens. We recommend establishing a germplasm bank and adopting in-situ and ex-situ approaches to conserve and promote C. glaucescens in the Himalayan region.

Assessing the suitable habitats to promote and conserve the BNC population in Bhutan is an ecologically significant initiative taken up by the authors. The overall structure of the article is good, and the authors have tried to explain everything in...

One of the greatest challenges to ecosystems is the rapidity of climate change, and their ability to adjust swiftly will be constrained. Climate change will disrupt the ecological balances, causing species to track suitable habitats for survival. Consequently, understanding the species’ response to climate change is crucial for its conservation and management, and for enhancing biodiversity through effective management. This research intends to examine the response of the vulnerable Buchanania cochinchinensis species to climate change. We modeled the potential suitable habitats of B. cochinchinensis for the present and future climatic scenario proxies based on the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP), i.e. SSP126, 245, 370 and 585. Maxent was used to simulate the potential habitats of B. cochinchinensis. The study found that ~28,313 km² (~10.7% of the study area) was a potentially suitable habitat of B. cochinchinensis for the current scenario. The majority of the suitable habitat area ~25,169 km² occurred in the central and southern parts of the study area. The future projection shows that the suitable habitat to largely increase in the range of 10.5–20% across all the SSPs, with a maximum gain of ~20% for SSP 126. The mean temperature of the wettest quarter (Bio_08) was the most influential contributing variable in limiting the distribution of B. cochinchinensis. The majority of the suitable habitat area occurred in the vegetation landscape. The study shows a southward shifting of B. cochinchinensis habitat by 2050. The phytosociological analysis determined B. cochinchinensis as Shorea robusta’s primary associate. Our research provides significant insight into the prospective distribution scenario of B. cochinchinensis habitat and its response to diverse socioeconomic scenarios, and offers a solid foundation for management of this extremely important species.

One of the greatest challenges to ecosystems is the rapidity of climate change, and their ability to adjust swiftly will be constrained. Climate change will disrupt the ecological balances, causing species to track suitable habitats for survival. Consequently, understanding the species' response to climate change is crucial for its conservation and management, and for enhancing biodiversity through effective management. This research intends to examine the response of the vulnerable Buchanania cochinchinensis species to climate change. We modeled the potential suitable habitats of B. cochinchinensis for the present and future climatic scenario proxies based on the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP) i.e. SSP126, 245, 370 and 585. Maxent was used to simulate the potential habitats of B. cochinchinensis. The study found ~ 28313 sq km (~ 10.7% of the study area) was a potentially suitable habitat of B. cochinchinensis for the current scenario. The majority of the suitable habitat area ~ 25169 sq km occurred in the central and southern part of the study area. The future projection shows that the suitable habitat to largely increase in the range of 10.5–20% across all the SSPs, with maximum gain ~ 20% for SSP 126. The mean temperature of the wettest quarter (Bio_08) was the most influential contributing variable in limiting the distribution of B. cochinchinensis. The majority of the suitable habitat area occurred in the vegetation landscape. The study shows southward shifting of B. cochinchinensis habitat by 2050. The phytosociological research determined B. cochinchinensis as Shorea robusta's primary associate. Our research provides significant insight into the prospective distribution scenario of B. cochinchinensis habitat and its response to diverse socioeconomic scenarios, and offers a solid foundation for management of this extremely important species.