Earticle

Species diversity is one of the most important specifications of biological societies. Diversity of organisms, measurement of variety and examination of those hypotheses that are about reasons of diversity are such as affairs that have been desired by the ecologists for a long time. In this research, diversity of plant species in forest region, numbers of 60 sample plots in 256.00 square meters have been considered in random . systematic inventory was considered. In each sample plot, four micro-plots in 2.25 square meters in order to study on herbal cover, were executed that totally 240 micro-plots were considered. At each plot six diversity indices in relation to physiographic factors (slope, geographical aspect and altitude from the sea level) were studied. The results indicate that species diversity is more in the northern direction and also species diversity in slops less than 30% has the most amounts. Factor of altitude from the sea level did not have meaningful relation with species diversity. Through study on correlation of the numbers of species in sample plots with indices and also process and role of indices in different processors of analysis, Simpson's reciprocal index was suggested as suitable index in this type of studies.

This paper analyzes data on the plant species diversity and their contribution to the livelihoods of rural people in five villages of Domar upazila, Nilphamari district, Bangladesh. Assessment was done by means of multistage random sampling. Information collected from a total of 40 households ranging from small, medium and large categories. A total of 52 plant species belonging to 34 families were identified as being important to local livelihoods. Fruits (37%), timber (23%) and medicinal (17%) species were the most important plant use categories. Determination of the relative density of the different species revealed that Areca catechu constitutes 19.17% of homestead vegetation of the area followed by Artocarpus heterophyllus, which occupies 10.34%. Margalef index showed that there is no major difference (5.11 for large, 5.49 for medium, 4.73 for small) across the different size classes and Shannon-Weiner Index of the study area varies from 2.75 to 2.98. Results show that the average annual homestead income varied from US$108.69 to US$291.67 and contribute 6.63% of the household income.

The present study was conducted to quantify wood and leaf litter decomposition and nutrient release of a dominant tree species, Tectona grandis Linn. F. in a tropical dry deciduous forest of Rajasthan, Western India. The mean relative decomposition rate was maximum in the wet summer and minimum during dry summer. Rainfall and its associated variables exhibited greater control over litter decomposition than temperature. The concentrations of N and P increased in decomposing litter with increasing retrieval days. Mass loss was negatively correlated with N and P concentrations. The monthly weight loss was significantly correlated (P < 0.05) with soil moisture and rainfall in both wood and leaf litter. Tectona grandis was found to be most suitable tree species for plantation programmes in dry tropical regions as it has high litter deposition and decomposition rates and thus it has advantages in degraded soil restoration and sustainable land management.

Bioprospecting has been widely used to assess the economic potential of different plant species and their value-addition. Prospecting for biological material like plants with medicinal or other economically valuable properties like fibre or oil is becoming a dynamic activity. Our folklore with embedded cultural heritage has tremendous possibilities and potential for bioprospecting. This forest region of Western Rajasthan is enriched with diverse vegetational wealth, if subjected to bioprospecting may prove to be a boon for the society.

Sixteen microsatellite markers (simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers) were employed to examine the genetic stability of 27 randomly chosen date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) plants produced through somatic embryogenesis with upto forty two in vitro subcultures. No microsatellite DNA variation was observed among all micropropagated plants. Our results indicate that the micropropagation protocol used for rapid in vitro multiplication is appropriate and suitable for clonal propagation of date palm and corroborated that somatic embryogenesis can also be used as one of the safe modes for production of true-to-type plants of date palm. This is the first report on the use of microsatellite DNA markers to establish the genetic stability in micropropagated date palm plants.

A mushroom as a functional food material is being increasingly used in these days. It has been that about 1,500 species of mushrooms grow naturally in Asia. Among them about 700 species are edible, but about 30-50 species are poisonous. Even a poisonous mushroom is a very interesting subject for the dietary life research from biochemical viewpoint due to the fact that any mushroom can be the physiological active material. Not a few identified poisonous materials are being used as research reagents thus far. It is suggested that more useful materials could be obtained by progresses in future researches. The identification of the poisonous ingredient can open up a route for mushroom intoxication cure. It is known that cell destruction and troubles on skin, liver, and kidney troubles can be occurred from mushroom intoxication. Recently the author reported as a collection of treatises regarding anti-tumor substances of mushroom (2005), antibiotic substances of mushroom (2006), living-body functional and control substance (2007), and medicinal mushroom commonly used in Korean herbal medicines (2008). In this sequel, published research data on protoplasm, nerve, stomach and intestines, malodor, and acute pain poison of mushroom are collected and reported.

This study carried out to establish a master plan about healing forest in Gangwon-do focusing on healing road and visitor center. The site of this study was approximately 721 ha of mountain in Imgye-myeon, Gangwon-do, and the master plan was established through analysis of humanities-social and natural environments. The healing forest was developed 6 healing trails(10.5 km), devided by 3 steps, and each healing trail was designed to make rest area, wooden bridge, and open space. Also, visitor center, the core place of healing forest, was devided to several spaces as health measurement room, AV room, etc. and was planed for audio-visual education room for visitors.