Biodiversity of the Indian Desert and it´s Value
Biodiversity of the Indian Desert and it´s Value
Amit Kotia and Ashwani Kumar
Biotechnology Lab, Department of Botany
University of Rajasthan, Jaipur – 302004 INDIA
Abstract
The state of Rajasthan is situated between 23º3’ and 30º12’ N latitude and 69º30’ and 78º17’
E longitude . The total land area of the state is about 3,24,239 km² , out of which about
1,98,100 km² is arid and the rest semi arid. The physical features are characterized mainly by the Aravallis and to the some extent by the vindhyan formation, and the Deccan trap. A major portion of western Rajasthan has desert soils and sandy plains. Sand dunes occupy a greater part of western Rajasthan ( 1,20, 983 km²). The soils of the desert plains are loamy sand to loam and the eastern part has alluvial soil which supports good forests and agricultural crop.
Occurrence of saline soils with pH up to 9.0 is a common feature in the sandy areas of
Rajasthan. The average annual rainfall in the state is 525-675 mm, and the annual precipitation in different tracts of Rajasthan varies from 13 mm to 1766 mm. Out of the total area , forests cover only about 37,638 km² and are rich in biodiversity. Rajasthan is rich in biodiversity which has a great economic value. Characterization of different plant species of economic value was undertaken. (Table 1-6).
INTRODUCTION
Out of the total land area of Rajasthan , forest covers only about 37,638 km², i.e. 11 %. This forest includes roughly 7 % of depleted and denuded forests. Biodiversity of Rajasthan is related with the Aravalli hills. Anogeissus pendula Edgew. forests cover more than half of the total forest area in the state. These forests occur on a variety of rock formations on the
Aravalli hills. A. pendula Edgew. is also found in the southern region of the Vindhyan formations. It is able to grow on stony, impoverished and shallow soils, and also on a range of sandy loams to clay loam. A. pendula Edgew forms pure stands. It is commonly
Amit Kotia and Ashwani Kumar
Biotechnology Lab, Department of Botany
University of Rajasthan, Jaipur – 302004 INDIA
Abstract
The state of Rajasthan is situated between 23º3’ and 30º12’ N latitude and 69º30’ and 78º17’
E longitude . The total land area of the state is about 3,24,239 km² , out of which about
1,98,100 km² is arid and the rest semi arid. The physical features are characterized mainly by the Aravallis and to the some extent by the vindhyan formation, and the Deccan trap. A major portion of western Rajasthan has desert soils and sandy plains. Sand dunes occupy a greater part of western Rajasthan ( 1,20, 983 km²). The soils of the desert plains are loamy sand to loam and the eastern part has alluvial soil which supports good forests and agricultural crop.
Occurrence of saline soils with pH up to 9.0 is a common feature in the sandy areas of
Rajasthan. The average annual rainfall in the state is 525-675 mm, and the annual precipitation in different tracts of Rajasthan varies from 13 mm to 1766 mm. Out of the total area , forests cover only about 37,638 km² and are rich in biodiversity. Rajasthan is rich in biodiversity which has a great economic value. Characterization of different plant species of economic value was undertaken. (Table 1-6).
INTRODUCTION
Out of the total land area of Rajasthan , forest covers only about 37,638 km², i.e. 11 %. This forest includes roughly 7 % of depleted and denuded forests. Biodiversity of Rajasthan is related with the Aravalli hills. Anogeissus pendula Edgew. forests cover more than half of the total forest area in the state. These forests occur on a variety of rock formations on the
Aravalli hills. A. pendula Edgew. is also found in the southern region of the Vindhyan formations. It is able to grow on stony, impoverished and shallow soils, and also on a range of sandy loams to clay loam. A. pendula Edgew forms pure stands. It is commonly
References: Bhandari, M.M. (1978): Flora Of Indian Desert, Scientific Publishers, Jodhpur, 1- 466. Jain, S.K. (1968): Medicinal Plants, National Book Trust, New Delhi. Jain, S.K. and R.A. Defellips (1991): In : Medicinal Plant Of India, Reference Publication, Algonal, Michigan, U.S.A. Kotia, A. and A. Kumar (2001a): Characterization of weeds on Wastelands and their role in Eco-development. Kotia, A. and A. Kumar (2001b): Some of the common weeds of medicinal value from Rajasthan. Int. J. Mendel, Vol 18 (1-2), Page 17-18. Kotia, A. and A. Kumar (2001c): Characterization of biomass during wasteland development in semiarid region. Kumar, A. (1987): Petro Crop Resources of Rajasthan. In: Proceedings Bio-Energy Society, IVth Convention & Symposium, 87 Kumar , A. and S. Roy (1996): Biomass resources of Semi-arid regions. Production and improvement of wood energy source Roy , S. and A. Kumar (1987): Potential of Different Tree species as sources of Biomass in Rajasthan. In: Proceedings Bio Energy Society IVth Convention & Symposium 87 Roy , S. and A. Kumar (1995): Biodiversity of Rajasthan and its energy potentials. Sharma , S. (1976): Flora of North East Rajasthan , Kalyani Publisher. New Delhi; pp. 1-395.