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The himFlorIS is an information system for flora in Himachal Pradesh (HP). At present, it provides information on 1141 plant species distributed across 49 landscape elements (LSE) in the state. It is based on the floristic survey of HP during 2003-2009. It provides information regarding LSE, LSE types, physiographic factors, abundance of the species at a particular location, geographical locations of a plant on the map, taxonomic classification of the species along with its photographs and ethno-botanical uses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information on eight highly traded and locally used medicinal plants was collected from the alpine zones of Chhota Bhangal. The study aimed to quantify the current status of these plants in terms of density, frequency and biomass, and also document the indigenous use of these plants for traditional healthcare. Quadrats of 1 x 1 m were used for quantitative assessment of the plants. Informal interviews and discussions were held with local people for recording local uses of the plants. Based on the sampling, it was found that different species had different habitat requirements. Steep slopes of Chhota Bhangal had the highest species richness and diversity, while rocky areas had the least. Maximum similarity in terms of species distribution was observed between steep slopes and undulating meadows. It was found that these medicinal plants are regularly used by the local people for curing various ailments such as stomach ache, fever and kidney stones. However, illegal extraction of plants for commercial purposes seems to have affected their population in nature. However, in comparison to few other alpine areas of western Himalaya, the present study area supports higher population of medicinal plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The IPCC in its Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) described the Himalayan Region as data-deficient in terms of climate monitoring. This is a serious impediment to global research initiatives and thus necessitates long-term ecological monitoring (LTEM) across the Himalaya. Being governed by low temperature conditions, the high-altitude regions in Himalaya are more responsive to changing environmental conditions and hence serve as better indicators. We identified few Protected Areas (PAs) and selected forest core area and ecotones along the temperate, sub-alpine, alpine and cold desert ecosystems in Himachal Pradesh to establish a network of permanent monitoring plots (PMPs). Land and vegetation cover map of three selected PAs has been prepared using Landsat TM satellite data. Among the 10 PMPs, the temperate and tree line forests in the GHNP were found to have the highest tree diversity with Taxus wallichiana showing good stand density and regeneration. The soil pH was found to be higher for cold desert and lower for tree line forests and alpine meadows. Soil total carbon and nitrogen contents ranged from 1.08% to 13.37% and 0.094% to 1.14% respectively. It was observed that the herbs diversity showed a positive trend with increasing soil carbon and nitrogen concentrations. Satellite remote sensing proves to be a useful tool in an LTEM study, including biodiversity assessment and climate change research in complex terrains such as the Himalaya. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]