Prevailing climate change is expected due to carbon dioxide emission to the atmosphere through soil respiration and perhaps the alteration in the terrestrial carbon cycle. The measurements to establish the effect and sensitivity of soil temperature, soil water content and plant biomass on soil respiration was performed in the sub-tropical grassland located in Central Nepal. Field measurements of soil respiration was conducted by using the closed-chamber method, and soil temperature, soil water content and plant biomass were monitored in the years 2015 and 2016. The soil respiration showed positive significant exponential function which accounted for 74.6% (R2=0.746, p

The ability to predict the distribution of diameters in a stand is essential for forest managers to make informed management decisions such as prescription of silvicultural treatments and harvesting regimes. Such information is preferably derived from suitable distribution model. This study evaluated the performance of four distribution models in describing the structure of the teak stands in Oluwa Forest Reserve, Nigeria. Data were collected from 12 temporary sample plots of 20 × 20 m size in the teak stand. Maximum likelihood estimator was used to fit the distribution models: beta, gamma, Johnson SB, and Weibull to the diameter data from the teak stand. Relative rank-sum derived from four indices was used to conclude on the most suitable distribution for the stand. The results showed that the Weibull distribution was the most suitable function for the teak stand with a relative rank-sum of 4.0. Application of Weibull distribution together with suitable height-diameter and volume models estimated yield of 136.281 m3 ha-1 within timber size class (diameter ≥30 cm). And a total of 309.640 m3 ha-1 was estimated for the stand. Other product specifications were also provided. This would help in the routine management of the stand.

Sacred groves are well-protected areas managed by strong spiritual beliefs by the local communities and often represent the relict climax vegetation the region. The present study was conducted in Dhwaj sacred grove from the Central region of Indian Himalayas, releasing its role in biodiversity conservation through traditional and cultural belief systems. Total 81 species belonging to 67 genera and 50 families of plants were identified; in which 40 species were flowering plants, 23 species were lichens, 7 species bryophytes, 12 species were pteridophytes and only one species was gymnosperm. Rhododendron arboreum and Quercus leuchotricophora is the most dominant tree species in the grove showing highest IVI values. Ethnobotanically, 40 species belonging to 38 genera and 27 families are used by the local communities for the treatment of various ailments. But, due to high anthropogenic pressure, this grove facing several threat of degradation, hence special attention is needed towards its conservation and motivation to promote our traditional knowledge.

Eight families (two liverworts; six mosses) of Bryophytes, with ten representative species viz., Liverworts- Cephaloziellaceae (Cephaloziella kiaeri, Cylindrocolea tagawae), Porellaceae (Porella acutifolia); Mosses- Erpodiaceae (Solmsiella biseriata), Hylocomiaceae (Leptohymenium tenue), Myuriaceae (Myurium perplexum), Pterigynandraceae (Pterigynandrum filiforme), Sematophyllaceae (Sematophyllum humile and Sematophyllum subhumile), and Trachypodaceae (Bryowijkia ambigua) are new distributional records for the state of Andhra Pradesh, India.

The low regeneration potential is one of the main causes of the depleting population of threatened species. Phlomoides superba an endangered species is facing depletion in its natural habitats due to various causes including habitat destruction, low regeneration and exploitation. The ornamental potential of this species makes it suitable for cultivation in gardens for sake of both ex-situ conservation and beautification as well. Because of this, a suitable mass scale propagation protocol is required to prevent wild exploitation of this species for commercial use and also for its reintroduction in suitable habitats.

Selaginella adunca is a quite distinct and rare species of Selaginella found in Western Himalaya. This species is reported only from few populations occurring in India and Nepal. Since most of its reported habitats are under anthropogenic pressure, therefore for proper conservation of this species it is necessary to mark the suitable habitat for its conservation and reintroduction. The present study was aimed to find out the suitable habitat of this species through ecological niche modelling (ENM) technique using Maxent model. This will also help in relocating the species in other preferred habitat type and its reintroduction as well.