Teodor Nedelin (1)*, Melania Gyosheva (2), Kaloyan Kostov (3), and Slavcho Savev (1)

1. Department of Silviculture, Faculty of Forestry, University of Forestry, 10 St. Kliment Ohridski
Blvd., 1797 Sofia, Bulgaria. *E-mail: teodor_nedelin@hotmail.com
2. Department of Plant and Fungal Diversity and Resources, Institute of Biodiversity and
Ecosystem Research, BAS, 23 Acad. G. Bonchev Str., 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
3. AgroBioInstitute, Agricultural Academy, 8 Dragan Tsankov Blvd., 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria

In this article, new data on species diversity of hypogeous macrofungi in Bulgaria are reported.
Three species: Tuber rufum, Gautieria graveolens and Lactarius stephensii were recorded
for first time in the country. New localities of noteworthy fungi Tuber excavatum and Gautieria
morchelliformis are also reported. A DNA sequencing for most studied hypogeous fungi and detailed
phylogenetic analysis for T. excavatum were performed. Results confirmed that representatives
of T. excavatum group have a very high intraspecific genetic variability.
 

Pankaj Sharma (1)* and Sher Singh Samant (2)

1. Himachal Pradesh State Biodiversity Board, H. P. State Council for Science, Technology &
Environment, 34, SDA Complex, Kasumpti, Shimla-171009, Himachal Pradesh, India.
*E-mail: spankaj80@gmail.com
2. G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Himachal Unit,
Mohal-Kullu-175126, Himachal Pradesh, India

The Himalayan Region in India is very unique and globally known for its unique topography,
large altitudinal range, climate and diverse habitats. The pteridophytes are important from evolutionary
point of view, as they show the evolution of vascular system and reflect the emergence
of seed habitat in the plants. Due to rich biodiversity of Himachal Pradesh, the pteridophytic flora
is also interesting in its diversity and distribution, however, little is worked out on the economic
aspects of these plants. Therefore, present communication pertains to the diversity of ferns in the
surroundings and dam submergence areas of three hydroelectric projects of Himachal Pradesh.
Overall, 63 species of pteridophytes, belonging to 15 families and 29 genera, were recorded.
Maximum species (56 spp.) were found in forest habitat, followed by riverine/watercourse (48
spp.), shadymoist (42 spp.), bouldary (21 spp.), dry (17 spp.), degraded (12 spp.), submergence
area (12 spp.), landslide and near crop field/orchards (4 spp. each), waste place/road side (1 sp.).
Large scale deforestation and increasing anthropogenic activities have caused elimination of the
habitats, which is posing a serious threat to the pteridophytes of the Himalayan region. Several
conservation measures and management programmes have been taken up in various regions
for the angiosperms, but very little attention has been given to the conservation of pteridophytes.
Therefore, it is important to formulate and implement a detailed scientific study with aim of conservation
of pteridophytes to ensure their long term conservation.
 

Purna Jana

H.N.B. Garhwal University, Srinagar, Garhwal, Uttarakhand - 246174, India.
E-mail: purnajana1986@gmail.com

The present study provides the information about medicinal plants in Garhwal Himalaya,
Uttarakhand, India. The objective of the study was to document the available important medicinal
plant species and their use in several different health issues of rural people. Numerous ethnomedicinal
surveys were conducted in the villages of Chamoli, Pauri and Rudraprayag districts
during 2014. Data on different aspects of medicinal plants were collected by interviewing the local
communities, following a simple random sampling method with at least 5 % sampling from each
village. During survey, a total of 66 important plant species were recorded, from most of which
roots (40 %) are used. Maximum number of species was recorded from the family Asteraceae
(5 species). In present study area, due to over exploitation and unsustainable harvesting, several
important commercial medicinal plants are facing great threats and need to be conserved
properly. Moreover, lack in interest of present generation about the use of medicinal plants augments
the threat. Therefore, suitable conservation planning is strongly recommended to conserve
medicinal plants including biomedical research, transfer of technology to harvest the existing
medicinal plants sustainably, organization of educational and awareness programmes among
local communities.
 

Tatiana Stankova*, Hristina Hristova, Emil Popov, and Ivaylo Tsvetkov

Forest Research Institute of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1756 Sofia, Bulgaria.
*E-mail: tatianastankova@yahoo.com

The main objective of this study was to investigate the allometry of aboveground dendromass
of both single-stem and coppiced black poplar hybrids at an early growth stage and to examine
the potential of the variables age, growth space and number of sprouts as covariates in diameterbased
(basal, d0 or breast-height, dbh) power form models. Our investigation developed cloneand
tree form-specific equations for the aboveground tree dendromass of the clones 'Agathe',
'I 45/51', 'NNDV' and 'BL', grown in a spacing trial in North-Western Bulgaria. All equations, which
were derived as the best per clone x tree form combination, revealed high accuracy and predictive
power, except for the equation of coppiced 'Agatheâ' trees. The clone-specific aboveground
dendromass models for single-stem saplings showed higher goodness-of-fit than those of the
coppices, where more significant dissimilarity of dendromass trends among the clones was also
noticeable. Honer transformed variable model was the most adequate to describe monostem
'Agathe' and 'BL' biomass, while the simple dbh-based allometric equation was selected for monostem
'NNDV'. A d0-based allometric model, in which the slope parameter was expanded by a
power function of tree age predicted best the dendromass of the single-stem 'I 45/51' saplings. All
models derived for the coppiced poplars included the number of sprouts as a second predictor
variable. The clone-specific dendromass models, which possessed the higher goodness-of-fit
within each tree form category, manifested also significantly improved prediction power as compared
to the generic dendromass models for black poplar hybrids.
 

Agbaeze Umazi Udeagha(1),(2)*, Enefiok Sunday Udo(1), and Opeyemi Olajide(1)

1. Department of Forestry and Natural Environmental Management,
University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
2. Department of Forestry Technology, Hussaini Adamu Federal Poytechnic, Kazaure,
Jigawa State, Nigeria. *E-mails: aumazi@yahoo.co.uk; uumazi@gmail.com

Irvingia fruit and kernels are valuable socio-economic non-timber forest products in South
Eastern Nigeria. The dried kernels have long been used in the kitchen as a condiment for the
preparation of local dishes and the market continues to expand, because of its contributions to
household income and dietary needs. The study focused on the socio-economics and status of
Irvingia fruits and kernels, in two local government areas (LGAs) within the rainforest of Cross
River State, South Eastern Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed for the study.
Two hundred households in 8 villages were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaire and
other participatory methods for data collection. The data collected were analysed using descriptive
statistics and Likert type scale. The results of study revealed that 78.5 % of the respondents
prioritised the kernels and fruits as a very important source of income and food for their households.
Also, 91.5 % of the respondents claimed that the abundance of the fruit and kernel has
decreased over time due to extreme changes in the environment. The results of the Likert scale
analysis rated perceived effect of changes in the environment on the overall abundance of Irvingia
fruit and kernel economic and culinary value to be high and positive (X = 4.02), which implies that
the sustainable availability of Irvingia fruits and kernels and their contributions to local household
dietary needs and income is not guaranteed. It is imperative to intensify both in-situ and ex-situ
conservation of this valuable tree species.