Rain Forest Research Institute,Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education

The Hmar community of the Indian sub-Himalayas has shifted from traditional shifting agriculture to economically viable pineapple-based (Ananas comosus) agroforestry, helping manage economic crises while providing environmental benefits. However, the functioning and essential ecosystem services of these systems are under increasing threat from climate change, jeopardising food and livelihood security. Understanding the ecological, economic, and social dimensions of vulnerability at the micro-level is essential for identifying stressors and ensuring sustainable agroforestry practices. To assess socio-ecological vulnerability, 122 households were surveyed across five villages using the IPCC climate vulnerability framework, complemented by focus group discussions to understand community-level adaptive strategies. Principal Component Analysis identified key components, followed by aggregation to measure exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. The entropy method was applied to assign village-level weights for sensitivity and adaptive capacity to construct a composite vulnerability index. Most households lived in semi-pakka houses and a nucleated family structure. Farmers’ education levels ranged from primary to matriculation, with an average monthly income of about US120. Villages with higher climate susceptibility experience erratic temperature and precipitation patterns and frequent extreme events, negatively impacting pineapple productivity, further exacerbated by the lack of irrigation infrastructure. Households heavily reliant on pineapple cultivation are more vulnerable to climate change disruptions. These factors contribute to higher climate sensitivity in Saisel Punjee (0.35) and Lobonkhal (0.32), reflecting greater socio-ecological vulnerability. Villages lacking strong social networks, sufficient infrastructure, and diversified income sources show reduced adaptive capacity. In contrast, villages implementing resilient farm management strategies, such as diverse tree integration, erosion control, reduced tillage, proper residue handling, pest and disease control, and optimised crop density, function as effective Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and reduce climate vulnerability. Adaptive capacity was stronger in Kolom Punjee (0.27) and Hmarkhawlein (0.28), leading to lower vulnerability. Strengthening resilience requires supportive policies, expanded market access, promotion of small-scale enterprises, alternative livelihoods, and investments in education, rural infrastructure, and ecosystem restoration.

Paris polyphylla Sm., a Himalayan ethnomedicinal plant at risk of extinction, is used in pharmaceutical production and in traditional systems such as Ayurveda and Chinese medicine to treat various illnesses. Infusions, juices, powders, and pastes are used topically or internally for jaundice, menstrual cramps, blisters, scabies, rashes, headaches, and fever. Overexploitation, habitat degradation, and unauthorized export have led to its listing as “vulnerable” by the IUCN. A systematic review following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines was conducted to assess the phytochemical profile, biological activities, cultivation practices, and commercial aspects of P. polyphylla. The plant is rich in bioactive constituents, particularly steroidal saponins such as diosgenin, polyphyllin D, and various Paris saponins. Pharmacological evaluations indicate that P. polyphylla exhibits potent anticancer, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, anthelmintic, and antiviral properties. The diverse bioactivities of P. polyphylla highlight its potential for novel therapeutic applications, especially in cancer and infectious disease management. However, the increasing demand and declining wild populations of P. polyphylla necessitate urgent conservation measures. This review highlights the importance of sustainable cultivation practices, regulated harvesting, and conservation-oriented trade policies. Furthermore, the documented pharmacological properties provide a strong scientific basis for developing plant-based drug formulations and guiding future ethnopharmacological research.

Silicon (Si) affects soil formation, carbon (C) cycling, nutrient dynamics, vegetation growth and plant stress resilience, all of which are critical to the general health and sustainability of forest ecosystems. Despite its abundance and diverse functions, the pivotal role of Si in forest ecology is frequently overlooked. This review aims to clarify the intricate role of Si in forest ecosystems by focusing on soil genesis and properties, vegetation requirements, and biogeochemical cycles. Podzolization and laterization, two distinct pedogenic processes with differing Si chemistries, are strongly influenced by forest vegetation type. Si is the basic building block of sand, silt, and clay, and influences soil properties such as soil erodibility, long-term nutrient availability, and water retention, which are fundamental for sustainable forest management. In addition to providing mechanical support, Si protects several plant species from both biotic and abiotic stresses, thereby enhancing forest longevity and health. Soil-plant Si dynamics influence C sinks by stabilizing phytoliths, accelerating silicate weathering, and prolonging biomass lifespan. The stability of phytoliths and silicate minerals in the soil is governed by interactions among Si pools, fluxes and biogeochemical cycles. Forest vegetation composition, stand maturity, and Si absorption capacity also play significant roles. Therefore, research on Si in forest ecosystems is crucial for ecological science and sustainable forest resource management. This is particularly important in addressing current global environmental challenges, where Si’s influence on soil stability, nutrient cycling, and C sequestration has far-reaching implications.

An in-depth understanding of carbon dynamics and ecosystem productivity is essential for conservation and management of different ecosystems. Ecosystem dynamics and carbon budget are assessed by estimating net ecosystem production (NEP) across different global ecosystems. An ecological productivity assessment of forest and floating meadow ecosystems in Keibul Lamjao National Park (KLNP), Manipur, North East India, was conducted using the multi-criteria decision-making process namely, gray relational analysis (GRA). The analysis was performed on 24 selected criterions classified either as “higher-the-better” or “lower-the-better” based on their degree of influence on the carbon budget. Floating meadows exhibited a higher production of aboveground and belowground biomass and a higher total mortality and decay. Furthermore, the study found that floating meadows exhibited a higher soil organic carbon (SOC) and net soil organic matter (SOM) than the forest ecosystem. The forest ecosystem showed higher total respiration (RT), heterotrophic respiration (RH), and autotrophic respiration (RA) than floating meadows. Floating meadows exhibited a higher net primary productivity (NPP) of 616.49 ± 33.87 gCm−2 year−1 than the forest ecosystem, which has a NPP of 566.64 ± 65.26 gCm−2 year−1. Similarly, floating meadows have higher NEP (495.25 ± 36.46 gCm−2 year−1) than forest ecosystems (418.39 ± 65.76 gCm−2 year−1). These characteristics have a significant influence on the carbon budget in floating meadows as compared to forest ecosystems, as shown by larger values of gray relational coefficient (GRC) in GRA. The floating meadows ecosystem (0.82) obtained 54.72

This study investigated Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) pools and Soil Microbial Biomass Carbon (SMBC) across three forest types in Mizoram, India: Secondary Moist Bamboo Brakes (SMBB), East Himalayan Moist Mixed Deciduous Forest (EHMMDF), and Cachar Tropical Semi-Evergreen Forest (CTSEF). SOC is crucial for global biogeochemical cycles, influencing nutrient availability and ecosystem resilience. The study highlights the impact of forest type on SOC dynamics and microbial activity. The SMBB exhibited an Active Pool (Very Labile Carbon [VLC] + Labile Carbon [LC]) of 1.21