Monali Mhaskar - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Monali Mhaskar
International Journal of Anthropology and Ethnology, 2021
Sacred groves are relict forests dedicated to local deities that have been informally protected a... more Sacred groves are relict forests dedicated to local deities that have been informally protected and managed by local communities over centuries. To gain greater insights into underlying sociocultural reasons for protection, and possibilities of strengthening such efforts, a study has been undertaken in 66 sacred groves in the Maharashtra State of Western Ghats biodiversity hot-spot in India, which shows different facets of human-nature relationships. Primary data on size, ownership, deity, religious aspects and awareness amongst the local people was collected through site visits, semi-structured interviews, and by participating in village meetings. It was observed that village councils owned 48% of the groves as against temple trusts (41%) and forest department plus individually owned groves (11%). Nearly 52% of the groves have an area less than one-half hectare. Forty-seven percent of the groves have male deities, 29% female deities and 26% were dedicated to spirits. Eighty percent...
Nilgiri wood-pigeon ( Columba elphinstonii ) was surveyed in two forest types (open and closed) f... more Nilgiri wood-pigeon ( Columba elphinstonii ) was surveyed in two forest types (open and closed) for spatial distribution and habitat correlates using belt transects across 94 localities in Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, India, during 2011–2013. Only closed forested localities showed presence of the species with maximum number of individuals sighted in evergreen forests. Poisson multiple regression analysis was conducted on species abundance data from 18 sites and seven variables. The species was found to be associated with high canopy cover and evergreen forests. Suitable habitat of the species was predicted using MaxEnt model. MaxEnt model showed high degree of suitable habitat in west Chandoli National Park and the corridor area of the tiger reserve. This paper provides fine scale distribution data and habitat correlates and discusses potential threats to the species in north Western Ghats and stresses the immediate need for conservation action in this area. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.403...
The dispersal modes of 185 woody species from the northern Western Ghats (NWG) were investigated ... more The dispersal modes of 185 woody species from the northern Western Ghats (NWG) were investigated for their relationship with disturbance and fruiting phenology. The species were characterized as zoochorous, anemochorous and autochorous. Out of 15,258 individuals, 87 % showed zoochory as a mode of dispersal, accounting for 68.1 % of the total species encountered. A test of independence between leaf habit (evergreen/deciduous) and dispersal modes showed that more than the expected number of evergreen species was zoochorous. The cumulative disturbance index (CDI) was significantly negatively correlated with zoochory (P < 0.05); on the other hand no specific trend of anemochory with disturbance was seen. The pre-monsoon period (February to May) was found to be the peak period for fruiting of around 64 % of species irrespective of their dispersal mode. Further studies pertaining to dispersal strategies along a disturbance gradient can be initiated to develop insights into questions su...
Current Science, 2016
The study assesses distribution and population status of Saraca asoca from Sahyadri-Konkan ecolog... more The study assesses distribution and population status of Saraca asoca from Sahyadri-Konkan ecological corridor. Eighteen localities at various protection levels ranging from wildlife sanctuary to private forests were selected and spatially mapped to arrive at a distribution map. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test indicated that the size class distribution of S. asoca from the sacred groves differed both from formally protected sites and private forest. S. asoca trees from sacred groves had the highest mean girth at breast height (GBH) values than the other two protection levels. GBH of S. asoca was in inverse proportion with the cumulative disturbance index.
Journal of Threatened Taxa
The Western Ghats of India support an array of tropical forests ranging from wet evergreen to scr... more The Western Ghats of India support an array of tropical forests ranging from wet evergreen to scrub formations. Several endemic and threatened plant species are located in areas other than protected areas (PAs). There is an urgent need to understand species diversity in areas other than PAs, for effective management of tropical forests. In this context, reserve forests and informal PAs of Amboli from northern Western Ghats have been investigated. Woody species composition, diversity, and stand structure were assessed by laying quadrats and transects (n=46, area=2.575ha) in closed and open canopy forest patches covering habitat heterogeneity and environmental gradient of the area. A total of 2,224 individuals (of 87 species, 68 genera, and 35 families) was enumerated. Memecylon umbellatum, Syzygium cumini, and Diospyros nigrescens were found to be the most dominant species as per importance value index. Melastomataceae was the most dominant family as per family importance value,...
The dispersal modes of 185 woody species from the northern Western Ghats (NWG) were investigated ... more The dispersal modes of 185 woody species from the northern Western Ghats (NWG) were investigated for their relationship with disturbance and fruiting phenology. The species were characterized as zoochorous, anemochorous and autochorous. Out of 15,258 individuals, 87 % showed zoochory as a mode of dispersal, accounting for 68.1 % of the total species encountered. A test of independence between leaf habit (evergreen/deciduous) and dispersal modes showed that more than the expected number of evergreen species was zoochorous. The cumulative disturbance index (CDI) was significantly negatively correlated with zoochory (P < 0.05); on the other hand no specific trend of anemochory with disturbance was seen. The pre-monsoon period (February to May) was found to be the peak period for fruiting of around 64 % of species irrespective of their dispersal mode. Further studies pertaining to dispersal strategies along a disturbance gradient can be initiated to develop insights into questions such as how disturbance affects community structure.
Embelia ribes is a red-listed medicinal plant species that contains embelin, which has wide clini... more Embelia ribes is a red-listed medicinal plant species
that contains embelin, which has wide clinical applications.
Its great demand in Ayurveda and the pharmaceutical
industry (> 100 t/yr) has imposed tremendous
pressure on natural populations from the Western
Ghats of India. In this study, we have prepared a distribution
map of E. ribes for the northern Western
Ghats of Maharashtra. Issues regarding misidentification,
adulteration and the status of its trade with respect
to its population decline have been critically discussed.
Embelia ribes is a red-listed medicinal plant species that contains embelin, which has wide clini... more Embelia ribes is a red-listed medicinal plant species
that contains embelin, which has wide clinical applications.
Its great demand in Ayurveda and the pharmaceutical
industry (> 100 t/yr) has imposed tremendous
pressure on natural populations from the Western
Ghats of India. In this study, we have prepared a distribution
map of E. ribes for the northern Western
Ghats of Maharashtra. Issues regarding misidentification,
adulteration and the status of its trade with respect
to its population decline have been critically discussed.
International Journal of Anthropology and Ethnology, 2021
Sacred groves are relict forests dedicated to local deities that have been informally protected a... more Sacred groves are relict forests dedicated to local deities that have been informally protected and managed by local communities over centuries. To gain greater insights into underlying sociocultural reasons for protection, and possibilities of strengthening such efforts, a study has been undertaken in 66 sacred groves in the Maharashtra State of Western Ghats biodiversity hot-spot in India, which shows different facets of human-nature relationships. Primary data on size, ownership, deity, religious aspects and awareness amongst the local people was collected through site visits, semi-structured interviews, and by participating in village meetings. It was observed that village councils owned 48% of the groves as against temple trusts (41%) and forest department plus individually owned groves (11%). Nearly 52% of the groves have an area less than one-half hectare. Forty-seven percent of the groves have male deities, 29% female deities and 26% were dedicated to spirits. Eighty percent...
Nilgiri wood-pigeon ( Columba elphinstonii ) was surveyed in two forest types (open and closed) f... more Nilgiri wood-pigeon ( Columba elphinstonii ) was surveyed in two forest types (open and closed) for spatial distribution and habitat correlates using belt transects across 94 localities in Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, India, during 2011–2013. Only closed forested localities showed presence of the species with maximum number of individuals sighted in evergreen forests. Poisson multiple regression analysis was conducted on species abundance data from 18 sites and seven variables. The species was found to be associated with high canopy cover and evergreen forests. Suitable habitat of the species was predicted using MaxEnt model. MaxEnt model showed high degree of suitable habitat in west Chandoli National Park and the corridor area of the tiger reserve. This paper provides fine scale distribution data and habitat correlates and discusses potential threats to the species in north Western Ghats and stresses the immediate need for conservation action in this area. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.403...
The dispersal modes of 185 woody species from the northern Western Ghats (NWG) were investigated ... more The dispersal modes of 185 woody species from the northern Western Ghats (NWG) were investigated for their relationship with disturbance and fruiting phenology. The species were characterized as zoochorous, anemochorous and autochorous. Out of 15,258 individuals, 87 % showed zoochory as a mode of dispersal, accounting for 68.1 % of the total species encountered. A test of independence between leaf habit (evergreen/deciduous) and dispersal modes showed that more than the expected number of evergreen species was zoochorous. The cumulative disturbance index (CDI) was significantly negatively correlated with zoochory (P < 0.05); on the other hand no specific trend of anemochory with disturbance was seen. The pre-monsoon period (February to May) was found to be the peak period for fruiting of around 64 % of species irrespective of their dispersal mode. Further studies pertaining to dispersal strategies along a disturbance gradient can be initiated to develop insights into questions su...
Current Science, 2016
The study assesses distribution and population status of Saraca asoca from Sahyadri-Konkan ecolog... more The study assesses distribution and population status of Saraca asoca from Sahyadri-Konkan ecological corridor. Eighteen localities at various protection levels ranging from wildlife sanctuary to private forests were selected and spatially mapped to arrive at a distribution map. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test indicated that the size class distribution of S. asoca from the sacred groves differed both from formally protected sites and private forest. S. asoca trees from sacred groves had the highest mean girth at breast height (GBH) values than the other two protection levels. GBH of S. asoca was in inverse proportion with the cumulative disturbance index.
Journal of Threatened Taxa
The Western Ghats of India support an array of tropical forests ranging from wet evergreen to scr... more The Western Ghats of India support an array of tropical forests ranging from wet evergreen to scrub formations. Several endemic and threatened plant species are located in areas other than protected areas (PAs). There is an urgent need to understand species diversity in areas other than PAs, for effective management of tropical forests. In this context, reserve forests and informal PAs of Amboli from northern Western Ghats have been investigated. Woody species composition, diversity, and stand structure were assessed by laying quadrats and transects (n=46, area=2.575ha) in closed and open canopy forest patches covering habitat heterogeneity and environmental gradient of the area. A total of 2,224 individuals (of 87 species, 68 genera, and 35 families) was enumerated. Memecylon umbellatum, Syzygium cumini, and Diospyros nigrescens were found to be the most dominant species as per importance value index. Melastomataceae was the most dominant family as per family importance value,...
The dispersal modes of 185 woody species from the northern Western Ghats (NWG) were investigated ... more The dispersal modes of 185 woody species from the northern Western Ghats (NWG) were investigated for their relationship with disturbance and fruiting phenology. The species were characterized as zoochorous, anemochorous and autochorous. Out of 15,258 individuals, 87 % showed zoochory as a mode of dispersal, accounting for 68.1 % of the total species encountered. A test of independence between leaf habit (evergreen/deciduous) and dispersal modes showed that more than the expected number of evergreen species was zoochorous. The cumulative disturbance index (CDI) was significantly negatively correlated with zoochory (P < 0.05); on the other hand no specific trend of anemochory with disturbance was seen. The pre-monsoon period (February to May) was found to be the peak period for fruiting of around 64 % of species irrespective of their dispersal mode. Further studies pertaining to dispersal strategies along a disturbance gradient can be initiated to develop insights into questions such as how disturbance affects community structure.
Embelia ribes is a red-listed medicinal plant species that contains embelin, which has wide clini... more Embelia ribes is a red-listed medicinal plant species
that contains embelin, which has wide clinical applications.
Its great demand in Ayurveda and the pharmaceutical
industry (> 100 t/yr) has imposed tremendous
pressure on natural populations from the Western
Ghats of India. In this study, we have prepared a distribution
map of E. ribes for the northern Western
Ghats of Maharashtra. Issues regarding misidentification,
adulteration and the status of its trade with respect
to its population decline have been critically discussed.
Embelia ribes is a red-listed medicinal plant species that contains embelin, which has wide clini... more Embelia ribes is a red-listed medicinal plant species
that contains embelin, which has wide clinical applications.
Its great demand in Ayurveda and the pharmaceutical
industry (> 100 t/yr) has imposed tremendous
pressure on natural populations from the Western
Ghats of India. In this study, we have prepared a distribution
map of E. ribes for the northern Western
Ghats of Maharashtra. Issues regarding misidentification,
adulteration and the status of its trade with respect
to its population decline have been critically discussed.