Impact of elevation on distribution of pitcher plant, Nepenthes khasiana Hook. f. and its threats in Meghalaya, India
aSarah G. Momin, aAnindita Bhattacharya, and b*Prabal Sarkar
aDepartment of Earth Science bDepartment of Zoology, University of Science & Technology Meghalaya-793101 (India) *Corresponding author: Prabal Sarkar (prabalsarkarindia@gmail.com)
ABSTRACT
Literature is available on the distribution of pitcher plants, Nepenthes khasiana Hook. f., an endangered and highly endemic species, in Meghalaya and Assam states of India. However, the study of the landscape features on its distribution is scarce. Hence, the present field-based survey was conducted between 2018 and 2022 to find out the impact of elevation on the distribution of pitcher plants, and threat perspectives in Meghalaya. The study found that all the locations where pitcher plants flourish are mostly found on the hill slope. The pitcher plant prefers the open canopy irrespective of the study hills of Meghalaya. Large-scale deforestation for jhum and mining along with enormous growth of built-up areas and forest fire are some of the landscape-level threats identified for the loss of pitcher plant population in Meghalaya. Hence, the threats prevailing for pitcher plants need urgent attention as the conservation of these plants is not only needed for ecological and economic benefits but also for safeguarding the cultural values of the inhabitants of Meghalaya