Presence of tree canopy is known to strongly influence ambient temperature and other micro-climatic conditions underneath. Therefore, planting trees with close or dense crown can be used as effective measure to provide thermal cover to species of flora and fauna adapted to shady and cooler environment. The cooling produced by a tree is exclusively the combined results of physical and physiological functions of its canopy. Tree canopy is one of the most important, physiologically active components that establish interaction between the terrestrial environment and the atmosphere which regulates various bio-physiological processes. Leaf Area Index (LAI) is one of the most reliable indicators of growth and vigour of a tree.  We compared LAI and corresponding understory temperature of a few isolated trees of Ficus benjamina, Mangifera indica, Anthocephalus chinensis, Lagerstroemia floribunda and Peltophorum  africanum  belonging to evergreen, semi-deciduous and deciduous nature  to establish the relationship between the two parameters.  A great variation in LAIs of deciduous and semi-deciduous species was observed on account of leaf shedding and fast development of crown after emergence of new leaves whereas the variation was lesser in evergreen species. A strong positive correlation was found between LAI and cooling produced by A. chinensis, L. floribunda and P. africanum whereas no linear relation was established in case of M. indica and F. benjamina.

Genus Cassytha (Lauraceae) is characterized by unigue Pollen morphology. We Prepared  strains of C. filiformis  following acetolysis method (Ikuse, 1956) for observation under Light Microscope and Scanning Electron Microscope. The present study revealed that the lamellar and scbrate nature of exine are entirely different and attributing to different morphology of pollen grains, especially the shape. This communication provides a comparison of pollen morphology between Indian and South African species filiformis discriminates the morphological variations found among the Indian specimens of C. filiformis from that of South African region.

The paper highlights the threat posed to the native flora by the Tecoma stans (L.) Juss. ex. Kunth which was introduced in Himachal Pradesh as an ornamental plant for its bright yellow trumpet shaped flowers. The species has already been included in the list of Global Invasive Species Database (GISD). The species is rapidly invading along the road sides, forest margins and in the grasslands in Himachal Pradesh especially in the district Bilaspur and Mandi. Therefore it requires a timely attention for its management and eradication from the wild before its establishment.

The present paper deals with 7 taxa, Acacia caesia var. subnuda (Craib) I.C. Nielsen, Bambusa cacharensis R.B. Majumdar, Dendrobium monticola P.F. Hunt & Summerh., Dendrophthoe falcata var. pubescens (Hook.f.) V. Chandras., Ficus fulva Reinw. ex Blume, Gymnema latifolium Wall., Mimosa diplotricha C. Wright ex Sauvalle which are new additions to the flora of West Bengal from Buxa Wildlife Sanctuary, Alipurduar district.

Casuarina equisetifolia is an exotic, fast growing, multipurpose tree species grown in Tamil Nadu.  Altogether, about 40 species of insects have been recorded on C. equisetifolia in Tamil Nadu State. Among them, the bark eating caterpillar, Indarbela quadrinotata is considered as the most destructive pest in plantations. Wide variation in the infestation levels of bark eating caterpillar was noticed in Casuarina plantations grown under four agro-climatic zones of Tamil Nadu; the Cauvery Delta Zone showed highest intensity of attack, followed by the North Eastern Zone and the Southern Zone in the decreasing order of infestation, while the High Rainfall Zone was not affected by the pest. Plantations of younger age suffered from higher levels of infestation, compared to that of older ones. Among the climatological parameters, the minimum temperature had significant positive correlation with the pest infestation. Apart from the naturally occurring entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana, the botanical formulations such as Melia azedarach seed kernel extract (5%), Pongamia pinnata seed oil (5%), Hydnocarpus pentandra seed oil (10,000 ppm) and Neem oil (5%) were found to be very effective in managing the pest under field condition.

Habenaria polyodon Hook.f. is rediscovered after 168 years from the type locality. A short description, colour photographs and typification are provided here.

Liparis nervosa (Thunb.) Lindl. and Peristylus richardianus Wight (Orchidaceae) are reported here as additions to the flora of Thiruvananthapuram District, Southern Western Ghats of Kerala. Detailed descriptions along with photographs are provided to ease accurate identification of these species.

Pittosporum eriocarpum Banks. ex Gaertn. (Pittosporaceae) is an endemic and threatened species of the North-West Himalaya and locally known as Agni. In this study the seed viability, seed germination and storage behavior of seeds was studied stored at different temperature. Maximum viability was reported in fresh seeds (98.21%) while the maximum germination percentage (87.11%) was observed in 6-months old seeds stored in refrigerator (polythene). Application of Gibberellic acid has improved the seed germination (54.13%) and to overcome the morpho-physiological dormancy of the seed to an extent.

Rhododendron arboreum Sm. var. roseum Lindl. is known only from the eastern part of the Indian Himalaya so far. The present communication is a documentation of this taxon from Bhyundar valley (Chamoli, Uttarakhand), extending its distributional range to the Western Himalaya. Detailed morphological description with its phenological, ecological and distributional information is presented. Its conservation status and a note are also provided.

Spermacoce alata Aubl. (Rubiaceae) is reported here as a new record to the flora of Uttar Pradesh. Detailed description, herbarium image, and relevant notes are provided.

The present study deals with the assessment of density of trees (D), biomass (B) and carbon sequestration (CS) of trees on three aspects, viz. north-west (NW), north-east (NE) and south-east (SE) at different forest stands dominated by Quercus leucotrichophora, Quercus glauca and Pinus roxburghii in Nainital District Kumoun Himalya. The density of trees, saplings and seedlings across Community forests varied from 420-840, 110-6200 and 3510-11250 individuals ha^-1, respectively. Total biomass of trees at different aspects ranged from 253 - 429 t ha^-1. Total carbon storage of trees was 120.22 t C ha^-1 on NW aspect (Banj Oak forest), 203.57 t C ha^-1 on NE aspect (Chir Pine forest) and 157.47 t C ha^-1 on SE aspect (Chir Pine forest). The carbon storage as well as biomass storage value is higher on northern aspect. It can be concluded that north aspect play an important role in forest growth and maturity which is required for sustainable development/ sustainability of environment. The huge amount of carbon storage by studied Van Panchayat forest sites will help to minimize CO₂ rise in the atmosphere.

Peristylus orbicularis (Hook.f.) Agrawala, H.J. Chowdhery& S. Choudhury, a short-lived, terrestrial orchid, is reported here as a new distributional record for Arunachal Pradesh. The species was earlier recorded only from Darjeeling and Sikkim. A brief description containing diagnostic features of the species is provided for easy identification. Its threat assessment in Indian perspective has been determined as per IUCN criteria.

Entodontopsis setschwanica (Broth.) W.R. Buck & Ireland is an epiphytic moss belonging to family Stereophyllaceae. The plants have been observed during the survey and investigation of mosses of Garhwal Hills, Uttarakhand, Western Himalaya. In India the species has been reported from Darjeeling (West Bengal) in Eastern Himalaya and from Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu) in Western Ghats, South India so far. Now the species is being reported here for the first time from Pipalkoti in Chamoli district, (Garhwal Hills) Uttarakhand which is an addition to West Himalayan Moss Flora.

The air and soil quality in the vicinity of cement industry influences the soil properties and distribution pattern of plants. Sensitive plant species are abolished from such areas, however, only pollution tolerant species survive under stress conditions. In this study, the potentially toxic metal pollution in soil and Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) of plants occuring nearby the cement industry, Bhagwanpur (Haridwar) were evaluated. Four biochemical parameters such as leaf relative water content (RWC), ascorbic acid (AA) content, total leaf chlorophyll (TCh), and leaf extract pH were used to develop an APTI. It was found that the soil in the vicinity of cement industry was having high concentrations of potentially toxic metals in comparison to control but within the permissible limits as per international standards. Twenty four plant species growing near a cement factory, an air pollution point source, were collected and analysed for APTI. The APTI was found in the range of 10.68 to 43.50. Cyperus rotendusand Cynodon dactylon were found to be having high APTI. The results highlighted the need for regular monitoring of potentially toxic metals in soil and APTI measurements to be conducted throughout the growing season.

The present study is mainly based on the field work conducted from 2008-2013 to different parts of North East India. Altogether collected 13 species of Tectaria from North East India are presented along with identification key, descriptions and photos for easy identification.  All the collected species have been deposited at Botanical Survey of India, Arunachal Pradesh Regional Centre, Itanagar (ARUN).

Four species of Fissidens Hedw. viz., Fissidens ganguleei Nork., F. grandifrons Bird., F. incognitis Gangulee. and F. Jungermanniodes Giff., collected from different localities of Andhra Pradesh are new distributional records for Eastern Ghats eco-region of India.

Soil organic carbon sequestration potential of different tree was analyzed in every year. Five years after plantation average soil organic carbon was recorded highest under fast growing non legume trees (1.82 %) followed by medium growing (1.72 %) and then slow growing (1.60 %). SOC sequestration potential of legume tree species was significantly lower. It was 1.80 % under fast growing legumes, 1.58 % in medium growing and 1.55 % in slow growing legume trees. On individual comparison of non legume trees, Anthocephalus chinensis found to sequester more (1.98%) carbon as soil organic carbon followed by Trewia nudiflora (1.66%), Alstonia scholaris (1.62%) and Lagerstroemia.speciosa (1.57%).  Lowest soil organic carbon sequestration was found under Chukrasia. tabularis (1.26%). No significant difference was observed in SOC sequestration potential between Dipterocarpus retusus, Artocarpus chaplasha, Ficus hispida, Mallotus albus, Litsea nitida, Castanopsis indica, Taphrosia candida, Albizzia procera and A. lebbek.

A study was conducted to estimate the biomass and soil carbon stock in various sites of Pinus roxburghii Sarg. (Chir pine) and Quercus leucotrichophora A. Camus (Ban oak) forests of district Shimla, Himachal Pradesh during the year 2015-2016. In case of chir pine forests, the amount of carbon stock in Guma site for above ground, below ground, under storey and litter was 80.05, 16.01, 3.24 and 1.55 tC/ha, respectively. Whereas, values of carbon stock at Dhami site were 192.92, 38.58, 1.71 and 1.57 tC/ha, respectively. The biomass as well as the carbon stock was higher at Dhami site than Guma site. The soil organic carbon stock (tC/ha) at 10-15 cm, 15-30 cm and 30-45 cm was 22.45, 19.99 and 12.36, respectively at Guma site. Whereas, these values at different depths were 23.23, 20.17 and 15.59 tC/ha, respectively for Dhami site. The value of total soil carbon stock was more (58.98 tC/ha) at Dhami site than Guma site (54.80 tC/ha) upto 45cm depth. In case of Ban oak forests, the amount of carbon stock in Taradevi site for above ground, below ground, under storey and litter was 151.27, 37.82, 3.04 and 1.52 tC/ha, respectively. Whereas, values of carbon stock at Koti site were 74.25, 18.56, 1.24 and 1.26 tC/ha, respectively. Total biomass as well as the carbon stock was higher at Taradevi site than Koti site. The soil organic carbon stock (tC/ha) at 10-15 cm, 15-30 cm and 30-45 cm was 42.07, 29.70 and 14.78, respectively at Tardevi site. Whereas, these values for three depths were 36.60 , 27.72  and 18.72 tC/ha, respectively for Koti site. The value of total soil carbon stock was more  at Tardevi site (86.55 tC/ha) than Koti site (83.04 tC/ha).

The phenomena of the guttation and autolysis have been reported in various wild mushroom species in natural conditions. These have also been reported in various fungi including Trichoderma species from different sources during their artificial culturing. In the present article, these phenomena have been reported and discussed in the case of seed borne Trichoderma species isolated from the seeds of Dipterocarpus retusus and propagated under artificial culture conditions. The process of guttation and the autolysis are reported to have ecological significance to the respective organism in the ecosystem.

The occurrence of Milicia excelsa (Welw.) C.C. Berg, native to tropical Africa, commonly known as African Teak is reported in the forest plantation area of Alimukku, Punalur Forest Division, Kollam District, in Kerala (Sabu et al, 2018). An attempt is made to popularize and conserve this highly promising tree having multipurpose use, by raising seedlings through standardized seed germination protocols and evolving suitable seed storage conditions.