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An Evaluation of Endemism and Endemics in Bangladesh Flora

M. K. Pasha
Department of Botany, University of Chittagong, Chittagong-4331, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The endemic plants of Bangladesh are evaluated here on the basis of the study of angiosperm flora published in the literatures and on the basis of investigations. It is estimated that out of about 3563 species at least 25 species, including 2 varieties, are evaluated as endemic plants to Bangladesh. All the taxa are included under 24 genera and 18 families. Of the endemic taxa 5 species of 5 genera in 5 families fall under Liliopsida (Monocotyledon) and the remaining 20 species of 19 genera in 13 families included in Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledon). Except for only 7 tree species, all the others are either shrubs, climbers, annual, or perennial herbs. Almost all the taxa are terrestrial, but 1 is hemi-parasite and 8 are aquatic or amphibious. Of these taxa 13 are distributed in Chittagong and Chittagong Hill Tracts regions, 8 in Sylhet hilly regions, 1 in both Sylhet and Chittagong regions, and 3 taxa in the Central Plains (Dhaka-Mymensingh) of Bangladesh. Phytogeographically the Sylhet area is situated at the extreme west low margin of Khasia-Manipur Province and, Chittagong and the Chittagong Hill Tracts area is situated at the west boundary of South-Burma Province. This area is also situated at the western border line of the global Indo-Burma hotspot. The remaining lowland plain of Bangladesh (Mymensingh-Dhaka) is situated in the middle of Bengal Province in the Indian Floristic Region, situated further east of the said hotspot area. Geographically, the land of Bangladesh is mostly surrounded by India and Myanmar and is geologically much younger than those of the surrounding areas. Thus, in Bangladesh the endemic taxa are few, but the continuous surrounding land mass is one of the important world Floristic Regions, Sub–kingdoms, and Kingdoms, thus, shares many more pseudoendemic taxa of both Eastern Himalayan and Indo-Burma hotspots as a whole. At the same time, the evaluated endemic taxa are assessed as the admixture of primitive (2 spp. of Magnoliidae; 1 sp. of Hamamelidae), transitional (9 spp. of Rosidae, 2 spp. of Arecidae and 2 spp. of Commelinidae), and advanced (8 spp. of Asteridae and 1 sp. of Zingiberidae) subclasses; indicating all the evolutionary stages of plants constituting the endemic flora of the country, which fall mostly in the Palaeotropic, but some are Holarctic also. Very little is known about the status of the endemic taxa of Bangladesh, but primarily almost all the endemic taxa have been evaluated as critically endangered, due to habitat loss or genetic causes. Furthermore, most of the species are yet to be either relocating the Type locality or to be rediscovered both for biodiversity research and conservation purposes before extinction.

Keywords: Endemism, Endemic plant taxa, Bangladesh flora

Location:

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Conservation and Biodiversity

Commodity: Plant

Objectives:

This attempt has been undertaken to evaluate the flora of Bangladesh and assess the endemism and endemics of Bangladesh as far as possible

Methodology:

For the evaluation and determination of endemic taxa and endemism of Bangladesh early authentic literature (Heinig 1925; Hooker 1872-1894; Kanjilal et al. 1934-1940; Prain 1903; Roxburgh 1814; Roxburgh 1820-24; Roxburgh 1832; Sinclair 1955) were consulted, along with the recent published flora of the neighbouring countries (Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, China, Malaysia, and India). A very recent and exhaustive compilation, the Encyclopedia of Bangladesh Flora and Fauna (Ahmed et al. 2008b), has also been consulted. Some local floristic and related literature (Alam 1988; Khan 2001; Khan et al. 2001), along with the specimens deposited in different herbaria at home and in abroad, have also been consulted. It is hoped that the efforts are more or less sufficient for the study. The scattered information, along with the investigations, are assembled here to get all the materials required for the evaluation each endemic taxon. The assessed and evaluated endemic taxa are then enumerated alphabetically with the valid name, known synonym (s), taxonomic description, habitat and distribution, status and the relevant information.

Source of Information: Proceedings of the International Conference on Biodiversity – Present State, Problems and Prospects of its Conservation January 8-10, 2011 University of Chittgaong, Chittagong 4331, Bangladesh

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1.

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Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Very little is known about the status of the endemic taxa of Bangladesh, but primarily almost all the endemic taxa have been evaluated as critically endangered, due to habitat loss or genetic causes. Furthermore, most of the species are yet to be either relocating the Type locality or to be rediscovered both for biodiversity research and conservation purposes before extinction.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings