Facilitative root associations of endemic Indopiptadenia oudhensis (Brandis) Brenan: Implications for biodiversity restoration and forest ecosystem services in central Himalayan riverine forest

Title : Facilitative root associations of endemic Indopiptadenia oudhensis (Brandis) Brenan: Implications for biodiversity restoration and forest ecosystem services in central Himalayan riverine forest

Abstract:

Species capable of forming positive ecological associations often display enhanced adaptability, enabling persistence in fragmented and resource-limited landscapes. In the Anthropocene, where climate change and anthropogenic pressures continuously redefine ecological thresholds, such facilitative interactions offer an alternative pathway to classical “survival of the fittest,” promoting niche expansion, structural complexity, and ecosystem resilience. This study reports a novel commensal ecological association involving the endemic and endangered tree Indopeptadenia oudhensis (Fabaceae), Murraya koenigii, and Celtis tetrandra within the Terai region of Sohelwa Wildlife Sanctuary (SWS), Uttar Pradesh, India. Field investigations conducted in December 2024 revealed the emergence and establishment of M. koenigii and C. tetrandra seedlings from the lateral root zones of a mature I. oudhensis individual, indicating a stable, non-parasitic interaction in which the host tree provides a favourable microsite for germination and early growth without observable detriment to its vitality. Microscopic examination of I. oudhensis root samples, following Trypan Blue staining, confirmed the presence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). This finding suggests that AMF-mediated Common Mycorrhizal Networks (CMNs) may facilitate nutrient transfer, moisture availability, and physiological support to associated species, thereby enhancing seedling survival under stressful edaphic and climatic conditions. These processes underscore the importance of integrating microecological interactions into biodiversity restoration and forest management frameworks. these belowground networks can strengthen forest ecosystem services, such as nutrient cycling, soil stabilisation, and climate resilience, thereby contributing to adaptive, science-based restoration strategies in rapidly changing subtropical forest landscapes.
Keywords: Commensalism, Indopeptadenia oudhensis, Murraya koenigii, Celtis tetrandra, Facilitative root architecture, Biodiversity restoration

Biography:

Sukirti is a dedicated Forest Science professional and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Forest Genetics at the Forest Research Institute. Her research interests centre on genetics, seed biology, and forest genetic resource conservation, with a strong focus on sustainability and biodiversity conservation. She has contributed to Springer book chapters on advanced biotechnological approaches for seed germplasm conservation and molecular markers for seed traceability, and has published work on the conservation of the critically endangered Indopeptadenia oudhensis. She has also worked on seed source variation and the domestication of wild fruit species. Recently, she was awarded Best Poster at the India International Science Festival and recognised for her work in molecular genetics.