24 February 2021.
Introduction:
A group of scientists of three institutes have discovered a new species of alpine plant in the Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh. The details were published in Biodiversitas: Journal of Biological Diversity.
About the New Alpine Plant Species
- The new species of plant belongs to the family of Himalayan sunflower.
- It has been named as Cremanthodium indicum.
- This species of plant generally flowers from July to August.
- It is endemic to the Penga-Teng Tso Lake of Tawang district.
- As per the IUCN Guideline, this alpine plant species has been listed as critically endangered.
Alpine Plants
- The plants that grow in the alpine climate. Many of the plant species and taxon grow as a plant community in such alpine tundra including perennial grasses, forbs, sedges, mosses, cushion plants and lichens.
- These plants are adapted to harsh alpine climatic of environmental conditions such as dryness, low temperatures, wind, drought, ultraviolet radiation, poor nutritional soil and a short growing season.
Alpine climate
- Typical weather for the regions that occurs above the tree line.
- It is also called as the mountain climate or highland climate.
Tree line
- It is the edge of habitat at which trees are capable to grow.
- Tree line is found at high elevations and high latitudes.
- It is the line beyond which the trees cannot tolerate environmental conditions like extreme snowpack, cold temperatures, or associated lack of moisture.
About Tawang District
- It is the smallest districts out of the 16 administrative districts of Arunachal Pradesh. It has a population of 49,977 which makes the state as eighth least populous district in India.
- This district is inhabited by the Monpa people.