EDITORIAL
We are enlivened at the first birth anniversary of CEiBa newsletter, thanks to the contributing authors
to reach out a gradually enlarging forum of enthusiastic readers. Like earlier, this year ending issue is teeming with interesting facets of plant and animal life as well as socio-religious relation of nature with people. Writing on symbiosis tells us about lichen, the ubiquitous patches available on the moist wall, on the tree trunk and on leaves. These patches represent a close association between algae and fungus, both lower group of plants with and without chlorophyll. The article details on the ecological and economic importance of lichens and underscores their role as a biological indicator of atmospheric pollution. Symbiosis is even presented in our second article too but here the players changed; lichens vanished, ants and plants stepped in with a definite term “Myrmecophily”. Myrmecophily a typical symbiotic ant-plant association where plants provide shelter to ant in exchange of defense against herbivores and other enemies – has multiple layers and players. There are tripartite relations among ants, plants, and other invertebrates, fungal involvement as food and building material, and nutrient benefits with better fitness. A first-hand account of these aspects is definitely worth reading. Tuning with these two ‘symbiotic’ articles, the third one also portrays intricate symbiosis of the human being but with nature. Although not symbiosis in the technical term, our relationship with nature is based on the core concept of looking after each other. How this age-long relation is torn apart in the name of development and neglected in rehabilitation strategies is the issue of discussion in this article citing examples of Munda community from Chota Nagpur Plateau of India.
Snippets have thought-provoking contents ranging from life to death. Rainbow eucalyptus, language for biodiversity, metabolic rift, mighty citrus fruit, and eco-friendly burial process – all reflect a celebration of life in diverse forms. We welcome you to join in this endeavor and wish you a very happy new year.
RAJASRI RAY
ARTICLES
The unrealized potential of lichens in nature
Not many people are aware of lichens though they must’ve seen them growing as differently shaped and colored patches covering the tree barks or buildings around them. Often they also mix up lichens with mosses which is far from the truth because mosses are primitive non-vascular plants having plant-like structures and chloroplasts throughout their bodies. Lichens, on the other hand, do not have any plant like structures and exhibit different colors…
Symbiotic ant-plants: story of resident ants and how they use probable ‘mutualistic’ fungi
Biological interactions are necessary for the functioning of an ecosystem and also for the survival of the individual organism as no organism can exist in absolute isolation in nature. Look at our surroundings, climbers twining around the trees for support, orchids and mosses grow on moisture laden branches, Cuscuta or golden parasites spread over shrubs/trees, all are the intricate relationship between host and seekers in terms of habitat, nutrition, and…
Sasandiri: A small attempt to understand the meaning of place from the perspective of the Munda community
Jharkhand, one of the mineral-rich states of India, is the abode of various Adivasi communities. With the advent of resource hungry technocentric civilisation, the lands of Jharkhand became precious for ‘development’. Due to the development projects the Adivasis and Moolvasis of Jharkhand have been facing the trauma of displacement. The rehabilitation programs and compensation packages have failed to protect the traditional, cultural, social, and economic interests of the Adivasi communities….
GLIMPSES OF NATURE AND CULTURE
Glimpses Of Nature And Culture
Death: Environment friendly Death is the unavoidable and intriguing phase of human life. It reminds us of our very biological identity in the natural world leaving apart our supremacy over the ecosystem. This very biological entity of the human being increasingly creating trouble even after death!!!! Surprised? But it’s true. Although death means the end of everything but mortal remains are there, usually treated according to our socio-cultural and religious beliefs. Burial of dead body…