Research Projects

Sustainable conservation of forests is a global concern with an increasing number of timber species listed by CITES. Pantropical genus Dalbergia includes highly prized timber species used for premium grade furniture and handicrafts. The overexploitation has led to its depletion in the wild, affecting worldwide rosewood trade. Accordingly, the genus Dalbergia was listed under Appendix I & II of CITES to regulate trade and Indian rosewood species has been classified as threatened in IUCN Red List. D. latifolia (Indian rosewood) grows naturally scattered in tropical monsoon forests throughout the Indian Peninsula. CITES listing enforces logging and export bans and any trade involving the species within or out of the country is hence illegal. Even though a legislation is in place, adequate protection warrants robust techniques to identify origin and identity of the illegally traded species. Recently, scientific methods such as chemical and genetic methods with huge forensic potential have been incorporated in UNODC forensic guidelines and provide foolproof evidence to law enforcement authorities to combat illegal logging and trade. So far, no research has been undertaken in the most illegally traded Indian rosewood to understand diverse genepool and to develop forensic molecular tools. The present proposal aims to carry out the following objectives 1) to carry out population survey, dynamics and bioclimatic species modelling of Indian rosewood populations 2) whole genome sequencing for the first time to develop genome-wide SSRs, cross species transferability and forensic validation 3) development and validation of FTIR spectroscopy to combat illegal trade 4) conservation and resource augmentation in degraded habitats. The project hypothesizes • Genome wide DNA markers and FTIR spectrum with forensic potential can provide foolproof evidence to combat illegal logging • Genetically rich genotypes can offer wide genepool for conservation and resource augmentation The experimental procedures include population survey, dynamics, density, recruitment pattern, diversity indices, niche modelling in Indian rosewood. Draft whole genome sequencing of D. latifolia and genome-wide SSRs for genetic diversity and forensic validation. FTIR spectral analysis include composition analysis of wood fiber and FTIR spectra of wood samples by direct transmittance under Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR). A reference database of genome-wide SSRs and FTIR spectral fingerprints would be made available in Indian rosewood species for forensic applications. Superior rosewood genotypes would be used for restoration in favourable microniches of degraded landscapes. The significance includes identification of diverse genotypes and genetic hotspots for in situ/ ex situ conservation, reference database on genome-wide SSRs and FTIR spectra for timber forensics to combat illegal logging and restoration of threatened Indian rosewood resources in the country.