Research Focus

Biodiversity Conservation, Functional Ecology and Climate Change Studies

Achievements / Awards

Awarded Dr. D.S. Kothari Post-Doctoral Fellowship by University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi, India in 2008.

Major Publications

Selected Publications:

Rathore, N., Thakur, D., Kumar, D., Chawla, A.* and Kumar, S. 2021. Time-series eco-metabolomics reveals extensive reshuffling in metabolome during transition from cold acclimation to de-acclimation in an alpine shrub. Physiologia plantarum (Manuscript Accepted).

Singh, L., Thakur, D., Sharma, M.K. and Chawla, A*. 2021. Dynamics of leaf litter decomposition in the timberline zone of western Himalaya. Acta Oecologica, 111 (2021) 103715. DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2021.103715

Thakur, D., Rathore, N., Sharma, M.K., Parkash, O. and Chawla, A.* 2021. Identification of ecological factors affecting the occurrence and abundance of Dactylorhiza hatagirea (D.Don) Soo in the Himalaya. Journal of Applied Research on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. 20 (2021) 100286. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jarmap.2020.100286 

Chawla, A., Kumar, A., Warghat, A., Singh, S., Bhushan, S., Sharma, R.K., Bhattacharya, A. and Kumar, S.*2020. Approaches for Conservation and Improvement of Himalayan Plant Genetic Resources. In: Tuteja, N., Tuteja, R., Passricha, N. and Saifi, S. (Eds.). Advancement in Crop Improvement Techniques. Woodhead Publishing, Elsevier Inc. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-818581-0.00018-8 

Thakur, D., Singh, L. and Chawla, A.* 2020. Reliability of leaf functional traits after delayed measurements. Australian Journal of Botany. https://doi.org10.1071/BT19166 

Thakur, D. and Chawla, A.* 2019. Functional diversity along elevational gradients in the high altitude vegetation of the western Himalaya. Biodiversity and conservation, 28:1977–1996. http://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-019-01728-5  

Thakur, D., Rathore, N. and Chawla, A.* 2019. Increase in light interception cost and metabolic mass component of leaves are coupled for efficient resource use in the high altitude vegetation. Oikos 128: 254–263. http://doi.org/10.1111/oik.05538 

Dhiman, N., Sharma, N.K., Thapa, P., Sharma, I., Swarnkar, M.K., Chawla, A., Shankar*, R. and Bhattacharya*, A. 2019. De novo transcriptome provides insights into the growth behaviour and resveratrol and trans-stilbenes biosynthesis in Dactylorhiza hatagirea - An endangered alpine terrestrial orchid of western Himalaya. Scientific Reports, 9:13133. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-49446-w 

Rathore, N., Thakur, D. and Chawla, A.* 2018. Seasonal variations coupled with elevation gradient drives significant changes in eco-physiological and biogeochemical traits of a high altitude evergreen broadleaf shrub, Rhododendron anthopogon. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry 132:708-719. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2018.08.009 

Thakur, D., Rathore, N., Sharma, M.K. and Chawla, A.* 2018. Enhanced reproductive success revealed key strategy for persistence of devastated populations in Himalayan food deceptive orchid, Dactylorhiza hatagirea. Plant Species Biology, 33:191-202 http://doi.org/10.1111/1442-1984.12205 

Kumar, V., Sharma, A., Dhunna, G., Chawla, A., Bhardwaj, R. and Thukral, A.K.* 2016. A tabulated review on distribution of heavy metals in various plants. Environ Sci Pollut Res 24(3):2210-2260. http://10.1007/s11356-016-7747-1. 

Kumar, V., Sharma, A., Chawla, A., Bhardwaj, R. and Thukral, A.K.* 2016. Water quality assessment of river Beas, India, using multivariate and remote sensing techniques. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 188:137. http://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-016-5141-6 

Kumar, A.*, Singh, K.N., Lal, B., Chawla, A., Uniyal, S.K., Kaushal, R., Singh, R.D. and Ahuja, P.S. 2013. Regeneration Pattern of Tree Species in Forested Landscapes of Himachal Pradesh, Western Himalayan Region, India. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., India, Sect. B Biol. Sci. http://doi.org/10.1007/s40011-013-0264-9 

Kumar, A.*, Lal, B., Rajkumar, S., Chawla, A. and Kaushal, R. 2013. Landscape Mapping and Tree Diversity Assessment of Pangi Valley: A Remote Tribal Area of Himachal Pradesh in Western Himalaya, India. International Journal of conservation Science. 4(4): 503-508.

Kumari, A., Sangta, R.* and Chawla, A. 2013 Diversity, Distribution Pattern and Threat Status of Pteridophytic Flora in Shikari Devi Wild Life Sanctuary, Himachal Pradesh, India. Journal of Biodiversity Management & Forestry, 2:4. doi: 10.4172/2327-4417.1000115

Ahuja, P.S.* and Chawla, A. 2013. Research Needs for Technological Preparedness. In: Chopra, V.L. (Ed.) Climate Change and its Ecological Implications for the Western Himalaya. Scientific Publishers, Jodhpur, India, Pp.406.

Chopra, V.L.*, Chandershekharan, I. and Chawla, A. 2013. Policy Considerations. In: Chopra, V.L. (Ed.) Climate Change and its Ecological Implications for the Western Himalaya. Scientific Publishers, Jodhpur, India, Pp.406.

Chawla, A.*, Yadav, P.K., Uniyal, S.K., Kumar, A., Vats, S.K., Kumar, S. and Ahuja, P.S. 2012. Long-term ecological and biodiversity monitoring in the western Himalaya using satellite remote sensing. Current Science 102(8):1143-1156.

Chawla, A.*, Parkash, O., Sharma, V., Rajkumar, S., Lal, B., Gopichand, Singh, R.D. and Thukral, A.K. 2012. Vascular plants, Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh, India. Checklist 8(3):321-348.

Chawla, A.*, Kumar, A., Lal, B., Singh, R.D. and Thukral, A.K. 2012. Ecological characterization of high altitude Himalayan landscapes in the upper Satluj river watershed in Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh, India. Journal of Indian Society of Remote Sensing, 40(3):519–539, DOI10.1007/s12524-011-0169-0.

Kumar, A.*, Chawla, A., Rajkumar, S. 2011. Characterization of Solang valley watershed in western Himalaya for bioresource conservation using remote sensing techniques. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 179:469–478, DOI 10.1007/s10661-010-1749-0.

Chawla, A.*, Kumar, A., Rajkumar, S., Singh, R.D., Thukral, A.K. and Ahuja, P.S. 2010. Correlation of multispectral satellite data with plant species diversity vis-à-vis soil characteristics in a landscape of western Himalayan region, India. Applied Remote Sensing Journal, 1(1): 1-13.

Kumar, A.*, Meenakshi, Uniyal, S.K., Lal, B., Chawla, A., Rajkumar, S. and Ahuja, P.S. 2010. HimFlorIS – an information system for flora in Himachal Pradesh, India. Current Science, 99(1): 98-101.

Mabwoga, S.O.*, Chawla, A., Thukral, A.K. 2010. Assessment of water quality parameters of the Harike wetland in India, a Ramsar site, using IRS LISS IV satellite data. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 170:117-128. DOI: 10.1007/s10661-009-1220-2.

Chawla, A.*, Rajkumar, S., Singh, K.N., Lal, B., Singh, R.D. and Thukral, A.K. 2008.  Plant species diversity along an altitudinal gradient of Bhabha valley in western Himalaya. Journal of Mountain Science, 5(2): 157-177.

Lal,B., Chawla, A., Singh,K.N. and Rajkumar,S. 2006. Ecology and ethnobotany of Herniaria incana Lam. - a lesser            known taxon from Himachal Pradesh. Indian Journal of Forestry, 29(2): 187-189.

Patents

N.A.

Research Group

Ph.D. Students:

Nikita Rathore

Lakhbeer Singh

Nandita Mehta

Manish Sharma

Elennie Hopak

Bittu Ram

Anupam Bhatt