Trees of Sand Dune Ecosystems: Their Food, Medicinal, Economic, Sociocultural, and Ecological Significance

Kadambini Das; Saraswati Majhi; Chavan Radheshyam Thavara; Ilarani Pradhan; Jyoti Chauhan; Sanjeet Kumar

doi:10.36808/if/2026/v152i5/171031

Trees of Sand Dune Ecosystems: Their Food, Medicinal, Economic, Sociocultural, and Ecological Significance

Authors

Kadambini Das University Department of Botany, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University, Muzaffarpur, Bihar
Saraswati Majhi Department of Botany, Shailabala Women's Autonomous College, Cuttack, Odisha
Chavan Radheshyam Thavara Department of Botany, Toshniwal Arts Commerce and Science College, Sengaon, Maharashtra
Ilarani Pradhan Department of Botany, GIET University, Gunupur, Rayagada, Odisha
Jyoti Chauhan Department of Botany, Institute of Integrated and Honors Studies, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, Haryana
Sanjeet Kumar Biodiversity and Conservation Lab., Ambika Prasad Research Foundation, Odisha

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36808/if/2026/v152i5/171031

Keywords:

Sand dunes, Dune trees, Ethnobotany, Ecological stabilization, Medicinal plants, Sociocultural value, India.

Abstract

Sand dunes are fragile yet ecologically important ecosystems that protect coastlines, deserts, and river margins from erosion and degradation. Present study documented tree species associated with sand dunes in India through field survey in Odisha, Kerala, West Bengal, and Andhra Pradesh during 2018-2024, identifying 74 different species and highlighting their significance. The findings showed that these trees are essential not only for the stabilization of dunes and provision of ecosystem services but also for providing food, fodder, medicines, timber, fuel, gums, oils, and other culturally significant resources. Examining the enumerated tree species, their ecological interactions, and their contributions to local economies and traditional medicine highlights the significance of enumerated tree species in sand dune areas. Through the integration of ecological and socioeconomic perspectives, present study advocates for the urgent conservation and sustainable management of dune vegetation to maintain ecosystem stability and livelihood security.

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