Ecology and Conservation of Diospyros crumenata (Ebenaceae), a Critically Endangered Tree of the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot

Diospyros crumenata is an IUCN- critically endangered tree species that belongs to the Ebenaceae family and is found in the Western Ghats region. There is limited information about this tree in floristic literature and herbaria, so we conducted extensive forest trips to the Western Ghats to locate its population and study its ecology. Unfortunately, this threatened tree is facing severe threats in its natural habitats. We aimed to understand this species' ecological, reproductive, and genetic constraints in its natural habitat. Unfortunately, this tree is facing severe threats in its natural habitats, and there is the possibility of the species becoming extinct in the near future. Immediate conservation measures such as restoration are needed to prevent the extinction of this species. The fruits produced by this tree are edible and mainly consumed by wildlife and indigenous people. The lion-tailed macaque, Macaca silenus, which is also endangered and endemic to the Western Ghats, depends on this fruit as its food source. Preliminary studies indicate this fruit has higher nutritive value than other commonly cultivated fruits.