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Radiocarbon Analysis of the Indian Banyan (Ficus benghalensis L.) At Narora


Affiliations
1 Babeş-Bolyai University, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, 11 Arany Janos, RO-400028, Cluj-Napoca, Romania., Romania
2 Botanical Survey of India, Central Regional Centre, 10 Chatham Lines, Prayagraj 211 002, India., India
3 Babeş-Bolyai University, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, 11 Arany Janos, RO-400028, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Babeş-Bolyai University, Raluca Ripan Institute for Research in Chemistry, 30 Fantanele, RO-400294 Cluj-Napoca, Romania., Romania
4 iThemba LABS, Private Bag 11, WITS 2050, Johannesburg, South Africa., South Africa
 

This article describes the radiocarbon analysis of the large Indian banyan (Ficus benghalensis) at Narora, Uttar Pradesh (UP). It was discovered during floristic surveys in the Upper Ganga Ramsar site in UP and ranks as the tenth largest banyan tree in the world with its 4069 sq. m crown spread. The tree has a unique architecture, with just four prop roots supporting the main stem. The oldest sample was found to be 346 ± 40 years bp, which corresponds to a calibrated age of 430 ± 35 cal years. The radiocarbon dating results indicate an age of 450 ± 50 years for the Indian banyan at Narora. This age represents the oldest accurate dating result for the species. Several protection measures are included to ensure the long-term survival of this archaic tree.

Keywords

Age Determination, Ams Radiocarbon Dating, Ficus benghalensis, Tree Conservation, Upper Ganga Ramsar Site.
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  • Radiocarbon Analysis of the Indian Banyan (Ficus benghalensis L.) At Narora

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Authors

Roxana T. Patrut
Babeş-Bolyai University, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, 11 Arany Janos, RO-400028, Cluj-Napoca, Romania., Romania
Arti Garg
Botanical Survey of India, Central Regional Centre, 10 Chatham Lines, Prayagraj 211 002, India., India
Adrian Patrut
Babeş-Bolyai University, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, 11 Arany Janos, RO-400028, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Babeş-Bolyai University, Raluca Ripan Institute for Research in Chemistry, 30 Fantanele, RO-400294 Cluj-Napoca, Romania., Romania
Stephan Woodborne
iThemba LABS, Private Bag 11, WITS 2050, Johannesburg, South Africa., South Africa
Laszlo Rakosy
Babeş-Bolyai University, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, 11 Arany Janos, RO-400028, Cluj-Napoca, Romania., Romania
Ileana-Andreea Ratiu
Babeş-Bolyai University, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, 11 Arany Janos, RO-400028, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Babeş-Bolyai University, Raluca Ripan Institute for Research in Chemistry, 30 Fantanele, RO-400294 Cluj-Napoca, Romania., Romania

Abstract


This article describes the radiocarbon analysis of the large Indian banyan (Ficus benghalensis) at Narora, Uttar Pradesh (UP). It was discovered during floristic surveys in the Upper Ganga Ramsar site in UP and ranks as the tenth largest banyan tree in the world with its 4069 sq. m crown spread. The tree has a unique architecture, with just four prop roots supporting the main stem. The oldest sample was found to be 346 ± 40 years bp, which corresponds to a calibrated age of 430 ± 35 cal years. The radiocarbon dating results indicate an age of 450 ± 50 years for the Indian banyan at Narora. This age represents the oldest accurate dating result for the species. Several protection measures are included to ensure the long-term survival of this archaic tree.

Keywords


Age Determination, Ams Radiocarbon Dating, Ficus benghalensis, Tree Conservation, Upper Ganga Ramsar Site.

References





DOI: https://doi.org/10.18520/cs%2Fv124%2Fi10%2F1175-1180