Team KFRI » Scientist Profile

Dr. PA Jose

Principal Scientist
Department of Tree Physiology
Sustainable Forest Management Division
 Phone: 91 - 487 - 2312553
 Mobile: 9495482748
e-mail: pajose@kfri.res.in, pajosekfri@gmail.com
Whatsapp No. 9495482748
[Research Gate] 
Dr. P.A. Jose, Principal Scientist currently Head of Tree Physiology Department of Sustainable Forest Management Division have thirty three years of field/ research experience. He had served 23 years in Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanical Garden and Research Institute, Palode. Specialized in population structure, dynamics and conservation of rare, endemic trees of Western Ghats, Kerala. Extensively experienced in species recovery of endemic and red listed trees of the Western Ghats viz., ecosystem analysis includes associated species, phenology, biotic interactions, climate and soil factors, vegetative and seed propagation, planting stock, development, enrichment planting in situ, post restoration monitoring and evaluation. His current interest covers climate change impact on endemic trees, physiological aspects on viability loss in recalcitrant seeds, ecological restoration of red listed trees, live plant collection and management including medicinal plants. He serves as Resource person on recovery research on red listed plants, Nursery and seed management aspects.

Focused areas: Forest trees/ecosystems and Climate change.
Development of propagation protocols for forestry and medicinal plants.
Restoration of threatened Species/ Ecosystems.
Eco physiology and plant adaptation studies.
Seed physiology of recalcitrant species.

Total number of publications: 70 (Journals, Proceedings, Book Chapter, General Articles etc). The publications covers multi disciplinary research including Taxonomy, Distribution and Ecology, Reproductive biology, Entomology, Vegetative propagation, Seed germination and storage and ornamental Horticultue. In addition, published a book, brochures, training manual and course materials.

Academics and profession:

  • Specialization in Botany under the broad area of research on conservation and management of Red listed trees of Western Ghats.
  • Thirty years field experience in interdisciplinary plant research viz. ex situ and in situ plant conservation, nursery and seed management; ecology, reproductive biology and restoration of endemic and threatened trees of the Western Ghats.
  • Specialized in population structure, dynamics and conservation of rare and endemic trees of Western Ghats.
  • Involved and associated Species recovery research of 25 endemic and RET plants of the Western Ghats.
  • Developed Vegetative/seed propagation protocols for many endemic, threatened plants, including medicinal plants of the Western Ghats.
  • Developed database for RET plants of Southern Western Ghats.
  • Research Guide for PhD. and M.Sc. Dissertation programmes and awarded 15 PG Dissertations in Botany and allied subjects, 4 PhD programmes progress under his guidance.
  • Serves as PI for both Research and Extension projects.
  • Resource person for species Recovery research.
  • His current interests include
    • Population dynamics of Forest trees/ecosystems in the context of Climate change.
    • Ecology of threatened trees.
    • Ecorestoration of degraded natural landscapes and outside forest areas.
    • Development of vegetative and seed propagation protocols for threatened trees and medicinal plants.
    • Restoration of rare tree populations etc.

Other information:

  • Attended three months Internship in Horticulture at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, England.
  • Registered three new ornamental germplasm at NBPGR, New Delhi.
  • Awarded as Young Scientist by the STEC, Govt. of Kerala.
  • Awarded by Indian Association of Angiosperm Taxonomy (IAAT) for best Scientific paper presentations under the Environmental Science& Forestry/ Biodiversity Conservation study areas.