Ecology of the swampy relic forests of Kathalekan from central Western Ghats, India

Chandran, MDS and Rao, GR and Gururaja, KV and Ramachandra, TV (2010) Ecology of the swampy relic forests of Kathalekan from central Western Ghats, India. In: Bioremediation, Biodiversity and Bioavailability, 4 (1). pp. 54-68.

PDF BBB_Myristica_swamp_2010.pdf - Published Version Restricted to Repository staff only Download (1MB) | Request a copy

Abstract

Introduction of agriculture three millennia ago in Peninsular India’s Western Ghats altered substantially ancient tropical forests. Early agricultural communities, nevertheless, strived to attain symbiotic harmony with nature as evident from prevalence of numerous sacred groves, patches of primeval forests sheltering biodiversity and hydrology. Groves enhanced heterogeneity of landscapes involving elements of successional forests and savannas favouring rich wildlife. A 2.25 km2 area of relic forest was studied at Kathalekan in Central Western Ghats. Interspersed with streams studded with Myristica swamps and blended sparingly with shifting cultivation fallows, Kathalekan is a prominent northernmost relic of southern Western Ghat vegetation. Trees like Syzygium travancoricum (Critically Endangered), Myristica magnifica (Endangered) and Gymnacranthera canarica (Vulnerable) and recently reported Semecarpus kathalekanensis, are exclusive to stream/swamp forest (SSF). SSF and non-stream/swamp forest (NSSF) were studied using 18 transects covering 3.6 ha. Dipterocarpaceae, its members seldom transgressing tropical rain forests, dominate SSF (21% of trees) and NSSF (27%). The ancient Myristicaceae ranks high in tree population (19% in SSF and 8% in NSSF). Shannon-Weiner diversity for trees is higher (>3) in six NSSF transects compared to SSF (<3). Higher tree endemism (45%), total endemic tree population (71%) and significantly higher above ground biomass (349 t/ha) cum carbon sequestration potential (131 t/ha) characterizes SSF. Faunal richness is evident from amphibians (35 species - 26 endemics, 11 in IUCN Red List). This study emphasizes the need for bringing to light more of relic forests for their biodiversity, carbon sequestration and hydrology. The lives of marginal farmers and forest tribes can be uplifted through partnership in carbon credits, by involving them in mitigating global climatic change through conservation and restoration of high biomass watershed forests.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	Bioremediation, Biodiversity and Bioavailability
Publisher:	Global Science Books
Keywords:	biodiversity hot spots, carbon credit, carbon sequestration, conservation, hydrology, Myristica swamps, Uttara Kannada
Department/Centre:	Division of Biological Sciences > Centre for Ecological Sciences
Date Deposited:	07 Sep 2010 05:50
Last Modified:	19 Sep 2010 06:16
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/32063

Actions (login required)

View Item