scholarly journals A Scientific study of Forests of the Western Ghats

2021 ◽  
pp. 52-64
Author(s):  
Geethanjali T.M.
Keyword(s):  
Western Ghats ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Hot Spot ◽  
Scientific Study ◽  
World Heritage Site ◽  
Mountain Range ◽  
Indian States ◽  
Deccan Plateau ◽  
The Western Ghats

The Western Ghats in India’s Deccan Plateau has been recognized as one of the eight “hottest hot-spots” of biological diversity in the world. UNESCO has identified this region as a World Heritage Site. In Maharashtra, this mountain range is known as ‘Sahyadri’, ‘Dang forests’ in Gujarat, ‘Nilgiris’ in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, and ‘Malnad’ in Karnataka. It stretches across the six Indian states of Gujrat, Maharashtra, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and two union territories including Daman and Diu and Pondicherry. These hills begin near the border of Gujarat and Maharashtra, south of the Tapti river, and end at Kanyakumari, at the southern tip of India, covering an incredible 1,60,000 sq.km. In the 18th and 19th centuries, most of the people who classified the flora of these regions are hobbyists. Very few British Officers who conduct survey of this landscape release their books. A complete scientific study of this biodiversity hot-spot is yet to be undertaken. Until now, only a handful of scientists have undertaken a study of the Western Ghats. So, this present article expains a brief scientific study of the forests of the Western Ghats.

scholarly journals SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF TRIBAL SETTLEMENTS IN THE WESTERN GHATS

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 178-191
Author(s):  
Basavarajaiah D.M ◽  
◽  
Narasimhamurthy B. ◽  
Ganesh Prasad T.S ◽  
Jaya Naik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Western Ghats ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
World Heritage Site ◽  
Mountain Range ◽  
Western Coast ◽  
Amphibian Species ◽  
Illegal Mining ◽  
Tribal Area ◽  
The Western Ghats

The Western Ghats, also known as Sahyadri is a mountain range that covers an area of 140,000 square km parallel to the Western coast of the Indian Peninsula .It traverses the states of Kerala , Tamilnadu , Karnataka ,Goa ,Maharashtra, and Gujarat. It is a UNESCO world heritage site and is one of the eight hottest hot spots of biological diversity in the world. It covers 5000 species of flowering plants ,139 mammals species ,508 birds species, and 179 amphibian species ,many discovered species live in the Western Ghats . At least 325 globally threatened species occur in this region. The region glitches many anthropogenic intervention like illegal mining, the establishment of human settlement and deforestation etc. From a Historical view, the Western Ghats is the home for tribes > 50 types of tribes are living in the Western Ghats from the anecdotal period. The majority of the tribal are largely dependent on forests for their livelihood. After the implementation of the forest policy , the tribal livelihood status really worsened in the Western Ghats , they are unable to meet the daily requirement of recommended food intake >2500 Kcl. After post-independence (73years ) of India many development programs are implemented in the tribal area for improvement of livelihood status , but as of calendar date they are facing many problems like economic instability , lack of literacy , lower level of quality of life and not politically empowered . In this context , in the interest of policy implication at the tribal area , the present study was undertaken to study the socioeconomic status and spatial distribution of tribal in the Western Ghats. This study practically helps the policymakers , planners of the policy, and researcher scholars to extrapolate the tribal settlement through the geo-spacing tag of tribal , socio-economic level, Knowledge and attitude of Conservation of Western Ghats at the population level .

scholarly journals Freshwater fish fauna of rivers of the southern Western Ghats, India

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 1735-1752 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anbu Aravazhi Arunkumar ◽  
Arunachalam Manimekalan
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Freshwater Fish ◽  
Western Ghats ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Fish Fauna ◽  
World Heritage Site ◽  
Freshwater Fish Fauna ◽  
Western Ghats Of India ◽  
Southern Western Ghats ◽  
The Western Ghats

Abstract. The Western Ghats of India is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the eight “hotspots” of biological diversity in the world. It is also referred to as the “Great Escarpment of India”. This paper provides information on the diversity of freshwater fish fauna of six river systems of the southern Western Ghats. The study area has been identified geographically using a GPS, and the respective topographic map has been digitized using ArcGIS software. The fish fauna were collected from various streams and rivers using cast nets, dip nets, gill nets and drag nets. Among the 31 georeferenced sites sampled from the rivers of the southern Western Ghats, a total of 64 species, belonging to 6 orders, 14 families and 31 genera, were recorded. Among them, the order Cypriniformes was dominant, with 3 families, 18 genera and 49 species (76.6 %). Principal component analysis and cluster analysis were performed to express the contribution of the variables and their influence on the species diversity. Interestingly, of the 31 sites, Thunakadavu stream, Gulithuraipatti, Athirapally, Naduthotam, Nadathittu, Mullaithodu, Thonanthikla, Noolpuzha and Sinnaru exhibited high variation in species diversity. Nearly 15 species were found to be threatened in the Western Ghats. Garra periyarensis and Cirrhinus cirrhosus are known to be vulnerable and Hemibagrus punctatus is critically endangered because of various anthropogenic activities. The study clearly indicates that certain timely measures have to be taken immediately to protect the fish fauna in the southern Western Ghats (https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.882214).

Recurrent landslides in Southern Western Ghats, India: A changing environmental perspective

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asokan Laila Achu ◽  
Girish Gopinath
Keyword(s):  
Western Ghats ◽  
Hot Spot ◽  
Extreme Rainfall ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Monsoon Period ◽  
Extreme Rainfall Events ◽  
South West ◽  
South West Monsoon ◽  
West Monsoon ◽  
The Western Ghats

<p>The Western Ghats (WG), an elevated passive continental margin along the southwestern coast of India, is the most widely populated biodiversity hot spot in the world. Monsoon climate is prevalent throughout the length of the Western Ghats. The WG region is prone to the occurrence of various hydro-climatic disasters such as extreme rainfall-driven floods and landslides. During the past 100 years, landslides and floods caused by extreme rainfall events in the WG have occurred in 1924 and 1979; but the most disastrous event, in terms of area of impact, loss of life and economic impact, occurred in August 2018. Generally, the south-west monsoon (Indian summer monsoon) occurs in the first week of June and extends up to September and the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted above-normal rainfall of 13% during the month of August 2018. But the State received an excess of 96% during the period from 1st to 30th August 2018, and 33% during the entire monsoon period till the end of August. The unprecedented heavy rains, storms, floods and associated thousands of landslides have caused exorbitant losses including 400 life losses, over 2.20 lakh people were displaced, and 20000 homes and 80 dams were damaged or destructed. This study aimed to elucidate the reasons behind the thousands of landslides caused in WG using observed and field evidences. Changes in south-west monsoon pattern and rainfall intensity played a vital role in the occurrence of landslides in WG. Further, the extensive causalities are the result of anthropogenic disturbances including landscape alterations and improper landuse practices in the hilly tracks of WG. The major causative factors for series of landslides in various segments of WG is due to hindrance of lower order streams/springs, vertical cutting, intensive quarrying, unscientific rain pits & man-made structures together with erratic rainfall triggered major and minor landslides in various segments of WG. The present investigation concludes that a scientific landuse policy and geoscientific awareness is essential to mitigate the environment.</p>

scholarly journals Distribution and habitat associations of the Critically Endangered frog Walkerana phrynoderma (Anura: Ranixalidae), with an assessment of potential threats, abundance, and morphology

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 21
Author(s):  
Arun Kanagavel ◽  
Sethu Parvathy ◽  
Abhiijth P. Chundakatil ◽  
Neelesh Dahanukar ◽  
Benjamin Tapley
Keyword(s):  
Western Ghats ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Habitat Associations ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Time Activity ◽  
Western Ghats Of India ◽  
Pesticide Runoff ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Western Ghats

Distribution and habitat associations of the Critically Endangered frog Walkerana phrynoderma (Anura: Ranixalidae), with an assessment of potential threats, abundance, and morphology. Little is known about Walkerana phrynoderma, a frog endemic to the Anamalai Hills of the Western Ghats of India. Baseline information (i.e., distribution, threats, habitat characteristics, activity patterns, and relative abundance) is provided for this species, with the aim of improving our understanding of the status of the species in the wild. Visual-encounter, transect, and time-activity budget surveys were conducted in and around the Anamalai Hills of the Western Ghats. The frog skin was swabbed to determine the presence/absence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, and habitat and environmental characteristics were recorded at sites where W. phrynoderma was found. These data were compared with those of sites apparently lacking this species that had suitable habitat. Walkerana phrynoderma is restricted to evergreen forests between 1300 and 1700 m a.s.l. in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve and at Munnar; thus, its range was extended from the state of Tamil Nadu to the adjoining state of Kerala. Pesticide runoff and human disturbance are the most severe threats to the species; B. dendrobatidis was not detected. This nocturnal anuran prefers forest edges and is associated with well-shaded forest foors in cool areas near freshwater streams. Walkerana phrynoderma is rarely encountered whereas its congener, W. leptodactyla, is more common. The impact of anthropogenic disturbances, especially waste disposal and development of tourism infrastructure, should be evaluated. The land that is owned by the Forest Department peripheral to the protected areas could be designated as eco-sensitive sites to prevent changes in land use that could have an adverse effect on W. phrynoderma.

scholarly journals PHYTOSOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF THE MEDICINAL PLANT SPECIES, THALICTRUM JAVANICUM BLUME IN THOTTABETTA, NILGIRIS, THE WESTERN GHATS

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-62
Author(s):  
Abinaya G ◽  
Paulsamy S
Keyword(s):  
Western Ghats ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Degree Of Dominance ◽  
The Family ◽  
Qualitative Characters ◽  
The Nilgiris ◽  
The Western Ghats ◽  
Study Species ◽  
Phytosociological Study

Phytosociological study is the most essential in any community to know its structure and organization. The various qualitative characters obtained are used to determine the level of distribution, numerical strength and degree of dominance exhibited by the constituent species in the community. Thalictrum javanicum belongs to the family Ranunculaceae family, it is medium sized erect herb, found in the temperate Himalayas from Kasmir to Sikkim in Khasi hills, and Kodaikanal and Nilgiri hills of Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu, India. At global level, it is generally distributed in the hilly tracts of India, Srilanka, China and Java at the altitude of around 2400 m above msl. The present study was undertaken in Thottabetta , the Nilgiris by sampling using belt transects of 10x1000m size which further divided into 100 segments each which 10x10m size. The total number of species encountered in the study area is 45 which includes 5 grasses and 40 forbs. The quantitative ecological characters of the study species, T. javanicum is a detailed below: frequency 11%, abundance 3.82 individuals/m2, density 0.42 individuals/m2, basal cover 172.20/mm2/ m2, relative frequency 0.55% and relative density 0.08%, relative dominance 0.16%. Based on the ecological attributes it is determined that the species, T. javanicum is less perpetuated in the community studied. Hence, further studies on the determination of propagation strategies for population enhancement and conservationof wilds are suggested.

scholarly journals Functional screening of β-Glucanase Producing Actinomycetes Strains from Western Ghats ecosystems of Kerala, India

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lekshmi K. Edison ◽  
N. S. Pradeep
Keyword(s):  
Western Ghats ◽  
High Throughput Screening ◽  
Hot Spot ◽  
Functional Screening ◽  
Soil Biodiversity ◽  
Beta Glucanase ◽  
Screening Programs ◽  
Soil Actinomycetes ◽  
Ecological Habitats ◽  
The Western Ghats

AbstractScreening of potential soil actinomycetes is static at infant phase because less than one part of soil biodiversity has been explored. An important factor considered before isolating microorganisms with potential application is understanding the biodiversity and environmental features associated with growth. Search of distinctive enzymes from unusual ecological habitats are highly fascinating and have great opportunities that may also pointed the developments in high throughput screening programs. In the present study Western Ghats hot spot regions of Kerala has been explored for the actinomycetes strains with beta glucanase activity. A total of 127 actinomycetes strains were isolated. After qualitative primary screening 106 strains (83%) produced exo-β-1,4-glucanase enzyme and 79 strains (62%) produced endo-β-1,3-glucanase enzyme. The quantitative secondary screening confirmed the strains TBG-MR17 and TBG-AL13 recognised as respective dominant producers of exo-β-1,4-glucanase and endo-β-1,3-glucanase enzymes. The study reveals the richness of the Western Ghats soils with innumerable actinomycetes having potential β-glucanase activities.

scholarly journals Validation of the name Osbeckia tirunelvelica (Melastomataceae)

Phytotaxa ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 231 (3) ◽  
pp. 300
Author(s):  
RAMALINGAM KOTTAIMUTHU ◽  
GUNADAYALAN GNANASEKARAN
Keyword(s):  
Western Ghats ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Critical Studies ◽  
Tiger Reserve ◽  
The Western Ghats

During the taxonomic revision of the genus Osbeckia Linnaeus (1753: 345) from the Western Ghats, India, we came across few interesting specimens from the Manjolai hills in Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR), Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu. Critical studies with relevant literature revealed the identity of the collected specimens as Osbeckia tirunelvelica Manickam & Murugan (2001: 626). Unfortunately the name Osbeckia tirunelvelica was not validly published by Manickam & Murugan (2001), because, contrary to Art. 40 of ICN (McNeill et al. 2012), two collections were indicated as “type”. Therefore, the name Osbeckia tirunelvelica is validated here by indicating a single collection as the holotype.

Impatiens megamalayana, a new species of Impatiens from the Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu, India

Phytotaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 302 (2) ◽  
pp. 193 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. RAMASUBBU ◽  
C. DIVYA ◽  
N. SASI KALA ◽  
ANJANA SURENDRAN ◽  
A.K. SREEKALA
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Western Ghats ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Floral Structure ◽  
Effective Strategies ◽  
The Western Ghats ◽  
A New Species

Impatiens megamalayana, a new species from Tamil Nadu, India is described and illustrated. This species is characterized by a ridged stem, ensiform and villous leaves, a wrinkled boat-shaped lower sepal with outwardly curved tip, ornamented seeds and strictly ovate pollen grains. This combination of characters makes determining the relationships of I. megamalayana difficult. The floral structure of I. megamalayana is closely allied to I. herbicola Hook.f. and I. inconspicua Benth. in Wall., the latter with three varieties, but it differs by several unique vegetative and floral features. Impatiens megamalayana is assessed as Critically Endangered in accordance with the IUCN guidelines. The habitat of the species is severely affected by landslides. As a result, effective strategies should be developed to protect I. megamalayana from exinction.

Impatiens ramasubbuana, a new name for Impatiens palniensis Ramasubbu (Balsaminaceae)

Phytotaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 500 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-54
Author(s):  
RAMALINGAM KOTTAIMUTHU ◽  
PERUMAL MURUGAN ◽  
JOHN KENNEDY JOHN PRAVEEN KUMAR ◽  
MUTHURAMALINGAM JOTHI BASU
Keyword(s):  
Western Ghats ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Eastern Himalayas ◽  
New Name ◽  
Recent Estimate ◽  
The Western Ghats

The genus Impatiens Linnaeus (1753: 937) contains a wealth of untapped treasures for gardeners and it is one of the mega diverse genera of angiosperms comprise about 1059 species (POWO 2020). According to the recent estimate, India is known to have 250 species and majority of them occur in Eastern Himalayas (Gogoi et al. 2018) and the Western Ghats (Bhaskar 2012). Tamil Nadu is one of the plant-rich states in the country and with 5674 angiosperm taxa, it ranks first among all the states in the country (Lakshminarasimhan et al. 2014).

A new species of rock-dwelling Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Tamil Nadu, southern India

Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4571 (3) ◽  
pp. 383
Author(s):  
AKSHAY KHANDEKAR
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Endemic Species ◽  
Western Ghats ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Southern India ◽  
Peninsular India ◽  
Tamil Nadu State ◽  
The Rich ◽  
The Western Ghats ◽  
A New Species

A new species of the gekkonid genus Cnemaspis is described based on a series of nine specimens from near Sankari in Salem district, Tamil Nadu state, southern India. The new species is diagnosable by the following suite of characters: a small-sized Cnemaspis (adult snout to vent length less than 33 mm); heterogeneous dorsal pholidosis consisting of weakly keeled granular scales intermixed with large strongly keeled, conical tubercles, 9–11 rows of dorsal tubercles, 12–17 tubercles in paravertebral rows; spine-like scales absent on flank, 17–20 lamellae under digit IV of pes. Males with 4–6 femoral pores on each thigh, separated on either side by eight poreless scales from four precloacal pores; precloacal pores separated medially by a single poreless scale; two single dorsal ocelli on occiput and between forelimb insertions, two pairs of ocelli on either side just anterior and posterior to forelimb insertions. Cnemaspis agarwali sp. nov. is the fifth endemic species of Cnemaspis from peninsular India outside the Western Ghats and highlights the rich and unique diversity of this understudied region. 

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document