25Mar 2017

THE EFFECT OF FRAGMENTATION IN VEGETATIVE AND ECOLOGICAL DYNAMISM OF MYRISTICA SWAMP ? A FRAGILE FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEM OF WESTERN GHATS.

  • Plant Systematics and Evolutionary Science Division, Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute, Karimancode P.O., Palode, Thiruvananthapuram- 695 562, Kerala, India.
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A vast area of Western Ghats, coming under different forest types, are degraded and are threatened with ecological deprivation and biodiversity loss. Deforestation for urbanization, fragmentation due to developmental activities, over exploitation to meet the increased demand are the main anthropogenic threats. The freshwater swamps of Western Ghats dominated by the Myristicaceae members too face this loss of character. These ecosystems have unique biodiversity, bio wealth ecological functioning and supporting edaphic factors. Historically the natural landscape of Kerala is well represented by freshwater swamps and marshy lands which create a positive water regime and provide protection for unique flora and fauna. The high population density and high demand on space and livelihood of the state lead to the depletion or alteration of this natural landscape. In advanced stages, this leads to the fragmentation and isolation of the unique ecosystem. These changes in the ecological and edaphological characteristics will deprive these unique flora and fauna of the marshy condition to which it is adapted. The existing fragments of the freshwater swamp create a series of remnant patches, relic vegetation, surrounded by a matrix of different vegetation and by altered land use. Since Myristica swamps have been edaphically created with free flowing water stream, fragmentation initially results in the modification of velocity of water flow and changes in the silting or free flow of running water. The present investigation discusses the current distribution of swamps and its conservation status, ecological function and vegetational succession, by highlighting the effects of fragmentation and isolation of vegetation.

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[T.S. Vilas, C.S. Gokul and M. Rajendraprasad. (2017); THE EFFECT OF FRAGMENTATION IN VEGETATIVE AND ECOLOGICAL DYNAMISM OF MYRISTICA SWAMP ? A FRAGILE FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEM OF WESTERN GHATS. Int. J. of Adv. Res. 5 (Mar). 558-568] (ISSN 2320-5407). www.journalijar.com

M. Rajendraprasad
Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute, Karimancode P.O., Palode, Thiruvananthapuram- 695 562, Kerala, India

DOI:

Article DOI: 10.21474/IJAR01/3545      
DOI URL: https://dx.doi.org/10.21474/IJAR01/3545

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