A.R. Uthappa

Plant Biodiversity of Ravine Ecosystem: Opening New Vistas for Enhancing Productivity

Ravines are the worst form of land degradation and characterized by edaphic, topographic, and climatic adversities. Due to unregulated and overexploitation, the forest areas under ravines are facing severe threats of losing biodiversity. Biodiversity of an area determines the health of the ecosystem. The degraded ravine ecosystem also harbors rich diversity and provides fuelwood, fodder, medicines, and small timber to the local dwellers. The biodiversity also supports various kinds of ecosystem services. The unscientific management of ravines has escalated the problems. This chapter is an attempt to document the plant diversity of the ravines and to rehabilitate these ecosystems using agroforestry and soil and water conservation measures. An integrated approach is required for scientific management of ravines which will pave the way toward sustaining ravine ecosystem and livelihood of the people.