M. D. Subash Chandran

Discovery of Two Critically Endangered Tree Species and Issues Related to Relic Forests of the Western Ghats

Madhuca bourdillonii (Gamble) Lam. and Syzygium travancoricum Gamble, considered almost extinct but later found to be occurring in small numbers in their home range in Western Ghats, south of Palghat Gap, have been now dis- covered in some of the relic primeval evergreen forests of Uttara Kannada, over 700 km north. These relic forests also shelter scores of other rare endemic elements of flora and fauna. These findings highlight the need for making intensive efforts for locating more of such relic forests and documenting their biota. Also, biologists need to restrain from the ten- dencies of considering any novel occurrences of species away from their home ranges as new species, before ruling out the possibilities that these could be the relics of ancient populations or their morphological variants. Presence of relic for- ests does reveal the legacy of erstwhile contiguous forests, which is now fragmented due to rapid land use changes. Con- servationists handling biodiversity hotspots should be able to distinguish between relics of primeval forests and advanced stages of secondary successions. Lack of such understanding will result in imperceptible extinctions of many endemic species.

Ecohydrology of Lotic Systems in Uttara Kannada, Central Western Ghats, India

The Western Ghats is the primary catchment for most of the rivers in peninsular India. Pristine forests in this region are rich in biodiversity but are under environmental stress due to unplanned developmental activities. This has given rise to concerns about land use/land cover changes with the realization that the land processes influence the climate. Rapid and unscientific land-use changes undermine the hydrological conditions, and deteriorate all the components in the hydrological regime. The developmental programs, based on ad-hocdecisions, are posing serious challenges to the conservation of fragile ecosystems. Considerable changes in the structure and composition of land use and land cover in the region have been very obvious during the last four decades. Pressure on land for agriculture, vulnerability of degraded ecosystems, the vagaries of high intensity rainfall and consequent occurrences of accelerated erosion and landslides, lack of integrated and coordinated land use planning become some of the reasons for rapid depletion of natural resource base. These changes have adversely affected the hydrological regime of river basins, resulting in diminished river/stream flows. This necessitates conservation of ecosystems in order to sustain their biodiversity, hydrology and ecology. In this situation, for resolving present problems and to avoid any future crisis, a comprehensive assessment of land use changes, its spatial distribution and its impact on hydrological regime were carried out. Accordingly, appropriate remedial methods have been explored for the sustainable utilization of the land and water resources in the catchment. The current research, focusing on five rivers located in the central Western Ghats, monitors water quality along with that of diatoms, land use in the catchment and threats faced by these ecosystems.

Vegetation Changes along Altitudinal Gradients in Human Disturbed Forests of Uttara Kannada, Central Western Ghats

Abstract This study was carried out along the altitudinal gradients of Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, representing different agro-climatic zones – coast, hilly and plains. 10 different sectors were selected for the study. Transect based survey resulted in documenting a total of 134 species of trees and 146 species of shrubs. It was found that the sectors 6, 7 and 8, lying in the Western Ghats section, were having semi-evergreen to evergreen forests and had the highest species diversity, percentage evergreen and percentage endemism. The sectors 9 and 10 in eastern plains harbour dry deciduous forests dominated by teak. The coastal sectors have more moist deciduous forests affected by human disturbances except for a patch of sacred grove in sector 1. However, the regeneration of evergreens, especially in the Ghat section areas, can be considered as a good sign for the return of evergreen forests and need to be austerely protected.

Quantification of annual sediment deposits for sustainable sand management in Aghanashini river estuary

Sedimentation involving the process of silt transport also carries nutrients from upstream to downstream of a river/stream. Sand being one of the important fraction of these sediments is extracted in order to cater infrastructural/housing needs in the region. This communication is based on field research in the Aghanshini river basin, west coast of India. Silt yield in the river basin and the sedimentation rate assessed using empirical techniques supplemented with field quantifications using soundings (SONAR), show the sediment yield of 1105-1367 kilo cum per year and deposition of sediment of 61 (2016) to 71 (2015) cm. Quantifications of extractions at five locations, reveal of over exploitation of sand to an extent of 30% with damages to the breeding ground of fishes, reduced productivity of bivalves, etc., which has affected dependent peoples livelihood. This study provides vital insights towards sustainable sand harvesting through stringent management practices.

Salient Ecological Sensitive Regions of Central Western Ghats, India

Ecologically sensitive regions (ESRs) are the ‘ecological units’ with the exceptional biotic and abiotic elements. Identification of ESRs considering spatially both ecological and social dimensions of environmental variables helps in ecological and conservation planning as per Biodiversity Act, 2002, Government of India. The current research attempts to integrate ecological and environmental considerations into administration, and prioritizes regions at Panchayat levels (local administrative unit) in Uttara Kannada district, Central Western Ghats, Karnataka state considering attributes (biological, Geo-climatic, Social, etc.) as ESR (1–4) through weightage score metrics. The region has the distinction of having highest forest area (80.48%) in Karnataka State, India and has been undergoing severe anthropogenic pressures impacting biogeochemistry, hydrology, food security, climate and socio-economic systems. Prioritisation of ESRs helps in the implementation of the sustainable developmental framework with the appropriate conservation strategies through the involvement of local stakeholders.

Modelling the forest transition in Central Western Ghats, India

The Western Ghats forms an important watershed for the entire peninsular India, being the source of 37 west flowing rivers and three major east flowing rivers and their numerous tributaries. However, deforestation due to large scale land cover changes has affected the water sustenance in the region evident from the quantity and duration of water availability during post monsoon period. Land use Land cover changes accelerated by unplanned anthropogenic activities have been the prime mover of global warming and consequent changes in the climate. This necessitates appropriate resource management with an understanding of drivers. Geo-visualization of landscape transitions considering the influential agents will aid in formulating strategies to mitigate global warming. Uttara Kannada district in the Central Western Ghats has the distinction of having highest forest cover in the country and this region is now experiencing rapid forest cover changes. Factors inducing changes in the land cover are normalized through fuzzyfication, considered for Multi criteria Evaluation using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) under high protection and low protection scenarios. Likely land use transitions by 2022 across zones based on transitions during 2004–2007, 2007–2010, 2010–2013 was done through cellular automata and Markov chain process (MC). The analyses highlight the loss of forest cover by 66.55–56.76% by 2022 in the coastal zone with escalating population density. Similar situation of 65.98–55.62% decline in Sahyadri region is noticed with execution of dams, hydroelectric projects and monoculture plantations. Lower transitions as compared with the second scenario highlights regulatory framework’s role in protection. However, forests in plain region show loss of 27.38–11.09% in both scenarios due to population pressure and market induced land cover changes. This necessitates policy interventions by the federal government to mitigate forest loss towards sustainable development.

Energy and Food Security from Macroalgae

ABSTRACT Macroscopic marine macroalgae is on the verge of becoming popular due to its suitability as potential feedstock for biofuel production as well as supplements for food items. Seaweeds are rich in protein, dietary fibres and phytochemicals used to enhance the nutritional quality of the food products. The increasing dema nd over renewable and sustainable energy source without compromising on food and land resources can be fulfilled by seaweeds as they are fast growing, high biomass yielding with higher productivity compared to other conventional biomass feedstock. Exploratory survey in the Aghanashini estuary, West Coast of India, has revealed the potential of seaweeds as raw material for both food and energy security in the country. Indian peninsula, with its large coastline, attempts of seaweed cultivation would aid as an important opportunity for better livelihood and income. Unexplored potentials of seaweed resources are to be realised in coastal regions of Karnataka state.

Impact of Hydroelectric Projects on Commercial Bivalves in a South Indian West Coast Estuary

Abstract Estuarine bivalves, sedentary invertebrates, in their species-specific spatial niches are more susceptible to hydroelectric projects related ecological changes, especially salinity reduction as the case study in Kali estuary towards the centre of the Indian west coast reveals. A comparison with the situation in Aghanashini estuary in the same district was helpful in unravelling dam-related salinity dilution in Kali estuary and its impact on the bivalves. The pre-dams bivalve scenario as available from secondary sources at four locations away from the Sea reveals a healthier state in the past. Salinity measurement in the study was confined to the pre-monsoon month of February 2012. Releases of freshwater from dams had diluted estuarine salinity in Kali from 33.44, 30.82, 8.76 and 2.43 ppt (pre-dam 1978) to 11.75, 6.40, 0.06 and 0.05 ppt respectively (in the same locations during February 2012). Four notable commercial bivalves had their distribution zones shrunk and shifted closer towards the sea where higher salinity conditions prevail. In comparison in the undammed Aghanashini estuary the commercial bivalve distribution and harvesting goes on rather unchanged. The study cautions damming of Indian west coast rivers can affect estuarine commercial bivalves badly causing also upsets in local livelihoods.