Ecohydrologic Description of Springs in the North Western Ghats, Maharashtra

Jared Buono,Himanshu Kulkarni,Dhananjay Ambrale,Manasi Karandikar,Renie Thomas,Ketaki Ghate,Ashok More,Kaustubh Mahamuni,Ketaki Kulkarni,Neethi Mahesh

doi:10.54081/jes.024/02

Abstract

Springs are essential components of the freshwater resources in the North Western Ghats yet they are not well studied and are under threat from ecological degradation. This study surveyed ecology and hydrogeology of five springs. Observations included geology, flora, fauna and impact of human pressures. The goal was to describe the range of ecological conditions to improve baseline understanding. Results show that spring recharge and discharge areas were found to hydrologically connect separate parts of the landscape, sometimes spanning different watersheds. While spring discharge is likely controlled in large part by catchment size and aquifer characteristics, impacts from human pressures may reduce spring discharge or water quality. Reduction in spring discharge may reduce biodiversity, particularly at the spring outlet where natural ponds or wetlands may dry up and destroy freshwater habitat. Grazing, fire, construction, pumping and fuel wood collection were common human pressures effecting nearly all springs. Discussed are refined definitions of a spring shed and recommendations for future assessment, conservation and management efforts.

Highlights

The Western Ghats mountain range represents one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots and spanning much of India’s west coast, supports over 400 million people with water, food and other ecosystem goods and services (Walker and Meyers 2004)
The Western Ghats constitute the headwaters for almost all rivers basins in central and south India
This study focused on the North-Western Ghats which is hydrologically distinct from the southern part of the range

Summary

Introduction

The Western Ghats mountain range represents one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots and spanning much of India’s west coast, supports over 400 million people with water, food and other ecosystem goods and services (Walker and Meyers 2004). The provision of these services, is threatened by widespread environmental degradation. The rivers, lakes, wetlands, springs and aquifers are used for drinking water, household use, irrigation, power generation, industry, and tourism across eight states They provide unique habitats on which millions of people depend for livelihoods and food sources. These water bodies, a small fraction of the total land area, can support entire ecosystems, and areas such as wetlands are responsible for up to one fifth of local biodiversity (Space Applications Centre 2011)

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Conclusion