Kole Wetlands Research Articles

Macrobenthic Community Structure During Fallow Season in Kole Paddy Fields, Northern Kerala, India

Despite the recognized contribution of benthic fauna in nutrient enhancement, very little information isavailable from Indian paddy fields. This study analyzed the benthic community structure during fallow seasonin Kole paddy fields, a part of Vembanad Kole wetlands (a Ramsar site), Northern Kerala, India. Study area during fallow season was characterized by isolated water patches amidst of terrestrial vegetation (grass). Themacrobenthic fauna belonged to the phyla Annelida, Arthropoda, Mollusca and families Tubificidae, Naididae,Chironomidae, Ceratopogonida, Chaoboridae, Ceratopogonidae, Gyrinidae and Bithynidae. These organismspossessed various survival mechanisms that ensured their survival against dry periods. Insects were the majorbenthic organisms; the habitat fragmentation due to isolated distant water patches during fallow season favoredinsect taxa more due to their active/flight mode of dispersal compared to oligochaetes which are benthiccrawlers. Macrobenthic abundance was less (166±60 ind./m2), attributed to reduced habitable area for benthosdue to habitat desiccation. A decline in abundance was apparent from January to June 2010, the beginning toend of fallow season except in April where the onset of rain after a dry spell made the dry area wet, therebymaking the inactive dormant forms of organisms live, resulting in an increased abundance. Diversity analysis of benthic families revealed that highest richness (d) of 1.235 was in March and diversity (H') of 2.603 was inMarch. No significant correlation emerged between benthic abundance and the measured environmentalparameters, implying that the interaction of biota and physico chemical variables was overridden by some other unmeasured factors

Macrobenthic Community Structure During Fallow Season in Kole Paddy Fields, Northern Kerala, India

Despite the recognized contribution of benthic fauna in nutrient enhancement, very little information is available from Indian paddy fields. This study analyzed the benthic community structure during fallow season in Kole paddy fields, a part of Vembanad Kole wetlands (a Ramsar site), Northern Kerala, India. Study area during fallow season was characterized by isolated water patches amidst of terrestrial vegetation (grass). The macrobenthic fauna belonged to the phyla Annelida, Arthropoda, Mollusca and families Tubificidae, Naididae, Chironomidae, Ceratopogonida, Chaoboridae, Ceratopogonidae, Gyrinidae and Bithynidae. These organisms possessed various survival mechanisms that ensured their survival against dry periods. Insects were the major benthic organisms; the habitat fragmentation due to isolated distant water patches during fallow season favored insect taxa more due to their active/flight mode of dispersal compared to oligochaetes which are benthic crawlers. Macrobenthic abundance was less (166±60 ind./m2), attributed to reduced habitable area for benthos due to habitat desiccation. A decline in abundance was apparent from January to June 2010, the beginning to end of fallow season except in April where the onset of rain after a dry spell made the dry area wet, thereby making the inactive dormant forms of organisms live, resulting in an increased abundance. Diversity analysis of benthic families revealed that highest richness (d) of 1.235 was in March and diversity (H') of 2.603 was in March. No significant correlation emerged between benthic abundance and the measured environmental parameters, implying that the interaction of biota and physico chemical variables was overridden by someother unmeasured factors.

The Benthic Macrofaunal Community in Agricultural Ditches in Kole Paddy Fields, Vembanad Kole Wetlands, India

Paddy fields are connected by drainage ditches (channels),that are considered as drivers of biodiversity inagricultural areas. The macrobenthic community structure in agricultural ditches of Kole paddy fields, a part ofthe Ramsar site Vembanad kole wetlands during a complete crop season was analyzed. The macrobenthicfauna belonged to phyla Annelida, Arthropoda and Mollusca and classes Oligochaeta (60.39%), Insecta(39.31%), Mollusca (0.15%) and Hirudinae (0.15%). The class Oligochaeta was represented by Tubificidae,Naididae, Lumbriculidae; Insecta by Diptera, Coleoptera, Odonata; Mollusca by Bivalvia, Gastropoda.Composition of macrobenthos resembled to that of fresh water wetlands and paddy fields. The average numberof macrobenthos was 1475±2064 ind./m2. There was an unusually high abundance in May (5155 ind./m2); butthe environmental parameters remained usual. The abundance of good quality food or some specific, localizedcondition acting on a microscale which could not be recorded in the environmental analysis would haveresulted in the unusual distribution of the fauna. Highest diversity (3.17) and species richness (1.95) wasobserved during May 2011, during the unusual abundance. Predominant functional feeding group wascollector gatherers indicating the abundance of fine organic particulate matter (FPOM) in the substrate. Nosignificant correlation emerged between macrobenthic abundance and environmental parameters.

Aquatic Ornamental Macrophytes in Kole Wetlands: An Untapped Resource for Sustainable Utilisation

Kole wetlands in Kerala, holds very high diversity of untapped endemic aquatic plant resources which have high potential on ornamental plants for the aquarium industry. The paper presents an overview of the floristic survey of aquatic ornamental plants carried out during the year 2012–2014 in the Kole wetland ecosystem of Kerala. The study aimed at exploring and documenting the ornamental plant wealth of this area, which still remains unknown. The investigation on the availability and abundance of ornamental plants in the Ponnani Kole revealed the presence of 32 species under 24 genera and 19 families. In the present analysis of Kole wetland flora, members of the family Scrophulariaceae were predominant followed by Lentibulariaceae and Hydrocharitaceae. Nymphaea nouchali, Nymphaea pubescence, Myriophyllum oliganthum, Nymphoides indica, Nymphoides crystatum, Bacopa monnieri, Limnophila heterophylla, Limnophila repens, Utricularia aurea, Utricularia exoleata, Alternanthera philoxeroides, Hydrilla verticillata, Vallisneria natans Eichhornia crassipes, Hygroryza aristata, Najas graminea Marsilea quadrifolia and Ceratopteris thalictroides are frequent in all seasons in the study area. The abundance of these plants in the Kole wetlands has been worked out with a view to develop harvest strategies and suggest management measures. The increased popularity of water gardening and aquarium planting in turn augment the harvest of the freshwater plants which may result in depletion of these resources. Therefore, population of these plant species needs to be maintained in-situ by adopting structured cultivation techniques and suitable conservation methods. Kole wetlands are not only important in terms of making the ecological system available for a variety of animals and maintaining the micro-climate of the region, but also for providing useful resources for livelihood, healthcare and aesthetic interest.

Seasonal Abundance of Waterfowls, Belongs to Various Ecological Groups in Muriyad Kole Wetland, Thrissur, Kerala

Seasonal Abundance of Waterfowls, Belongs to Various Ecological Groups in Muriyad Kole Wetland, Thrissur, Kerala

Comparative study on macrobenthic community structure with special reference to oligochaetes during drought and flooded phases in a Tropical Kole wetland, India.

Wetlands experience dynamic hydrofluxes which is a major determinant of biotic community structure. Benthic organisms form an integral part of aquatic environment and constitute an important link in the food web. The habitat loss and fragmentation caused by hydrological alterations in wetlands can affect the benthic fauna. This study analyzed the benthic community especially oligochaete species in a wetland during two different phases. Maranchery Kole wetland, a part of Vembanad Kole wetlands (Ramsar site) behaved as two systems within a short span of one year; as flooded phase when the system was a pure aquatic body and drought phase where the system was dry resembling a grass land with isolated water patches. Macrobenthic abundance in flooded and drought phases were (355±122 ind./m 2 ) and (166±60 ind./m 2 ) respectively. The decrease in habitable area along with its consequential effects resulted in a reduced numerical abundance of macrobenthos in the drought phase. Oligochaete abundance was significantly higher in flooded phase (ANOVA F 1, 53 =5.11, p 0.05). Species richness (Margalef’s index) and species diversity (Shannon Wiener index) was higher in drought phase or disturbed phase than flooded phase or undisturbed phase reflecting a glimpse of intermediate disturbance theory. No significant correlation emerged between the environmental variables and benthic abundance implying that the relationship with the measured environmental variables might be weaker or overridden by other unmeasured variables. Further the generalized environmental requirements in aquatic oligochaetes and chironomid larvae, the most abundant taxa in the wetland could be the reason for the lack of correlation.

Oligochaete Community Structure in Paddy fields and Channels in Kole paddy fields, Vembanad Kole wetland, India.

Benthic invertebrates including oligochaetes are important components of paddy field fertility due to its significant role in organic matter decomposition and nutrient translocation, but have been studied less. The oligochaete community structure in paddy fields and channels/agricultural ditches of Kole wetlands (a part of Vemband Kole wetlands, a Ramsar site on the south west coast of India) was studied during Punja (summer crop season- January to May 2011). The benthic fauna belonged to the phyla Mollusca, Annelida and Arthropoda. Fifteen oligochaete species of family Naididae, Tubificidae and Lumbriculidae were identified. Seven taxa; Aulodrilus pluriseta, Aulodrilus sp., Aulodrilus piguiti, Branchiodrilus semperi, Stephensonia trivandriana, Pristinella minuta and Pristinella jenkinae were present both in the paddy fields and channels. Six species; Allonais gwaliorensis , Allonais paraguensis, Dero zeylanica, Pristinella accuminata, Pristina menoni, Lumbriculus variegates were exclusively found in the channels and two taxa; Branchiodrilus hortensis, Homochaeta sp. exclusively in the paddy fields. ANOSIM results revealed a similarity in oligochaete composition among paddy fields and channels (Global R=0.19, p>0.05); the lack of environmental specialization in aquatic oligochaetes could be a reason for this. Abundance significantly varied among them, a lower abundance observed in paddy fields (102±161 ind/m 2 ) than channels (891±1409 ind/m 2 ) (ANOVA F 1, 24 =6.02, p<0.05). Less habitable area in paddy field due to the compartmented substratum by paddy root structures resulted in a reduced abundance in paddy fields. Species richness and diversity showed no significant variation but evenness showed a significant variation between paddy fields and channels (ANOVA F 1, 8 =10.40, p<0.05). As oligochaetes are characterized by less dispersal and migration ability evenness component would have been more sensitive than other diversity indices.

Ornithofauna and its conservation in the Kuttanad wetlands, southern portion of Vembanad-Kole Ramsar site, India

The avifauna of Kuttanad was studied from January 1995 to June 2007. Two-hundred-and-twenty-five taxa of birds belonging to 15 orders and 59 families were recorded. Among the birds recorded, 38% were migrants. Fifty-five species were found to breed in the area. Family Scolopaceidae showed maximum species diversity. European Roller Coracias garrulus recorded during this study is the first report of this species from Kerala. Ten globally threatened species were recorded. Kuttanad wetland shows greater species diversity, especially in the wetland birds, than the Kole wetlands of Kerala. Kumarakom heronry holds 8% of the biogeographical population of the Near Threatened Oriental Darter. Landscape alteration, hunting, felling of nesting trees and pesticides are the major detrimental factors for the survival of birds. Conservation aspects of birds of this region are discussed.

Vegetation pattern analysis of Karuvannur watershed, Kerala using remote sensing and GIS

The Karuvannur River is an important river of Kerala that drains into the Northern part of Vembanad Kole wetland system, a Ramsar site. Urbanisation, changes in land-use practices and unscientific sand mining have resulted in the deterioration of water quality and also increases the water shortage especially during extreme summer season. Deforestation, for food fodder and fuel wood, and indiscriminate sand mining in the catchments area have resulted the drop of water table level of the area. Unscientific land-use and cropping pattern changes in a watershed, often cause problems in water conservation, both in upland and down streams. In a watershed both uplands and down streams are closely interlinked. The nature and extent of their linkage specially in a forested ecosystem needs more attention. The Karuvnnur watershed has a total extend of 956.95 km2 and drainage density was estimated as 1.104. In the present study efforts have been made to use Remote Sensing data and GIS Techniques for mapping and monitoring of the vegetation pattern of the watershed area. It is found that 36.48% of watershed area is covered by forests, plantation (Rubber and Teak) occupies 5.49% of the area, and 1.35% of the area by scrublands. Reservoir and other water bodies occupy 9.08% of the watershed area.

Population dynamics of wetland birds in the Kole Wetlands of Kerala, India

Population dynamics of wetland birds in the Kole Wetlands of Kerala, India

Birds of Kole wetlands, Thrissur, Kerala

344 Abstract Bird community of Kole wetlands in Thrissur District, Kerala State was studied during November 1998 to December 1999. The methodology followed was mainly observations using spotting scope. A total of 167 species of birds, belonging to 16 orders and 39 families were recorded from the area during the period. Among them, 53 species of birds were winter visitors. Highest number of birds was recorded in the month of January and the lowest was observed in June. Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Little Cormorant, Pond Heron, Median Egret and Whiskered Tern were the most abundant resident and local migrant species found in the Kole wetlands. The importance of this wetland area as the “stepping stone” for the trans-continental migrants is discussed.