Western Ghats Of Kerala Research Articles

Pteridophyte lora of Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala F - A Preliminary Analysis

<p>A total of 69 species of Pteridophytes including 63 Ferns and six Lycophytes were recorded from the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary in the<br />Western Ghats of Kerala. It harbours some of the rare and endemic species, including the members of Hymenophyllaceae, the most<br />sensitive fern family.<br />Keywords: Western Ghats, Brahmagiri hills, Ferns, Lycophytes</p><p> </p><p><span>DOI: </span><a id="pub-id::doi" href="http://dx.doi.org/10.21756/cba.v1i1.11020">http://dx.doi.org/10.21756/cba.v1i1.11020</a></p>

Sonerila nairii (Melastomataceae) - a new species from the southern Western Ghats, India.

The new species Sonerila nairii (Melastomataceae) is here described from Pothumala of the Nelliampathy hill ranges of Western Ghats of Kerala, India. Morphologically it most closely resembles Sonerila erecta and Sonerila pulneyensis from which differs by the form of the stem, leaves, peduncle, pedicel, inflorescence, pubescence of the stem, leaves and hypanthium, and by the form of stamens and stigma.

Artificial Rearing of Endemic Red-tailed BarbHypselobarbus kurali: A First Report

AbstractHypselobarbus kurali, a freshwater ray-finned fish (class Actinopterigii, order Cyprinidae), inhabits large streams and rivers of South Western Ghats of Kerala, India. The present work aims to create a breakthrough in the captive breeding technology of H. kurali and thereby successfully accomplish the goal of restocking resources. While both induced and artificial breeding were performed, the success rate for induced breeding was negligible when compared with that of artificial breeding. Artificial breeding was successfully carried out in the laboratory by dry stripping berried females (weight, 20–250 g; length, 25–28 cm) and matured milting males (weight, 180–200 g; length, 20–25 cm). Fertilized eggs were incubated in filtered source water (collected from the study site [Kulathupuzha region, Kallada River, Kollam district, Kerala]), at a temperature of 22–25°C and pH 7.5–7.8. The rate of fertilization was 92%, and the average hatching rate was 83.5%. The eggs hatched by 48 h after fertilization. ...

Impact of Climate Change and Metrological variable Trends in Western Ghats of Kerala

The Rainfall and temperature is very important role for agriculture and economic growth of any nation. Hence there is a need to predict the precipitation which is very important and challenging task in the modern world. The non-parametric tests Mann-Kendall and Sen's methods are used to determine whether there is a positive or negative trend in weather data with their statistical significance. In this article, we analysed annual and seasonal (Max and Min) rainfall, Relative humidity (Max and Min)and diurnal temperature by using the above nonparametric tests Mann-Kendall(MK)and Sen's slope estimator performed to detect the trend. In this study, we used the data of Pampadumpara during the period (36 years) 1978–2014 and observed from the trend analysis that even though more fluctuations in metrological variables, there is a significant increase in productivity of cardamom.

<i>Diospyros udaiyanii</i> (Ebenaceae), a new species from Western Ghats, India

Diospyros udaiyanii, a new species from Kakkayam forest of Malabar Wildlife Sanctuary, Western Ghats of Kerala, India is described and illustrated. It is closely allied to D. pilosiusculata G. Don. in its stunted habit, smaller, glabrous leaves and large broad 4 or 5 glabrous calyx lobes with long pedicel, the absence of tomentose hairs on twigs, petiole, pedicel, calyx and leaf margin.Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 22(2): 83-86, 2015 (December)

Ex-Situ Conservation of Wild Edible Fruit Germplasm: A Practical Approach from Kerala

Efforts were made to conserve 570 accessions of wild edible fruit plants collected and conserved at JNTBGRI (Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute) as part of the project entitled “Germplasm collection, evaluation of yield potential and exploitation of the fruit crops of the Western Ghats of Kerala”. The lesser- known wild plant accessions belongs to 106 species under 41 families. All the accessions are conserved ex-situ in JNTBGRI, Kerala, India. Among those 106 species, 67 species yield raw fruits, 11 species yield vegetable fruits, 22 species yield edible seeds / grains / kernels and the remaining 6 species yield spices and condiments. Twelve species are endemic to the Western Ghats region, of which, Salacia beddomei (Hippocrateaceae) comes in the red listed category and found mention in the Red Data Book of Indian Plants (Nayar & Sastry, 1988).

How Do Fruit Bat Seed Shadows Benefit Agroforestry? Insights from Local Perceptions in Kerala, India

AbstractOld‐world fruit bats are known to provide significant benefits to tropical agroforestry through seed dispersal services. However, the social pathways through which local people perceive and actually utilize these benefits are not well understood. Through interview surveys with plantation owners and farmers in the Western Ghats of Kerala (India), we documented local perceptions and knowledge about the socio‐ecological importance of fruit bat seed dispersal shadows. Respondents’ perceptions were highly positive, with greater benefits reported from seed dispersal, than costs from fruit damage by bats. Interestingly, seed aggregation of commercial fruit crops (cashew, areca) by fruit bats was perceived to reduce agricultural labour costs in plantations. Our study demonstrates that local perceptions can offer valuable insights toward understanding the contribution of bat‐generated ecosystem services for tropical agroforestry systems, and in turn may facilitate effective fruit bat conservation.

A new species of Sonerila (Melastomataceae) from the Western Ghats of Kerala, India

A new species of Sonerila (Melastomataceae) from the Western Ghats of Kerala, India

Fissidens linearis (Fissidentaceae: Bryophyta) a new record for India

Abstract Fissidens linearis var. obscurirete, is reported as a new record of occurrence to India from the Western Ghats of Kerala.

Dimeria raviana (Poaceae: Panicoideae), a new species from Southern Western Ghats, India

Dimeria raviana, a new species of Poaceae from the Southern Western Ghats of Kerala, India is described and illustrated. It closely resembles D. fuscescens, but strikingly differs in having a flattened and winged raceme rachis of 1.0–1.25 mm in width with smooth margins.

Extended distribution of endemic Travancore Murainagrass Ischaemum travancorense Stapf ex C.E.C. Fisch. (Poaceae) to central India

Ischaemum travancorense Stapf ex C.E.C. Fisch., an endemic species, earlier known only from the Western Ghats of Kerala, Maharashtra and Goa is reported here for the first time from central India.

A new species of Sonerila (Melastomataceae) from the Western Ghats of Kerala, India

A new species, Sonerila keralensis , from the Western Ghats of Kerala is described and illustrated. It is allied to S. rheedei differing by having a tuberous root stock, three to seven flowers, and petals with sparsely glandular-hairy margins. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/tapro.v6i2.7229 TAPROBANICA, 2014. Vol. 06, No. 02: pp. 72-75, pls.1, 2.

Occurrence of Malabar Snakehead, Channa diplogramma (Perciformes: Channidae) from River Valapattanam, Western Ghats of Kerala, India

We report the occurrence of Channa diplogramma in the Valapattanam River in March 2013 and this study adds to the species record of C. diplogramma in terms of diversity and range distribution in the River Valapattanam and South India.

Floral morphometrics ofSolanumL. (Solanaceae) species in southern Western Ghats: correlation with interspecific taxonomic affinities

The taxonomic complexity of species in terms of classical, experimental and numerical factors associated with the section Solanum, the type member of Solanaceae, has long been accepted. The present study displays a morphometric approach of both spiny and non-spiny Solanum spp. (16 species and one variant accession) distributed in the southern Western Ghats of Kerala using the qualitative and quantitative floral characteristics. All the recorded species had distinct and discrete floral morphometric features. Analysis of the UPGMA phenogram and the scatter plot reveals three species clusters and three independent species in non-clusters; namely, Solanum wendlandii, Solanum macrocarpon and Solanum americanum. The species clusterings have been interpreted in the light of the qualitative and quantitative floral features. The two accessions of Solanum capsicoides (spiny and lax spiny), though clustered together were found to have differences in the distribution of spines on stem and calyx as well as in the natu...

Identification of critical soil erosion prone areas and annual average soil loss in an upland agricultural watershed of Western Ghats, using analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and RUSLE techniques

The present work integrates analytical hierarchy process (AHP) with Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model to determine the critical soil erosion prone areas along with the spatial pattern of annual average soil erosion rates of an upland agricultural sub-watershed in the Western Ghats of Kerala, India. The critical soil erosion prone areas were identified by integrating geo-environmental variables such as land use/land cover, geomorphology, drainage density, drainage frequency, lineament frequency, slope, and relative relief after determining its relative contribution in conditioning the terrain susceptible to soil erosion by AHP technique, in a raster-based Geographic Information Systems environment. The spatial pattern of average annual soil erosion rates was obtained by RUSLE model that consider five factors, viz., rainfall erosivity (R), soil erodability (K), slope length and steepness (LS), cover management (C) and conservation practice (P) factors. The soil erosion probability map prepared by the AHP method was reclassified into soil erosion severity map showing regions of different erosion probability. Among this, the critical erosion zone occupies 4.23 % of the total area followed by high erosion severity zone occupies 18.39 % of the study area. Nil and low zones together constitute 44.15 % of the total area. The assessed annual average soil loss from the watershed shows an increased value of 4,227 t−1 h−1 year−1 as the maximum loss. The cross-comparison of potential soil erosion severity map with annual average soil loss in the area validates the finding of the study by a high spatial correlation. More erosion proneness and annual loss were observed in areas where the side slope plateau, denudational slope, and valley fills comes with high slope and relative relief. The intense terrain modification in this area with improper soil conservation measures makes the watershed more vulnerable to soil erosion.

On the identity and occurrence ofGnidia glauca(Fresen.) Gilg var.sisparensis(Gardner) Kumari (Thymelaeaceae) in India

Gnidia glauca var. sisparensis (Thymelaeaceae) is a very rare and little-known plant, endemic to the southern part of the Western Ghats. It has been rediscovered after a lapse of 148 years from the Elival hills of the Muthikulam High Value Biodiversity Area, in the Western Ghats of Kerala. Detailed descriptions with colour photographs are provided along with a key to the Indian varieties of Gnidia glauca for the first time. The paper also discusses previous records regarding the occurrence of the taxon in the Western Ghats of India.

A NEW SPECIES OF Sonerila (MELASTOMATACEAE) FROM THE WESTERN GHATS OF KERALA, INDIA

A new species, Sonerila keralensis, from the Western Ghats of Kerala is described and illustrated. It is allied to S. rheedei differing by having a tuberous root stock, three to seven flowers, and petals with sparsely glandular-hairy margins.

Balitora jalpalli, a new species of stone loach (Teleostei: Cypriniformes: Balitoridae) from Silent Valley, southern Western Ghats, India

TA new species of stone loach (Cypriniformes: Balitoridae), Balitora jalpalli, is described from Kunthi tributary of Bharatapuzha River located inside Silent Valley National Park in the southern Western Ghats of Kerala, India. It can be distinguished from known Indian species of Balitora by five major characters: head length, caudal peduncle depth, maximum head width and difference in number and pattern of bands on the dorsal side. The new species is distinct in having two unbranched and 8-9 branched ventral fin rays, nine unbranched and 10-11 branched pectoral fin rays and 66 lateral line scales, a caudal peduncle length to depth ratio of 2.3-2.7, anal fin to anus distance 3.3-4.7 % SL, least depth of caudal peduncle 6.3-6.7 % SL, length of caudal peduncle 15.4-17.2 % SL, length of upper caudal lobe 22.1-22.8 % SL, maximum head width 67.9-74.1 % HL, eye diameter 12.1-14.2 % HL, and gape 31.3-31.5 % HL.

Evaluation and Validation of Landslide Spatial Susceptibility in the Western Ghats of Kerala, through GIS-based Weights of Evidence Model and Area under Curve Technique

Abstract Landslide susceptibility mapping and spatial prediction have been carried out for the headwater region of Manimala river basin in the Western Ghats of Kerala, India, through geographic information technology and bayesian statistics, Weights of Evidence (WofE) model. The variables such as geomorphology, slope, relative relief, terrain curvature, slope length and steepness, soil type and land use/land cover are considered as factors that translate the terrain susceptible to landsliding. The quantitative relationship between landslides and the causative factors were statistically weighted using the ArcSDM extension of ArcGIS software. The posterior probability map, produced on the basis of predictive weights for each variable by combining the weighted layers in GIS, shows a high posterior probability value of 0.1 (highly possible) with a standard deviation of 0.0025. The discrete susceptibility classes in the reclassified posterior probability map reveals that the high and moderate landslide susceptibility classes cover 0.78 and 14.93% respectively of the total study area. The result was validated using the Area Under Curve (AUC) method with a separate set of landslide locations and the validation demonstrates high prediction accuracy with a prediction rate of 81.32%.

Nutrient (N&P) Enrichment Coupled with Phytoplankton Dynamics of Mullaperiyar reservoir in the Western Ghats of Kerala

Nutrient (N&P) Enrichment Coupled with Phytoplankton Dynamics of Mullaperiyar reservoir in the Western Ghats of Kerala