Prelims: Current events of National and International Importance | Environment
Why is in news?
New checklist by Keralam research team records 3,261 flowering plant species in Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve (ABR).
It seeks to reaffirm the global significance of the Western Ghats as a biodiversity hotspot.
High level of Endemism
- It documented 3,261 species, 26 sub-species and 28 varieties belonging to 1,139 genera and 190 families in the ABR.
- They recorded a “high level” of endemism and biogeographic affinity with Sri Lankan and even tropical American flora.
- ABR is “one of the most significant centres of angiosperm diversity and endemism in the Indian subcontinent.”
- Spread over Keralam and Tamil Nadu in the southern extremity of the Western Ghats, the “hill systems and vegetation of the ABR constitute a biologically unique, yet ecologically fragile landscape”.
- A remarkably high level of endemism was recorded, with 1018 taxa (31.2 %) endemic to India, including 245 steno-endemic taxa (confined to highly specialised habitats).
- These aspects highlight ABR as both a “refugium of ancient lineages and an active centre of speciation.”
Biogeographic affinity
- The flora here reveals “strong” biogeographic affinity with Sri Lanka, with the two regions sharing 347 taxa.
- Reasons may range from historical land connections during periods of lower sea level, shared Gondwanan history and long-term climatic similarities between the southern Western Ghats and Sri Lanka.
- Also interesting are 102 taxa displaying affinity with tropical American flora.
- This possibly reflects long-distance dispersal events, pan-tropical distribution patterns or naturalisation after introduction by humans.
ABR
- It is one of four biosphere reserves in south India – the others being the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve and the Seshachalam Hills Biosphere Reserve.
- Established in 2001 and Added to the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2016
- Home to the indigenous Kani tribal community - one of the oldest surviving ancient tribes in the world.
- It encompasses the following wildlife sanctuaries: Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary, Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary, and Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve.
Reference
The Hindu | 3261 Flowering Plant species
