International E-publication: Publish Projects, Dissertation, Theses, Books, Souvenir, Conference Proceeding with ISBN.  International E-Bulletin: Information/News regarding: Academics and Research

GIS techniques for Mapping highly Fragmented ecosystems- A case study on the Myristica swamp forests of Southern Kerala, India

    , ,

Author Affiliations

  • 1Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, Kerala, INDIA
  • 2St Thomas’ College, Thrissur, Kerala, INDIA

Res. J. Recent Sci., Volume 3, Issue (ISC-2013), Pages 110-119, (2014)

Abstract

Myristica swamps are a highly fragmented, threatened and endangered freshwater swamp forest ecosystem of Western Ghats with distribution restricted to flat bottomed valleys with sluggish streams in altitudinal range of 100 – 200 m. In southern Kerala these swamps are present in Kulthupuzha, Anchal forest ranges and Shendurney WLS. The small size of swamp patches and thick forest canopy challenge the efficacy of usual mapping techniques such as Remote sensing and GPS survey. So a combination of conventional (compass survey) and latest survey technique (GPS survey) was used for the mapping. Conversion, plotting of spatial layers, map generation and analysis was done by using customized and Open Source GIS softwares. We mapped 60 Myristica swamp patches from the study area contributing 149.75 hectare (ha) (0.01348% of Kerala forest). The area of swamps ranges from 0.22 to 16 ha Kulathupuzha Forest Range has 31 swamps (78.73 ha), Shendurney WLS has 16 (37.35ha) and Anchal has 13 (33.67ha). GIS simulation studies reveals that 148.57 km2 area (1.34% of Kerala forest) in Kerala has potential for Myristica swamps, in which Thiruvanathapuram and Punalur forest division has maximum area to support Myristica swamps. Exact mapping proved a decisive tool for conservation and management efforts.

References

  1. Cowardin L.M., Carter V., Golet F.C. and La Roe E.T., Classification of wetlands and deepwater habitats of the United States. U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Biological Services, Washington, DC. FWS/ OBS-79/31. http//www. des.state.nh.us /wetlands/pdf/cowardin.pdf. (1979)
  2. URL: http://www.ramsar.org/ris/key_ris_types.htm /accessed on 14/05/2007, 19/03/2008 (2013)
  3. Gopal B., (compiler), Handbook of wetland management.WWF –India, New Delhi, India, 305 (1995)
  4. Krishnamoorthy K., Myristica swamps in the evergreen forests of Travancore, Indian For., 86(5), 314-315 (1960)
  5. Champion H.G. and Seth S.K., A revised survey of the forest types of India, Government of India. xxiii+404 (1968)
  6. Pascal J.P., Wet evergreen forests of the Western Ghats of India. French Insititute, Pondichery, 345 (1988)
  7. Rodgers W.A. and Panwar H.S., Planning wildlife protected area network in India. Vol I. The Report. A report prepared for the Department of Environment, Forests and Wildlife, Government of India at Wildlife Institute of India, 341 (1988a)
  8. Rodgers W.A. and Panwar H.S., Planning wildlife protected area network in India. Vol II. State Summaries. A report prepared for the Department of Environment, Forests and Wildlife, Government of India at Wildlife Institute of India, 267 (1988b)
  9. Chandran M.D.S., Mesta D.K. and Naik M.B., Myristicaswamps of Uttara Kannada District, My Forest, 35(3), 217-222 (1999)
  10. Chandran M.D.S. and Mesta D.K., Myristica swamps. Sahyadri E-news, 13 (2005)
  11. http//wgbis.ces.iisc.ernet.in /biodiversity/sahyadrienews/newsletter/ issue13/index.htm /accessed on 27/04/ 2006 11.Chandran M.D.S. and Mesta. D.K., On the conservation of the Myristica swamps of the Western Ghats. pp 1-19. In: Forest Genetic Resources: Status, Threats, and Conservation Strategies Uma Shaanker, R., Ganeshaiah, K. N. and Bawa, K.S. (eds.). Oxford and IBH, New Delhi, (2001)
  12. Chandran M.D.S and Sivan V.V., Myristicaceae. Classroom Lifescape Series, Part II. Resonance72, 10-12 (1999)
  13. Santhakumaran L. Singh N.A. and Thomas V.T., Description of a sacred grove in Goa (India), with notes on the unusual aerial roots produced by its vegetation, Wood. Oct-Dec: 24-28 (1995)
  14. URL: http://srtm.csi.cgiar.org/ accessed on 05/01/2008 (2008)
  15. Chandran M.D.S. and Gadgil M., Kans- safety forests of Uttara Kannada. pp 49-57. In: The Proceedings of the IUFRO Forest History Group Meeting on Peasant forestry. Brandl, M. (eds.) Forstliche Versuchs und Forschungsanstalt, Freiburg. (1993)URL:http// www.keralaforest.org / accessed on 03-02-2008
  16. Amarnath A., Rojith G., Adhem Shahin and Rakesh V.B., Preliminary assessment of degraded Kottayam Chira wetland using GIS and its developmental scope. Res.J.Recent.Sci., 2(ISC-2012) 245-249 (2013)
  17. Jana Adarsa, Sheena Shamina and Biswas Arkoprovo, Morphological change study of Ghoramara Island, Eastern India using multi temporal satellite data, Res.J.Recent.Sci., 1(10), 72-81 (2012)
  18. Biswas Arkoprovo, Jana Adarsa and Sharma Shashi Prakash, Delineation of Groundwater Potential Zones using Satellite Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System Techniques:A Case study from Ganjam district, Orissa, India, Res.J.Recent.Sci., 1(9), 59-66 (2012)
  19. Manimaran D.,Groundwater Geochmistry Study Using GIS in and Around Vallanadu Hills,Tamilnadu, India, Res.J.Recent.Sci.,1(7), 52-58 (2012)
  20. Gholipoor Mehranoosh, Lake Gahar Basin: Environmentally Potential for Focused Ecotourism, Res. J.Recent.Sci.,1(9), 6-12 (2012)
  21. URL:http//www.keralaforest.org/ accessed on 03-02-2008.