Rare freshwater swamps in the Western Ghats are on the cusp of extinction
Today, the wetlands’ water holding capacity is vanishing as they are drained, leading to floods and dry streambeds, says a new study.
The Western Ghats are home to a remarkable collection of freshwater swamps, found in a small patch in Kulathupuzha, Kerala. These swamps, known as Myristica swamps, are teeming with unique plant life, such as those with pneumatophores and stilt roots, which are well-adapted to waterlogged environments. They play a vital role in regulating floods, replenishing groundwater, and maintaining a steady flow of freshwater.
Unfortunately, these swamps are at risk of disappearing due to logging, conversion into farmland, and the establishment of plantations for crops like paddy, tea, areca nut, oil palm, and teak. The paper published in Current Science emphasizes the urgent need for habitat protection, biodiversity assessment, molecular tools like DNA barcoding, and long-term ecosystem management to conserve these swamps.
The genetic lineage of Myristica swamps dates back an impressive 500 million years, making them among India's oldest and most fragile forest types. These swamps harbor a significant proportion of endemic flora and fauna, serving as crucial hydrological regulators and carbon sinks. The authors argue that the preservation of Myristica swamps is essential for safeguarding biodiversity, maintaining perennial stream flow, mitigating floods, and ensuring long-term climate resilience.
Despite their ecological and economic importance, these wetlands have been subjected to draining, filling, and disturbance, leading to erosion, floods, and dry streambeds. The Indian government has failed to take adequate measures to conserve these ecological treasures or raise awareness about their significance. The paper concludes that immediate and robust management, protection, and conservation efforts are necessary to prevent the endangerment and extinction of these rare swamps.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu - Sci-Tech's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
