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SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION PATTERNS OF FAUNA IN WESTERN GHATS (PDF)
T V Ramachandra, Minsa M and Bharath S
Energy and Wetlands Research Group,
Centre for Ecological Sciences,
Indian Institute of Science - 560012
Conclusion
Western Ghat is a rich biodiversity complex with cultural and heritage significance. Review of international and national peer reviewed literatures and the government policy plans (360 articles) revealed that, the total number of faunal species of each class present in the Western Ghats region has increased. As per the current review, documented faunal species based on new discoveries as follows: Fishes from 290 to 343 species, Amphibians from 179 species to 248 species, Reptiles from 195 to 197 species, Aves from 508 to 529 species and Mammals from 139 to 161 species. Spatial distribution maps depicts faunal distribution is higher in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamilnadu parts of WG. Review shows that, 52 families of fishes were present in WG and Cyprinidae is the largest family with 148 species. In WG region, 11 families of amphibians were present and Rhacophoridae as the largest family comprising 82 frog species. Colubridae is the largest reptilian family (43 species) among the 19 families present in WG. 85 avian families and 32 mammalian families are present in WG. Accipitridae (43 species) is the largest avian family and Vespertilionidae (25 species) is the largest mammalian family.
Spatial distribution with respect to endemism affirmed that, Amphibians shows higher endemism in WG region (62%) followed by reptiles (52%), fishes (26%), mammals (6%) and birds (5%). Similarly, spatial distribution of faunal species based on the conservation status revealed that, 26% of total amphibian population in WG is in higher risk by including in any one of the IUCN red data list categories, extinct, critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable, and then followed by fish population (23%), mammals (19%), reptiles (12%) and birds (5%). Spatial distribution as per the conservation status also reported that birds had the highest number of least concern species (80%), and then mammals (59%), fishes (51%), reptiles (40%) and amphibians had the least number of species under least concern category (15%). Conservation status of 31% of reptilians, 29% of amphibians, 17% of mammals, 17 % of fishes & 10% of birds species were not evaluated.
According to the latitudinal variation of WG, the faunal diversity and endemism is higher in the Southern region followed by Central and Northern WG. Slight deviation in the declining trend in some latitudinal range is due to the presence of protected areas. These increase in diversity and endemism in protected areas shows that conservation is one of the method to preserve diversity in WG. The diversity of species, endemism and presence of globally threatened species in the WG region makes Western Ghats as the ‘hottest hotspot of Biodiversity’. The current communication helps to understand the significance of biodiversity in WG and helps decision makers in effective planning as well as conservation.
Scope for Future Research
The present study tries to understand spatial pattern of faunal distribution in Western Ghats and their ecological significance. The current study can be further improved by focusing several other themes that can become very influential objectives in future research. The future research may include;
* To determine the species distribution in accordance to their habitat preference, microbiological studies.
* To estimate the diversity of remaining invertebrate faunal groups present in the WG region.
* To determine the distribution of remaining fauna, present in the WG using spatial visualizing tools.
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