Biodiversity, Ecology, Energy, Landscape Dynamics & Hydrology of Agastya Foundation Campus, Kuppam

ENVIS Technical Report: 89, July 2015

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Biodiversity, Ecology, Energy, Landscape Dynamics & Hydrology of Agastya Foundation Campus, Kuppam

Ramachandra T. V.^*	Harish R.Bhat	Bharath H. Aithal	Rao G. R.	Sudarshan P.Bhat
Vinay S.	Ganesh Hegde	Gouri Kulkarni	Vishnu D. Mukri

Energy and Wetlands Research Group, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560 012
*Corresponding author: cestvr@ces.iisc.ernet.in, energy@ces.iisc.ernet.in [080-22933099]

Executive Summary

Introduction

Exploring Biodiversity

Land use dynamics

Hydrology

Status of lakes around Agastya Foundation Campus

Prospects of Renewable Energy

Floristic Diversity and Lanscape Planning,

Flora

Butterflies

Spiders (ARANEIDS)

Frogs and toad

Reptiles

Birds

Floristic Diversity and Lanscape Planning

The vegetation of the area presently consists of grassland with scattered trees and scrub forest. However the natural vegetation of the area broadly comes under dry deciduous type being nearer to the foot hills of Eastern Ghats. Rainfall also being lesser than 1000 mm/year support more of drier forest adapted to water paucity. Some of the areas have been planted with Western Ghats plants and other exotics. Hence the vegetation of the area can be broadly divided into

Tropical dry deciduous
Scrub thickets
Grasslands
monoculture plantation
aquatic plants
introduced plant species

METHOD: Campus area vegetation was opportunistically surveyed (for 3 days) for plant diversity mainly, trees, shrubs, climbers and herbs. Bigger trees and tree clumps were documented using GPS (Global positioning system). Other parameters such tree girth, tree height and canopy size were recorded.

Figure 1: trees mapped in the campus area (numbers indicate tree or tree clumps)

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The vegetation survey yielded a total of 141 plant species belonging to 57 families, comprising of 68 species of Trees, shrubs 12, climbers 11 and herbs with 50 species. Largest families are shown in figure 2.

Figure 2: Family wise flora with the number of species

Common plant species in the campus area: As the area comes under the low rain fall zone, coupled with earlier disturbances, the area mainly comprised of grasslands and scrub thickets with very less woody vegetation. Commonly seen larger trees are Pterocarpus santalinus, Azadirachta indica, Syzygium cumini, Cassia siamea, Cassina glauca, Terminalia arjuna etc. (table 1).

Table 1: Most commonly seen trees in the campus.

Sn	Most common trees
1	Acacia auriculiformis	12	Pterocarpus santalinus
2	Syzygium cumini	13	Ficus benghalensis
3	Cassia siamea	14	Albizzia lebbeck
4	Azadirachta indica	15	Holoptelia integrifolia
5	Cassine glauca	16	Madhuca indica
6	Terminalia arjuna	17	Pongamia pinnata
7	Ficus religiosa	18	Butea monosperma
8	Eucalyptus sp	19	Tamarindus indicus
9	Mangifera indica	20	Artocarpus integrifolius
10	Bauhinia purpurea	21	Cassia fistula
11	Calophyllum inophyllum

Common shrub species in grassland-scrub areas are Dodonaea viscosa, Toddalia asiatica, Cocculus hirsutus, Gloriosa superba, Crotolaria auriculata, Hyptis suaveolens, Leucas aspera, Argyrea cuneata, Canthium parviflorum, etc.
Among the herbs, Lepidagathis cristata, Euphorbia hirta,Evolvulus alsinoides, Andrographis serpyllifolia, Indigogera tinctorea, Hybanthus enneaspermus,Justicia simplex, Leuca slinifolia, etc were common. Commonly found grasses include Apluda mutica, Chryosopogon fulvus, Aristida setacea, Heteropogon contortus, etc.

Medicinal plants in campus area: A total of 71 medicinal plants were noted in this short survey. The detailed list is given in the table 2. Important medicinal plants include Balanites sp, Cassia fistula, Salacia chinensis, Tinospora cordifolia, Evolvulus alsinoides, Gloriosa superba, Pterocarpus santalinus, Sida acuta etc. Many Vanas and gardens hosted these plants in the campus area. Grasslands also harboured large number of medicinal plants and hence have to be conserved.

MANAGEMENT OPTIONS FOR CAMPUS PLANTS AND WILDLIFE

Figure 3: Google image mapped for existing vegetation landscape types for management planning (Colours: Light green-Pure grasslands with sparse scrub, Orange-Eucalyptus plantations, Dark green-Scrub thickets with some native trees planting along with Acacia auriculiformis, Olive green-Dodonea shrub mix grassland, Blue- Western ghats and other plantation trees planted scrubby area. White- scrubby grassland used for mango plantations, Acacia plantations, Western Ghats saplings, and some exotics).
The area has been under random planting from its earliest initiation with both native and exotic trees.

Grassland areas (Light green areas in figure 3): Large expanse of the southern campus are with grasslands which support many rare and native shrub, herb and grass species. These areas also along with scrub- thicket hills until auditorium also support wild mammals. Hence these regions including the ones marked for vana and other medicinal gardens are to be conserved. Random planting in the grasslands should be avoided. The heterogeneity of the landscape be enhanced in some areas with native tree species preferably those adapted to lower rain fall areas such Acacia leucophloea, Garuga pinnata, Holoptelia integrifolia, Albizzia sp, Dalbergia sp, Pterospermum santalinus,Pongamia pinnata,Schleichera oleosa, Syzgium cumini, Bauhinia vahliii, Mallotus philippensis, Phyllanthus emblica, Sterculia villosa, Bombax ceiba, Buchanania lanzanAnogeissus latifolia, Terminalia paniculata, Terminalia alata, Chloroxylon swietenia, Dolichandrone acuata, Wrightia tinctoria, Vitex altissimaStrychnosnux-vomica, Sapindus emarginatus, Drypetess epiaria, Pterospermum canescens, Drypetes ferrea, Cordia dichotoma, Flacourtia indica, Canthium parviflorum,Ziziphus rugosa and Grewia tilifolia. The selective planting of diverse native trees helps as fire line in preventing the spread of fires in grasslands during summer.
Eastern Ghats forest planting (Dark green area in figure 3): the regions of scrub thickets and low lying drainage areas be planted with sapling from eastern ghats such Terminalia alata, Xylia xylocarpa, Anogeissus latifolia, Dillenia pentagyna, Pterocarpus marsupium, Pterospermum santalinus, Pongamia pinnata,Schleichera oleosa, Syzgium cumini, Bauhinia vahliii, Mallotusphilippensis, Phyllanthus emblica, Sterculia villosa, Bombax ceiba, Buchanania lanzan, Anogeissus latifolia, Terminalia paniculata, Chloroxylon swietenia, Dolichandrone arcuata, Wrightia tinctoria, Vitex altissimaStrychnos nux-vomica, Sapindus emarginatus, Drypetes sepiaria, Pterospermum canescens, Drypetes ferrea, Cordia dichotoma, Ficus sp, Flacourtia indica, and Grewia tilifolia.
Western Ghats plants (Blue shaded areas in figure 3):Western Ghats trees needs soil moisture, which requires regular monitoring. Hence theirspecies sapling be planted in the regions with good water retaining abilities (valleys, etc.) Percolation ponds / trenches in wild areas also help in recharging of groundwater resources and also maintenance of moisture in the soil. Planting of the Western Ghats species in in drier areas be avoided due to water stress.
Exotic trees: Non-native plant species be avoided and native plants with aesthetic branching, flowers, etc. be planted near guest houses, media library etc.
Native tree groves:Groves of native fruiting trees, flowering trees, nectar gardens, medicinal gardens be developed in plain areas (white shaded areas in Figure 3) with appropriate soil and water conservation measures. These will help as a food and nectar source for birds, butterflies, and many other faunal communities.
Wetland areas:Creation of water bodies (as discussed in the previous section) would support wild fauna (birds, mammals, etc.) apart from increasing ground water table. Development of wetlands (with aquatic emergent flora) at the inlet of water body would also help in remediation of water.
Energy plantations and other uses:Plantations of exotic species such as Eucalyptus in southern campus be replaced in phased manner with native species (Pongamia pinnata, etc.) These having huge trees have both the use of temporary residence for faunal communities and their aesthetic looks. Planting Acacia auriculiformis, Eucalyptus should be avoided.

Over all Light green shaded areas should be exclusively used for Grassland conservation, improvement with very sparse dry deciduous tree clumps. Necessary water conservation techniques can be done here. Dark shaded areas (in Figure 3) are suitable for exclusive Eastern ghats plants and olive green shaded areas (in figure 3) withDodonea viscosa shrub and grasses be maintained without any changes.
Table 2: Checklist of Trees (T), Shrubs (S), Climbers (C), and Herbs (H), in the Campus area along with their family, endemic status and medicinal value.

Sn	Species	Habit	Family	Endemics	Medicinal value (M)
1	Acacia auriculiformis	T	Leguminosae		M
2	Acacia catechu	T	Leguminosae		M
3	Acacia farnesiana	S	Leguminosae		M
4	Acacia sp	T	Leguminosae
5	Aeglemarmelos	T	Rutaceae		M
6	Albizialebbeck	T	Leguminosae
7	Alysicarpusvaginalis	H	Leguminosae
8	Andrographisserpyllifolia	H	Acanthaceae	Endemic	M
9	Anthocephaluscadamba	T	Rubiaceae
10	Apludamutica	H	Poaceae
11	Aponogetonsp	H	Aponogetonaceae
12	Argyriacuneata	S	Convolvulaceae	Endemic to South India	M
13	Aristidasp	H	Poaceae
14	Aristida setacea	H	Poaceae
15	Arthraxonsp	H	Poaceae
16	Artocarpushirsutus	T	Moraceae	Endemic	M
17	Artocarpusintegrifolius	T	Moraceae
18	Azadirachtaindica	T	Meliaceae		M
19	Balanitesaegyptiaca	T	Zygophyllaceae		M
20	Barleriabuxifolia	S	Acanthaceae	Endemic to peninsular India.
21	Bauhinia purpurea	T	Leguminosae
22	Bauhinia racemosa	T	Leguminosae
23	Bauhinia variegata	T	Leguminosae		M
24	Beciumfilamentosum	H	Lamiaceae
25	Bombaxceiba	T	Bombacaceae		M
26	Borassisflabellifer	T	Arecaceae
27	Buteamonosperma	T	Leguminosae		M
28	Callistemon sp	T	Myrtaceae
29	Calophylluminophyllum	T	Clusiaceae
30	Canthiumdicoccum	T	Rubiaceae		M
31	Careyaarborea	T	Lecythidaceae		M
32	Cassia auriculata	S	Leguminosae
33	Cassia fistula	T	Leguminosae		M
34	Cassia siamea	T	Leguminosae
35	Cassineglauca	T	Celastraceae		M
36	Celastruspaniculata	C	Celastraceae		M
37	Chrysopogon fulvus	H	Poaceae
38	Chukrasiatabularis	T	Meliaceae		M
39	Cinnamomummalabatrum	T	Lauraceae	Endemic	M
40	Clitoreatinctorea	C	Leguminosae		M
41	Cocculushirsutus	C	Menispermaceae		M
42	Crotalaria retusa	S	Leguminosae		M
43	Curculigoorchioides	H	Hypoxidaceae		M
44	Cymbopogonsp	H	Poaceae
45	Dactylocteniumaegyptium	H	Poaceae		M
46	Dalbergialatifolia	T	Leguminosae		M
47	Delonixregia	T	Leguminosae
48	Desmodiumsp	H	Leguminosae
49	Desmodiumtriflorum	H	Leguminosae		M
50	Dichanthiumpertusum	H	Poaceae
51	Dichrostachyscinerea	S	Leguminosae
52	Digitariasp	H	Poaceae
53	Dilleniaindica	T	Dilleniaceae
54	Dodonaeaviscosa	S	Sapindaceae
55	Echinochloacolona	H	Poaceae
56	Elaeocharissp	H	Cyperaceae
57	Eucalyptus sp	T	Myrtaceae
58	Euphorbia bonplondianum	H	Euphorbiaceae
59	Evolvulusalsinoides	H	Convolvulaceae		M
60	Ficusbenghalensis	T	Moraceae		M
61	Ficushispida	T	Moraceae		M
62	Ficusinfectoria	T	Moraceae
63	Ficusmysorensis	T	Moraceae
64	Ficusracemosa	T	Moraceae
65	Ficusreligiosa	T	Moraceae		M
66	Flacourtiaindica	S	Flacourtiaceae
67	Garciniacambogia	T	Clusiaceae	Endemic	M
68	Garugapinnata	T	Burseraceae		M
69	Gloriosasuperba	H	Liliaceae		M
70	Hackelochloagranularis	H	Poaceae
71	Hemidesmusindicus	C	Asclepiadaceae	Endemic to Peninsular India	M
72	Heterophragmaroxbhurgii	T	Bignoniaceae	Endemic to Peninsular India	M
73	Heteropogoncontortus	H	Poaceae

74	Holopteliaintegrifolia	T	Ulmaceae		M
75	Hybanthusenneaspermus	H	Violaceae		M
76	Hyptissuaveolens	S	Lamiaceae		M
77	Indigoferatinctorea	H	Leguminosae
78	Iphigenia indica	H	Liliaceae
79	Jatrophacurcas	H	Euphorbiaceae
80	Justicia simplex	H	Acanthaceae		M
81	Lantana camara	S	Verbenaceae
82	Lepidagathiscristata	H	Acanthaceae		M
83	Leucasapera	H	Lamiaceae
84	Leucenaleucocephala	T	Leguminosae
85	Loranthussp	H	Loranthaceae
86	Madhucaindica	T	Sapotaceae		M
87	Mangiferaindica	T	Anacardiaceae		M
88	Marseliasp	H	Marsileaceae
89	Meliadubia	T	Meliaceae		M
90	Mitragynaparvifolia	T	Rubiaceae		M
91	Mollugopentaphylla	H	Molluginaceae		M
92	Moringatomentosa	T	Moringaceae
93	Muntingiacalabura	T	Elaeocarpaceae		M
94	Murrayapaniculata	T	Rutaceae		M
95	Nympheasp	H	Nymphaeaceae
96	Partheniumhysterophorus	H	Asteraceae
97	Passiflorafoetida	C	Passifloraceae
98	Pavoniaodorata	H	Malvaceae		M
99	Peltophorumroxbhurgii	T	Leguminosae
100	Pennisetum pedicellatum	H	Poaceae
101	Phyllanthusemblica	T	Euphorbiaceae		M
102	Phyllanthus simplex	H	Euphorbiaceae
103	Phyllanthus maderaspatensis	H	Euphorbiaceae
104	Plumeria alba	T	Apocynaceae
105	Pongamiapinnata	T	Leguminosae		M
106	Premnatomentosa	T	Verbenaceae		M
107	Pterocarpussantalinus	T	Leguminosae		M
108	Pterospermumdiversifolium	T	Sterculiaceae		M
109	Salaciachinensis	C	Celastraceae		M
110	Santalum album	T	Santalaceae	Endemic to India	M
111	Sapindusemarginatus	T	Sapindaceae
112	Saracaasoca	T	Leguminosae		M
113	Schefflerasp	T	Araliaceae
114	Schoenoplectussp	H	Cyperaceae
115	Sidaacuta	H	Malvaceae		M
116	Spermacocearticularis	H	Rubiaceae		M
117	Spermacocehispida	H	Rubiaceae		M
118	Stachytarpetaindica	H	Verbenaceae		M
119	Strigalutea	H	Scrophulariaceae
120	Stylosanthesfruiticosa	H	Leguminosae
121	Sweiteniamacrophylla	T	Meliaceae
122	Symplocossp	T	Symplocaceae
123	Syzygiumcumini	T	Myrtaceae		M
124	Tamarindusindicus	T	Leguminosae		M
125	Tecomastans	S	Bignoniaceae
126	Tectonagrandis	T	Verbenaceae
127	Terminaliaarjuna	T	Combretaceae
128	Terminaliabellerica	T	Combretaceae		M
129	Thunbergiaalata	C	Acanthaceae
130	Tinosporacordifolia	C	Menispermaceae		M
131	Toddaliaasiatica	C	Rutaceae		M
132	Tragiainvolucrata	C	Euphorbiaceae		M
133	Tremaorientalis	T	Ulmaceae		M
134	Tribulusterrestris	H	Zygophyllaceae		M
135	Trichodesmazeylanicum	H	Boraginaceae
136	Tridaxprocumbens	H	Asteraceae
137	Tylophorasp	C	Asclepiadaceae
138	Vitexnegundo	S	Verbenaceae		M
139	Vitextrifoliata	T	Verbenaceae
140	Wrigtiatinctorea	T	Apocynaceae		M
141	Zorniadiphylla	H	Leguminosae		M

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