2006-07 - Kerala Forest Research Institute

Annual report 2006-07Kerala Forest Research InstituteDeforestation in Mangroves of Kannurclimate, soil substratum and compositionalchanges in the aquatic componentincluding tidal dynamics and water quality,and to use this information for framingstrategies for rehabilitation• To analyze the community structure ofthe mangrove vegetation includingzonation and characterization of thevegetal mosaics, phenological studiesaiming to understand the seasonality ofgrowth and reproduction and the stressphysiology of the plants which in turnwould be of practical value in conservingthem.Date of Commencement : 2004 AprilDate of Completion : 2007 MarchBudget: Rs. 15.42 lakhsSponsoring Agency : Ministry of Environmentand Forests,Government ofIndia.....................................................................................................................................................................................Field visits were made. Aerial photographswere obtained. The map preparation workwas continued. Data on temperature, RH andrainfall were monitored. Samples of soil fromone study plot have been collected. Altogether30 plant species were collected from twolocations of study. Jackal, grey mongoose andFish diversity in Mangrovesbats were the mammals sighted in the studyarea. Sixty-one species of birds were alsorecorded. Six species of prawns, five speciesof crabs and 48 species of fishes were collected.Data on seasonal abundance of fishes havebeen generated. Six species of mollusks werealso recorded.Forests and agricultural ecosystem analysisto assess ecosystem health and to identifyrehabilitation strategies in the Kerala partof Nilgiri Biosphere ReserveInvestigator(s): Chandrashekara, U.M.Objectives• To identify ecological and economicstrengths and weaknesses of traditionaland modern agricultural practices andevolve appropriate strategies for theirsustainable management• To analyse the impact of different agriculturalpractices on the adjacent forestsin terms of their vegetation structure,species composition, regenerationpatterns and overall ecosystem health• To identify suitable strategies for theforests affected by different croppingpractices in the region.48