A review of research and conservation of Myristica swamps, a threatened freshwater swamp of the Western Ghats, India

Response of Diatoms to the Changing Water Quality in the Myristica Swamps of the Western Ghats, India

“…To prevent this, the presumed widespread loss of these swamps needs detailed research on ecosystem services and the function they play in watershed dynamics. Moreover, a detailed review by Ranganathan et al [4] on these swamps calls for a dire need for conservation initiatives to save the last few swamps. According to them, further research is needed to understand the abiotic factors governing the swamps.…”

“…According to them, further research is needed to understand the abiotic factors governing the swamps. Further, to better protect these swampy forests, the study of Ranganathan et al [4] recommended building a clear policy with the involvement of local communities. In this line, our study will provide more clarity about how diatoms and hydrochemistry data can be used to better understand the changing environment in the swamp and eventually which will impact the livelihood of local communities by altered water quantity and quality.…”

“…India is home to various natural and human-made wetlands, ranging from marine mangrove swamps, tidal marshes, and coastal wetlands to freshwater marshes, swamps, and bogs. In India, notable freshwater swamps have been reported from the Siwalik and Doon valley, Brahmaputra valley [2], and the valleys of the Western Ghats [3,4]. The Western Ghats is one of the 36 global biodiversity hotspots, which lies in the western part of peninsular India as a series of mid (300-1200 m a.s.l) to high altitude hills (up to 2600 m a.s.l.)…”

“…Many endemic biotas have been discovered inside these swamps in the last two decades, including many new species of frogs [18], mushrooms [19], butterflies [20], and diatoms [21]. Refer Ranganathan et al [4] for a detailed review of the biodiversity of Myristica swamps. Despite their little-known biota, these swamps are virtually live museums of ancient life and of great interest to biologists, as most of the novel taxa described here, such as Myristica magnifica, Gymnacranthera canarica, Syzygium stocksii (Duthie) Gamble, Madhuca bourdillonii (Gamble) Raizada, and Semecarpus kathalekanensis represent ancient lineages [9].…”