March 29, 2024

Myristica swamps

  • Climate change and human intervention are threatening the Myristica swamps of Kerala.

ABOUT MYRISTICA SWAMPS

  • These swamps are found in the Sacred Groves or evergreen forest patches and are included in the littoral and swamp forest groups.
  • They have evolved over millions of years and are comprised of old-growth trees.
  • In India, these unique habitats occur in the Western Ghats and a smaller distribution exists in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
  • The 55-acre Kammadam Kavu is the largest in Kerala.
    • This grove is home to a Myristica swamp over 2-3 acres.
  • The Myristica swamp, like a mangrove, is found inside a forest. But mangroves thrive in saline water, Myristica requires freshwater.
  • This species has stilt roots, or knee roots that pop up above the water level to breathe creating a varied habitat for many life forms.
  • Found in freshwater areas, these groves harbour endemic and endangered plant species including those with medicinal properties.
    • One of the most endangered endemic species is the Myristica malabarica, a wild relative of nutmeg used extensively in Ayurveda.
    • Myristica fatue, which is very rare with just under 20 trees in Kerala.
    • The Syzygium travencuricum is listed as ‘Vulnerable’ in the IUCN Red Data book.
  • Amphibians like frogs, toads and caecilians also flourish in these swamps as these species prefer mating and reproduction in waterlogged patches.
  • These groves also have close ties with indigenous rituals and religion.
  • They have deities related to snake and tree worship, and are protected by local communities, attached to temples or privately owned.
  • Threats– main causes for the destruction of the swamps are human intervention, mismanagement of rivers and climate change.

 

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

  • It is essential to keep the rivers healthy, as the waterbodies nurture these swamps.
    • If the rivulets disappear, the Myristica swamps will disappear.
    • With rivers drying out, the swamps are being invaded by semi-evergreen and deciduous species such as legumes, white dammer, terminalia and woody climbers, large flowering plants and invasive species.
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