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A review of research and conservation of Myristica swamps,
a threatened freshwater swamp of the Western Ghats, India
Priya Ranganathan .G. Ravikanth .N. A. Aravind
Received: 4 May 2020 / Accepted: 6 August 2021 / Published online: 16 August 2021
ÓThe Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. 2021
Abstract Myristica swamps are tree-covered wet-
lands within the evergreen forests of the Western
Ghats, India. Even with their little-known biota, the
swamps are virtually a live museum that is of great
interest to biologists. The swamps harbour several
rare-relic floristic and faunal taxa, comprising many
endemic and threatened species. Most of the plant
species in the swamp are highly restricted in their
distribution and have several structural and physio-
logical modifications. These swamps are one of the
most unique and primeval ecosystems of the Western
Ghats. They once formed a large hydrological network
all along the Western Ghats, but due to increased
human pressure, these now exist as small, isolated
pockets and are one of the most threatened ecosystems
in India. The presumed widespread loss of Myristica
swamps and other perennial freshwater swamps calls
for intensive research on the ecosystem services
provided by these swamps, their landscape value and
the function they play in watershed dynamics.
Swamps are primarily drained for areca gardens and
paddy fields. The swamps of the Western Ghats are
threatened with extinction, yet scientists know little
about them. Studies on flora and faunal diversity of
these swamps exist, but the research gaps are
notable when it comes to the hydrology, soil studies,
and ecosystem services provided by these swamps.
Further research is needed on these three topics in
order to provide a comprehensive understanding of the
abiotic factors governing swamps and to formulate a
rationale for their preservation. There is also a lack of
research on the potential impacts of climate change
and population growth on these swamps. This review
highlights the importance of these freshwater swamps,
their ecology and prior research on them, and focuses
on the need for conservation initiatives to save the last
few swamps.
Keywords Relic forests Biodiversity hotspot
Wetland Evergreen forests Refugia Conservation
Introduction
Wetlands are ecosystems spanning land and water,
characterized by waterlogged soils, aquatic
Supplementary Information The online version contains
supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1007/
s11273-021-09825-5.
P. Ranganathan G. Ravikanth N. A. Aravind (&)
Suri Sehgal Center for Biodiversity and Conservation,
Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the
Environment (ATREE), Royal Enclave, Srirampura,
Jakkur PO, Bengaluru 560064, India
e-mail: aravind@atree.org
N. A. Aravind
Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be
University), University Road, Derlakatte,
Mangalore 575018, India
123
Wetlands Ecol Manage (2022) 30:171–189
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-021-09825-5(0123456789().,-volV)(0123456789().,-volV)
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