Page 204 - e-Book

Floristic Studies On Diversity, Soil Profiles And Phytoremediation In The

Post-Flood Scenario, In Foothill Region Of Western Ghats

Minoo Divakaran*, Asla VP, Ashikajith, Archana Pradeep, Ashwathi Hariharan, Anjali P

Centre for Plant Science Research, Department of Botany, Providence Women’s College,
Kozhikode 673009, Kerala

*Email of Corresponding author: minoodivakaran@providencecollegecalicut.ac.in

ABSTRACT
The UNESCO World Heritage Sites includes two major biological diversity hotspots of the

world, in India. The Western Ghats, parallel to the western coast of Indian Peninsular India,
contains a very large proportion of the country's diversity. Many human development

indicators for the entire stretch of Western Ghats, are at par with those of developed
countries, however, it is highly vulnerable to natural disasters and the changing climatic

dynamics, given its location along the sea coast and the steep gradient along the slopes of the

Western Ghats. After two recurrent floods that affected the state of Kerala in recent years, a
study was conducted in affected areas, to document the floral diversity, understand the soil

profiles and identify potential species that helps to overcome the disastrous effects caused by
pollution as well as waterlogging during such catastrophes. Carnivorous species like

Utricularia aurea, mangroves and more than 100 plant species (representing more than 25
families), 13 classes and 37 faunal species diversity were documented, including endangered

and vulnerable species viz., Chesalia curviflora an endangered species and threatened species

like Cyanotis cristatus, Cyperus compresses. Species diversity was indexed using Shannon
diversity index, and indexes are relatively high and indicating the urgent need to conserve the

ecological fertile land. Soil profiling indicated potassium levels ranged from 170-471,
whereas phosphorous levels from 9.24 to 29.82 kg/ha, indicative of the better soil drainage

conditions in these areas. The soil samples collected from few interior zones showed high

variations from the peripheral zones, indicating the impact of lack of proper drainage and
outflow of water and other residuals. Therefore natural landcontours need to be maintained

during any human developmental activities. Plants Wedelia trilobata, Moringa oleifera ,
Brassica nigra where exposed to different concentrations of HgCl2, FeCl3, and Moringa

oleifera showed better tolerance to mercuric chloride, whereas, Wedelia trilobata survived

for about 120hrs in FeCl3. Both the species, also indicated their potential to modify the water
pH to an optimum level. Hence the study indicates that identifying and planting such species

helps to overcome the disastrous effects caused by pollution as well as waterlogging during

194