Team:  Priya Ranganathan, Jagadish M. R

The low-lying valleys of the evergreen tropical forests of the Western Ghats harbour a rare, ancient ecosystem: the Myristica swamps. These swamps are ecologically rich and biologically sensitive ecosystems within the Western Ghats. Comprised mainly of evergreen trees of the Myristicaceae family—one of the most primitive families of flowering plants renowned for the nutmeg tree species, the swamps are rich in biodiversity Many swamps are increasingly isolated by alternate and ever-changing land use, especially conversion of swamp forests into paddy fields and areca nut plantations.

Gathering information about the benefits of swamps to local communities, stakeholders, and the larger surroundings is key to successfully conserving these rare ecosystems. Our study will attempt to understand the conditions for seed germination, seedling survival, and seedling growth of the species that are restricted to the swamps, assess the hydrological requirements for successful seedling recruitment and survival and design and execute an appropriate in-situ restoration of a swamp, working with Forest Department and local stakeholders to plant and monitor seedling growth. Our major goal is to improve key ecosystem services of swamps through restoration including maintaining water quality and perennial flow and improving relic tree species abundance.