Rock outcrops are very common, yet less studied landscapes of Maharashtra. There are several types of rock outcrops like volcanic plateaus, cliffs, etc.; and each of these has unique bio-diversity and habitats. On 2nd of March, 2020 I attended a lecture on cliffs and plateaus of Maharashtra and types of habitat they have. Jividha organized this event. They had organized a lecture series from 2nd to 7th of March, about natural habitats of various species.
Lecture of 2nd March was conducted by Dr. Mandar Datar. He started with the definition of rock outcrops. These are the places where the bed rock is exposed due to erosion or such activity and covered with very thin or no layer of soil. He said that though it is very difficult for various plants to survive in such areas, they have managed to adapt. These plants are so dependent now on rock outcrops that they cannot grow elsewhere, nor can plants from elsewhere live in such harsh environment. He has studied about such outcrops and adaptation of various plants in such areas.
Dr. Datar said that entire Western Ghat doesn’t have the same bio-diversity throughout its range. Mountain range, spreading north to south, starting approximately from Gujrat and ending near Kanyakumari is called Western Ghat. Altitude of cliffs and volcanic plateaus, climate, temperature, water availability and lots of other parameters change the flora and fauna of Western Ghat. As you go south, the bio diversity changes, and towards north it is again different. Plateaus and cliffs have plenty of micro habitats. There is normally a plateau above the cliff. It has dense vegetation. On the edge of plateau, top of the cliff, it has Overhangs. Below that, lots of cracks and moist crevices can be seen. Some caves can also be seen around. Ledge of cave can also be a microhabitat. Some deep cracks such as fissures can be found on cliff. Depressions caused by water flows are also microhabitat. These microhabitats host tons of floras such as organisms, species of grasses, algae, fungi, mosses, and endemic species.
Plateaus are comparatively more hospitable for various species than cliffs. Plateaus have thin layer of soil. Outcrops look quite boring and dry in summer period. In contrary, various puddles and rivulets can be seen in monsoon. These are the perfect microhabitats for various species. Species are so sensitive in these puddles, that even a slightest change in water affects them. Sometimes, these puddles get filled with soil, and host entirely different types of species.
Many parameters make cliffs inhospitable. The major part is gravity. When a plant grows on a flat, plain land, gravity works as a friendly force. It keeps the plant sturdy. But when a plant grows on a cliff, gravity works as a negative force. Cliff normally has 90 degree angle with the surface. Plants bigger in size can fall down. The species have to maintain their size to live.
Next big factor can be the water and nutrients scarcity. Cliffs have very less amount of soil stuck on them. Even at some place on plateau has very less soil. As the soil is the primary source of nutrients, these plants need to search some alternative sources. Creating tubers is the common adaption these plants use. They store their nutrients in tuber, and use it when necessary. There are also carnivorous plants. These capture, digest insects to get nutrients. There is a species called ‘Topli Carvi’ in Marathi. These species collect and store the nutrients, and bloom once in lots of years. The period changes depending on type of ‘Topli Carvi’. It can be 5 to 6 years, or even more, like 10 to 12 years. Western Ghat has a big summer season. Plant species at cliffs and plateaus dehydrate a lot in this season. These species have to survive this dehydration, and maintain their position till upcoming monsoon. Monsoon offers more than enough water. Even this is a challenge. Plants have to struggle not to be flown off in the flow of water. These species are adapted to handle both contradictory situations. Some plant species use poikilohydry technique, to adapt such scarcity. These species are more commonly known as desiccation tolerant or resurrection plants because of their unique adaptation for sustaining during the dry period. Poikilohydry species just don’t lose their place. Even their cells lose the water, they stay alive. They use every milliliter of water they get. Some plants even grow their roots longer, and make them touch the ground from the cliff, so they can get plenty of nutrients and water.
Next problem they face is spreading their seeds and pollinating. These species use various methods to disperse seeds. Some even let their seeds go on wind. Insectivorous don’t eat all insects that come to them. Some insects are used to pollinate, and some are for meal. Quite smart!
Adaptation of these plants is just amazing. I have mentioned some of the problems and techniques they have. These species are adapted to their habitats for such long time, that now they can’t live without them. That’s why Charles Darwin says, “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most adaptive to the change.”
- Shantanu Shinde
Mobile: 7887881031
Blog: infogelic.blogspot.com
Email: shantanuspune@gmail.com
Profile: facebook.com/shantanuspune
Lecture of 2nd March was conducted by Dr. Mandar Datar. He started with the definition of rock outcrops. These are the places where the bed rock is exposed due to erosion or such activity and covered with very thin or no layer of soil. He said that though it is very difficult for various plants to survive in such areas, they have managed to adapt. These plants are so dependent now on rock outcrops that they cannot grow elsewhere, nor can plants from elsewhere live in such harsh environment. He has studied about such outcrops and adaptation of various plants in such areas.
Dr. Datar said that entire Western Ghat doesn’t have the same bio-diversity throughout its range. Mountain range, spreading north to south, starting approximately from Gujrat and ending near Kanyakumari is called Western Ghat. Altitude of cliffs and volcanic plateaus, climate, temperature, water availability and lots of other parameters change the flora and fauna of Western Ghat. As you go south, the bio diversity changes, and towards north it is again different. Plateaus and cliffs have plenty of micro habitats. There is normally a plateau above the cliff. It has dense vegetation. On the edge of plateau, top of the cliff, it has Overhangs. Below that, lots of cracks and moist crevices can be seen. Some caves can also be seen around. Ledge of cave can also be a microhabitat. Some deep cracks such as fissures can be found on cliff. Depressions caused by water flows are also microhabitat. These microhabitats host tons of floras such as organisms, species of grasses, algae, fungi, mosses, and endemic species.
Plateaus are comparatively more hospitable for various species than cliffs. Plateaus have thin layer of soil. Outcrops look quite boring and dry in summer period. In contrary, various puddles and rivulets can be seen in monsoon. These are the perfect microhabitats for various species. Species are so sensitive in these puddles, that even a slightest change in water affects them. Sometimes, these puddles get filled with soil, and host entirely different types of species.
Many parameters make cliffs inhospitable. The major part is gravity. When a plant grows on a flat, plain land, gravity works as a friendly force. It keeps the plant sturdy. But when a plant grows on a cliff, gravity works as a negative force. Cliff normally has 90 degree angle with the surface. Plants bigger in size can fall down. The species have to maintain their size to live.
Next big factor can be the water and nutrients scarcity. Cliffs have very less amount of soil stuck on them. Even at some place on plateau has very less soil. As the soil is the primary source of nutrients, these plants need to search some alternative sources. Creating tubers is the common adaption these plants use. They store their nutrients in tuber, and use it when necessary. There are also carnivorous plants. These capture, digest insects to get nutrients. There is a species called ‘Topli Carvi’ in Marathi. These species collect and store the nutrients, and bloom once in lots of years. The period changes depending on type of ‘Topli Carvi’. It can be 5 to 6 years, or even more, like 10 to 12 years. Western Ghat has a big summer season. Plant species at cliffs and plateaus dehydrate a lot in this season. These species have to survive this dehydration, and maintain their position till upcoming monsoon. Monsoon offers more than enough water. Even this is a challenge. Plants have to struggle not to be flown off in the flow of water. These species are adapted to handle both contradictory situations. Some plant species use poikilohydry technique, to adapt such scarcity. These species are more commonly known as desiccation tolerant or resurrection plants because of their unique adaptation for sustaining during the dry period. Poikilohydry species just don’t lose their place. Even their cells lose the water, they stay alive. They use every milliliter of water they get. Some plants even grow their roots longer, and make them touch the ground from the cliff, so they can get plenty of nutrients and water.
Next problem they face is spreading their seeds and pollinating. These species use various methods to disperse seeds. Some even let their seeds go on wind. Insectivorous don’t eat all insects that come to them. Some insects are used to pollinate, and some are for meal. Quite smart!
Adaptation of these plants is just amazing. I have mentioned some of the problems and techniques they have. These species are adapted to their habitats for such long time, that now they can’t live without them. That’s why Charles Darwin says, “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most adaptive to the change.”
- Shantanu Shinde
Mobile: 7887881031
Blog: infogelic.blogspot.com
Email: shantanuspune@gmail.com
Profile: facebook.com/shantanuspune
