| 1 | Avifauna of the mangroves around Ratnagiri, Maharashtra The avifauna related to the mangrove forests around Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, India was studied. The bird observations were made mainly between 6-8 a.m. and 4-6 p.m. during the post monsoon season. The visual observations were made with the help of standard 8x40 and 7x50 wide angle binoculars. 121 bird species recorded during the field observations belonged to 82 genera, 7-sub-families, 39 families and 13 orders. The resident and local migrant birds dominated the avifauna. There was a significant influence of the terrestrial bird species on the avifauna of the mangrove ecosystem around Ratnagiri. It was observed that proximity to terrestrial communities increased the diversity of arboreal species, whereas proximity to open areas increased likelihood of birds of prey Source: Samant, J.S. The Mangroves: Proceedings of National Symposium on Biology, Utilization and Conservation of Mangroves, Nov. 18-20, 1985. Bhosale, L.J. ed. 1986; 456-466. 0349. | ||
| 2 | Mangrove ecology of the Sundarbans delta in West Bengal and its role on the brackishwater fisheries From the tidal Sunderbans about 120 brackishwater Fishes and crustaceans are identified. Seventy halophytic angiosperms are also identified and studied from this Sundarbans tidal forests. These plants and animals association of the mangrove delta provide foods and shelters for euryhaline fishes and crustaceans. For the rapid growth of the mangrove plants, the tidal soil turned fertile by the gradual accumulation of humus matter from the mangrove phytosuccession, Planktonic and benthic forms of both algae and several smaller animalcules are also common in this mangrove environment. The dense growth of petiphytic algae, molluscs and other animalcules on the serial mangrove roots and tree trunks also noted very much productive as providing the food to these economic fishes and crustaceans. Several annelids, insects and other marine forms of crustaceans, crabs and molluscs take shelter permanently in this mangrove forests; while prawns and fishes come in along with the tidal water to graze apparently on the abundant nutrient available in this mangrove ecosystem. For the activity of several soil burrowing organisms the mangrove soil turned porus in nature, which also accelerate the dense growth of the mangrove flors. The soil of the Sundarbans tidal forests is recent in origin and deposited from the alluvium silt particles, carried in by the tidal rivers and creeks. Originally, the mangrove soil is almost devoid of organic carbon and available nitrogen; though sulphur, phosphate and calcium are present appreciably. The silty clay is not at all productive in the initial stages of land formation, but several biological process like the activity of bacteria and algae convert the suitable for the growth of the higher plants. Here, Cyanophyceae appear on the soft hydrophilic and biologically active soil while the Chlorophyceae dominant, on the comparatively more consolidated soil. For this rich food resources and availability of fish and prawn juveniles a large number of brackishwater fisheries have developed in these mangrove delta of the Sundarbans Source: Naskar, K.R. J. Aquat. Organism.. 1(1); 1987; 1-9. 0433. | ||
| 3 | Status of terrestrial flora and fauna at four lagoon sites of Bombay coast Terrestrial flora and fauna of four aerated lagoon sites, namely Versova, Malad, Bhandup and Ghatkopar of Bombay Coast, India were studied in 1990 prior to construction of lagoons. The sites represented six and 26 varieties of mangroves and avifauna respectively besides a large number of miscellaneous vegetations, invertebrates and vertebrates. Diversity, density, dominance and frequency of mangroves species revealed that Avicennia marina was most important species in these regions. However, density of Acanthus ilicifolius was higher at Versova. While considering vegetation cover, Ghatkopar emerged with highest score of cover abundance scale Source: Ghosh, T.K.; Patil, M.M.; Thakur, S.G. Environ. Ecol.. 12(2); 1994; 387-392. 0837. | ||
| 4 | Mangrove fauna of Sunderbans: Ecological features and utilisation The ecological features of mangrove environment, with particular reference to Sunderbans, West Bengal, India and efforts taken by both, national and international agencies for preservation of diversity of plants and animals from this unique environment has been described. Common insects, molluscs crustaceans, annelids, reptiles, amphibians, birds, mammals are commonly found in Sunderbans ecosystem. The tidal creeks, canals and lagoons of Sunderbans continuously supply an enormous quantity of fishes and other crustaceans. This has helped in all round economic development. The culturable fishes, mullets and tiger shrimps are cultured in about 2,500 small to large-sized brackishwater fishery farms. The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) expressed the need for conservation of some endangered mangrove fauna like Batagur baska, Chelonia mydas, Lepidochelys olivacea, etc. Strict rules are imposed with the initiation of 'Tiger Reserve Project', and 'Crocodile Breeding and Rearing Project' in the Indian Sunderbans Source: Dehadrai, P.V. Conservation of mangrove forest genetic resources: A training manual. Deshmukh, S.V. ; Balaji, V. eds. 1994; 287-293. 0850. | ||
| 5 | Bhitarkanika - A biological paradox The information on the biological diversity of Bhitarkanika, Kendrapara, Orissa, India has been described. The physiography, vegetation and faunal distribution of the mangrove forest were discussed. The need to establish this area as a Biosphere Reserve is highlighted Source: Behura, B.K. Bhitarkanika: The wonderland of Orissa. Behura, B.K. ed. 1999; 44-68. 1064. | ||
| 6 | Bhitarkanika: Myth and reality.This part deals with birds and mammals. The world famous wildlife sanctuary Bhitarkanika, Kendrapara, Orissa, India was studied. The mangrove ecosystem, its importance; floral diversity including morphological and anatomical adaptations in mangrove plants, physiological adaptations, silvicultural features; faunal diversity and some special features of Bhitarkanika has been described. Besides this special conservation efforts like salt water crocodile conservation and management project and sea-turtle conservation and management project, legal provisions and some management issues and possible solutions has been suggested Source: Chadha, S.; Kar, C.S. 1999; 388; pp. 1194. | ||
| 7 | Avian diversity in and around mangroves of Mahul Creek, Mumbai, India The study carried out during July 2001-May 2002 at Mahul Creek, Maharashtra, India was aimed to examine the avian diversity in and around the mangrove forest. The avian community structure and concomitant population fluctuations were determined by weekly absolute counts of birds along the fixed transect. The area supported a fairly large number ot migratory birds during winter. The maximum bird species diversity was recorded during winter (H'=4.06) and minimum during summer (H'=2.97). A total of 134 species of birds, belonging to 14 orders and 37 families were recorded. Of the total bird species, 36% bird species were long distant migrants from as far as Arctic Circle and rest of the avifauna consisted of resident bird species (28%), local migrants (24%) and resident migrants (11%). Shore birds, bulbuls, starlings, shrikes and warblers formed the bulk of the population. Globally threatened birds as Greater Spotted Eagle, Eastern Imperial Eagle, White-backed Vulture, Oriental White Ibis and Lesser Flamingo were also recorded. The mangrove forest showed the highest bird species richness (0=29.9) but had low species diversity (H'=2.87). Rainfall, tidal water availability, fruiting seasonality, chemical pollution and anthropogenic activities like salt works and woodcutting affected the bird population. Source: Verma, A.; Chaturvedi, N.; Balachandran, S.; Kehimkar, I. Proceedings of the National Seminar on Creeks, Estuaries and Mangroves - Pollution and Conservation, 28th to 30th November, 2002, Thane. Quadros, G. ed. 2002; 266-275. 1236. | ||
| 8 | Species diversity of avifauna at Thane Creek near Rutuchakkra nature park The species diversity and density of birds of the mangroves, mudflats and near by reclaimed land at Thane creek near Rutuchakkra Nature Park, Marashtra, India (72 degrees 55 minutes to 73 degrees 00 E longitude and 19 degrees 00 to 19 degrees 15 minutes latitude) was studied at weekly intervals from September 2000 to March 2002. At low tide, exposed mudflats served ideal feeding grounds for winter visitors, like Little Stint, Common Sandpiper, Red Shanks, Plovers etc. Mudflats were separated by thin water currents and bordered by dense mangroves like Avicennia marina, A. officinalis etc. and reclaimed land. At few places mangrove patches were seen as islands. The mudflats and near by area harboured a total of 69 species of birds belonging to 26 families and 12 orders, of which 32 species were wetland inhabitants. Charadriforms formed the largest group inhabiting the estuarine wetland. Maximum species diversity was observed in the month of December 2000 (49 species). Some rare visitors like Avocet (Recurvirostra avocetta) was also noted at the site, which is one of the important bird species according to IBA (Important Bird Area) declaration. The present study comprised of a survey of avifauna of Thane creek (Rutuchakkra Park), which will be useful in providing base line data, for planning effective management to study bird diversity with respect to development of Rutuchakkra Nature Park and pollution load on the creek. Source: Nitsure, S.R.; Pejaver, M. Proceedings of the National Seminar on Creeks, Estuaries and Mangroves - Pollution and Conservation, 28th to 30th November, 2002, Thane. Quadros, G. ed. 2002; 276-282. 1237.
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