Bryophytes of Wayanad in Western Ghats

Contents: Foreword. Preface. I. Introduction: 1. Origin and evolution. 2. Significance of bryophytes. 3. Present status. 4. Relevance of the present investigation. II. Wayanad: the study area: 1. Vegetation types. 2. Human habitations and cultivation. III. Review of literature: 1. Liverworts and hornworts. 2. Musci. 3. Bryophyte study with special reference to Kerala. IV. Material and methods: 1. Taxonomy. 2. Ecology. 3. Abbreviations used in the text. V. Taxonomic account of bryophytes of Wayanad: 1. Class I: Hepaticae (liverworts). 2. Class II: Anthocerotae. 3. Class III: Musci. VI. Ecology of bryophytes of Wayanad: 1. Distribution of bryophytes along vegetation gradient. 2. Altitude and bryophyte distribution. 3. Habitats and bryophyte associations. 4. Host specificity. 5. New habitat records. 6. Bryophytes in bird's nests. VII. Discussion: 1. Future prospects. 2. Conservation. VIII. Bibliography. IX. Appendix-glossary. X. Index. List of new Taxa published in this book.

"Bryophytes, the 'amphibians of the plant kingdom', occupy almost all kinds of habitats in almost all parts of the globe. These are a group of plants with distinct identity; known to the mankind from time immemorial and consist of three lineages, viz., Liverworts, Hornworts and Mosses. Even though neglected for the lack of direct economic importance or un assuming nature; they play important role in ecosystem dynamics, nutrient cycling, soil binding, providing, microhabitats for other plant and animals, fills gaps in the habitats, promote plant succession, etc. They also serve as ideal study objects giving insights into the plant evolution, monitoring the ecosystem health and pollution levels. However, the studies on this group are comparatively lesser in India and most of them are confined to the Himalayas. Even tough the Southern India despite with its blessed climatic and geographical features of the Western Ghats is equally rich as the Himalayas, still remains bryologically under explored.

This book is the result of extensive explorations on the bryophytes of Wayanad, the mountainous district in the Western Ghats of Kerala, notable for its unique geographical location with varied topography and associated habitat diversity supporting unique assemblage of biodiversity. Except for the coast and backwaters, almost all habitat types of South India, from low altitude to the high altitude grasslands and shola forests, occur in Wayanad, which forms the major part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.

This book contains illustrative accounts of 171 species and two varieties of bryophytes belonging to 105 genera and 47 families; including two new species viz., Trichostomum Wayanadensis and Amphidium gangulii. Seven species and one variety are new distribution records to India, 31 species and one variety are new records to Peninsular India and 43 are new records to Kerala.

Easy to follow keys and descriptions of family, genus and species are provided, supported with more than 160 figures and 200 photographs. Each species is treated in detail with the updated scientific name, important synonyms relevant to the Indian context and taxonomic description. Its macro and microhabitat details, Indian as well as global distribution and details of the voucher specimens are also given.

Most of the bryophytes described in this book enjoys a wider distribution in South India, makes this book usable as an identification manual in almost all parts of the Western Ghats. This book fulfils the long felt need for a comprehensive taxonomic identification manual on the bryophytes of South India." (jacket)