Odisha semi-evergreen forests

Coordinates: 20°19′N 85°58′E / 20.317°N 85.967°E / 20.317; 85.967
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Orissa semi-evergreen forests
East Deccan moist deciduous forests
  • Lower Gangetic Plains moist deciduous forests
    • Bird species215
    Mammal species59
    Geography
    Area8,600 km2 (3,300 sq mi)
    CountryIndia
    Coordinates20°19′N 85°58′E / 20.317°N 85.967°E / 20.317; 85.967
    Conservation
    Conservation statusCritical/Endangered
    Protected12.79%

    The Odisha semi-evergreen forests (also Orissa semi-evergreen forests) are a

    Godavari-Krishna mangroves along a stretch of the south-east coast by the Bay of Bengal
    .

    Several of Odisha's largest cities, including Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri, Chhatrapur, Kendrapara, and Bhadrak, lie within this ecoregion, and it has been extensively cleared for agriculture and urbanization. According to the WWF, 96% of the ecoregion's area has been cleared, and only 4% remains in the original semi-evergreen rain forest. Much of the remaining forest has been degraded by grazing and fuelwood harvesting.[1]

    Flora

    • Some coastal and river spots have mangroves.
      Some coastal and river spots have
      mangroves
      .
    • Palm trees near the coast
      Palm trees near the coast
    • Barunei Hill near Bhubaneswar
      Barunei Hill near Bhubaneswar
    • Inside a semi-evergreen (or semi-deciduous) forest in Odisha. Chandaka forest.
      Inside a semi-evergreen (or semi-deciduous) forest in Odisha. Chandaka forest.
    • Special bamboo habitat in the forests. Chandaka forest.
      Special bamboo habitat in the forests. Chandaka forest.
    • Kapilash Forest Range, inland hills
      Kapilash Forest Range, inland hills

    Fauna

    Elephants in Chandaka forest.

    This ecoregion does not harbour any

    chousingha
    (tetracerus quadricornis).

    The birdlife in the Odisha semi-evergreen ecoregion is quite diverse with 215 known species. The lesser florican (Eupodotis indica) is globally threatened and has found a sanctuary here.

    Protected areas

    Small pockets of forest exists in some reserved areas, mainly in hilly areas. Chandaka Forest.

    Of the total ecoregion area, about 12.8% is protected.

    Only tiny fragments of semi-deciduous forest remains in

    Chandaka Forest, Bolagarh Forest and Khallikote Forest
    .

    Conservation

    The original semi-evergreen forests of this ecoregion has been clearcut many years ago.

    The original biome of this ecoregion is almost non-existing. According to older surveys, this has been the case since at least 1968. If left to itself, the habitat is believed to be replaced by tropical evergreen forests, not semi-evergreen forests.

    Forest management

    A study done by Reddy, Jha, & Dadhwal in this area is being used to shape environmental policies in India to protect

    ecosystem services that can be measured in physical data. The results of this study show a connection between deforestation and habitat fragmentation, and loss of important biodiversity in the ecoregion.[2]

    See also

    References

    1. ^ Wikramanayake, Eric; Eric Dinerstein; Colby J. Loucks; et al. (2002). Terrestrial Ecoregions of the Indo-Pacific: a Conservation Assessment. Island Press; Washington, D.C. p 294
    2. PMID 22996824

    External links

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