South Western Ghats montane rain forests

South Western Ghats montane rain forests
Nilgiri mountains
Ecoregion territory (in purple)
Ecology
Realm	Indomalayan
Biome	Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests
Borders	Malabar Coast moist forests North Western Ghats montane rain forests South Western Ghats moist deciduous forests
Geography
Area	22,500 km2 (8,700 sq mi)
Country	India
States	Karnataka Kerala Tamil Nadu
Elevation	1,000 to 2,695 m (3,281 to 8,842 ft)
Rivers	Periyar River
Climate type	tropical
Conservation
Conservation status	critical/endangered[1]
Protected	5,998 km2 (2,316 sq mi)%[2]

The South Western Ghats montane rain forests is an ecoregion in South India, covering the southern portion of the Western Ghats in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu at elevations from 1,000 to 2,695 m (3,281 to 8,842 ft). Annual rainfall in this ecoregion exceeds 2,800 mm (110 in).^[3]

Setting

The

species. It covers an area of 22,600 square kilometers (8,700 sq mi). It is estimated that two-thirds of the original forests have been cleared, and only 3,200 square kilometers, or 15% of the intact area, is protected.

The southern portion of the Western Ghats contains the highest peaks in the range, notably Anamudi in Kerala, at 2695 meters elevation. The Ghats intercept the moisture-laden monsoon winds off the Arabian Sea, and the average annual precipitation exceeds 2,800 mm. The northeast monsoon from October to November supplements the June to September southwest monsoon. The South Western Ghats are the wettest portion of peninsular India, and are surrounded by drier ecoregions to the east and north.^[3]

Protected areas

As of 1997, this ecoregion encompassed the following 16 protected areas with an area of 3,250 km² (1,250 sq mi):^[3]

• in Karnataka: Talakaveri Wildlife Sanctuary with 250 km² (97 sq mi), Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary with 190 km² (73 sq mi), Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary with 60 km (37 mi)
• in Kerala:
  Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary with 260 km² (100 sq mi), Karimpuzha National Park with 230 km² (89 sq mi), Silent Valley National Park with 110 km² (42 sq mi), Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary with 80 km² (31 sq mi), Eravikulam National Park with 97 km² (37 sq mi), Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary with 50 km² (19 sq mi), Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary
  with 40 km² (15 sq mi)
• in Tamil Nadu:
  Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary with 120 km² (46 sq mi) and Mukurthi National Park with 60 km² (23 sq mi)^{[citation needed}
  ]

As of 2017, the total size of protected areas within this ecoregion amounted to 5,998 km² (2,316 sq mi), equivalent to 27% of the ecoregion's extent. Another 62% is forested but outside protected areas.[2]

Several of the protected areas in the northern portion are included within the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, and the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve covers the southern portion.^{[citation needed]}

Flora

The cool and moist climate, high rainfall, and variety of microclimates brought about by differences in elevation and exposure supports lush and diverse forests; 35% of the plant species are endemic to the ecoregion. Moist evergreen

The other major habitat type in this ecoregion is the

Fauna

References

External links

• Media related to South Western Ghats montane rain forests at Wikimedia Commons