The document summarizes observations from a study of the ephemeral flora found on high-altitude rocky plateaus in the Northern Western Ghats region of India. Over the course of 5 days and 1200 km of travel, 18 locations across a range of habitat types and altitudes from 800-1400 meters were visited, including Kaas Plateau, Masai Plateau, Chalkewadi, Thoseghar, Panchgani, and Mahabaleshwar. Detailed observations were recorded of the plant species found in different microhabitats such as rock surfaces, crevices, seasonal ponds and pools, soil-filled depressions, and tree-covered areas. Threats from tourism, infrastructure development, and invasive

1. Ephemeral Flora of Northern Western
Ghats
FERN 2019

2. Outline
• Introduction
– About western Ghats- formation
– Northern western ghats/ sahyadris
• Study area
– Altitude, range
– Habitats with past study references
– Locations visited
• Observations
– Kaas Plateau
• Ganpati Maal
• Kaas Plateau
• Kumudini Lake
• Dhang Plateau
– Masai Plateau
– Chalkewadi
• Mhavashi
• Boposhi
• Thoseghar
– Table land
• Dandeghar
• Pachgani
• Khingar
• Ambral
– Mahabaleshwar
• Robbers Cave
• Lamington Plateau
• Wilson Point
• Petit Road
• Ganapati Ghat
• Kate’s Point

3. Introduction
1. Global biodiversity hotspot
2. Covers 5 states, 180,000 sq km
3. 6% of the land area of India, & contain more than
30% of all plant, fish, herpeto-fauna, bird, and
mammal species found in India
4. Watershed affects 245 million people
5. Formed after a landmass split from Madagascar in
the super continent of Gondwana, 150 million
years ago
6. 45+ sites in the Western Ghats are declared as
UNESCO World Heritage sites
https://www.wwfindia.org/about_wwf/critical_regions/western_ghats2/western_ghats/

4. Northern Western Ghats
• NW Ghats and the Konkan lie
approximately between
15°60’ & 20°75’N
• Deccan flood basalts
• Basalt has weathered to
laterite
Watve, A. (2013). Status review of Rocky plateaus in the northern Western Ghats and Konkan region of Maharashtra, India with recommendations for
conservation and management. Journal of Threatened Taxa 5(5): 3935–3962; doi:10.11609/JoTT.o3372.3935-62

5. References

6. OBSERVATIONS
19-23 September 2018

7. Flora of
High-Altitude Rocky Plateaus
in NW- Ghats
• 5 Days
• 1200 Km
• 18 Locations

8. Habitat types on lateritic plateaus:
Crust edges/ cliffs

9. Associated Species: Crinum, Frerea

10. Exposed rock surfaces & boulders
Cryptogamic crust with lichens

12. Ephemeral Flush Vegetation
Associated species: Eriocaulon, Utricularia, Drosera, Rhamphicarpa

13. Rock crevices or fissures

14. Seasonal ponds

15. Seasonal rock pools/ Small ephemeral pools

16. Soil-filled depressions
Soil-filled depressions
Associated species: Eriocaulon, Dopatrium, Rotala

17. Soil rich areas
Associated species:
Pleocaulus sessilis

19. Tree cover & tree associated:
Mosses, lichens, ferns, epiphytic orchids

21. Kaas
• UNESCO World Heritage
Site
• 1000-1200 m Altitude
• High-level Ferricretes

22. Soil-covered areas
Associated species:
Habenaria,
Iphigenia, Dipcadi

23. Kaas Plateau- Ganpaticha Maal

24. Kaas Plateau- Ganpaticha Maal

25. Kaas Plateau- Ganpaticha Maal

26. Kaas Plateau- Entry Point

27. Kaas Plateau- Entry Point

28. Kaas Plateau- Entry Point

29. Kaas Plateau

30. Kaas Plateau

31. Kaas Plateau

32. Kaas Plateau- Kumudini Lake

33. Kaas Plateau- Kumudini Lake

34. Dhang Plateau

35. Threats-Kaas Plateau

36. Threats-Kaas Lake

37. Threats-Kaas Plateau

38. Threats-Kaas Lake

39. Masai Plateau
• 800-900 m Altitude
• High-level Ferricretes

40. Masai Plateau

41. Masai Plateau

42. Masai Plateau

43. Masai Plateau

44. Chalkewadi
• 900-1100 m Altitude
• High-level Ferricretes

45. Chalkewadi

46. Chalkewadi

47. Chalkewadi

48. Chalkewadi

49. Chalkewadi

50. Chalkewadi-Threats

51. Thoseghar

52. Thoseghar

53. Thoseghar

54. Thoseghar

55. Thoseghar

56. Thoseghar

57. Panchgani
• Declared Eco-sensitive Zone
• 1000-1300 m Altitude
• High-level Ferricretes

58. Table land-Dandeghar

59. Table land-Dandeghar

60. Table land-Dandeghar

61. Table land-Dandeghar

62. Table land-Khingar

63. Table land-Khingar

64. Table land- Ambral

65. Table land- Ambral

66. Table land- Ambral

67. Table land- Panchgani

68. Table land- PanchganiTable land- Panchgani

69. Threats
Panchgani- Threats

70. Threats
Panchgani- Threats

71. Mahabaleshwar
• Declared Eco-sensitive Zone
• 1000-1400 m Altitude
• High-level Ferricretes

72. Mahabaleshwar- Robbers Cave

73. Mahabaleshwar- Robbers Cave

74. Mahabaleshwar- Robbers Cave

75. Mahabaleshwar- Wilson Point

76. Mahabaleshwar- Wilson Point

77. Mahabaleshwar- Lamington Plateau

78. Mahabaleshwar- Lamington Plateau

79. Mahabaleshwar
Petit Road

80. Mahabaleshwar- Ganapati Ghat

81. Mahabaleshwar- Ganapati Ghat

82. Mahabaleshwar- Ganapati Ghat

83. Mahabaleshwar- Ganapati Ghat

84. Mahabaleshwar- Kate’s Point

85. Mahabaleshwar- Kate’s Point

86. Mahabaleshwar- Kate’s Point

87. Mahabaleshwar- Kate’s PointMahabaleshwar- Kate’s Point-Threats

88. Mahabaleshwar- Kate’s PointMahabaleshwar- Kate’s Point-Threats

89. Pteridophytes & Fungi

90. Pteridophytes & Fungi

91. Avifauna

92. Avifauna

93. Herpetofauna & Arthropods

94. Insecta

95. Insecta

96. Insecta- Odonata

97. Insecta- Odonata

98. Insecta- Lepidoptera

99. Insecta- Lepidoptera

100. Our inspiration:
Dr. S. R. Yadav
Shivaji University, Kolhapur

101. Thank you!