Effect of Rapid Clearing of Hevea brasiliensis on Avian Diversity.

 Effect of Rapid Clearing of Hevea brasiliensis plantations on Avian Diversity. (ongoing study)

Joseph Roy

The area selected for study was the Kizhaparayar locality (pin 686578) of the Idamattom Local body, Kottayam district, Kerala. (9.701887739678625, 76.70472239566078). The study area is located on the banks of the Meenachil River which is flowing from the Vagamon part of western ghats.

    Plantation of Hevea brasiliensis is the dominant type of vegetation in the study area. These plants have thick foliage and these leaves are shed during the summer. These plantations are cleared every 10 to 15 years and are replanted. During this time the entire vegetation including the undergrowth is removed. This makes a temporary imbalance in the ecosystem. 

This study focuses on understanding the effect of this rapid deforestation on biodiversity using Birds as indicators.