Biodiversity Basics

Biodiversity Profile of Kerala

Biodiversity rich areas India Kerala
Biodiversity hotpots 4 (Himalayas,
Western Ghats,
North east part of Indo Burma,
Nicobar islands)
Western ghats region
Agrobiodiversity hotspots
22 Malabar region

 

Natural world heritage site – Western Ghats
7 including Western Ghats 39 serial sites 19 serial sites (Agasthyamalai Periyar, Anamalai, Nilgiri Thalakkavery Sub Clusters)

 

Endemic centres 3 megacentres (Eastern Himalayas, Western Ghats, Western Himalayas) 3 (Agasthyamala, Anamalai- high ranges and Silent Valley- Wayanad).

 

Globally important agricultural heritage systems 10 1 ( Kuttanad below sea level farming)

 

UNESCO World network of Biosphere Reserves 10 1 (Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve)

 

Biodiversity of Westernghat

Group Total Species % of Endemism
Angiosperms 7974 28
Butterflies 330 11
Fishes 288 41
Amphibians 220 78
Reptiles 225 62
Birds 508 4
Mammals 120 12
Ants 350 20
Odonates 174 40
Molluscs 269 76
( Indias National Report CBD, 2014)

Taxa of Western ghats with high diversity

Taxa Number of genera & species (Approximate)
Poaceae 120 genera; 430 species
Leguminosae 85 genera; 350 species
Orchidaceae 60 genera; 285 species
Acanthaceae 45 genera; 125 species
Cyperaceae 21 genera;170 species
Euphorbiaceae 55 genera; 150 species
Asteraceae 58 genera; 150 species
Lamiaceae 25 genera; 120 species
Rubiaceae 40 genera; 110 species
Asclepiadaceae 30 genera; 95 sspecies