News Highlights:
- An avian distribution study has revealed that an alien invasive plant is threatening to pulverise native vegetation across 21 islands in the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve (GoMBR).
- Prosopis chilensis is a drought-resistant plant native to the arid regions of four South American countries threatening to pulverise native vegetation.
Prosopis chilensis:
- About:
- Prosopis chilensis is a species of tree in the genus Prosopis, belonging to the family Fabaceae.
- It is found in parts of central Chile, southern Peru, Bolivia, and Andean (northwestern) Argentina.
- It is used for providing shade, animal feed and firewood.
- Description:
- Prosopis chilensis is a medium-sized deciduous tree reaching a height of about 14 m (46 ft).
- The trunk is stout and gnarled and can reach a metre (yard) in diameter. The bark is pale brown and thick, with cracks and vertical fissures.
- The leaves are pinnate and up to 20 cm (8 in) long, with twelve to twenty leaflets arranged in pairs.
- Distribution and habitat:
- Prosopis chilensis is found in Peru, Bolivia, eastern Argentina and central Chile and grows on light soils in arid regions.
- It is very drought resistant, and it probably fixes nitrogen.
- It has been introduced into Hawaii, where it is now commonly growing in thickets behind beaches.
Gulf of Mannar:
- About:
- It is an inlet of the Indian Ocean between southeastern India and western Sri Lanka.
- It is bounded to the northeast by Rameswaram (island), Adam’s (Rama’s) Bridge (a chain of shoals), and Mannar Island.
- It receives several rivers, including the Tambraparni (India) and the Aruvi (Sri Lanka).
- The gulf is noted for its pearl banks and sacred chank (a gastropod mollusc).
- Â Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve (GoMBR):
- The Gulf of Mannar is one of the biologically richest coastal regions of India.
- It is the first Marine Biosphere Reserve in South and South East Asia.
- In India, the Gulf of Mannar region in Tamil Nadu is one of the four major coral reef areas and the others are the Gulf of Kutch in Gujarat, Lakhsadweep and Andaman and Nicobar islands.
- It is designated as a Biosphere Reserve.
- This Biosphere Reserve encompasses a chain of 21 islands (2 islands already submerged) and adjoining coral reefs off the coasts of the Ramanathapuram and the Tuticorin districts.
- Fauna and Flora:
- The main attraction at the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park is undoubtedly the variety of coral reefs and marine animals readily available here.
- The coral reefs are home to colourful aquatic and ornamental fish.
- The gorgeous and breathtaking reefs are often referred to as the ‘Underwater Tropical Rainforest.’
- This National park is home to 3600 different types of species of flora and fauna, and many of these are available in their pure forms.
- This national park is also a very popular habitat for different types of rare crabs, lobsters, oysters, shrimp, and many more.
Pic Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
Content Source: The Hindu