Chennai: Ecologists have been observing visible unusual changes in flowering patterns and bird migration across the length and breadth of the Indian sub continent.
Indian researchers are recording the impact of climate change as Sikkim in Eastern Himalayas, Pulicat in Andhra and Sathymangalam in Western Ghats are being impacted by the global phenomenon. From traces of native species in these areas springing surprises in the nesting pattern of the swift bird in Sathyamnagalam and unusually extended stay of flamingoes at Pulicat on the Andhra-TN border since last year, there are numerous indications of change.
Visible changes in flowering pattern of plants have come to light. For instance flowers which start blooming by November and attains peak season in December, now flower much later, explained Prof D. Narasimhan, department of Botany, Centre for Floristic Research, Madras Christian College.
“Similarly, the Golden shower tree, Casia Fistula (Kondrai in Tamil), which usually flowers in peak summer now extends up to August. However, with no proper data, the change could be due to climate change or a seasonal occurrence. To be absolutely sure, database of at least 100 years is required to study the changing scenario,” added Narasmihan.
“Mammals and birds play a major role in the study of climatic change. For instance a close observation of Nilgiri Tahr, an animal that lives in high altitudes will help study climate change in mountains with higher altitudes,” opined wildlife biologist G. Kannan, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru.
Two years ago unusually heavy rainfall at Sathyamangalam killed several hatchlings of the Asian palm swift bird and the nesting pattern of this bird has drastically changed since then, he added.
“Flowering of rhododendron, a native woody plant of Asia found in Sikkim, whose phenology has changed in the past few years, in comparison to the past two decades,” said ornithologist Dr Dipankar Ghose, director, species and landscape programme, WWF. Bird trackers from Bombay Naturalist’s Society and National Centre for Biological Sciences are now looking out for changes in nesting and migratory behaviour of birds. Birds can be crucial indicators of climate change, said Dr Ghose.
When contacted S. Balaji, principal chief conservator of forests, research and education said there were no specific species-based study related to climate change in TN. But the state forest department has identified areas that are sensitive to climate change and rise in sea levels.
