Survey reveals climate change impact on odonate habitats in India’s Vembanad

A recent survey conducted by the Social Forestry Division of the Forest Department and the Tropical Institute of Ecological Sciences (TIES) has shed light on the concerning impact of climate change on odonate habitats across the Vembanad backwater landscape in India’s Kerala, reported The Hindu.

The study, spanning a distance of 60 km, uncovered alarming changes in the odonate population within the picturesque Vembanad backwater area. Researchers identified a total of 30 odonate species, providing crucial insights into the ecosystem dynamics of the lake.

One of the particular concerns was the widespread presence of the ditch jewel species, known to breed in polluted water, across all surveyed locations. This observation serves as compelling evidence of severe water pollution in Vembanad Lake, raising significant concerns about the ecological health of the waterbody.

Despite these challenges, the survey also noted the consistent presence of common odonate species such as the blue bush dart, common picture wing, pied paddy skimmer, and ruddy marsh skimmer throughout the study area.

The findings underscore the urgent need for conservation efforts and proactive measures to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change and water pollution on odonate habitats in the Vembanad backwater landscape.

“The discovery of relatively rare brown dartlet and black marsh trotter in the Vaikom and Kumarakam regions points to a potential distributional change of odonates due to climate change. Relatively rare species are now adapting to new eco-zones, emphasising the need for measures to address the impact of climate change on the delicate ecosystem of the Vembanad backwaters,” said Punnen Kurien Vegadathu, Secretary, TIES as reported by The Hindu.

The day-long survey was conducted by a group of 40 students on Sunday, who were divided into 14 different teams each led by experts.

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