Myristica Swamps

Myristica Swamp Latest News

A recent study highlighted that the Myristica Swamps are on the cusp of extinction.

About Myristica Swamp

• These are freshwater swamps dominated by evergreen trees belonging to the Myristicaceae family.
• They are also denoted as living fossils due to the primitive nature of Myristica plants.
• These forests are characterized by trees with large protruding roots jutting out of waterlogged soil, which remains inundated throughout the year.
• Geographical distribution: In India, these unique habitats occur in the Western Ghats, and a smaller distribution exists in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Meghalaya.
• Climatic Conditions: These freshwater swamps in the tropics grow on fertile alluvial, waterlogged soils in the plains.
• Freshwater swamp forests occupy no more than 2.1 per cent of the Earth’s surface.
• The genetic variety of Myristica swamps dates back an astonishing 500 million years.

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Ecological Role of Myristica Swamp

• They are ecologically crucial in regulating floods, recharging groundwater, offering a perennial flow of freshwater.
• These forests have a higher ability to sequester carbon than non-swampy forests.
• These swamps are home to many vertebrate and invertebrate faunal species. 

Source: TH