Myristica Swamps

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About Myristica Swamps:

These are freshwater swamps predominated by members of the Myristicaceae family.
These forests are characterized by trees with large protruding roots jutting out of waterlogged soil which remains inundated throughout the year.
They have evolved over millions of years and are comprised of old-growth trees.
Geographical distribution: In India, these unique habitats occur in the Western Ghats and a smaller distribution exists in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Climatic conditions: The formation of these swamps is dependent on abiotic conditions like the shape of the valley between the forested hills, the amount of rainfall a place receives (with an average of 3000 mm), and water availability throughout the year.
Typically, Myristica swamps are seen next to rivers and help in retaining water and act as a sponge, ensuring perennial water availability.
These swamps are home to many vertebrate and invertebrate faunal species. This is due to stable macroecological conditions like high humidity, moderate temperature, and macrohabitat availability.

Q1) What is a swamp?

A swamp is a type of wetland characterized by the presence of water-saturated soil and an abundance of vegetation. It is typically found in low-lying areas where water accumulates and drains slowly.

Source: World Environment Day | Climate change and human intervention threaten the Myristica swamps of Kerala