KADALUNDI MANGROVE FOREST

 KADALUNDI MANGROVE FOREST

      
                                   

 Kadalundi - Vallikkunnu Community Reserve spread across the 1.5km2 , endowed with good patches of Mangrove forest . Phytosociology is a scientific discipline which encompasses the study of plant community , composition , diversity and relationships among the component species . The present study aim on floristic diversity and structural dynamics  of mangroves in Kadalundi - Vallikkunnu Community Reserve situated in Calicut -  Malappuram districts of kerala .



  
    
                             

                                                               


A total of 7 species belonging to 5 families were enumerated . The study area shows a dominance of Avicennia officinalis followed by Rhizophora mucronata , Excoecaria agallocha whereas Sonneratia  alba recorded lowest density . Maximum Relative Basal area was represented by Avicennia officinnalis followed by Rhizophora mucronata therefore these species registered the highest Important Value Index ( IVI ) and Relative IVI among the 7 mangrove species . Diversity indices was found out for entire  study area with Shannon Weiner index  of 2.117, Equitability of 0.745 and Simpson's diversity index of 0.713 respectively . Since many of the anthropogenic activities going on this community Reserve , unique  composition of this mangrove forest has to be protected in its natural condition


       

 
                              
                                             

                                            

                                                                    

 

          Mangrove Biodiversity

   



Because mangrove occupy the intertidal zone , they interact strongly with aquatic , inshore , upstream and terrestrial ecosystem and in this way mangrove help to support a diverse flora and fauna of marine , freshwater and terrestrial species .


 

                                                                                               

It is essential to regard biological diversity at three levels; genetic , species and ecosystem,
The genetic diversity in mangroves is almost known as . The movement of mangrove plant genetic material for reforestation purposes , or other uses, must be controlled and recorded more carefully than at present . Genetic material should come from local sources wherever possible , using good quality mangrove forest stand as the source of the material..





                                                                

mangrove species diversity is well known for the larger animals and plants , but poorly known for micro - organisms and insects , A crucial aspect of biodiversity for mangrove management is that many species use the mangrove forest ecosystem only part of the time ( Eg ; fish , birds , crustaceans , shellfish ) , Thus , the mangrove habitat supports many more species as visitors , or indirectly , and these support functions must be taken into account as part of conservation management ... 

 

                                                                                    




The many unique species of mangrove animals and plants and their morphological and physiological specialisations to the diverse and dynamic habitat characteristics of mangroves make them extremely valuable for further research into biological adaptation. A number of mangrove plant and animal groups also provide valuable subjects for evolutionary studies ........

 

welcome to kadalundi ....

                              

                                                                                            THANK YOU........

 

ISLAND TOURISM KADALUNDI

 KADALUNDI- VALLIKKUNNU COMMUNITY RESERVES

Area                      = 1.5sq.km
Year of formation = 2007
Districts                = Kozhikode , Malappuram

                                                                                                                                                                                                      

The Kadalundi estuary is located at the mouth of the river Kadalundi that drains into the Arabian sea on the west coast of Kerala. Apart from scattered patches of mangroves, the estuary is bordered by human habitation and coconut groves. Around 8 ha of mudflats, exposed during low tides, offers potential foraging ground for several hundreds of wintering and resident water birds , particularly waders . It also provides significant socio-economic and livelihood services for the people around (fishing , oyster farming and sand mining) . A total of 110 species of water birds including 53 migrants have been recorded . The estuary is one of the few habitat on the west coast where a small population of Lesser Sand plover ( Charadrius mongolus ) , Whimbrel ( Numenius phaeopus ) and Common Redshank ( Tringa tetanus) are observed to over - winter . A good  regional population of Brown - headed gulls ( Larus brunnicephalus ) ,Black headed gulls ( Larus ridibundus ) and the critically endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper (Eurynorhynchus pygmacus) . Considering its importance in terms of diversity of wetland birds and heavy anthropogenic pressures , the estuary has been officially declared as the Kadalundi -Vallikkunnu Community reserve...

KADALUNDI

         KADALUNDI TOURISM

                     Kadalundi about 25 km from Kozhikode , is a place of much historical significance .

       References to Kadalundi can be seen in documents of the Sangha era during which time it was known as Thondi. Thondi was the headquarters of the chera dynasty.

 

In ancient times , Kadalundi was a major port that has trade relationship with Arabs and Romans .

By the 12th century , the region had come under the authority of the local rulers of Parappanad kovilakam. The parappanad rulers allowed the Dutch to build the Chaliyath Fort here, which was later demolished by the Zamorin. At a later period, the area come under British rule .

 

     KADALUNDI BIRD SANCTUARY 

The Kadalundi bird sanctuary is spread over a group of island located in the region where River Kadalundi flows in the Arabian sea . The beautiful sanctuary , surrounded by hillocks, is home to hundreds of birds which include about 60 species of migratory birds . The mangrove forests here are a natural habitat for otters and jackals.

 

Between November and April , one will be able to see flocks of Terns, Gulls, Herons, Sandpipers, Whimbrels, Brahmini Kites and Cormorants . A wide variety of fish , mussels and crabs , and snakes like the cobra , the Krait and the viper also inhabit this wetland habitat.

 

The hillocks that surround the sanctuary provide a magnificent view of the estuary and the sea. Kadalundi , with its captivating wide beauty , is a popular destination for trekkers , wildlife photographers and picnickers.