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Source: The post is based on the article “New plateau type discovered from Maharashtra could prove to be a repository of information to study climate change effects on species survival” published in PIB on 19th January 2023.
What is the News?
Researchers have discovered a rare low-altitude basalt plateau in the Western Ghats that could offer new insights into surviving climate change.
What is the importance of the Western Ghats?
The Western Ghats is one of four global biodiversity hotspots in India.
Plateaus are dominant landscapes in the Western Ghats, significant because of the predominance of endemic species.
They are classified as a type of rock outcrop and provide a unique and challenging environment for species to adapt to.
These outcrops have seasonal water availability, limited soil and nutrients, making them ideal laboratories to study the effects of climate change on species survival
What did the researchers discover at the Western Ghats?
Researchers discovered a rare low-altitude basalt plateau in Manjare village, Thane district, Maharashtra.
This is the fourth type of plateau to be identified in the region; the previous three are laterites at high and low altitudes and basalt at high altitudes.
Surveying the plateau, the researchers documented 76 species of plants and shrubs from 24 different families.
The authors believe this is an important discovery, as the plateau shares the vegetation with the three other rock outcrops, simultaneously holding a few unique species.
Hence, this plateau can prove to be a repository of information for species interactions. It can also help study the effects of climate change on species survival and increase awareness of the conservation needs of rock outcrops and their immense biodiversity value in the global context.
