Diversity Analysis of Angiosperms in Riparian System Along Thuppanad River, Southern Western Ghats, Kerala, India.

Abstract

Riparian systems are the three-dimensional ecotones of interaction including terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems that extend down into the groundwater, up above the canopy, outward across the floodplain, up the near-slopes that drain to the water, laterally into the terrestrial ecosystem and along the water course (Illhardt et al., 2000). They form complex assemblage of organisms and their environment existing adjacent to and near flowing water (Lowrance et al., 1985). As ecotones, they encompass sharp gradients of environmental factors, ecological processes and plant communities. Riparian ecosystem provides a corridor for the movement of biota and serves many important roles for humans (Kemper, 1999).