Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Perspectives of Vegetation Ecology and Biodiversity for Management of Ravine Lands

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Ravine Lands: Greening for Livelihood and Environmental Security

Abstract

Importance of vegetation ecology in the abatement of soil erosion and thereby in stabilizing the gullies and ravines has been well known and widely advocated. The indigenous woody vegetation and perennial grasses are considered generally more effective in halting runoff and erosion than cultivated crops and exotics. The native species have adapted themselves against all edaphic and biotic pressure and have capacity to regenerate along eroded slopes. The phytoclimate of the watersheds of rivers having ravines indicates to be therophytic showing biotic pressure of over-exploitation and overgrazing. But at the same time, there are quite a good number of phanerophytes showing that the watershed areas favour the luxuriant growth of both phanerophytes and therophytes provided the over-exploitation of woody vegetation and overgrazing are stopped. Successional trend also indicates that the ravine lands are facing tremendous biotic pressure and the vegetation is a biotic climax. After closing to grazing, it will lead to dry deciduous or savannah forest which consequently will offer more effective check against erosion. Along with herbage cover, the underground parts mainly thin roots also play an important role in retaining the soil and moisture, infiltration of nutrient cycling and ameliorating the soil. This all depends upon the configuration, density and the strength of the root system. The extent of root systems and their soil-binding capacity vary from plant to plant. Therefore, the ecological studies of vegetation including root systems help in understanding the role of different species and plant communities in conserving the soil in watershed areas including ravines and consequently silting of reservoirs, canals, streams and rivers. In the present chapter, an attempt has been made to explore the ecological perspectives of vegetation and terrestrial biodiversity in controlling the ravine formation by stabilizing the soil and protecting the biodiversity for its potential and sustainable use for livelihood and environmental security.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Abraham R (2011) Puntius fascicatus. In: IUCN Red list of threatened species, version 2011.2. www.iucnredlist.org

  • Ambasht RS (1968) Ecology of river bank. Proc Symp Rec Adv Trop Ecol Varanasi 1:466–470

    Google Scholar 

  • Ambasht RS, Shankar M (1993) Rehabilitation of degraded river corridors. In: Singh JS (ed) Restoration of degraded lands: concepts and strategies. Rastogi Publications, Meerut, pp 191–209

    Google Scholar 

  • Ambasht RS, Shardendu, Srivastava AK, Shankar M, Sinha M (1988) Plant population, community structure and function of riparian and aquatic macrophytes in relation to pollution of river Ganga. Technical Report, DoEn- Ganga Project P-739 (A), pp 139

    Google Scholar 

  • Anwar C, Baheramsyah K, Hamzah Z (1989) Effectiveness of shrubs and agroforestr in Kadipaten village (Indonesia, upper Citanduy sub-watershed) in trimming runoff and erosion. Bull Penelitian Hutan 511:1–8

    Google Scholar 

  • Baets D, Poesen J, Knapen A, Barbera GG, Navarro JA (2007) Root characteristics of representative Mediterranean plant species and their erosion-reducing potential during concentrated runoff. Plant Soil 294(1):169–183

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bhimaya CP, Rege ND, Srinivasan S (1956) Preliminary studies on the role of grasses in soil conservation in the Nilgiris. J Soil and Water Cons India 4:113–117

    Google Scholar 

  • Bokhari UG, Singh JS (1974) Effects of temperature and clipping on growth, carbohydrate reserves and root exudation of western wheat grass in hydrophonic culture. Crp Sci 14:790–794

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bor NL (1960) Grasses of Burma, Ceylon, India and Pakistan. Pergamon Press, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Caughenour MB, McNaughton SJ, Wallace LL (1984) Simulation study of East African perennial graminoid responses in defoliation. Ecol Model 26:177–202

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Champion HG, Seth SK (1968) A revised survey of the forest types of India. Manager of Publications, Delhi

    Google Scholar 

  • Chandra K, Gajbe PU (2005) An inventory of Herpetofauna of Madhya Pradesh and Chhttisgarh. Zoo’s Print J 20(3):1812–1819

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chaturvedi OP, Kaushal R, Tomar JMS, Prandiyal AK, Panwar P (2014) Agroforestry for wasteland rehabilitation: mined, ravine, and degraded wasteland areas. In: Dagar JC, Singh AK, Arunachalam A (eds) Agroforestry systems in India: livelihood security and ecosystem services, advances in agroforestry, vol 10. Springer, New Delhi, pp 233–272

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Chinnamani S (1992) Silvipasture and natural grasslands of Mahi ravines and ravines of Gujarat. J Range Manag Agroforest 13:175–181

    Google Scholar 

  • Chinnamani S (1998) Ecology of succession of Prosopis Juliflora in the ravines of India. In: Tewari JC, Pasiecznik NM, Harsh LN, PJC H (eds) Prosopis species in the arid and semiarid zones of India. The Prosopis Society of India & the Henry Doubleday research association. CAZRI, Jodhpur

    Google Scholar 

  • Dagar JC (1978) Studies on soil erosion of Kshipra ravines. Ph D Thesis, Vikram University, Ujjain, India

    Google Scholar 

  • Dagar JC (1986) Studies on root systems of some grasses growing in Kshipra ravines. J Indian Bot Soc 65(4):397–403

    Google Scholar 

  • Dagar JC (1987a) Species composition and plant biomass of an ungrazed and a grazed grassland at Ujjain, India. Trop Ecol 28:208–215

    Google Scholar 

  • Dagar JC (1987b) Responses of clipping treatments on nine palatable perennial grasses. Trop Ecol 28:216–221

    Google Scholar 

  • Dagar JC (1987c) Studies on reclamation of Kshipra ravines. Indian J For 10(2):83–89

    Google Scholar 

  • Dagar JC (1987d) Studies on root systems of some woody species growing in Kshipra ravines. Indian J Appl Pure Biol 2(1):17–21

    Google Scholar 

  • Dagar JC (1989) Studies on root systems of some forbs growing in Kshipra ravines. Indian J Appl Pure Biol 4(1):35–47

    Google Scholar 

  • Dagar JC (1995) Soil conservation values of some grasses and forbs. Proc Indian Nat Sci Acad B 61:163–170

    Google Scholar 

  • Dagar JC (2001) Biological spectrum and successional trends in Kshipra watershed areas. Indian J For 24(3):351–356

    Google Scholar 

  • Dagar JC (2012) Utilization of degraded lands / habitats and poor-quality water for livelihood security and mitigating climate change. Indian J Agroforetsry 14(1):1–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Dagar JC (2017) Potentials for fodder production in degraded lands. In: Ghosh PK, Mohanta SK, Singh JB, Vijay D, Kumar RV, Yadav VK, Sunil K (eds) Approaches towards fodder security in India. Studera Press, New Delhi, pp 333–364

    Google Scholar 

  • Dagar JC, Arunachalam A (2013) Management of degraded ecologies for mitigating climate change. In: Arunachalam A, Dagar JC, Singh AK (eds) Agroforestry and climate change management. Pointer Publications, Jaipur, pp 1–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Dagar JC, Balakrishnan NP (1984) Life forms and biological spectrum of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Bull Bot Surv India 26(3&4):147–159

    Google Scholar 

  • Dagar JC, Gupta SR (2016) Agroforestry: potentials for rehabilitation of degraded lands, constraints and the way forward. In: Dagar JC, Tewari JC (eds) Agroforestry research developments. Nova Science Publishers, New York, pp 46–97. (ISBN: 978-1-63485-046-9)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dagar JC, Mall LP (1980) Studies on the vegetation of ravines and banks of the river Kshipra and its tributaries. J Indian Bot Soc 59:234–245

    Google Scholar 

  • Dagar JC, Pathak PS (2005) Grassland dynamics and their management. Range Manag Agroforestry 26(1):7–31

    Google Scholar 

  • Dagar JC, Singh VP (1980) The ecological studies of the vegetation of river Kshipra and its tributaries. Biologia 25:43–62

    Google Scholar 

  • Dagar JC, Singh NT (1999) Plant resources of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh Publishers, Dehra Dun, India. p. 985

    Google Scholar 

  • Dagar JC, Singh G (2003) Pasture production in degraded and problematic soils- status and prospects. In: Jakhmola RC, Jain RK (eds) Sustainable animal production. Pointer Publishers, Jaipur, pp 94–119

    Google Scholar 

  • Dagar JC, Singh VP, Mall LP (1978) Regeneration in plants growing on eroded soil. Ann Arid Zone 17:68–74

    Google Scholar 

  • Daily GC, Alexander S, Ehrlich PR, Goulder L, Lubchenco J, Matson PA, Mooney HA, Postel S, Schneider SH, Tilman D, Woodwell GM (1997) Ecosystem services: benefits supplied to human societies by natural ecosystems. Issues Ecol 1(2):1–18

    Google Scholar 

  • De Kroon H, Visser EJW (eds) (2003) Root ecology. Springer, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Edroma EL (1985) Effect of clipping on Themeda Triandra and Brachiaria platynotan in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda. Afr J Ecol 23:45–52

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Evans GC (1972) The quantitative analysis of plant growth. Univ Calif Press, Berkeley

    Google Scholar 

  • Gallart F, Marignani M, Perez-Gallego N, Santi E, Maccherini S (2012) Thirty years of studies on badlands, from physical to vegetational approaches-a succinct review. Catena 106:4–11

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gray DH, Barker D (2004) Root-soil mechanics and interaction. In: Bennett SJ, Simon A (eds) Riparian vegetation and fluvial geomorphology-water science and application series 8. American Geophysical union, Washington, DC, pp 113–123

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Gupta RK (1961) Vegetation in catchment areas of river ganga and Yamuna with reference to their soil and water conservation problems. J Indian Bot Soc 40:325–334

    Google Scholar 

  • IUCN (1998) 1997 IUCN red list of threatened species. International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, Gland

    Google Scholar 

  • IUCN (2011) IUCN Red list of threatened species, version 2011.2. www.iucnredlist.org

  • Kumar R, Shankar M, Ambasht RS (1990) Water, soil and nutrient movement from riparian and Obra-Renukoot-Singrauti area and its impact on natural and derived ecosystems. Tech report. Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, pp 285–304

    Google Scholar 

  • Luken JO (1990) Directing ecological succession. Chapman and Hall, New York. ISBN 0-412-34450-5

    Google Scholar 

  • Meher-Homji VM (1964) Life form and biological spectra as ephamonic criteria of aridity and humidity in the tropics. J Indian Bot Soc 43:424–430

    Google Scholar 

  • Misra R (1944) The vegetation of Raighat ravines. J Indian Bot Soc 23:113–121

    Google Scholar 

  • Misra R (1962) The science of vegetation with reference to India. Bull Bot Survey India 4:113–118

    Google Scholar 

  • Mueller-Dombois D, Ellenberg H (1974) Aims and methods of vegetation ecology. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Murthy MS (1971) Ecology of upper catchment area of river Narmada-Climo-vegetational relationships. Japanese J Ecol 21:188–192

    Google Scholar 

  • Nair T, Chitanya-Krishna Y (2013) Vertebrate fauna of the Chambal river basin, with emphasis on the National Chambal Sanctuary, India. J Threat Tax 5(2):3620–3641. https://doi.org/10.11609/JoTT.03238.3620-41

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oldeman LR (1994) The global extent of soil degradation. In: Greenland DJ, Szabolcs I (eds) Soil resilience and sustainable land use. CAB International, Wallingford, pp 99–118

    Google Scholar 

  • Pande H, Singh JS (1985) Influence of clipping and water stress on growth performance and nutrient value of four range grasses. Proc Indian Acad Sci (Plant Sc) 95:389–403

    Google Scholar 

  • Pandeya SC, Pandya SM, Murthy MS (1972) Ecology of river Narmada upper catchment in Central India. I. Introduction, situation, terrain, lithology, climate, general forests and methods of vegetational analysis. J Indian Bot Soc 51:356–373

    Google Scholar 

  • Pathak PS, Dagar JC (2015) Indian grasslands and their management. In: Ghosh PK, Mahanta SK, Singh JB, Pathak PS (eds) Grassland: a global resource perspective. Range Management Society of India, Jhansi, pp 3–36

    Google Scholar 

  • Pimentel D, Kounang N (1998) Ecology of soil erosion in ecosystems. Ecosystems 1(5):416–426. https://doi.org/10.1007/s100219900035

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Prajapati MC, Nambiar KTN, Puri DN, Singh JP, Malhotra BM (1993) Fuel and fodder production in Yamuna ravines at Agra. Indian J Soil Cons 21(3):8–13

    Google Scholar 

  • Puri GS, Meher-Homji VM, Gupta RK, Puri S (1983) Forest ecology, 2nd ed Vol I: phytogeography and forest conservation. Oxford & IBH Publishing Co, New Delhi, p 549

    Google Scholar 

  • Ranade DH, Mishra VK, Gupta RK, Verma SK (2002) Root distribution pattern of some grass species in black clay soil in relation to their capability for controlling erosion. J Indian Soc Soil Sci 50(3):280–282

    Google Scholar 

  • Rao CC (1965) Ecological studies on a piece of watershed land. Trp Ecol 6:124–132

    Google Scholar 

  • Rao CC (1969) Phytosociological studies on a piece of watershed land in the vicinity of rivers Karamnasa and Chandraprabha (Varanasi district). Ph D Thesis Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India

    Google Scholar 

  • Raunkiaer C (1934) The life forms of plants and statistical plant geography-being the collected papers of C Raunkiaer. (Translated into English by Carter HG, Tansley AG, Fausboll) Oxford Clarendon Press, pp 632

    Google Scholar 

  • Reubens B, Poesen J, Danjon F, Geudens G, Muys B (2007) The role of fine and coarse roots in shallow slope stability and soil erosion control with a focus on root system architecture: a review. Trees 21(4):385–402

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saxena SK (1977) Vegetation and its succession in the Indian desert. In: Desertification and its control. Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, pp 176–192

    Google Scholar 

  • SER (2004) The SER Primer on Ecological Restoration, Version 2. Society for Ecological Restoration (SER), Science and Policy Working Group. http://www.ser.org/reading_resources.asp

  • Shah GL (1969) A contribution to the flora of Mahi ravines in Central Gujarat. Indian For 95(4):270–277

    Google Scholar 

  • Shankar V, Kanodia KC, Dabadghao PM (1971) Studies on plant succession in Sehima-Dichanthium grass cover. Ann Arid Zone 10:158–164

    Google Scholar 

  • Shields FD, Gray DH (1993) Effects of woody vegetation on the structural integrity of sandy levees. Water Res Bull 28:917–931

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh VP, Dagar JC, Uppadhyaya SD (1979) Analysis of structure, production dynamics and successional trends of tropical grassland communities of Ujjain (India). Sylvatrop-Philip For Res Journ 4:231–254

    Google Scholar 

  • Somasundaram J, Singh RK, Parandiyal AK, Prasad SN (2009) Micronutrient status of soils under different land use systems in Chambal ravines. J Indian Soc Soil Sci 57(3):307–312

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stocking MA (1984) Erosion and soil productivity: a review. FAO Consultant working paper No. 1. Soil Conservation Program, Land and Water Development Division, FAO, rome, Italy

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor HM (1976) The effect of soil compaction on rooting pattern and water uptake of cotton. Paper in 7th Conference. Soil Intnl Soil Till. Res Org Swedon

    Google Scholar 

  • Tejwani KG, Gupta SK, Mathur HN (eds) (1975) Soil and water conservation research (1956–1971). ICAR Pub, New Delhi, p 358

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomas M, Sahu P, Shrivastava A, Hussain Z (2011) Biodiversity and livelihood options of people in Chambal ravine of Morena district, Madhya Pradesh, India. J Trop For 27(July–Sept, 2011):40–56

    Google Scholar 

  • Vanicek V (1973) The soil protective role of specially shaped plant roots. Biol Conserv 5:175–180

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Verma B, Chinnamani S (1990) Rehabilitation of ravine lands. In: Abrol IP, Dhuruva Narayana VV (eds) Technologies for wasteland development. ICAR, New Delhi, pp 263–272

    Google Scholar 

  • Verma SK, Singh A (2015) Chambal ravines, perspectives of formations and management options. In: Verma SK, Trivedi SK, Singh A, Tomar AS (eds) Management of degraded lands and soil health. Biotech Books, New Delhi, pp 31–46

    Google Scholar 

  • Verma SK, Trivedi SK, Singh A, Tomar AS (eds) (2015) Management of degraded lands and soil health. Biotech Books, New Delhi, p 249

    Google Scholar 

  • Wadia DM (1961) Geology of India. The English Language Book Soc, and Mc Millan & Co Ltd, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson EO (1988) Biodiversity. National Academy, Washington, DC. ISBN 0-309-03739-5

    Google Scholar 

  • Yadava PS, Singh JS (1977) Progress in ecology vol 2: grassland vegetation. Today and Tomorrow’s Print and Publ, New Delhi

    Google Scholar 

  • Young A (1989) Agroforestry for soil conservation. CAB International, Wallingford

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Indian Council of Agricultural Sciences, Krishi Anusandhan Bhavan-II, Pusa, New Delhi, India

    Jagdish Chander Dagar

Authors
  1. Jagdish Chander Dagar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Indian Council of Agricultural Sciences, New Delhi, India

    Jagdish Chander Dagar

  2. RVS Krishi Vishwa Vidayalaya, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India

    Anil Kumar Singh

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Dagar, J.C. (2018). Perspectives of Vegetation Ecology and Biodiversity for Management of Ravine Lands. In: Dagar, J., Singh, A. (eds) Ravine Lands: Greening for Livelihood and Environmental Security. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-8043-2_3

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation