Influence of Spatial and Temporal Variations on Phytoplankton Community Structure in Pachiparai Reservoir, Kanyakumari District, TN, India

Pachiparai Reservoir in Kanyakumari District TN, India is influenced by seasonally reversing monsoon and the characteristics of the water body influenced by riverine inflow. An effort to elucidate the spatial and temporal variation in the phytoplankton community was carried out. The observations were primarily made by during Jan 2004 – Dec 2004. Average phytoplankton abundance and primary production varied marginally during the period of study. Surface phytoplankton population showed seasonal variations and the abundance peaked during the beginning of North East monsoon (November). The inflow of water during the monsoon into the reservoir was the prime factor that influenced input of the nutrients and appeared to enhance the primary production. This study provides the details of the spatial and temporal variation and explores the implication and causative factors responsible for the dynamics of the phytoplankton populations

Correlation between the Diversity Manifestation and Phytoplankton Productivity in Pechiparai Reservoir, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu, India

Correlation between the diversity and primary production index of phytoplanktons of Pechiparai Reservoir in Kanyakumari District, TN, India was assessed from January to December 2004. Average phytoplankton primary production varied significantly during the period of study. Maximum diversity and primary productivity were record in the months of Jan to Mar. The inflow of water during the monsoon into the reservoir was the prime factor that influenced input of the nutrients and appeared to enhance the primary production during this period. Shennon – Weiner diversity index varied between 1.242 and 1.897 during the period of study. Likewise, Sympson index varied from 0.822 to 0.898 and evenness from 446 to 956. The value of annual average of phytoplankton biomass was 319 Nos-1. The value of annual average of gross primary production and net primary production were 2719 mg C/m3/d and 1610 mg C/m3/ d respectively

Wound Healing Ethnomedicinal Plants Popular among the Malayali Tribes in Vattal Hills, Dharmapuri, TN, India

Healing of chronic lower extremity wounds is a global problem, especially in developing countries where traditional medicine is often used by the people in remote places. India has a rich tradition of plant based knowledge pertinent to healthcare. A survey of ethnomedicinal plant species used by Malayali’s to heal cut/ wounds in Vattal Hills of Dharmapuri was made. A large number of plants/ extracts/ decoctions/ pastes are used by tribals to heal wounds, cuts and burns. In the present study, an attempt has been made to document ethnobotanical knowledge base and methods employed by Malayali’s for treatment of cut/ wounds. A large number of ethnomedicinal plants used by the Malayali’s have not been validated for wound healing potential. The present investigation resulted in the identification of 82 medicinal plant species distributed across 39 families that are used by Malayali’s to heal cut/ wounds. This study is an attempt to gather the information on the existing ethnobotanical knowledge base and document the traditional claims toward the development of safe of effective herbal drugs for cut/ wounds. Results of the study is organized in table form depicting the botanical name, family, vernacular name and habit with a brief note on plant parts used and method of administration