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Table 2 Significant plant microhabitats of the Kas Plateau top (Figures 1 , 2 . 3 ) 2

From: Contributions of vulnerable hydrogeomorphic habitats to endemic plant diversity on the Kas Plateau, Western Ghats

Category

Code and Name

Description

Examples of noteworthy species

I. Defined by soil composition

MH1. Rock Crevices

Cracks between rocks with 3–6 cm soil depth. Individual microhabitats confined to area of 60 x 91 cm.

Indigofera dalzelli Ceropegia jainii* Pinda concanensis

 

MH2. Rock Depressions

Rock depressions with 3–6 cm of soil.

Indigofera dalzellii Utricularia purpurascens

 

MH3. Gravel Patches

Coarse gravel and lateritic pebbles-dominated patches found intermittently with MH4.

Ceropegia jainii* Pinda concanensis Utricularia purpurascens Cyanotis fasciculaae Murdannia vaginata. Glyphochloa divergens

II. Defined by micro-elevation & topographic position

MH4. Pleocaulis ritchiei (Acanthaceae) Tableland

Dominated by Pleocaulis ritcheii and lacking stagnant water; most common microhabitat on plateau top.

Iphigenia stellata* Adenoon indicum Justicia trinervia *Flemingia nilgheriensis Murdannia vaginata

 

MH5. Elevated Tableland

Similar to MH4 but dominated by Habenaria grandifloriformis and Iphigenia stellata.

Dipcadi maharashtrensis* Ceropegia vinacefolia*, Iphigenia stellata* Adenoon indicum *Smithia agharkarii Smithia salsuginea Swertia densifolia Utricularia albocaerulea Murdannia vaginata Habenaria rariflora *Chrysopogon castaneus *Coelachne minuta Glyphochloa divergens

 

MH6. Plateau Edges

Rock faces of the escarpments; steep slope lacking water retention.

Vigna kahandalensis*, Pinda concanensis*, Impatiens dalzellii*, Hitchenia caulina* *Ceropegia vincaefolia Pinda concanensis Phyllocephalum tenue Begonia crenata Paracaryopsis coelestina Paracaryopsis malabarica Smitihia bigamina

III. Defined by moisture saturation

MH7. Shallow Streamlets

Streamlets that cross plateau top; 3–10 cm deep and 90-50cm wide.

Aponogeton satarensis*

 

MH8. Streamlets Bank

Marshy shoulders of streamlets; 30–110 cm wide.

Aponogeton satarensis* Utricularia purpurascens Cryptocoryne cognata

 

MH9. Marshy Patches

Ground depressions with 2–4 cm of water.

Habenaria panchaganiensis,* Eriocaulon tuberiferum* Utricularia purpurascens Utricularia albocaerulea

 

MH10. Marshy Crevices

Rainwater-saturated soil in crevices between rocks; 2-8cm deep.

Aponogeton satarensis* Cryptocoryne cognata

 

MH11. Temporary Puddles

Rainwater-filled depressions or ditches. 2- 12cm deep and 60–121 cm wide.

Aponogeton satarensis* Cryptocoryne cognata