Dear Shrikant ji, Thanks so much for the photographs and note. Rocky plateaus (and rock outcrops in general) are full of life and many such interesting observations need to be reported for dispelling off the myth of "barren plateaus".
http://www.westernghatsindia.org/node/678 This is the link to my paper titled " Rocky Plateaus-Special focus on Northern W.Ghats and konkan" which was commissioned by the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel. I have reviewed the known facts about ecology, diversity and disturbance of the rocky plateaus in this, and have suggested a possible path towards conservation. The paper is without photos due to size constraints. But if anyone is interested I can send the full one with photos included. Regards Aparna On Thu, Mar 17, 2011 at 5:05 PM, Shrikant Ingalhalikar <[email protected]> wrote: > > I wish to share some observations on rocky plateaus which are usually > derogated as wastelands in summer. Dry rocky hills appear devoid of activity > in summer. The spinous clumps of Lepidagathis cristata stems appear lifeless > but even these clumps serve as lifeline for the chicks of Yellow Wattled > Lapwings that breed on the plateaus in the scorching heat of summer. Two or > three chicks hatch on the bare ground and start running around the nest > within 2 or 3 days (nidicolus) of hatching. Appearance of the back and head > feathers of the chicks matches precisely with the dry clumps of Lepidagathis > plants. On hearing an alarm call from the parents the chicks remain still and > pressed to the ground such that they get camoufledged with the Lepidagathis > plants fully. This interesting observation can be made in the coming 2 months. > > Shrikant Ingalhalikar > 12 Varshanand Society > Anandnagar Sinhagad Road > Pune 411 051. www.idsahyadri.com > Tel 91 20 2435 0765. > Fax 91 20 2438 9190. -- Dr. Aparna Watve At present : 34/6, Gulawani Maharaj Rd. Pune 411004 9822597288/ 020-25430309 Otherwise: Asha Appt, Shanti Nagar, Ekata Colony Nr. BSNL tower, Akbar Ward, Seoni.480661 tel: 07692-228115 mobile: (0)9755667710
