Newsletter

Spring 2001: Notes from India

Ecology of the Indian Tropics
By Orin Gelderloos

Why would 14 college students from North America travel halfway around the world to study ecology for three weeks in south India? For several reasons! The Western Ghat Mountains on the border between the south Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala are seventh in the world among biodiversity "hotspots." Among their flora and fauna are many endemic (found nowhere else in the world) species which have the names "Nilgiri" and "Malabar" attached to them, indicating their restricted range.

Since India is the last land mass available as a wintering ground for migrating birds from vast areas of Siberia and China, we studied thousands of birds, such as Flamingos adapted to feeding in the hypersaline flats at Point Calimere. Nearby we observed the social structure of the endangered Black Buck (an antelope) on the grasslands interspersed among the dry thorn/scrub jungle.

Because the topography ranged from the flat lands on the beaches of the Bay of Bengal to over 6,000 feet in the mountains, we experienced temperatures from 85oF to 65oF. In this wide range of conditions, we studied a variety of ecological habitats such as: an estuary and seashore; one of the largest remaining mangrove communities in India; dry and moist deciduous forests; and an evergreen forest, where a tiger roared at daybreak and a herd of elephants showed us their strategies for protecting their young as we approached in the van. One of the most spectacular ecological sites is the montane forest, or shola, a small community of medium sized trees which exists only in a mountain crevice, surrounded by grasslands, at high elevations.

During our studies of the various habitats we were impressed, and at times overwhelmed, by the richness of the Creation in south India. We selected more than 100 species of birds and 100 species of plants for study and felt that we were only becoming acquainted with a small fraction of the biodiversity. Yet we were able to relate basic ecological principles to our newly discovered species, habitats, and ecosystems.

Because the Hindu culture and religion have interacted with these ecosystems for thousands of years, we were able to study the long-term effects of humans on the ecosystems and learn a great deal about history and culture of the Tamil people. The rural villages provided fascinating studies of the incorporation of plants and animals into lifestyles from food and fibers to medicines. The entire course offers opportunity for the study of Christian environmental stewardship. Thus, this course fulfills a cross-cultural requirement on many campuses.

This year students from North Park University, Messiah College, Calvin College, and Trinity Western University, joined students from Bishop Heber College in Tiruchirapalli in this field learning experience. As we traveled from habitat to habitat, we had lectures by Indian faculty, from a variety of Indian colleges and universities, who are experts in the ecological topics we studied. All teaching was done in English because it is the only common language throughout all of India.

Our lodging accommodations were made in local hotels, ranging from newly constructed hotels in large cities to bunk beds in forest lodges. We traveled in 14-passenger mini-buses driven by professional drivers. An important part of our learning experience was becoming accustomed to south Indian food and eating styles. The diet was rice-based and non-fattening by American standards - every meal was a real taste treat!

The course Ecology of the Indian Tropics (Biol 427) proved to be an excellent opportunity to study ecological principles in new habitats in an "extremely rich country where a lot of poor people live."

Orin Gelderloos is a professor of biology and environmental studies at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. He serves on Au Sable Institute's Board of Trustees and is the program director for Au Sable-India, January.

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