6.2.6.2. Endemic species of India

Endemic species are those taxa whose distribution is confined to a restricted area due to their specific ecological niches and edaphic gradients. Therefore, the habitats of endemic species are far more vulnerable than other species. Endemic species, once lost, represent a loss of biodiversity of these species forever.

Endemic species are unique to specific areas. This means that they do not exist anywhere else in the world. For example, certain plants or animals might thrive only in a particular region's climate, soil type, or environmental conditions. Because they are restricted to these conditions, if their habitat is destroyed or altered, these species may become extinct. This makes endemic species critically important for biodiversity since losing them equates to losing a unique piece of ecological heritage.

Think of endemic species like a family recipe that only you and your family know. If anything happens to that recipe (like a fire or losing the written instructions), it cannot be replicated. Similarly, when an endemic species loses its habitat, it cannot be found or supported elsewhere, leading to its extinction.

In India, there are about 5725 endemic taxa of angiosperms (33.5% of Indian flora) which are located in 25 hot spots. The major hotspots in India which contain the largest number of endemic plant species are the Southern Western Ghats and Eastern Himalayas with 1286 and 1808 endemic species respectively.

India is incredibly rich in plant biodiversity, especially with its endemic species. About 5725 types of flowering plants—known as angiosperms—are found only in India, comprising roughly a third of India's total plant life. The Southern Western Ghats and the Eastern Himalayas are particularly rich regions, each home to over a thousand unique species. Protecting these areas is crucial because they are hotspots for this unique biodiversity and hold many species that cannot be found anywhere else.

Imagine two very special libraries, each housing rare and valuable books that cannot be found in any other library. The Southern Western Ghats and Eastern Himalayas are like those libraries—once these rare books (endemic species) are lost due to neglect or damage, no one can restore them. Therefore, ensuring these libraries are protected is essential for preserving their unique collections.

There are about 1272 species of endemic angiosperms out of 3800 species occurring in Kerala (33.5% of Kerala flora) which represent 22.6% of Indian endemics. Seventy percent of the 1272 species of endemics have the major areas of distribution in Kerala, with spillover in adjacent regions. On the basis of the study of the distributional range, about 102 endemic species occur exclusively in Kerala.

Kerala, a state in India, boasts a significant number of endemic plant species. Out of 3800 species of flowering plants found in Kerala, 1272 are endemic, which means they only grow in that region. These endemic species make up a large portion of the overall diversity in Kerala and are crucial for the ecosystem. Moreover, many of these species have limited habitats and can only thrive in specific areas within the state, making conservation efforts particularly vital.

Think of Kerala as a unique garden that has certain plants that only grow there. If parts of the garden are destroyed or neglected, those unique plants cannot be replaced or grown elsewhere. Just like how a gardener cherishes specific plants for their beauty, we must protect endemic species because they enhance the biodiversity and richness of Kerala's environment.

A large number of animals among a total of 81,000 species in our country are endemic. The Western Ghats are particularly rich in amphibians (frogs, toads, etc.) and reptiles (lizards, crocodiles, etc.) with about 62% amphibians and 50% lizards being endemic to the Western Ghats.

India is also home to many endemic animal species, particularly in the biodiverse Western Ghats region. For example, a majority of the amphibians (like frogs and toads) and many reptiles (such as lizards and crocodiles) are unique to this area. The high percentage of endemic species indicates that this region has evolved in isolation, allowing for the development of unique species that are adapted to its specific conditions.

Imagine an island that only has certain types of birds that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. These birds have adapted to their isolated environment and evolved into unique species. The Western Ghats function similarly, nurturing special species of amphibians and reptiles that cannot be found outside this specific region, which makes their protection crucial.

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