Impact of Changes in the Microclimatic Conditions on Species Diversity of Insectivorous Plants at Karungalagudi, (TN) India

A study on the interrelationship between the factors influencing vegetation change and composition of insectivorous plant community was carried out at Karungalagudi, India. Anthropogenic intervention at this site due to industrial development, agro-industrial pollution, mining, quarrying has accelerated the pace by which the microclimatic and environmental conditions have shown ever-changing temporal and special variation. This has resulted in alteration in community composition of insectivorous plants at this consortium. Anthropogenic activities along with changes in ecological process have altered the microclimatic conditions conducive for the sustenance of the tiny plant association among the members of insectivorous (Droseraceae, Lentibulariaceae), non insectivorous (Eriocaulaceae, Polygalaceae and Scrophulariaceae) and other lower plants. Changes in the environmental condition are reflected by the decline in species diversity, count of a single species and dynamics of community composition at the site. Understanding of the impact on the future changes has been hampered by the inability to disentangle conflicting, forcing factors that regulate the dynamic environment and vegetation composition of carnivorous and associated plants