ADAPTATION OF SPECIES INTO I.I.T-M

MIRACULOUS ACCOMMODATION OF SPECIES INTO I.I.T-M

AIM OF THE PROJECT

To study the adaptation of species into the I.I.T-M campus.

INTRODUCTION

We the students of Tagore house of class X – B of Kendriya Vidyalaya IIT Chennai have undertaken a project work of surveying the adaptation of different species into the environment of i.i.t campus, under the guidance of our science teacher Mrs. Nandini. R.

HYPOTHESIS

I.I.T-M is host to a variety of native and foreign species both flora and fauna. The campus has a specific area and this wide range of flora and fauna is all accommodated within its confinements. Different types of species require different kinds of environment for example the Neem tree and the Palm trees require a different climate and environmental condition however, both of them have been cited in the campus. Hence from this we can assume that the environmental condition varies within the campus to accommodate these varieties of species.

ABSTRACT

In this project we’ve surveyed the adaptation of different kinds of native and foreign species (plants and animals) into the environment of the campus. The research is limited within the circumference of the campus. Under the project we’ve covered how different plant and animal varieties are accommodated in the campus forming the large ecosystem of the campus.

METHODOLOGY

We’ve traced all the major parts of I.I.T-M campus, where many varieties of plants and animals are found. We took photographs of both plants and animals without disturbing or harming any of them.

CAMPUS BIO DIVERSITY

The campus supports a rich diversity of plants and animals. From the field surveys it has been identified that a total of 432 plants and animal species exist in the campus.

SELECTED GROUPS	SPECIES OBSERVED	SPECIES EXPECTED
PLANTS	298	350-400
BUTTERFLIES	50	50-55
FROGS & TOADS	8	9-10
LIZARDS	8	10-12
SNAKES	4	15
TORTOISES/ TURTLES	1	3
BIRDS	51	60-80
MAMMALS	12	20-25
TOTAL	432	517-600

*TABLE 1.

Two hundred and ninety eight (298) non cultivated plants have been identified on the campus. When garden plants are added to this list the number may vary to 350-400 species.Bonnet Macaque and Chital have successfully adapted to the transformed habitat and human presence in the campus.

OBSERVATION: -

BONNET MACAQUE

There are 130-150 macaques at present that move around the human dominated regions of the campus in troupes of 10-15 animals. Their ability to adapt and to exploit the available habitat and carelessly disposed food will further increase their numbers leading to serious conflicts with humans and other species of animals of the campus.

Bonnet macaque (Macaca radiata) is ENDEMIC to southern India. The species that is largely arboreal is at present found in all the types of habitat, especially those created and maintained by human beings.

Amongst primates found in southern India, Bonnet macaque is the only species that gets into conflicts with people in both urban and rural areas.

Out of the chunk of the Bonnet species found in Chennai city, the significant proportion may be found within IIT-MADRAS, Guindy National Park and Raj Bhavan Habitat complex. Despite efforts to capture and relocate the macaque, there has been a steady increase in the population of the primate in the campus. Attracted to human habitats by food, water and shelter, these troops have invaded residential and hostel premises leading to resentment by a section of campus residents.

IDENTITY	SIGHTINGS	TROOP SIZE	REMARKS
MT1	Cauvery-Narmada Hostel	41	This troop moves between the Cauvery and Narmada hostel area
MT2	Electronic engineering	34	This troop moves between Electronic Engineering and play ground area
MT3	Administration block	27	This troop moves between the Administration Block and Central Work Shop area
MT4	Residential Area##	9-33	These troops mostly operate in the residential area from 1st cross road to 7th cross road; sometimes split
MT5	Adyar and Delhi avenue	17	This troop moves between Adyar Avenue and Delhi avenue in the residential zone
MT6	Nursery & Warden Quarters	34	This troop moves between Nursery, Warden Quarters and Garbage site. It also moves to Sharavathy and Sarayu hostels.
##the residential area covers 1st cross road to 7th cross road

*table 2

*distribution of macaques in the campus...

DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

The bonnet macaques in the campus feed on various fruits from the trees, food from the hostels, residential areas and other eating places (shopping complex, Gurunath, canteen). Sometimes, they even find food in the schools within the campus. They’ve plenty of water supplies from the hostels, residential and institutional zones, schools, eating places (listed above), garden hose, and parks. They find shelter within dense trees, houses, and abandoned places.

                             RESULT

Since there are luxurious provisions of basic amenities for the primates, they’ve adapted themselves to this heavy human habitat and it proves a pest to the residents and visitors.

OBSERVATIONS

CHITAL

The spotted deer is found in large numbers in dense deciduous or semi evergreen forests and open grasslands. The highest numbers of chital are found in the forests of India, where they feed upon tall grass and shrubs. Chital have been also spotted in Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary in Bhutan, which is the only remaining natural sal forests in the country. They do not occur at higher-elevation forests, where they are usually replaced by other species such as the Sambar deer. They also prefer heavy forest cover for shade and are intolerant of direct sunlight.

Chital are primarily grazers and feed on short, sprouting grasses. However, they will also browse, as well as eat forbs, fruit, and branches of trees, especially when they are thrown down by monkeys. Chital prefer to be near water and will drink in mornings and evenings in hot weather. Hinds and fawns are more likely to be victims of predation than adult stags.

An interesting relationship has been observed between herds of axis deer and troops of the primates, Axis deer apparently benefit from the primates' good eyesight and ability to post a lookout in a treetop, helping to raise the alarm when a predator approaches. For the primates' part, the axis deer's superior sense of smell would seem to assist in early predator warning, and it is common to see primates foraging on the ground in the presence of axis deer. The axis deer also benefit from fruits dropped by the primates from trees such as Terminalia bellerica and Phyllanthus emblica. Alarm calls of either species can be indicative of the presence of a predator such as a tiger.

Spotted deer or Chital are seen everywhere on the campus along with bonnet monkeys. They also move in groups of 10-20, but the male dominance is less except in the mating season. The last wildlife census put their number around 250 in the campus. They give birth to one or two fawns, once or twice a year. Unlike blackbuck, spotted deer are an introduced species to this area.

DATA  ANALYSIS  AND INTERPRETATION

Spotted deer can survive in thickly forested areas as well as scrub jungles. They camouflage easily with the surroundings in dry deciduous forests like these. Spotted deer feed on various types of grass, herbs, fruits, flowers and leaves. They are much more adapted to a human occupied habitat than black buck. Though there are no predators, other than jackals feeding on the young fawns.

RESULT

After the macaques, the chitals have adapted well to the environment of the campus, they also maintain good relationships with both the macaques as well as humans.

OBSERVATION

BLACK BUCK

Blackbucks generally live on open plains and open woodlands in herds of five to 50 animals with one dominant male. They are very fast. Speeds of more than 80 km/h (50 mph) have been recorded. They are primarily grazers and avoid forested areas. They require water every day and may move long distances in search of water and forage in summer. Usually, they feed during the day. Their diet consists mostly of grasses, but they have occasionally been observed browsing on acacia trees in the pods of Prosopis juliflora during seasonal lows in forage quality.

Their chief predator was the Asiatic cheetah, now extinct in India. Currently, wolves are the main predators of both fawns and adults. Fawns are also hunted by jackals. Village dogs are reported to kill fawns, but are unlikely to successfully hunt and kill adults. The maximum lifespan recorded is 16 years and the average is 12 years.

DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

Unlike the Chitals, The black bucks cannot flexibly adapt to a human inhabited surrounding. They are more or less very reserved and their self defence is their rate of running speed and their sharp horns. They are of no harm.

                                    RESULT

The black bucks are not so sociable. They’re largely found near the hostel and canteen areas due to the availability of food.

OBSERVATION

LIZARDS

Lizards are very common in IIT campus. The native range of the species includes SE Iran, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, , China, India (including the Andaman Islands), Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Lizard is relatively common and found in a wide range of habitats. They appear to adapt well to humans and are thus not endangered. They are

Commonly found among the undergrowth in open habitats including highly urban areas.

DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

Lizards eat mainly insects and small vertebrates, including rodents and other lizards. Although they have teeth, these are designed for gripping prey and not tearing it up. So prey is swallowed whole, after it is stunned by shaking it about. Sometimes, young inexperienced Changeable Lizards may choke on prey which is too large. Occasionally changeable lizards also consume vegetable matter.

RESULT

Lizards are probably found in many places in the campus. They usually come out into the open during the monsoon since many other insects which are preys of lizards come out in monsoon. The campus being a forested area proves a boon for the lizards.

LAND SNAIL

Land snails are molluscs found on all continents and they occur virtually everywhere in Eastern North America, where there are more than 500 native species. They live primarily in the upper leaf litter of forests, old fields, and wetlands, but also in more disturbed habitats such as active gardens and fields, river banks, suburbs, and even cities. The term “land snails” includes snails and slugs, which have no obvious shell. 

DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

These terrestrial molluscs feed upon a wide variety of organic material, mainly green or dead herbaceous plants, rotting wood and fungi, bark and algae, but they also consume empty snail shells, sap, animal scats and carcasses, and even rasp limestone rock or cement. Carnivorous snail species attack nematodes and other snails.

RESULT

Snails also come out during the monsoon season and are not common in the campus.

OBSERVATION

ANECIC EARTH WORM

Anecic earthworms are found almost everywhere in IIT, and we have seen millions of it near the Nursery. They mostly feed upon dead leaves and twigs, otherwise anything that's available.

DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

Anecic earthworms make permanent vertical burrows in soil. They feed on leaves on the soil surface that they drag into their burrows. They also cast on the surface, and these casts can quite often be seen in grasslands. They also make middens (piles of casts) around the entrance to their burrows. They are darkly coloured at the head end (red or brown) and have paler tails.

RESULT

Citing of earthworms is not uncommon within the campus since the campus has a lot of soil, wet and dry it is easy for the earthworms to live their livelihood as per their requirements.

OBSERVATION

TODDY PALM

Borassus flabellifer is a robust tree and can live more than 100 years and reach a height of 30 metres (98 ft.) The very large trunk resembles that of the coconut tree and is ringed with leaf scars. Young Palmyra palms grow slowly in the beginning but then grow faster with age.

DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

They grow in the monsoon or in more xerophilous regions, where dry spells alternate with rainy spells, other genre of Palms such as Acrocomia, from Central America, and Borassus are to be found.

OBSERVATION

TAMARINDUS INDICA

Tamarindus indica is probably indigenous to tropical Africa, but has been cultivated for so long on the Indian subcontinent that it is sometimes also reported to be indigenous there. It reached South Asia likely through human transportation and cultivation several thousand years prior to the Common Era. It is widely distributed throughout the tropical belt. Today, India is the largest producer of tamarind. The consumption of tamarind is widespread due to its central role in the cuisines of the Indian subcontinent, South East Asia and America, particularly in Mexico.

The tamarind is a long-lived, medium-growth, bushy tree, which attains a maximum crown height of 12 to 18 metres (39 to 59 ft). The crown has an irregular, vase-shaped outline of dense foliage. The tree grows well in full sun in clay, loam, sandy, and acidic soil types, with a high resistance to drought and aerosol salt (wind-borne salt as found in coastal areas).

DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATIONS

The evergreen leaves are alternately arranged and innately compound. The leaflets are bright green, elliptical ovular, innately veined, and less than 5 cm (2.0 in) in length. The branches droop from a single, central trunk as the tree matures and is often pruned in agriculture to optimize tree density and ease of fruit harvest. At night, the leaflets close up.

RESULT

Tamarind trees are very common in the campus and its fruits prove to be a feast for the monkeys and the deers.

OBSERVATION

INDIAN ASH TREE

Indian Ash Tree is a deciduous tree, growing up to 14 m tall. Branches are minutely covered with starry hairs. Alternately arranged leaves are pinnate, with a single terminal leaflet (pinnate) at the end. The spine carrying the leaflets is up to 7 cm long. Leaflets are usually 5, each laterally opposite, ovate, base rounded, densely velvet-hairy when young. Flowers are unisexual, greenish, the male in compound and female in simple racemes. Sepals 4, about 1 mm long, broad ovate. Petals 4, each 2 mm long, oblong, green yellow. Fruit is ovoid, compressed, in panicles, at the end of leafless branches.

RESULT

The Indian Ash Tree is hardly found in few places within the campus and the deers more or less find shelter under these trees.

OBSERVATION

BAMBOO

Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants on Earth, with reported growth rates of 250 cm (98 in) in 24 hours. However, the growth rate is dependent on local soil and climatic conditions, as well as species, and a more typical growth rate for many commonly cultivated bamboos in temperate climates is in the range of 3–10 cm (1.2–3.9 in) per day during the growing period. Primarily growing in regions of warmer climates during the late Cretaceous period, vast fields existed in what is now Asia. Some of the largest timber bamboo can grow over 30 m (98 ft) tall, and be as large as 15–20 cm (5.9–7.9 in) in diameter. However, the size range for mature bamboo is species-dependent, with the smallest bamboos reaching only several inches high at maturity.

Unlike all trees, individual bamboo culms emerge from the ground at their full diameter and grow to their full height in a single growing season of three to four months. During these several months, each new shoot grows vertically into a Culm with no branching out until the majority of the mature height is reached. Then, the branches extend from the nodes and leafing out occurs. In the next year, the pulpy wall of each Culm slowly hardens. During the third year, the culm hardens further. 

The shoot is now considered a fully mature Culm. Over the next 2–5 years (depending on species), fungus begins to form on the outside of the Culm, which eventually penetrates and overcomes the Culm. Around 5–8 years later (species- and climate-dependent), the fungal growths cause the Culm to collapse and decay. This brief life means culms are ready for harvest and suitable for use in construction within about three to seven years. Individual bamboo culms do not get any taller or larger in diameter in subsequent years than they do in their first year, and they do not replace any growth lost from pruning or natural breakage.

DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

Bamboo has a wide range of hardiness depending on species and locale. Small or young specimens of an individual species produce small culms initially. As the clump and its rhizome system mature, taller and larger culms are produced each year until the plant approaches its particular species limits of height and diameter. Many tropical bamboo species die at or near freezing temperatures, while some of the hardier temperate bamboos can survive temperatures as low as −29 °C (−20 °F).

RESULT

Bamboo shoots are found on the way (short cut), from the Open Air Theatre to Gurunath I.I.T.

OBSERVATION

BANYAN TREE

A single mature Banyan Tree will have many trunks and support roots which gives the appearance of a forest of separate trees. A single tree can spread to cover well over an acre. The Banyan Tree seed sprouts and eventually the branches will send roots down to the ground. These supports will grow into trunks which in turn develop new branches and new Arial roots and so on.

DATA ANALYSIS ND INTERPRETATION

Height: up to 100 feet (30.5 meters).

Lifespan: possibly over a thousand years although the age of the Banyan Tree is difficult to determine due to the fact that the original trunk is usually hidden by years of aerial or support root growth.

Habitat and Range: The Banyan Tree grows in India and adjacent countries. It prefers areas of high humidity and moist soils.

RESULT

The banyan tree is found in many places within the campus especially, in woodlands. If the banyan tree is removed from its ecosystem, then there will be a lack in the oxygen supply and shelter as well.

Soil erosion will also be a common disaster.

OBSERVATION

NEEM TREE

The Neem tree is quite common in IIT M. Most of them are observed near Velachery Gate side.

DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

The Neem tree is noted for its drought resistance. Normally it thrives in areas with sub-arid to sub-humid conditions,

Annual rainfall 400–1,200 millimetres

It can grow in regions with an annual rainfall below 400 mm, but in such cases it depends largely on ground water levels.

Neem can grow in many different types of soil, but it thrives best on well drained deep and sandy soils. It is a typical tropical to subtropical tree and exists at annual mean temperatures between 21–32 °C (70–90 °F). It can tolerate high to very high temperatures and does not tolerate temperature below 4 °C (39 °F).

RESULT

Neem is one of a very few shade-giving trees that thrive in drought-prone areas e.g. the dry coastal, southern districts of India and Pakistan. Without the Neem tree, there will be an increase in the pests in and around the area. The birds which feed upon its fruits will starve.

OTHER FINDINGS

Composition of Non-cultivated Plants in i.i.t-m

Habit	No. of species	percent
grasses	36	12
herbs	72	24
shrubs	40	13
climbers	38	13
Palms and bamboo	5	2
trees	107	36
total	298	100

Apart from the above briefed species, the campus boasts a wide variety of native and introduced species, out of which, the histories of many are still under the cover.

I.I.T-M, hosts 24 insect varieties, namely: -

1. Silverfish
2. Club tail
3. Biddie
4. Bluet Damselfly
5. Glassy-winged Toothpick Grasshopper
6. Broad-winged Katydid
7. Field Cricket
8. Mole Cricket 
9. Walking Stick
10. Subterranean Termite 
11. Water Strider
12. Flat bark bug
13. Small Milkweed bug
14. Spined stink bug 
15. Dung Roller beetle
16. Convergent Ladybird Beetle
17. Fig Wasp
18. Paper Wasp 
19. Honey Bee
20. House Fly 
21. Blow fly
22. Common Cockroach
23. Metallic-green bug  
24. Mosquitoes

The campus is home to 42 native tree species, namely: -

1.    Alangium

2.    Palmira Palm

3.    Silver Date Palm

4.    Neem

5.    Mango

6.    Mast Tree, Madras Ashoka or Debdaru

7.    Indian Cork Tree

8.    Bullet Wood

9.    Indian Coral Tree

10. Tree of Sorrow

11. Jamun

12. The Indian Gooseberry

13. Indian Siris, Vaagai

14. Banyan Tree

15. Pipal

16. Strangler Fig Tree

17. Cluster Fig Tree

18. Tamarind

19. The Indian Jujube or Bher

20. Wild Lime

21. Sand Paper Tree

22. Wild Ixora

23. Child Life Tree or Putranjiva

24. Sandalwood

25. Katira Gum Tree

26. Pterospermum

27. Sita-Asok

28. Caparis zeylanica

29. Paalai

30. Compratum ovalifolium

31. Indian Laburnum,Golden Shower, Amaltas

32. Flame of the Forest

33. White Bark Acacia,

34. Pongam Tree

35. Red Sandalwood, Coral-wood,

36. Sickle Bush

37. Indian Mulberry, Great morinda

38. Wood Apple

39. South Indian Soapnut

40. South Indian Mahua

41.    Asian Bushbeech, Asiatic beechberry

It also houses 46 introduced tree species.

1. Red Silk Cotton Tree
2. Divi-divi Tree
3. White Bauhinia
4. Sausage Tree
5. Paarijaata
6. Guava
7. Portia or The Indian Tulip Tree
8. Flame tree (Gulmohar)
9. Temple Tree, Pagoda Tree, Frangipani,
10. Copper-Pod Tree or Rusty Shield Bearer
11. Bengal Almond or Indian Almond
12. Arjuna
13. Purple Bauhinia
14. Queens flower, Crape Myrtle
15. Pride of India
16. Rain Tree or Monkey Pod Tree
17. Temple Tree 
18. Teak
19. Australian acacia,Earleaf Acacia, Ear-pod Wattle,
20. Kassod Tree
21. Yellow or Caribbean Trumpet Tree
22. White Trumpet Tree,
23. Scholara's Tree or Devil's Tree
24. Jackfruit
25. Common Bamboo
26. Fishtail Palm
27. Royal Palm
28. Australian Pine, Horse Tail tree
29. Yellow Palm
30. Coconut Palm
31. India rubber Tree
32. Banana
33. Moulmein Rosewood
34. Papaya
35. Indian Tulip Tree
36. White Silk Cotton Tree
37. Cannonball Tree
38. Bottle Brush
39. Sea Hibiscus, Cotton Tree
40. Sapota or Sapodilla
41. Casuarina
42. Badminton Ball Tree, African locust tree,
43. Earpod Tree
44. Bastard Cedar
45. Sandbox Tree

SNAKES

Snakes stay hidden in the bushes and forest areas and can hardly be seen in the open. Although many have seen them cross the roads at night and on muddy paths in various parts of the campus.

The snakes found in the campus include: 

1.   Rat snake

2. Cobra

3. Common Green Whip or Vine snake

RESCUE OF A GREEN SNAKE: 

Green snakes are harmless, though there are lots of stories about this snake as venomous and it can attack your yes etc. It attacks eyes which could be true, because the only object in movement in a tree snake's view are the eyes of the human, if you are close-by. If you move a stick in front, it might attack the stick. In our experience, the snake that accidentally came across people was scared and wanted to escape rather than attack. It was trapped in a room with cement/tiled floor (it is difficult for snakes to move on smooth surfaces). So when we used a long stick to direct it out of the building, it cooperated very well and was more than happy to escape into its habitat. Next time you see a green, vine snake, do not panic. Just leave it to itself. If it is trapped somewhere and has to be rescued, give a call to the Prakriti rescue members.

MUSHROOMS

Apart from the shrubs and herbs and plants and trees, the campus has wide varieties of mushrooms within its perimeters. Many or almost all the mushrooms are wild and some are toxic. However, No major study has been made particularly on these mushrooms within the campus till date.

CONCLUSION

The conclusion that we draw from this thesis work is that I.I.T-M, has a wide range of Botanical and Zoological variations. The soil variety varies from one place to another within the campus either slightly or highly, as it supports a variety plants within a limited area.

The temperature, precipitation, sunshine within the campus is suitable for the growth and nourishment of various foreign species.

*Temperature graph

*precipitation graph

 *Sunshine recordings

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We, sincerely thank the care earth organization, Prakriti club of I.I.T-M,

And all the scientists, geologists and enthusiasts who work for these above mentioned organizations and published their thesis, which have made the skeleton of this project.

Our, sincere thanks, to our Teacher cum guide, Mrs.Nandini.R, without whose assistance and guidance this, project work would not have been possible.

Our hearty credits to the photographers of our team, namely – Miss. Abirami.P,  

Miss. Vasupradha.E and

Mast. C.V.Vignesh & Mast. Shriram.P.K

Our hearty credits to the enthusiastic participators of our team, namely – Miss.Anooja.A, Miss.Roopa.S.Hiremath & Mast.Naresh Kumar.

Our sincere commendations to our editors

Miss. Abirami.P, Miss. Anooja.A &

Miss. Anjali.S

The Blog-Adaptations are done by Anooja.A

The thesis drafting and other paper works are coined by Ilakkiya Raja.

 REFERENCES

1.    Campus Biodiversity report sequel 1, 2 & 3, submitted by Care earth organization. (PDF)

(https://www.iitm.ac.in/sites/default/files/uploads/campus_biodiversity_report.pdf+biodiversity+of+iit+madras)

2.   Report on Monkeys (bonnet macaques), submitted by care earth organizations. (PDF)

(https://www.iitm.ac.in/sites/default/files/uploads/monkeys.pdf+monkeys+of+iit+madras) 

3.  Report on varied species of flora and fauna of I.I.T-M, submitted by Prakriti wildlife club of I.I.T-M.

(https://home.iitm.ac.in/prakriti/prakriti/trees.html) 

4.  Google 

5.   Wikipedia

6.  YouTube

THE END