Abstract

The intermittent drought and flood, crafts the ecosystem of the semi-arid area and make it more fragile. The Little Rann of Kutch (LRK) falls under the zone of northern semiarid climate. The LRK is located at the junction of phytogeographic provinces and is composed of diverse floristic elements. The area experiences extreme climatic conditions- get flooded by both the tidal water ingression and fresh water poured by the seasonal rivers during the monsoon season, whereas during summer season the water recedes and evaporates, leaving behind a crust of halite and gypsum crystals which grow in clay and sand. The distribution patterns of biotic elements & human ecology are at large explained on the basis of bioclimatic conditions prevailing in the area. Anthropogenic activities such as pastoral, salt mining & dry farming not only advocates climatic characteristics of the region but also reduces vegetal cover, subsequently, the soil is lost through erosion and thus the environmental degradation results. A systematic account of the ecological resource has been carried on a regional framework, in order to propose, a case sensitive strategies for protecting biodiversity, resource management and to improve quality of life in semiarid lands.

Keywords: Desertification; Ecology; Exploitation; Restoration; Semiarid region