Documenting diversity: an experiment

Abstract

Complex natural systems such as soils, groundwater, and populations of disease vectors like mosquitoes exhibit a great deal of variation in space and time. Documenting such variation is essential for good management of environmental resources; it can also provide for students and teachers excellent opportunities for first hand scientific observations. This article describes such an experiment, focusing on inventorying and monitoring of biodiversity of the Western Ghats. Initiated in early 1994, this experiment involves a network of over 20 undergraduate colleges collaborating with ecologists at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore. Experience gained so far in this programme suggests that such field research could serve as a valuable teaching device, as well as generate useful inputs for decentralized management of natural resources at the panchayat and district levels.