Cave dwellers

Geetha Iyer
When we think of natural habitats, it is the forest, the land, or the water body that comes to mind, but there are animals that have made caves their home too.

Freshwater rock pools

Geetha Iyer
When we think of wildlife habitats, it is usually the forests that come to mind. Did you ever imagine that the small pools of water in the dents in rocks can also host life within them? There are many small spaces within larger biomes that provide a home to a variety of creatures. We start with freshwater rock pools.

Cold desert – Ladakh

Geetha Iyer
When we think of deserts, usually the image that the mind conjures up is that of large open spaces with sand dunes and a bright hot sun beating down. In part 2 of her article on deserts, Geetha Iyer introduces us to cold deserts, their flora and fauna, and the threats to this ecosystem.

Hot deserts

Geetha Iyer
Deserts are vital for our ecosystem and they need to be protected primarily because they are home to some unique flora and fauna that cannot survive in other habitats. Deserts can be hot, cold or coastal. This article deals with hot deserts.

Elm-watching in Hyderabad

Venkata Tejah Balantrapu
How often have you noticed the trees in your surroundings? While some trees may attract you with their bright and beautiful flowers, others may mean something to you because of the fruits they generously give you. But would you stop to look at the very inconspicuous Indian elm? It has neither fruits nor flowers and yet is amazing. Why? Stop a while and observe the elm with the author.

Habitats: Forest canopies

Geetha Iyer
The canopy is the least explored but most important structure of a forest. With tree heights, especially in tropical forests, averaging a 100 feet, canopies are difficult for human beings to reach, which is why they are not as well explored. Canopies are also the parts that host a rich biodiversity. A knowledge of the canopies is important in the sustainable management of forests.

Habitats: Forest-floor

Geetha Iyer
When we think of forests, we think it is made up of only trees of different kinds. But, in actuality, the forest ecosystem is much more than just trees. Forests are also habitats for a host of other species of plants along with animals and microorganisms. This article dwells on some habitats within the forests that have a significant role to play in harbouring diversity.

Forests – an introduction

Geetha Iyer
When we think of forests, the mind’s eye conjures up a lush green world, where the Panchatantra tales played out, where animals rule, where there is a little bit of mystery but mostly magic. But forests lose all their charm in school, where children learn about different types of forests from their definitions. If we want our children to care for forests and think about their conservation, we need to bring back that charm of the forests. Here are some interesting ways of teaching forests.

Ocean’s deep dark zone – Benthos

Geetha Iyer
Even as man’s knowledge of outer space increases by the day and his search for extra-terrestrial life continues unabated, he remains ignorant of the myriad life forms flourishing right in his backyard. Our knowledge of the deepest parts of our oceans is still nascent but let us share it widely, especially with our children, so that we can help conserve oceans.

Life in the oceans-Planktons

Geetha Iyer
In the second part of the article on Oceans, we look at life in the oceans and how they survive the various forces. Life in the oceans is governed by two factors – the presence or absence of light and the pressure exerted by water at various depths.