Language: English
The work on Foliicolous Fungal Flora of Idukki District in Kerala State was initiated as part of the project "Long term environmental and ecological impacts of multipurpose river valley projects with special reference to Idukki, Kerala. Subproject IV-A. Ecological impact studies with particular reference to change in forest land use vis-a-vis its impact on timber, fuel wood supply and on the flora and fauna of Idukki region". The main objective of the study was the probable impact of the constructions of dams for hydroelectric projects. This study comprised the taxonomy and ecology of vascular plants, freshwater algae, pathogenic fungi, bryophytes and lichens. Inter-relationships of flora and fauna, pollination studies and land use management were other aspects of the study. This study covered the area in and around the reservoir and immediate neighbourhood of the Idukki reservoir.
The second phase of this work was carried out in Munnar and its neighbouring areas under the project "Survey, inventory and evaluation of the microflora including lichens in the hill shola forests of Munnar, north Wayanad and south Wayanad forest divisions in the district". Subsequent collections were also added to make the work usable as an identification manual for foresters, teachers, forest pathologists and students of foliicolous fungi.