Vulnerabilities of Critical Ecosystems and Services in the Western Ghats to Overland Flows and Sedimentation During Extreme Rainfall Events

Over-land flow and sediment transport models provide a useful set of tools for predicting flow paths and simulation erosion and deposition. We use the r.sim.water and r.sim.sediment modules built into the GRASS GIS package in combination with predicted extreme rainfall events for the Western Ghats to develop a vulnerability layer for the region. Extreme rainfall events in this region are occurring more frequently and predictions are that variability of these events is likely to intensify. This information is an important component of a decision support system for conservation planning in the Western Ghats, particularly for identification of ecologically sensitive areas from the perspective of hydrologic goods and services.