Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Sep 25: Goa's significant monsoon rainfall deficit is beginning to show signs of stress in the state's forest ecosystems, with bracket fungi on trees appearing thin, leathery and shrivelled, naturalists and climate experts have warned.

While the drying of mushrooms may appear insignificant, fungi are highly sensitive to forest humidity and depend heavily on moisture in the air.

"Bracket mushrooms need continuous moisture to grow. Without it, the canopy microclimate can change within hours," said naturalist Parag Rangnekar.

"When moisture levels drop, mushrooms release fewer spores, begin to shrivel and eventually die," he said.

During periods of steady monsoon rainfall, mushrooms release millions of microscopic spores that help maintain populations of forest decomposers. However, with Goa facing a rainfall deficit of more than 35 inches, several species appear to have stopped fruiting earlier than usual, apparently conserving energy rather than releasing spores under dry conditions.

Rangnekar said a temporary reduction in spore release would not immediately affect forests, but prolonged suppression of fungal activity could disrupt forest ecology.

"Without healthy fungal diversity, fallen trees decompose more slowly, reducing the return of organic nutrients to the soil," he said.

The below-average rainfall could also cause forest water tables to fall earlier than usual, potentially affecting wildlife dependent on seasonal water sources.

Naturalist Omkar Dharwadkar said frogs were particularly vulnerable to changes in monsoon rainfall as they depend on seasonal forest pools for breeding.

"Frogs depend on monsoon rains to fill seasonal forest pools where they lay eggs. If these pools dry before tadpoles mature, they die," Dharwadkar said.

A decline in frog populations could also have wider ecological and public health implications, he said, as frogs act as natural predators of mosquitoes.

"A decline in frog populations means fewer natural predators of mosquitoes, increasing the risk of diseases such as dengue and malaria," he said.

Climate scientist and BITS Pilani Goa campus associate professor Rajiv Kumar Chaturvedi said mature trees with deep root systems were better equipped to withstand a rainfall deficit, while young saplings with shallow roots remained more vulnerable.

"Forests depend on a balance between tree deaths and new growth. Based on monitoring in parts of Goa, we expect lower sapling recruitment this year," Chaturvedi said.

He said the more significant effects of the rainfall shortage could become visible after the monsoon.

"With a 30% rainfall deficit and erratic monsoon patterns, soils remain insufficiently saturated. This is likely to cause drought stress and affect plant growth cycles. Trees may shed leaves earlier and delay new growth, shortening the period available for photosynthesis. This can reduce growth, flowering and fruiting," he said.

Chaturvedi also pointed to high heat index levels, with "feels-like" temperatures reaching 41 degrees Celsius, as an indication that dry conditions had already emerged during the monsoon.

"These conditions increase the risk of forest fires and can cause long-term stress to forest ecosystems," he said.