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News 11 of 19

Climate Change Study: 0.01°C/yr Temp Rise, 3.97mm/yr Rain Decline in Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve

Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
23 Aug 2026
~2 min
Source: The Hindu
Key Data:0.01°C per year3.97 mm per year2000-20201950-20184.37 days per yearPhase I: 2001-2010
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.Study published in Remote Sensing (2024) used satellite imagery from 2000-2020 to map phenological shifts in four forest types of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.

2.Key data: Temperature rose 0.01°C/year and rainfall decreased 3.97 mm/year (1950-2018), causing delayed then advanced Start of Season across phases.

3.Ecological impacts include desynchronization of plant-pollinator interactions, reduced flowering of endemic species, and degradation of Shola forest microclimates.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

A study reveals that climate change is disrupting the phenology of forests in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, with a 0.01°C annual temperature rise and 3.97 mm annual rainfall decline from 1950 to 2018, leading to altered growing seasons and threatening endemic species. This data is critical for understanding climate impacts on biodiversity hotspots, a recurring theme in UPSC environment and geography questions.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Temperature Rise0.01°C per year (1950-2018)
Rainfall Decline3.97 mm per year (1950-2018)
Study Period2000-2020 (satellite imagery)
Forest Types AnalyzedMoist deciduous, dry deciduous, semi evergreen, wet evergreen
Endemic Species AffectedMagnolia nilagirica, Impatiens clavicornu

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Temperature Rise: 0.01°C per year (1950-2018)
  • ›Rainfall Decline: 3.97 mm per year (1950-2018)
  • ›Target this Data: 0.01°C temperature rise/year and 3.97 mm rainfall decline/year (1950-2018) in Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
  • ›Target this Region: Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (Western Ghats) – can be asked as a location of phenological study
  • ›Target this Study: 'Mapping forest phenological shift in Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve' published in Remote Sensing (2024)

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which type of high-altitude tropical montane forest, mentioned in the article, is found in the Western Ghats and is characterized by a cool, moist microclimate?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the study on forest phenology in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve:

1. The study used satellite imagery from 2000 to 2020 to analyze forest changes.

2. The average annual temperature increase was 0.1°C per year from 1950 to 2018.

3. During Phase II (2011-2020), the Start of Season advanced across all four forest types.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the study, what was the average annual decrease in rainfall in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve between 1950 and 2018?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary ecological consequence of the phenological shifts observed in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, as highlighted in the article?

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