Assessment of plant biodiversity at a mid-elevation evergreen forest of Kalakad– Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Western Ghats, India

• Published in: Current science (Bangalore) Vol. 71; no. 5; pp. 379 - 392
• Main Authors: Ganesh, T., Ganesan, R., Devy, M. Soubadra, Davidar, P., Bawa, K. S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Current Science Association 10.09.1996
• Subjects: Altitude; Climax forests; Coniferous forests; Forest regeneration; Plants; Saplings; Shrubs; Species diversity; Trees; Vegetation; India
• ISSN: 0011-3891

Plant biodiversity of an undisturbed mid-elevation evergreen forest in the southern Western Ghats was assessed by establishing 5 transects totalling 3.82 ha. All plants above 10 cm DBH were enumerated and 10% of the transect area was sampled to quantify the diversity of understorey community and to assess the regeneration status of tree species. A total of 173 woody plant species from 58 families were recorded; of these 50% were tree species. Species diversity (H′) was 4.87, ranking highest among other similar sites in the Western Ghats. On the basis of dominance, this forest is identified as Cullenia Aglaia Palaquium type which is considered as a sub-type of Cullenia Mesua Palaquium series. Stem density and basal area was 363.67 (0.5 ha) and 42.03 m2/ha respectively. The 'L' shaped curve of different DBH classes indicates good regeneration in the climax forest. Small scale altitudinal changes on species composition are largely due to transition in vegetation types influenced by bioclimatic and edaphic factors.