Floristic Composition, Dynamics and Diversity of Myristica Swamp Forests of Southern-Western Ghats, Kerala

Myristica swamp forests are unique edaphic formation offorests found in the bottom of valleys which are subjected to inundation throughout the year. The characteristic feature of this type is the abundance of the species of Myristicaceae. This forest type is exclusively found in the southernmost part of Western Ghats and first reported by Krishnamoorthy (1960). Unfortunately these swamps are fast disappearing due to human interference. In order to understand the structure, composition, dynamics and diversity of this forest type, phyto-sociological studies were carried out by random sampling using census quadrat techniques. Of the 0.1 ha area sampled 18 species were recorded spreading over 12 famililes. Myristica swamp forest shows comparatively low stand density (520 trees per hal, maturity index value (18.33) and species density (18 species/0.1 hal). This forest also exhibits medium diversity (2.50), absence of higher frequency classes and high concentration of dominance (0.09). On the basis of dominance, this forest is identified as Gymnacranthera farquhariana -Myristica fatua - Knema attenuata type.