E. S. Abhilash , A. R. R. Menon

Abstract

The study reveals the phyto-sociological aspects of Nageia wallichiana and plant diversity in the study area. In both the study sites the same typical evergreen species Palaquium ellipticum and Cullenia exarillata showed higher dominance among other species. It is evident that Nageia wallichiana is definitely established in the community but not as a dominant or co-dominant one in the study sites. In both the study sites the Nageia wallichiana showed random distribution. However, most of the species in site I were contiguously distributed and in site II randomly distributed. The floristic study shows that the natural habitats of Nageia wallichiana harbour large number of endemic plants and other categories of the conservational importance viz. endangered, rare and vulnerable plants.

Keywords

Nageia Wallichiana, Phytosociology, Floristics, Species Richness, Species Diversity,
Endemics

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A. R. R. Menon , M. A. Suraj

Abstract

Vegetation analysis was carried out to study the density, basal area, IVI, dominance, diversity index and distribution pattern of species along an altitudinal gradient in Ponmudi hill of Thrissur Forest Division in Kerala. The results are presented in this paper.

Keywords

Phytosociology, Vegetation Analysis, Ponmudi Hill, Thrissur, Kerala

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E. S. Abhilash , A. R. R. Menon , K. Balasubramanian

Abstract

A study was conducted in natural habitats of Goodrical Reserved Forest to assess the abundance and diversity of seedling regeneration as a function of Forest Ecosystem. The most dominant species encountered was Palaquium ellipticum (Dalz.) Engl. Based on the distribution pattern except the saplings of study site-I, all categories and sites, Nageia wallichiana (Presl.)O.Ktz. showed contagious distribution but majority of the other species, we can see the preponderance of random distribution. In the case of Nageia wallichiana (Presl.) O.Ktz. a high mortality rate is seen especially from unestablished to established stage. In the study site-II it is noted that the increase in individual percentage of secondary species might have been due to past selection felling operations and has resulted decrease in the individual percentage of endemics and other conservational categories. The habitat is highly diverse in nature and harbours considerable number of endemics and other conservational categories like rare, endangered, vulnerable etc.

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A. O. Varghese , A. R. R. Menon

Abstract

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.

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M. A. Suraj , A. R. R. Menon , A. O. Varghese , P. K. Suresh Babu , M. Pradeep Kumar

Abstract

Land cover maps depicting various vegetation cover classes are highly necessary for sanctuary management. Remote Sensing Data utilization for cover type mapping is one of the most cost effective method for vegetation mapping, especially in tropics. Here an attempt is made to map the forest vegetation of Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary using aerial photographs (Black & White 1:15,000) and Landsat TM FCC (1:50,000) using the standard visual interpretation techniques.

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A. R. R. Menon , G. L. Shah

Abstract

To suppliment the Phytosociology of the vegetation of Saurashtra in Gujarat, India, the Maturity Index, (Pichi-Sermolli, 1948) Community Coefficient (Soresen, 1948) etc. of 20 localities of Gir forests are studied. Most of the localities are moderately mature. The Community Coefficient values are categorised into different classes as per their frequency distribution and most of the combinations of mutual comparisions falls within the range of 41-60% similarity and the percentage of extermity at both ends are very less. Also an attempt is made to ordinate the dissimilarity value by using multipolar Ordination Technique (Bray and Curtis, 1957) and a graphic representation of different localities are made. The values are further tested by using standard statistical indices with known probability distribution and the method seems to be satisfactory for the present study.

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G. Magesh , A. R. R. Menon

Abstract

The present study deals with floristic analysis, phytodiversity and endemism of Sulimudi area in Idamalayar Forest Range of Malayattur Forest Division in Kerala state. From the study area 124 species of flowering plants belonging to 114 genera and 56 families were recorded. Among these, 34 species were reported as endemic to different geographical areas. Of these, Vateria indica is critically endangered, Euphorbia santapaui is endangered, species like Belosynapsis vivipara, Bentinckia condapanna, Dalbergia latifolia and Drypetes wightii are vulnerable and Pothos armatus is threatened. Phytosociological studies revealed that Mesua ferrea, Vateria indica, Palaquium ellipticum and Cullenia exarillata are the dominant species. Diversity indices such as Shannon's index and Simpson's index are also worked out. The paper highlights the base line information on the rich floral wealth and endemic diversity of the Sulimudi area, one of pristine patch in southern Western Ghats of Kerala, aiming the forest managers for better conservation planning.

Keywords

Phyto Diversity, Endemism, Western Ghats, Floristic Analysis, Rare, Engangered,
Threatened

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Divya K. Das , A. R. R. Menon

Abstract

habitations of Perumbavoor Municipal area in Ernakulam District of Kerala State. The vegetation of the sacred groves is considered to be the remnants of the old cover types existed years before. Most of the groves are under heavy pressure of degradation, mainly due to anthropogenic influence. The present work envisages analyzing qualitatively and quantitatively, the plant diversity of the ecosystem.

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