A. Balu , K. R. Sasidharan , R. Rajarishi

Abstract

No abstract

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K. R. Sasidharan , R. V. Varma , M. Sivaram

Abstract

Several insect pests are associated with Casuarina equisetifolia L. in India. Among them, the bark eating caterpillar, Indarbela quadrinotata Walker (Metarbelidae: Lepidoptera) has attained serious pest proportions in Tamil Nadu State, which is located in the southern part of the country. The impact of I. quadrinotata on the growth of C. equisetifolia was studied in selected plantations of this species, located in three agro-climatic zones of the State. The data generated suggest that I. quadrinotata has the potential to reduce the growth of the trees significantly.

Keywords

Casuarina equisetifolia, Caterpillar, Indarbela quadrinotata, Insect Pests, Tamil Nadu

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C. Narayanan , K. R. Sasidharan , A. S. Sampath Kumar

Abstract

No abstract

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K. N. Subramanian , B. Gurudev Singh , N. Venkatasubramanian , K. R. Sasidharan

Abstract

Litsea ghatica Saldanha hitherto recorded from the Western Ghat area of Karnataka is now traced from further south in Wynad Forest Division, Kerala State. A brief description of the taxon for easy iodentification aod the salient differences of the same with Litsea deccanensis Gamble, a closely allied species, are given. The need for the conservation and protection of the species is highlighted.

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Kannan C. S. Warrier ¹, C. Kunhikannan ¹, K. R. Sasidharan ¹

Affiliations
1 Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding (Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education) PB 1061, R.S. Puram P.O., Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu), IN

Abstract

Alappuzha is the only district in Kerala state without natural forests. Therefore, sacred groves of this region attract utmost attention as they are the only remnants of natural forests once present. An exhaustive survey carried out in Alappuzha district revealed the presence of 1128 sacred groves varying in extent. Plant species numbering 687 were recorded from the sacred groves covering an area of 83.55 ha of Alappuzha district. They belonged to 493 genera and 127 families. Many valuable medicinal plants and wild relatives of cultivated species have been recorded which are important in species improvement programmes. Twenty-seven species were found to be endemic to Western Ghats. Most of the sacred groves in Alappuzha were proved to be invaluable resource pockets of floristic diversity. Many sacred groves in the district face threat due to the dense human population and change in socio-economic status. Break up of ancestral joint family system to nuclear families is the major reason for deterioration of these valuable resources. 'Ulladans', the tribal community collect canes and firewood indiscriminately. Overexploitation of the resources by them has lead to its retrogression to a great extent. Removal of litter alongwith the seeds from the floor has also resulted in retrogression by hindering the natural regeneration process. Exotic weeds namely, Mikania micrantha, Lantana camera and Chromolaena odorata overgrow the native species and play a major role in degradation. A detailed database on important sacred groves containing all the vital information including soil type, nutritional status, flora, fauna, plant associations, population structure, cultural and religious aspects and management operations will help in prescribing site specific conservation strategy.

Keywords

Sacred Groves, Phytosociology, Floristics, Hotspots, Endemism.

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