Open AccessDiversity and Threatened Climber Plants in Tropical Forests of Courtallam Hills, Southern Western Ghats, India
Author(s) -
Preetham Elumalai,
P. Ravichandran
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of tropical forestry and environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2235-9370
pISSN - 2235-9362
DOI - 10.31357/jtfe.v9i2.4464
Subject(s) - liana , threatened species , oleaceae , malpighiaceae , biology , geography , endangered species , species richness , biodiversity , species diversity , ecology , botany , habitat
Investigated the distribution of climber and its conservation status in tropical forests of Courtallam hills in southern Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India during 2017-2018. A total of five 1 ha plots were established, and all climber species ≥1 cm diameter at breast height (dbh) were counted, which resulted in a total of 81 climbing plant species that representing to 62 genera under 30 families. Study plots revealed the most abundant climber species are Jasminum flexile (Oleaceae), Salacia oblonga (Celastraceae) and Ziziphus oenopolia (Rhamnaceae). The dominant climber species families in the study plots include Apocynaceae (11 species), Leguminosae (10 species), Menispermaceae and Vitaceae (6 species each), Capparaceae and Oleaceae (5 species each) and Convolvulaceae (4 species). Among 81 climber species, about 12 species are documented as threatened species of Courtallam hills. The results of this investigation suggest that forest management and forest protection is important for in-situ conservation of liana diversity with the involvement of local community.