Floristic and edaphic attributes of a shola forest ecosystem in Mankulam forest division Kerala
By: Abin M Thadathil.
Contributor(s): Gopakumar, S (Guide).
Material type:
BookPublisher: Vellanikkara Department of Natural Resource Management, College of Forestry 2020Description: 124p.Subject(s): Natural resource managementDDC classification: 634.9 Online resources: Click here to access online Dissertation note: MSc Abstract: A study was undertaken in the shola forest ecosystem at Anakulam range of Mankulam forest division, Idukki, Kerala with a principal objective to understand the floristic composition, diversity and vegetation structure and also to investigate the physico-chemical properties of soil that supports this unique forest ecosystem. On this context the hypothesis examined was whether the shola forest exhibits high floristic diversity, structure and soil properties comparable to tropical evergreen forests. A total of 106 plant species was recorded from 0.5 ha. It included 50 species of trees, 20 shrubs, 12 herbs, 8 climbers and 16 fern species. The diversity indices of the shola forest ecosystem were Simpson’s index (0.97), Berger- Parker Dominance Index (0.05), Shannon – Wiener index (3.67), Pielou’s Equitability index (0.93) and Margaleaf Richness index (7.18) which are on par with similar published reports from the shola forests and tropical evergreen forests. A total number of 918 individuals were recorded from 0.5ha with a basal area of 22.46 m2 ha-1. Microtropis ramiflora, Vaccinium leschenaultia, Actinodaphne bourdillonii, Daphniphyllum neilgherrense, Schefflera racemosa, Syzygium lanceolatum, Syzygium densiflorum, Cinnamomum sulphuratum, Rhodomyrtus tomentosa and Symplocos obtuse are the dominant tree species in Mankulam shola. Lauraceae, Myrtaceae and Celastraceae are the tree dominant families. The diameter frequency as well as height frequency distribution of shola forest showed the “inverse J” shaped curve which reflects the existence of new recruits. The total number of plant species in the understory was 2353 belonging to 75 different species. The dominant understory plant species was Strobilanthes luridus, Ageratina adenophora, Strobilanthes lawsone and Strobilanthes neoasper. Profile diagram revealed that the trees are short boled and rarely exceed 15m. Soil was sandy clay loam (60.95%) followed by clay (24.35%) and silt (14.7%). Electrical conductivity was 0.52 dS/m, while bulk density was 0.82 g cm-3. Shola soil was moderate to slightly acidic (4.67 to 5.84), while SOC content was 7.99%. Total nitrogen content was 1.85
% and available phosphorus was 71.58 kg ha-1. The available potassium (K) was 562.42 kg ha-1 which are comparable to the published reports from the shola forests and tropical evergreen forests.
| Item type | Current location | Collection | Call number | Status | Date due | Barcode |
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Theses
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KAU Central Library, Thrissur Theses | Thesis | 634.9 ABI/FL PG (Browse shelf) | Available | 175129 |
MSc
A study was undertaken in the shola forest ecosystem at Anakulam range of Mankulam forest division, Idukki, Kerala with a principal objective to understand the floristic composition, diversity and vegetation structure and also to investigate the physico-chemical properties of soil that supports this unique forest ecosystem. On this context the hypothesis examined was whether the shola forest exhibits high floristic diversity, structure and soil properties comparable to tropical evergreen forests. A total of 106 plant species was recorded from 0.5 ha. It included 50 species of trees, 20 shrubs, 12 herbs, 8 climbers and 16 fern species. The diversity indices of the shola forest ecosystem were Simpson’s index (0.97), Berger- Parker Dominance Index (0.05), Shannon – Wiener index (3.67), Pielou’s Equitability index (0.93) and Margaleaf Richness index (7.18) which are on par with similar published reports from the shola forests and tropical evergreen forests. A total number of 918 individuals were recorded from 0.5ha with a basal area of 22.46 m2 ha-1. Microtropis ramiflora, Vaccinium leschenaultia, Actinodaphne bourdillonii, Daphniphyllum neilgherrense, Schefflera racemosa, Syzygium lanceolatum, Syzygium densiflorum, Cinnamomum sulphuratum, Rhodomyrtus tomentosa and Symplocos obtuse are the dominant tree species in Mankulam shola. Lauraceae, Myrtaceae and Celastraceae are the tree dominant families. The diameter frequency as well as height frequency distribution of shola forest showed the “inverse J” shaped curve which reflects the existence of new recruits. The total number of plant species in the understory was 2353 belonging to 75 different species. The dominant understory plant species was Strobilanthes luridus, Ageratina adenophora, Strobilanthes lawsone and Strobilanthes neoasper. Profile diagram revealed that the trees are short boled and rarely exceed 15m. Soil was sandy clay loam (60.95%) followed by clay (24.35%) and silt (14.7%). Electrical conductivity was 0.52 dS/m, while bulk density was 0.82 g cm-3. Shola soil was moderate to slightly acidic (4.67 to 5.84), while SOC content was 7.99%. Total nitrogen content was 1.85
% and available phosphorus was 71.58 kg ha-1. The available potassium (K) was 562.42 kg ha-1 which are comparable to the published reports from the shola forests and tropical evergreen forests.
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