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a) Premna tomentosa (Verbenaceae); b) Prunus ceylanica (Rosaceae); c) Pterocarpus marsupium (Papilionaceae); d) Rhus mysorensis (Anacardiaceae); e) Santalum album (Santalaceae); f) Sapindus emarginatus (Sapindaceae). Photo by L. Arul Pragasan.
Source publication
We provide a list of tree species enumerated from a total of 60 ha area sampled in the tropical forests of southern Eastern Ghats, Tamil Nadu, India. A total of 272 tree species (Ā 30 cm girth at breast height) representing 181 genera and 62 families were recorded. Euphorbiaceae with 25 species was the most speciose family, followed by Moraceae (17...
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Citations
... Forests play an important role in social, cultural and economic aspect in India. It provides timber, fuel wood, industrial wood and non-timber products to the nation's economy and local communities (Reddy et al., 2009;Pragasan and Parthasarathy, 2009;Poonia et al., 2020). However, the contribution of forest sectors to national GDP is less and decreasing, it is of great importance to the livelihoods of forest dependent communities. ...
Wood is one of the prime sources of forest products and it has been consistently used around the globe for thousands of years. The society has possessed good knowledge of timber used for different purposes like agriculture implements, furniture, house construction etc. However, their high exploitation and continues exposure to modernization may results in extinction of the species. Survey was conducted to identify more than 45 timber yielding plants in the forest or outside forest of Telangana State. Diversity of mostly used timber species in Telangana state was recorded, such as Tectona grandis, Mangifera indica, Dalbergia sissoo, Gmelina arborea, Azardirecta indica etc. The main aim of the present study was to identify the diversity of timber yielding plants in state which may help to conserve the timber species for future generation.
Key words: Timber yielding plants, Wood resources, Wood utility, Telangana State
... also known as Indian willow, from the section Humboldtianae is a paleotropical species distributed across the low elevations in India, South China, and Indochina, reaching Java [3]. Occurrence of S. tetrasperma has been reported across India [4], IndoMalaya [5], Egypt [6], Iran [7] and Sri Lanka [8] in wet swampy places along the banks of rivers and streams [9]. Flora of China [10] describes the key features of S. tetrasperma as having glabrous young leaves and branchlets; narrowly ovoid, glabrous and acute apex buds; obliquely ovate, glandular and serrate stipules; glabrous petioles; ovate to linearlanceolate abaxially pale pruinose leaf blade; flowering serotinous from January-April; 6-8 male catkin stamens; female catkins nearly as long as male catkins; ovoid ovary; short and 2-cleft style; 2-lobed stigma; ovoid and glabrous capsule. ...
... In India, S.tetrasperma is found in the tropical and subtropical areas. The species is well distributed in Himachal Pradesh [14][15][16], Uttarakhand [17][18][19], Jammu and Kashmir [20,21], West Bengal [22], Rajasthan [23] and South India [4].The species is more suited for agroforestry in midhills in comparison to poplars. Shiitake mushroom can be cultivated on the wood of S. tetrasperma [24]. ...
Indian willow (Salix tetrasperma) is distributed across India, South China, Indo Malaya to Java along the banks of rivers and streams in wet swampy areas. Different parts of the plant have been used as traditional medicine due to the presence of compounds such as catechol, salicin and their derivatives. Leaves of the plant are used as fodder while its wood is used as fuel, agricultural tools, furniture and soil binder on embankments. The genetic diversity and population structure of Indian willow populations of North India was examined using 25 microsatellites. The observed heterozygosity (0.70 ± 0.03) was higher than the expected heterozygosity (0.50 ± 0.015) and fixation index of populations (−0.395 ± 0.03) confirmed the outcrossing nature of the species. The genetic differentiation (Fst = 0.081) and gene flow among populations (Nm = 2.85) was moderate. Genetic distance was found significant with geographic distance (R² = 0.11) as per Mantel test. Bayesian clustering pattern through STRUCTURE software showed existence of three gene pools which was further supported by principal coordinate and cluster analysis of molecular data. This study will be helpful in formulating conservation strategies and developing effective selection strategies for genetic improvement of Salix tetrasperma.
... We further note that few species were predicted present over the 3 epochs in the archipelago of eastern hills between WG and Eastern Ghats. Yet 20 of the species analysed, about half of which are understorey endemics, currently occur there, even if their populations are small and scarce (Pragasan & Parthasarathy, 2009 (Ashcroft et al., 2012). This hypothesis could also explain the persistence in unsuitable habitat during the LGM of species displaying significantly more occurrences than random in category 101, and the finding that the understorey tree G. ...
Multiple and entangled ecological and evolutionary processes determine the architecture of biodiversity in space and time. Deciphering these influences is key to understanding fundamental questions relating to the current distribution and assemblage of species, the susceptibility of species to environmental change, and the influence of the biogeographic context on diversification. In the face of ongoing and large-scale habitat alterations of climatic and anthropogenic origin in species-rich tropics, this understanding is all the more important to inform conservation strategies. This is particularly the case in the Western Ghats of India which, along with Sri Lanka, is one of the eight hottest global biodiversity hotspots and one of the most densely populated. Little is known about the ecological and biogeographical drivers of Western Ghats biodiversity, and the basic objective of the thesis is to characterize the role of past and present environmental conditions on the distribution and diversification of Western Ghats tree species. We did this by integrating species distribution models and the analysis of phylogenetic and reproductive trait variation across broad-scale gradients in this region spanning 8 degrees of latitude.First, we examined how past environmental fluctuations could have influenced endemic species distributions over time. We modelled the potential distribution of tree species over the last glacial cycle, and identified basic scenarios of species stability/expansion, contraction, and migration (article 1). Second, we investigated the phylogenetic structure of tree communities to characterize the legacy of past adaptations and the signatures of current environmental filters along gradients (article 2). We found lower phylogenetic diversity under hydric stress or historical instability, suggesting filtering of lineages with specific adaptations. Overdispersion occurs either in least seasonal and more stable forests or in high elevation ecosystems; in the former case, this could be ascribed to ecological diversification over the long term and conservation of old lineages in refugia, and in the latter, to the assemblage of species pools of distinct biogeographic and evolutionary backgrounds (temperate and tropical). Lastly, we addressed in what conditions separation of sexes (dioecy) has been selected for in the course of evolution and in extant ecosystems. We found reverse spatial patterns of dioecious species frequency for endemics and non-endemics, pointing to different mechanisms selecting for dioecy: conservation of non-endemic dioecious lineages in least seasonal southern WG forests, vs. diversification of dioecious endemics in more seasonal and unstable environments northward (article 3).The results concur to highlight the key role of environmental gradients and biological adaptations in the biogeography and ecology of Western Ghats trees. They stress the importance of long-term evolutionary processes and climatic variations in shaping current species pools and patterns of tree species diversity in a highly diverse yet little studied region.
... About 54% and 37% of Indian tropical forests are classed as dry and moist deciduous forests respectively (Kaul and Sharma 1971;Krishnamurthy et al. 2010). As tropical trees are highly species-diverse, inventorying tropical forests are quite interesting (Condit et al. 1996, Pragasan andParthasarathy 2009). Tree diversity differs from place to place in tropical forests due to dissimilarities in biogeography, habitat suitability, responses to climate change and anthropogenic pressures (Whitmore 1993;Sundarapandian and Karoor 2013). ...
Plant community structure of two tropical deciduous forest sites (I and II which are in different locations with different terrain characteristics viz., elevation and slope pattern) in Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary, Western Ghats were assessed using standard phytosociological methods. Ten plots of 20 m x 20 m each were laid for woody species enumeration and 40 quadrats of 1 m x 1 m (4 in each plot) for understorey vegetation (herbs and plant species that are < 1 m in height) in each site. Overall, 76 plant species were recorded from 41 families, of which 23 contribute to understory. Site I (62) was twice as speciose as site II (31). Greater diversity index of adult woody vegetation was observed in site I (2.30) than site II (2.01). The woody individuals (diameter at breast height, DBH ≥ 10 cm) were more abundant in site I (518 individuals ha⁻¹) than site II (448 individuals ha⁻¹). The basal area of adult trees in sites I and II are 34.7 m² ha⁻¹ and 30.8 m² ha⁻¹ respectively. Euphorbiaceae was the most speciose family in both the sites. Twenty-five families in site I and seventeen families in site II were represented by singletons. Diameter classwise distribution of adult trees showed a typical ‘reverse J-shaped’ curve indicating good regeneration status. Concerning understory, site I (19 species) has a greater diversity than site II (six species). The observed differences in the vegetation patterns between the two deciduous forest sites are possibly due to variations in elevation, terrain features and edaphic characteristics. © 2017, Society for Indonesian Biodiversity. All rights reserved.
... We further note that few species were predicted to have been present over the three epochs in the archipelago of eastern hills between the Western and Eastern Ghats, although 20 of the species analysed, about half of which are understorey endemics, currently occur there, even if their populations are small and scarce (Pragasan & Parthasarathy, 2009). Despite the contrasting macroclimatic conditions between these hills and the main WG chain, local microclimatic and/or edaphic conditions could provide localized refugia for evergreen communities. ...
Aim
To investigate how Quaternary climatic changes affected the habitats that support endemic tree species distributions in a tropical rain forest. Based on past and present predicted species distributions, we assessed (1) whether climatic conditions may have supported species survival in the same area over the studied period, (2) the effect of ecological niche specialization on species‐specific responses, and (3) the persistence of current populations in areas that were more climatically stable over time.
Location
Western Ghats, Western Ghats–Sri Lanka Biodiversity Hotspot, India.
Methods
We assessed species’ current bioclimatic preferences based on their occurrence data using Maxent distribution modelling. The models were projected onto past climatic conditions of the Last Glacial Maximum ( LGM ) and the Last Interglacial ( LIG ) to assess the extent of changes in species’ predicted distributions through time. Further, we tested whether species’ current occurrences were located non‐randomly in pixels predicted to have been suitable in the past. Finally, we characterized species‐specific responses in relation to plausible biogeographical scenarios.
Results
We identified three distinct scenarios of species’ responses to past climate changes – stability, contraction and shift – depending on their bioclimatic preferences. For high‐elevation species, the cool, dry LGM was less restrictive than for medium‐elevation and northern lowland species. Southernmost species requiring minimal seasonality were restricted by higher LIG seasonality, and only predicted to have been present in Sri Lanka at that time. Barring these southernmost narrow endemics, past suitable habitat, within which observed current occurrences are located, were predicted for most species.
Main conclusions
Palaeoclimate modelling reveals the likely local persistence of most Western Ghats endemics over the last 150 kyr, a relatively recent period in this Paleogene refugium. The large spectrum of bioclimatic preferences probably arose as a result of evolutionary events prior to the Quaternary. Our results highlight the need for further studies based on molecular phylogenetics in this relatively poorly studied biodiversity hotspot.
... Among world's forests tropical forests (212 Gt C) hold highest carbon stock followed by Boreal (88 Gt C) and temperate forests (59 Gt C) [6]. To date, few studies have been concentrated on arboreal ecology [7][8][9][10]of Eastern Ghats in Tamil Nadu. In addition, information on biomass stockpile of trees in study area is very limited [11].This study aimed to record density, species richness and aboveground biomass (AGB) stockpile of trees in a 10 ha permanent study plot at Pachaimalai, a part of Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu. ...
A quantitative ecological study was conducted in Pachaimalai(PM) of Southern Eastern Ghats (SEG), Tamil
Nadu to estimate density, species richness and aboveground biomass of trees. A 10 ha long term forest dynamics plot
was established in study area. All trees ≥10cm diameter at breast height (DBH) were recorded and tagged with
consecutively numbered permanent aluminium tags for continuous monitoring and further survey. 10 ha plot was subdivided
into two hundred and fifty 20m × 20m workable sub-plots for tree inventories. An allometric formula has been
developed through destructive sampling method to estimate aboveground biomass stockpile of trees in semi evergreen
forests. In total, 29 species recorded from Pachaimalai hills. As a whole, 2127 trees recorded from study plot. Density of
trees varied considerably among species, Memecylon umbellatum represented by 1470 individuals followed by
Buchanania lanceolata (246 trees) and Clausena dentata (72 trees).
... The tribal societies are closely related to the forest ecosystem with which they traditionally live in harmony (Kadavul and Dixit, 2009). The hilly terrain and surrounding plains of Southern Eastern Ghats are densely populated and the tribal people of this region are called "Malayalees" (Arul Pragasan and Parthasarathy, 2009). Malayali tribes use the plants for various purposes such as edible purpose, construction, house hold implements, fuel wood, agriculture tools, religious, decorative, ward off evil spirits etc. (Prabakaran et al., 2013;Rekha and Senthil Kumar, 2014a). ...
The livelihood system of hill tribes traditionally depends on the forest resources. This paper describes the identification and documentation of wild edible plants of Malayali tribes, the native people of Kalrayan hills, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India. Use of 84 plant species from 69 genera belonging to 43 families has been recorded as eatables. Wild edible parts of the plants mainly fall under the categories such as leafy vegetable and stem, fruit and seed, flower and underground parts such as tubers, roots, etc. In the present study, we observed that the Malayali tribes of Kalrayan hills are having rich knowledge on the wild edible plants and their utilization as eatables.
... Fabaceae was the dominant family with 33 species followed by Rubiaceae with 15 species, Malvaceae, Moraceae and Phyllanthaceae with 13 species each, Rutaceae with 12 species and Lamiaceae with 11 species. According to Pragasan & Parthasarathy (2009), Euphorbiaceae, Moraceae, Rubiaceae and Rutaceae are dominant families in the southern Eastern Ghats, while Sandhyarani et al. (2007) reported that Euphorbiaceae, Rubiaceae, Moraceae and Lauraceae as the dominant families in the Eastern Ghats. The largest genera include Ficus with 12 species, followed by Diospyros (8 species), Albizia and Grewia (6 species each), Acacia and Bauhinia (5 species each). ...
... Sandhyarani et al. (2007) reported 25 species of Ficus, 12 species each of Acacia, Diospyros and Grewia as dominants in the Eastern Ghats of southern peninsular India. Pragasan & Parthasarathy (2009) documented 12 species of Ficus, eight species of Diospyros, six species each of Acacia and Terminalia in the southern Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu. Vegetationwise analysis reveals that 45% of the taxa inhabit dry deciduous forests, 36% in moist deciduous forests, 28% in semi-evergreen forests, and 10% in thorny-scrub forests and 4% of trees occur in tropical dry evergreen forests. ...
... When compared with the data of the earlier reports, the enumerated species richness of 270 tree species was greater than the few inventories of tree species in other tropical forests viz., 103 species from Uppangala, central Western Ghats (Pascal & Pelissier 1996); 148 species from Varagalair, Anamalais (Ayyappan & Parthasarathy 1999); 157 species from Mudumalai Sanctuary (Suresh et al. 1996); 164 species from Biligiri Rangaswamy Sanctuary (Ramesh 2002) and 211 species in Huai Kha Khaeng, Thailand and 226 species in Barro Colorado Island, Panama (Condit et al. 2000). But, lesser than the 272 species from the southern Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu (Pragasan & Parthasarathy 2009); 673 species in Pasoh, Malaysia and 996 species encountered in Lambir, peninsular Malaysia (Condit et al. 2000). ...
The present study was conducted to analyze tree species diversity in the tropical forests of the Eastern Ghats of northern Andhra Pradesh, India. A total of 270 species of trees (≥15cm girth at breast height) pertaining to 177 genera belonging to 55 families were recorded. Among the 270 species, 141 species were observed to be common, 78 were occasional and 51 species were rare in the study area. Fabaceae was the dominant family with 33 species followed by Rubiaceae with 15 species and Malvaceae, Moraceae and Phyllanthaceae with 13 species each. The genera with the highest number of species include Ficus (12 species), Diospyros (8 species), Albizia and Grewia (6 species each), Acacia and Bauhinia (5 species each). Forty-five percent of the species were indigenous. This illustrates the diversity of the tree species in the studied area of the Eastern Ghats and also emphasizes the need for their conservation.
... Overall, 289 woody species (≥10 cm GBH) were identified from 12.50 ha. sampling area of this sanctuary, compared with 312 angiosperm plant species listed from tropical dry evergreen forests of peninsular India (Udayakumar and Parthasarathy 2010); 449 angiosperm species from Nanmangalam Reserve Forest in Southern India ) and greater than 272 tree species ≥30 cm GBH from tropical forests of southern Eastern Ghats, Tamil Nadu, India (Pragasan et al. 2009); 247 species from Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve of southern Western Ghats in India (Richard and Muthukumar 2012); 241 tree species from five different forest types of North Andaman Islands (Prasad et al. 2009); 180 species from tropical dry evergreen Forests of Sendirakillai Sacred Grove in Tamil Nadu, South India ). The value of Shannon's diversity index is generally higher in tropical forests, reported as 5.06 and 5.40 for young and old stands respectively (Knight 1975). ...
A quantitative vegetation inventory was conducted in Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary of Tripura, Northeast India.
Twenty five 500×10 m belt transects were used to record diversity and population structure of woody angiosperms. Overall 289 species belonging to 158 genera and 64 families were recorded at ≥10 cm GBH (Girth at Breast Height). Moraceae (25 spp.), Phyllanthaceae (21 spp.), Leguminosae (21 spp.), Euphorbiaceae (15 spp.), and Rubiaceae (14 spp.) were the top five families with highest species diversity. Habit wise, 226 species were trees, 25 woody shrubs, 23 woody climbers, 6 bamboos, 6 rattan and 3 palm species. Shannon–Wiener diversity index values ranged between 1.42–4.25, and Simpson dominance index ranged between 0.02–0.42. Mean species richness index was 2.83 and species evenness index was 0.78. The present quantitative checklist indicates the potential plant resources of the sanctuary which can be used for future biodiversity inventories and species conservation.
... Overall, 289 woody species (≥10 cm GBH) were identified from 12.50 ha. sampling area of this sanctuary, compared with 312 angiosperm plant species listed from tropical dry evergreen forests of peninsular India (Udayakumar and Parthasarathy 2010); 449 angiosperm species from Nanmangalam Reserve Forest in Southern India ) and greater than 272 tree species ≥30 cm GBH from tropical forests of southern Eastern Ghats, Tamil Nadu, India (Pragasan et al. 2009); 247 species from Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve of southern Western Ghats in India (Richard and Muthukumar 2012); 241 tree species from five different forest types of North Andaman Islands (Prasad et al. 2009); 180 species from tropical dry evergreen Forests of Sendirakillai Sacred Grove in Tamil Nadu, South India ). The value of Shannon's diversity index is generally higher in tropical forests, reported as 5.06 and 5.40 for young and old stands respectively (Knight 1975). ...
A quantitative vegetation inventory was conducted in Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary of Tripura, Northeast India. Twenty five 500×10 m belt transects were used to record diversity and population structure of woody angiosperms. Overall 289 species belonging to 158 genera and 64 families were recorded at ≥10 cm GBH (Girth at Breast Height). Moraceae (25 spp.), Phyllanthaceae (21 spp.), Leguminosae (21 spp.), Euphorbiaceae (15 spp.), and Rubiaceae (14 spp.) were the top five families with highest species diversity. Habit wise, 226 species were trees, 25 woody shrubs, 23 woody climbers, 6 bamboos, 6 rattan and 3 palm species. Shannon–Wiener diversity index values ranged between 1.42–4.25, and Simpson dominance index ranged between 0.02–0.42. Mean species richness index was 2.83 and species evenness index was 0.78. The present quantitative checklist indicates the potential plant resources of the sanctuary which can be used for future biodiversity inventories and species conservation.
