Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

TREE SPECIES RICHNESS AND DISTRIBUTION ALONG AN ELEVATIONAL GRADIENT OF BRAHMAGIRI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, INDIA

Vimhaseno Neikha and B.C. Nagaraja

Abstract

Quantitative assessment of tree species from 100 m to 1500 m was carried out in Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary(BWS). We recorded a total of 884 individuals representing 94 tree species (39 endemic species), 39 families and 78 genera. The number of species across the elevations varied from 3 to 27 and the number of individuals varied from 23 to 102. The Shannon-Wiener index (H‘) was used to compare species diversity across the elevations and 400m (3.00) was the most complex in species diversity and 1500m (0.74) was the simplest community in terms of species composition. The dominant species based on the relative basal area was highest for Hopea parviflora. The results from this study showed maximum species diversity at the lower elevations with a peak in species diversity in the middle elevation (700 m). BWS supports a diverse plant community and so continued management and conservation efforts must be taken to conserve and protect them.