Volume : II, Issue : XI, November - 2013

Epiphytic angiosperm flora of Achankovil forests, Southern Western Ghats, Kerala, India

Mr. Jose Mathew

Abstract :

Epiphytic angiosperm flora is one of the important components of tropical montane rain forests. The epiphytic flora in Achankovil forest division of southern Western Ghats, situated in Kollam and Pathanamthitta districts of Kerala state, have not been subjected to detailed floristic investigation. Field surveys were conducted during the period 2009–12 and 67 epiphytic flowering plant species belonging to different families were collected and documented. Spatial patterns, endemism and the occurrence of accidental epiphytes were noted from the present investigation. Changes in the composition of epiphytic diversity were studied with respect to altitudinal gradients. As revealed in the present study, the density of epiphytes is increasing at higher altitudes. Altitudinal range of 1070– 1750 M, highest air humidity with smallest variation and slightly lower temperature are some of the factors that favour the abundance of epiphytic diversity in Achankovil forest.

Keywords :

Article: Download PDF   DOI : 10.36106/ijsr  

Cite This Article:

Mr. Jose Mathew / Epiphytic angiosperm flora of Achankovil forests, Southern Western Ghats, Kerala, India / International Journal of Scientific Research, Vol.2, Issue.11 November 2013

Number of Downloads : 1483

References :