Species Richness in a Degraded Tropical forest along a Traditional Elephant Route at Mokokchung District, Nagaland

Abstract

In a degraded secondary tropical forest along a traditional elephant route of Mokokchung District, a total of 157 flowering plants were enumerated distributed in 66 families. Dicotyledons dominated the area (112 species) and the gymnosperms were represented by Gnetum gnemon. Although the forest had undergone various degrees of degradation, remnant of different growth forms was found in the component species. Presence of 113 plants used by the locals for various purposes such as, timber, medicinal, ornamental, scientific, ethno botanical values including wild vegetables and wild fruits popularly consumed locally indicate high biodiversity valuation.