Ecological Status of <I>Palaquium ravii</I>, an Endangered Endemic Tree, in the Nelliampathy Hills of the Western Ghats, India

V. S. Ramachandran; K. Swarupanandan

doi:10.36808/if/2018/v144i2/122516

Ecological Status of Palaquium ravii, an Endangered Endemic Tree, in the Nelliampathy Hills of the Western Ghats, India

Authors

V. S. Ramachandran Forest Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation Division, Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi Thrissur, Kerala
K. Swarupanandan Forest Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation Division, Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi Thrissur, Kerala

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36808/if/2018/v144i2/122516

Keywords:

Distribution, Patchy, Population, Regeneration, RET, Threatened Plants.

Abstract

Lack of information makes conservation of plants in Threatened category difficult. Palaquium ravii Sasidh.& Vink is one such 'Endangered' tree from evergreen forests of the Western Ghats of India, which lacks ecological data. The tree has three reports from Western Ghats viz., Peechi, Mlappara and Nelliampathy. We studied population and distribution of the tree in Nelliampathy by exploratory surveys and inventory in the Pulikkalchola forest using 73 samples of 50 x 20 m. We recorded 198 individuals in 48 plots. Diameter class distribution indicated a near stable population. Larger seedlings were very few in numbers. The tree was patchily distributed and small clusters of trees were separated well from other clusters. Comparison of diameter class distribution of P. ravii and another common species, P. ellipticum, between unlogged and selectively logged forest shows that P. ravii will be more susceptible to disturbances of large scale or catastrophe. Though not of immediate concern, the species still faces a bigger threat for its survival from a hydroelectric project that is now shelved. To save the tree in Nelliampathy, forest of the area need to be protected. More studies need to be conducted on this endangered tree to ensure its long term survival under natural conditions.

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