Phytodiversity Inventorisation and Mapping of Shola Grasslands of Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary, Western Ghats, India

Ravi Kiran Arigela; R. KR. Singh; K. A. A. Kabeer; G. V. S. Murthy; V. V. Robin

doi:10.36808/if/2019/v145i3/144451

Phytodiversity Inventorisation and Mapping of Shola Grasslands of Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary, Western Ghats, India

Authors

Ravi Kiran Arigela Botanical Survey of India, Southern Regional Centre, TNAU Campus, Lawley Road, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
R. KR. Singh Botanical Survey of India, Southern Regional Centre, TNAU Campus, Lawley Road, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
K. A. A. Kabeer Botanical Survey of India, Southern Regional Centre, TNAU Campus, Lawley Road, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
G. V. S. Murthy Botanical Survey of India, Southern Regional Centre, TNAU Campus, Lawley Road, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
V. V. Robin Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Tirupati-517507, Andhra Pradesh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36808/if/2019/v145i3/144451

Keywords:

Conservation, Endemic, Niche, Nilgiri Pipit, Savannah, Shola Forest, Shola Grassland.

Abstract

During the course of floristic studies of Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary, mapping of Shola grasslands and savannah of Kodaikanal wildlife sanctuary was done. In this study 7 grasslands were reported and categorized into 4 types based on species dominance. Apart from this, a total 155 angiospermic species of 33 families were reported, in which 42 are grass species and 113 are grassland associated species. Out of 155 total species, 13 are endemic grasses and 43 are endemic grassland associated species. Factors affecting the ecosystem of grasslands are given and conservation measures are suggested to protect the natural composition of the grasslands.

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