Plant Community Dynamics and Population Assessment of the <i>Myristica</i> Swamp: A unique Forest Microhabitat in Agumbe, Karnataka, India

E. S. Kumaraswamy Udupa; H. U. Abhijit; Raghavendra Kodagal

doi:10.36808/if/2026/v152i4/171150

Plant Community Dynamics and Population Assessment of the Myristica Swamp: A unique Forest Microhabitat in Agumbe, Karnataka, India

Authors

E. S. Kumaraswamy Udupa Department of Botany, Sri. JCBM College Sringeri, Karnataka https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3816-388X
H. U. Abhijit Plant Systematics and Ecology Laboratory, Ajasra Research and Education Centre, Ajasra Charitable Trust , Hosadevarahadlu, Nemmar Village, Sringeri, Karnataka https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3742-2202
Raghavendra Kodagal Earlier Deputy Range Forest Officer, Thirthahalli Research Range, Karnataka Forest Department, Karnataka

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36808/if/2026/v152i4/171150

Keywords:

Diversity, Western ghats, Distribution, Ecology, Swamps, Myristicaceae, Evergreen trees.

Abstract

The Western Ghats, are one of the 34 global biodiversity hotspots, harbors rich biological diversity and various habitats along the west coast of India. Swamps, locally called Jaddi in Kannada, are vital ecosystems named after their dominant plant groups, such as Myristica swamps (Ramapatre Jaddi, Myristicaceae), Elaeocarpus swamps (Bhoota Rudrakshi Jaddi, Elaeocarpaceae), and mangrove swamps. These swamps support unique species with distinct morphological and physiological adaptations. Myristica swamps, in particular, are freshwater ecosystems dominated by Myristicaceae species along with flood-tolerant evergreen species. The present study reports on floristic diversity and population estimates from a Myristica swamp at Agumbe in the central Western Ghats. In 2023, authors documented 190 individuals of Gymnocranthera canarica and 89 individuals of Myristica magnifica, along with 39 other associated evergreen tree species belongingto20 familiesusing the 20 × 20 m quadrat method in the swamps.

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