Zonation of woody vegetation and soil along an altitude gradient in Mankulam forest division Kerala
| dc.contributor.advisor | Gopakumar, S | |
| dc.contributor.author | Honey, Bhatt | |
| dc.contributor.author | KAU | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2021-08-09T07:32:45Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2021-08-09T07:32:45Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2020 | |
| dc.description | PG | en_US |
| dc.description.abstract | Altitudinal gradients are among the most powerful ‘natural experiments’ for testing ecological and evolutionary responses of biota and has strong influence on structure of vegetation.The present study was undertaken in a west coast tropical forest located along a gradient viz. Zone I (350-900m above msl) and Zone II (900-1450m above msl) in Mankulam Forest Division of Western Ghats region in Kerala, India. The aim of the study was to assess and compare the floristic composition, structure and diversity along this gradient. Additionally the changes in the physico-chemical properties of soil i.e.,Bulk density (BD) ,pH,Electrical conductivity (EC), total nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P), available potassium (K), organic carbon (C) and available calcium (Ca) along this altitudinal gradient were also studied. Sampling of vegetation and soil was done using fifteen, 10 m x 10 m plots (covering 0.15ha in each altitudinal zone). Within each plot, all tree individuals (≥ 10cm GBH) were identified and their height was measured. In total, 200 individuals belonging to 88 tree species representing 34 families were recorded across the altitudinal gradient.In each sample plot, soil samples were analyzed at two depths viz. ‘upper’ (0–20 cm) and ‘lower’ (20–40 cm) along the altitudinal gradient. The diameter frequency distribution showed a “bell shaped pattern” in both altitudinal zones. The vegetation profile diagram at both altitudes showed a typical three layered structure which is a characteristic feature of evergreen forest with majority of individuals in lower storey (<10 m ) height classes in both zones. The maximum tree abundance (67.09) was recorded in Zone II. Tree density (713.33 trees ha-1) was also higher in zone II compared to zone I (613.33 trees ha- 1).Similarly highest tree percent frequency (546.6%) was recorded in zone II. Vateria indica (IVI= 24.09) was found as dominating tree species in zone II, while in zone I dominating tree species was Dysoxylum malabaricum (IVI= 34.85). However, the tree basal area (20.31 m2 ha-1) was estimated higher in zone I compared to zone II with basal area (12.31 m2 ha-1).Rank abundance curve indicated highest abundance for Gordonia obtusa in zone II, while in zone I Dysoxylum malabaricum recorded the highest abundance. Physico- chemical properties of soil viz. soil pH, C, N, P, K and Ca showed an increasing trend along the gradient. The highest values for soil pH (4.12-5.59), C (1.82-8.36%), TN (0.08-0.37 %), P (4.36- 1098.49 Kg ha-1), K (398.24- 1628.48 Kg ha-1) and Ca (320 - 1160 mg Kg-1) was recorded in zone II. BD (0.77-1.33g cm-3) and EC (0.30 – 1.82 dS m-1) values were higher in ‘upper’ (0–20 cm) layer of zone I. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) showed a complex interrelationship amongst species clustering, mountain ranges and soil properties. The study revealed that there is gradual increase in species abundance as the soil properties increases along the altitude, in both zones. Correlation analysis clearly indicated that in zone I AK is strongly and positively correlated with C because layer of organic matter significantly improves the retention of K in the soils. Whereas, N is negatively correlated with BD. Similarly, in zone II, TN was observed to be negatively correlated with BD while K was strongly and positively correlated with N. The floral diversity indices viz Simpson index, Shannon index and Pielou index of evenness showed marginal variation along the gradient. However, there was variation in species composition along altitude. Actinodaphne bourdillonii, Litsea keralana, Gordonia obtusa and Turpinia cochinchinensis were the characteristic species in zone II. In zone I Clausena anisata, Memecylon talbotianum and Madhuca neriifolia were observed to be prominent. Species abundance, diversity and vegetation structure and the physicochemical properties of soil showed a ‘‘humped’’ pattern along this altitudinal gradient at Mankulam. In Zone II, species diversity was marginally better with higher species richness and better floristic structure and species composition. Soil properties were also observed to be better in zone II. The possible reason for this could be attributed to several reasons including the presence of luxuriant and comparatively undisturbed vegetation which could have contributed to a higher soil organic matter content rich in humus. | en_US |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810171617 | |
| dc.keywords | floral diversity, floristic diversity, | en_US |
| dc.language.iso | English | en_US |
| dc.pages | 140p. | en_US |
| dc.publisher | Department of Natural Resource Management, College of Forestry, | en_US |
| dc.sub | Natural Resources Management | en_US |
| dc.theme | woody vegetation and soil in Mankulam forest division | en_US |
| dc.these.type | M.Sc | en_US |
| dc.title | Zonation of woody vegetation and soil along an altitude gradient in Mankulam forest division Kerala | en_US |
| dc.type | Thesis | en_US |