STUDIES ON THE STRUCTURE OF JADKAL FOREST, UDUPI DISTRICT, INDIA

Abstract

A floristic survey and structural studies of Jadkal forest, which forms a part of the  Mookambika Wild Life  Sanctuary, near Kollur, India, were carried out. In the 5000 m² study area, 103 species belonging to 46 families, of these 62 tree species belonging to 30 families, had girth at breast height (gbh) > 10 cm. The endemism is fairly high; 32 species were endemic to the Western Ghats. This secondary semi-evergreen forest with the dominance of members of Dipterocarpaceae like Hopea parviflora, H. ponga and Vateria indica is not homogeneous. Canopy characters are unique and there is no change in the forest composition towards evergreen. The regeneration in the forest is rated  to  be  good. This forest is partly natural and partly the result of planting of H. parviflora and  other tree species. Because of exploitation by the local people the forest is partially degraded which has resulted in openings in the canopy of the forest.