STUDIES ON THE STRUCTURE OF PILARKAN RESERVE FOREST, INDIA

Abstract

Structural studies were carried out at Pilarkan Reserve Forest, a secondary forest in Udupi District of Kamataka. In the 3000 m2 study area, 27 tree species with gbh > 10 cm were recorded, out of which 11 species were endemic to the Western Ghats. The forest was homogeneous with the dominance of Hopea paruiflora of Dipterocarpaceae. Canopy characters were unique and there is a gradual change in the forest composition towards evergreen. This secondary forest is a good example of the involvement of local people in conservation. The high stand density and straight boles of H. paruiflora were remarkable
for such a forest which lies in the center of a more or less degraded inland plateau of coastal Kamataka.