VEGETATIONAL CHARACTERISATION AND LITTER DYNAMICS OF THE SACRED GROVES OF KERALA, SOUTHWEST INDIA

Abstract

The sacred groves represent the remnants of the once luxuriant vegetation of Kerala, which are protected on religious grounds. These ecosystems now
remain as treasure houses of a large number of endemic flora and fauna. As patches of evergreen forests, the maintenance of the functional dynamics of the sacred groves is always related to a balance in the litter production and decomposition process of its floristic components. In a two-year study, from 1992 to 1994, the vegetational characteristics and litter dynamics of five bioclimatically diverse sacred groves in Kerala, southwest India, were examined. Litterfall and decomposition were measured and are discussed in relation to climatic factors such as temperature and rainfall, and to tree density and basal area. Significant variations with site were found in total litterfall and leaf fall and with season in stem fall. Decomposition rates were low during the rainy season (June to October) and high during the dry season (October to May) and also during the period having interrupted rains (April to May). Tree
density and basal area were significantly correlated to litterfall.