Journal of Applied and Natural Science 10 (4): 1085 -1093 (2018) ISSN : 0974-9411 (Print), 2231-5209 (Online) journals.ansfoundation.org Assessment of tree diversity in distinctive deciduous forests of Suruli falls, Southern Western Ghats J. Naveenkumar Article Info Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Pondicherry University, Puducherry- DOI: 10.31018/jans.v10i4.1879 605014, India Received: August 29, 2018 SM. Sundarapandian* Revised: September 14, 2018 Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Pondicherry University, Puducherry- Accepted: October 4, 2018 605014, India *Corresponding author. E-mail:
[email protected] How to Cite Abstract Naveenkumar, J. and A quantitative inventory was conducted in two distinctive tropical deciduous forests at Sundarapandian, SM. Suruli falls forest of southern Western Ghats. Two one-hectare plots were established (2018). Assessment of tree and all trees >10cm DBH measured. Species richness, density, family importance value diversity in distinctive de- (FIV) and importance value index (IVI) were calculated and the results varied among the ciduous forests of Suruli two sites. A total of 777 stems and 52 species were documented in both the sites and falls, Southern Western moist deciduous forest (MDF) had maximum number species richness and density than Ghats. Journal of Applied dry deciduous forest (DDF). The basal area was higher in MDF (502 stems/ha and 16.52 and Natural Science, 10 m2/ha) than in DDF (275 stems/ha and 7.23 m2/ha). However, Shannon and evenness (4): 1085 -1093 indices showed a negative trend (DDF- 2.62, 0.41 and MDF- 2.37, 0.27). Diameter class- wise distribution of trees showed reverse ‘J shaped’ curve in both the forest types.