Malaya Journal of Biosciences 2015, 2(4):198-208 ISSN 2348-6236 print /2348-3075 online
Malaya Journal of Biosciences
RESEARCH ARTICLE
www.malayabiosciences.com
Open Access Full Text Article
Floristic diversity and conservation status of Ammankkuruchi reserve forest, Pudukkottai district, Tamilnadu Komalavalli Narayanaswamy Associate Professor, PG and Research Department of Botany, Alagappa Govt. Arts College, Karaikudi - 620 020. For correspondence:
[email protected]
Article Info: Received 30 Nov 2015; Revised: 24 Dec 2015; Accepted 30 Dec 2015.
ABSTRACT The present study has been carried out in Ammankuruchi reserve forest (RF) in Ponnamaravathy taluk of Pudukkottai District, Tamil Nadu, India, to document the current floristic composition and conservation status of the forest area. A total of 145 species belonging to 124 genera and 50 families were recorded from the study area. Out of the recorded 50 families 49 were angiosperms and 1 was Pteridophyte (Marsileaceae). The monocots were represented by 27 (18.62 %) species belonging to 23 genera and 11 families, and dicots contributing 117 (81.25%) species belonging to 100 genera and 38 families. Based on habit classification of the enumerated plants, the majority of species were herbs 78 (53.79%) followed by 27 (18.62%) shrubs, 23 (15.86%) climbers and the rest 17 (11.72%) were trees. Of all the documented plant species, 1 species (Albiziaamara) was abundant. Euphorbiaceae with 7 genera and 10 species and Rubiaceae with 7 genera and 9 species were the dominant families followed by Poaceae and Asteraceae each with 8 genera and 8 species in terms of number whereas Rubiaceae was followed by Poaceae, Asteraceae and Euphorbiaceae in terms of abundance. In the present study, out of 145 species recorded, 2 species namely Hildegardia populifolia and Cayratia pedata were critically endangered, 12 species were nearly threatened, 11 species were vulnerable and the remaining 120 species were categorized as least concern. The 3 species namely Barleria acuminata, Habenaria plantaginea and Habenaria roxburghii were endemic to South India. Threat to Ammankuruchi RF is discussed. Keywords: Ammankuruchi, Conservation status, Floristic diversity, Invasive species, Pudukkottai, Reserve forest
1. INTRODUCTION The vast diversity of life on earth is essential for ecosystem function and stability. Biodiversity forms a support system for human survival and economic well-being over thousands of years and which has been used by each civilization for its growth and
development. The anthropogenic disturbances such as habitat destruction, over exploitation, pollution and species introduction greatly affect the biodiversity and structural characteristics of a community resulted in biodiversity loss. Biodiversity documentation, analysis, conservation and finding enhancement strategies is considered to be one of the important
Floristic diversity and conservation status of Ammankkuruchi reserve forest, Pudukkottai district, Tamilnadu Copyright © 2015 MJB 198
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challenges in present day conservation biology research and policy making process. It has been carried out in different ecosystem from plains to mountains all over the world since knowledge of its structure and function is necessary for sustainable use and to maintain species richness for future generations. India, a tropical country is one of the world’s top 12 mega diversity countries [1] with 10 biogeographic regions which are mostly tropical moist and dry deciduous forests. These forests are the most diverse from the floristic point of view which are seen as relicts of the ancient vegetation, generally rich in plant diversity [2, 3] are disappearing at alarming rates owing to deforestation and shifting cultivation operation [4]. Forest degradation is considered one of the most serious environmental and economic problems for many countries in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the globe [5, 6]. About 72.1% of existing Indian forest has lost the capacity for regeneration [7].Hence, the government of India announced these forests as RFs in order to conserve the biodiversity of forests. RFs, a representative example of biodiversity indigenous to an area is a portion of state land where commercial harvesting of wood products is excluded in order to capture elements of biodiversity that can be missing from sustainably harvested sites. RFs may be either large (matrix) that represent the diversity of relatively unfragmented forest landscapes, extensive accumulations of large woody debris and present remaining or small(patch) which represent localized resources such as steep slopes, fragile soils, habitat for certain rare species and conserve sensitive species that benefit from intact forest canopies. The total geographical area of the Tamil Nadu State is 130,058 km2 which constitutes 3.96% geographical area of the country. The recorded forests area is 22,877 km², which constitutes 17.59 % of the geographic area of the state. Reserved Forests comprise 84.75 %, protected forests, 9.54 % and Unclassified Forests, 5.71 %. Major forest types occurring in the State are Tropical Wet Evergreen, Tropical Semi-Evergreen, Tropical Moist Deciduous, Littoral and Swamp, Tropical Dry Deciduous, Tropical Thorn, Sub-Tropical Broadleaved and Montane Wet Temperate forests [8]. Pudukkottai, one of the District of Tamil Nadu stateconsists mainly of rich scrub jungles varied and crowded vegetation, majestic undulating hills with surrounding plains, nowhere of great fertility and in many parts barren and it is interspersed with rocky hills, especially in the southwest. As per the 2011 Tamil Nadu state report of forest [8],
Pudukkottai district has a geographical area cover of 4651 Km2 out of which 78 Km2 is moderately dense forest and 177 Km2 is open forest with an total of 255 Km2 which accounts for 5.48% of the geographic area of the district. The total forest cover (RF, reserve land and social forestry) is estimated to be 15.2% of the total geographical area of the district and the forests of the district are verdant and virgin forests and are said to be several million years old. The forests consist of trees, smaller trees, climbers, shrubs, valuable herbs, orchids, canes, indigenous palms and it is also rich in algae, fungi, lichens, bryophytes, and pteridophytes [4]. The district is not only rich in floristic diversity but also harbors many wildlife species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fishes. Though the present study site does not fall in hotspot it has its own importance. Ammankuruchi RF is located in Ponnamaravathytaluk, Pudukkottai district, Tamil Nadu. It is one of the patch RFs in Pudukkottai district and has a forest cover of 336.82 hectares. Rapid increase in land development, extensive agricultural and quarrying operations in and around RFs poses significant challenges to the survivability and sustainability of Ammankuruchi RF native ecosystem. These activities have caused extensive degradation to native plant communities leaving remnant native lands. Therefore, the floristic diversity of these native lands is changing and a study to assess the current floristic composition is needed. Floristic composition of Narthamalai RF has been reported [4] but Ammankuruchi RF have not been studied to date. Keeping in view the importance of the RF, the present study is therefore, attempted to create a current plant species list along with their local names, family, habit, IUCN status and geographic origin (invasive or native) which can be utilized in the future for technological advancement, economic prosperity and providing employment opportunity to the local people.
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS 2.1. Study area Pudukkottai District is located between 78.25' and 79.15' of the East of Longitude and between 9.50' and 10.40' of the North of Latitude and bounded by Tiruchirappalli district in the North and West, Sivaganga district in the South, Bay of Bengal in the East and Thanjavur district in the North East. The climate of the district is hot with the temperature range from 19° C to 38° and with low rainfall of 199
Efficient Floristic Diversity and Conservation Status of Ammankkuruchi Reserve Forest, Pudukkottai District, Tamilnadu
Komalavalli Narayanaswamy, / Malaya Journal of Biosciences 2015, 2(4):198-208
922.8 mm out of which 52.2 mm is received in winter, 124.6 mm is received in hot weather period, 351.9 mm is received during South West Monsoon and 394.1 mm is received in North East Monsoon. The altitude is about 87.78 meters (288 feet). Pudukkottai district is comprised of 9 taluks, 13 development blocks (Alangudi, Aranthangi, Arimalam, Avadaiyarkoil, Gandarvakottai, Karambakkudi, Kottaipattinam, Kulathur, Illuppur, Manamelkudi, Ponnamaravathy, Pudukkottaiand Thirumayam)and 764 revenue villages. The summer is from March to May, followed by the south-west monsoon from June to September. October and November constitute the post-monsoon or retreating monsoon season with frequent thunderstorms. December to February is the north-east monsoon season, and in the remaining months the weather is generally bright. The soil of the district is broadly classified into 2 major groups, namely red, clay and alluvium soils. The black colour of the forest soil is mainly due to high contents of humus and minerals. The AmmankurichiRF is located at Ponnamaravathy taluk which is 50km away from Pudukkottai. The Coordinates of the Ammankurichi RF is 10°20'43"N Latitude and 78°32'8"E Longitude. The total population of the residents inhabited around the RF was approximately 2720. The RF has an forest cover of 336.82 hectares (Figure 1).
Flora of Tamil Nadu [13]. Unidentified specimens or photographs were taken to the Rapinant Herbarium,
Figure 1. Location map of study area
2.2. Field Survey An extensive and intensive floristic survey of Ammankurichi RF was carried out at one month intervals for 2 years from January 2012 to December 2014 covering 336.82 hectares of area. The area was surveyed at every visit by walking the entire area of the RF. The survey was spread across the seasons so as to get maximum information. During survey of plants a closer examination of each and every area feet by feet was made in order to avoid skipping of any plant species. 2.3. Identification, preservation and creation of Plant species list Standard method was followed with regard to collection of plant materials, drying, preparation and preservation of plant specimens [9]. Specimens of collected plants are preserved in the Botany department herbarium. The Plant specimens were identified using various regional floras viz., Flora of British India [10], Flora of the presidency of Madras [11], The flora of Tamil Nadu Carnatic [12] and
Trichirappalli for proper identification and matching of the specimens. 3.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The present study has been carried out in Ammankuruchi RF in Ponnamaravathytaluk of Pudukkottai District, Tamil Nadu, India, to document the current floristic composition and conservation status of the Forest area. 3.1. Plant species and their Habits Taxonomically, a total of 145 species belonging to 124 genera and 50 families have been recorded from the study area of Ammankurichi scrub dry RFs (Table 1). Out of the recorded 50 families 49 were angiosperms and 1 was Pteridophyte (Marsileaceae). The monocots were represented by 27 (18.62 %) species belonging to 23 genera and 11 families, and dicots contributing 117 (81.25%) species belonging to 100 genera and 38 families. Based on habit classification of the enumerated plants, the majority of species were herbs 78 (53.79%) followed by 27 200
Efficient Floristic Diversity and Conservation Status of Ammankkuruchi Reserve Forest, Pudukkottai District, Tamilnadu
Komalavalli Narayanaswamy, / Malaya Journal of Biosciences 2015, 2(4):198-208
Table 1. Floristic composition of Ammankkuruchi reserve forest. S.No.
1
2
3
4
Family
Acanthaceae
Agavaceae
Amaranthaceae
Apocynaceae
Botanical Name
Vernacular name
Habit
IUCN Status
Category
Blepharis maderaspatensis (L.) Roth. Dipteracanthus patulus (Jacq.) Nees.
Netthirappoondu Kattunayakacceti
Herb Herb
NT LC
NATIVE NATIVE
Ecbolium ligustrinum (Vahl) Vollesen.
Pachai kanakambaram
Herb
NT
NATIVE
Hygrophila auriculata (Schumach.) Heine. Justicia simplex D. Don.
Nirkkumpicceti
Herb
NT
NATIVE
Not recorded
Herb
LC
NATIVE
Agave americana L.
Kattukkatalai,
Herb
LC
INVASIVE
Furcraea foetida (L.) Haw.
Parukikkarralai
Herb
LC
INVASIVE
Sansevieria roxburghiana Schult. & Schult.f.
Marul
Herb
LC
NATIVE
Achyranthus aspera L.
Naaiyuruvi
Herb
LC
NATIVE
Aerva javanica (Burm.F.) Juss. Ex Schult. Aerva lanata (L.) Juss. Ex. Shultz.
Not recorded
Herb
LC
INVASIVE
Poolaipoo
Herb
LC
NATIVE
Allmania nodiflora (L.) R.Br. Ex Wight. Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb. Alternanthera sessilis (L.) R.Br.Ex DC.
Vannikkeerai
Herb
LC
NATIVE
Not recorded
Herb
LC
INVASIVE
Ponnanganii
Prostrate herb
LC
NATIVE
Celosia cristata L.
Pannaikeerai
Herb
NT
NATIVE
Catharanthus roseus (L.) G.Don.
Nithyakalyani
Herb
LC
NATIVE
Gomphrena globosa L.
Vaadaamalli
Herb
LC
NATIVE
Kottikilangu
Herb
NT
NATIVE
Panai
Tree
LC
NATIVE
5
Aponogetonaceae
6
Arecaceae
Aponogeton natans (L.) Engl. & Krause. Borassus flabellifer L.
7
Asclepidaceae
Calotropis gigantea (L.) R.Br
Arukku
Shrub
LC
NATIVE
Caralluma adscendens (Roxb.) Haw.
Kallimulayan
Herb
NT
NATIVE
Hemidesmus indicus (L.) Schult.
Nannari
Climber
NT
NATIVE
Gymnema sylvestre R.Br.
Sirukkurinja
Climber
VU
NATIVE
Sarcostemma acidum (Roxb.) Voigt.
Kodikalli
Climber
LC
NATIVE
Wattakaka volubilis (L.F.) Stapf.
Perunkurinja
Shrub
LC
NATIVE
Acanthospermum hispidum DC.
Mullichedi
Herb
LC
INVASIVE
Ageratina adenophora (Spreng.) R.M.King & H.Rob.
Poompillu
Herb
LC
INVASIVE
8
Asteraceae
201 Efficient Floristic Diversity and Conservation Status of Ammankkuruchi Reserve Forest, Pudukkottai District, Tamilnadu
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Ageratum conyzoides L.
Poompillu
Herb
LC
INVASIVE
Eclipta prostrata (L.) L.
Karusalanganni
Herb
LC
INVASIVE
Emilia sonchifolia (L.) DC.
Muyalccevi
Herb
LC
NATIVE
Parthenium hysterophorus L.
Parthenium
Herb
LC
INVASIVE
Vernonia cinerea (L.) Less.
Neichattipoondu
Herb
LC
INVASIVE
Xanthium strumarium L.
Marulumathai
Tree
LC
INVASIVE
9
Boraginaceae
Heliotropium indicum L.
Thelkodukkuchedi
Herb
LC
NATIVE
10 11
Cactaceae Caesalpiniaceae
Cereus pterogonus Lem. Cassia roxburghii DC.
Railkalli Kondrai maram
Shrub Tree
LC LC
NATIVE NATIVE
Pterolobium hexapetalum (Roth.) Santapau & Wagh.
Karu indu
Str-Shrub
LC
NATIVE
12
Capparidaceae
Cleome viscosa L.
Naikkadugu
Herb
LC
NATIVE
13
Cassythaceae
Cassytha filiformis L.
Kottankodi
Climber
LC
NATIVE
14
Commelinaceae
Commelina benghalensis L.
Kanavalai
Herb
LC
NATIVE
Commelina communis Eugelm. EX Kunth. Cyanotis cristata (L.) Don.
Not recorded
Herb
LC
NATIVE
Kutirai kulampati
Herb
LC
NATIVE
Evolvulus alsinoides L
Vishnukranthi
Creeper
LC
NATIVE
Ipomoea carnea (Mart. Ex Choisy.) Austin. Ipomoea sepiaria Roxb.
Not recorded
Climber
LC
INVASIVE
Talikkodi
Twiner
LC
NATIVE
Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrader.
Komatti
Trailer
LC
NATIVE
Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt.
Kovai
Climber
LC
NATIVE
Coccinia trilobata (Cogn.) C.Jeffrey.
Koval
Climber
LC
NATIVE
Bulbostylis barbata Rottb.
Mukkorraikkorai
Herb
LC
NATIVE
Chloris barbata SW.
Cevvarakupul
Herb
LC
NATIVE
Cyperus rotundus L.
Korai kilangu
Herb
LC
NATIVE
Cyperus triceps (Rottb.) Endl.
Korai
Herb
LC
NATIVE
Cyperus tuberosus Rottb.
Neerkkorai
Herb
LC
NATIVE
Kyllinga nemoralis (J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.) Dandy ex Hutch. & Dalziel.
Velutta nirbasi
Herb
LC
NATIVE
15
16
17
Convolvulaceae
Cucurbitaceae
Cyperaceae
18
Ehretiaceae
Ehretia microphylla Lam.
Kattu vetrilai
Shrub
VU
NATIVE
19
Eriocaulaceae
Eriocaulon cinereum R.Br.
Not recorded
Herb
LC
NATIVE
20
Euphorbiaceae
Acalypha indica L.
Kuppaimeni
Herb
LC
NATIVE
Croton bonplandianum Baill.
Reilpoondu
Herb
LC
INVASIVE
202 Efficient Floristic Diversity and Conservation Status of Ammankkuruchi Reserve Forest, Pudukkottai District, Tamilnadu
Komalavalli Narayanaswamy, / Malaya Journal of Biosciences 2015, 2(4):198-208
21
Fabaceae
Euphorbia antiquorum L.
Chathurakkalli
Shrub
LC
NATIVE
Euphorbia corrigioloides Boiss.
Not recorded
Shrub
LC
NATIVE
Euphorbia hirta L.
Ammanpachaiarisi
Herb
LC
INVASIVE
Euphorbia tortilis Rottler.
Tirukkalli
Shrub
NT
NATIVE
Jatropha gossypifolia L.
Kattamanakku
Shrub
LC
INVASIVE
Phyllanthus amarus Schum. & Thenn.
Kilanelli
Herb
LC
INVASIVE
Jatropha curcas L.
Vellamanakku
Shrub
LC
NATIVE
Securinega leucopyrus (Willd.) Muell.-Arg.
Vellaipoola
Shrub
LC
NATIVE
Abrus precatorius L.
Kundumani
Climber
LC
NATIVE
Aeschynomene aspera L.
Kidaichchi
Herb
LC
NATIVE
Alysicarpus monilifer (L.) DC
Ottupullu
Herb
LC
NATIVE
Clitoria ternatea L.
Sanguppu
Climber
LC
NATIVE
Indigofera linnaei Ali.
Cenneruncil
Herb
NT
NATIVE
Mucuna pruriens (L).DC.
Totadulagondi
Climber
NT
NATIVE
22
Flinderaceae
Chloroxylon swietenia DC.
Vammaram
Tree
LC
NATIVE
23
Hyacinthaceae
Urginea indica (Roxb) Kunth.
Kaattuvengayam
Herb
VU
NATIVE
24
Hypoxidaceae
Curculigo orchioides Gaertn.
Kurumpalaikkilanku
Herb
VU
NATIVE
25
Lamiaceae
Anisochilus carnosus Wall.
Karpooravalli
VU
NATIVE
Anisomeles indica (L.) O.Kuntze.
Vattapeymarutti
Erect herb Herb
LC
NATIVE
Geniosporum tenuiflorum (L.) Merrill.
Marumatikkoluntu
Herb
LC
NATIVE
Leucas aspera (Willd.) Link.
Thumbai
Herb
LC
NATIVE
Ocimum americanum L.
Naaithulasi
Herb
LC
NATIVE
Ocimum sanctum L.
Thulasi
Herb
LC
NATIVE
Aloe barbadensis Mill.
Chotthukatthalai
Herb
LC
NATIVE
Gloriosa superba L.
Kalappaikizhangu
Climber
VU
NATIVE
26
Liliaceae
27
Lythraceae
Lawsonia inermis L.
Maruthani
Shrub
LC
NATIVE
28
Malvaceae
Abelmoschus ficulneus (L.) Wight & Arn. Hildegardia populifolia Schott & Endl. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.
Kaatuvendai
Un-shrub
LC
NATIVE
Malaipoovarasu
Tree
CR
NATIVE
Semparuthi
Shrub
LC
NATIVE
Pavonia zeylanica Cav.
Kuruntotti
Un-Shrub
LC
NATIVE
Sida acuta Burm.f.
Malaitangi
Un-Shrub
LC
NATIVE
Marsiliea quadrifolia L.
Aarakkeerai
Herb
LC
NATIVE
29
Marsilaceae
203 Efficient Floristic Diversity and Conservation Status of Ammankkuruchi Reserve Forest, Pudukkottai District, Tamilnadu
Komalavalli Narayanaswamy, / Malaya Journal of Biosciences 2015, 2(4):198-208
30
Menispermaceae
Cocculus hirsutus (L.) Diels.
Kattukkodi
Climber
LC
NATIVE
31
Mimosaceae
Acacia arabica Sensu Baker.
Karuvelaamaram
Tree
VU
NATIVE
Acacia horrida (L.) Willd.
Kakkamul
Shrub
LC
NATIVE
Acacia leucophloea (Roxb.) Willd.
Vellaivelan
Tree
LC
NATIVE
Acacia nilotica (L.) Willd.. Ex Del.
Velanmaram
Tree
LC
NATIVE
Albizia amara (Roxb.) Boivin.
Usil
Tree
LC
NATIVE
Dichrostachys cinerea Wight & Arn.
Karukavimaram
Tree
LC
NATIVE
Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC.
Vellikkaruvai
Tree
LC
INVASIVE
32
Molluginaceae
Mollugo pentaphylla L.
Turapoondu
Herb
LC
NATIVE
33
Moraceae
Ficus bengalensis L.
Aalamaram
Tree
LC
NATIVE
34
Myrtaceae
Eucalyptus globulus Labill.
Eucalyptus
Tree
LC
NATIVE
35
Nyctaginaceae
Boerhavia diffusa L.
Saaranai Keerai
Creeper
LC
INVASIVE
Mirabilis jalapa L.
Anthimantharai
Herb
LC
NATIVE
Jasminum angustifolium Vahl.
Kaattumalli
Climber
LC
NATIVE
Jasminum grandiflorum L.
Sadimalligai
Climber
LC
NATIVE
36
Oleaceae
37
Onagraceae
Ludwigia parviflora Roxb.
Neerkirambu
Herb
NT
NATIVE
38
Orchidaceae
Habenaria plantaginea Lindl.
Valikizhangu
Herb
VU
NATIVE
Habenaria roxburghii Nicolson
Valikizhangu
Herb
VU
NATIVE
Martynia annua L.
Telkotukki
Herb
LC
INVASIVE
Pedalium murex L.
Aanai nerunji
Herb
LC
INVASIVE
Agropyron repens Beauv.
Naaippul
Herb
LC
NATIVE
Aristida adscenscionis L.
Periya thudappampillu
Herb
LC
NATIVE
Brachiaria ramosa Stapf.
Not recorded
Herb
LC
NATIVE
Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.
Arugampullu
Herb
LC
NATIVE
Cyperus tuberosus Rottb.
Neerkkorai
Herb
LC
NATIVE
Dactyloctenium aegyptium (L.) Willd.
Mattankayppul
Herb
LC
NATIVE
Saccharum spontaneum L.
Naanal
Herb
LC
NATIVE
Sacciolepis indica (L.) Chase.
Pullu
Herb
LC
NATIVE
Ziziphus mauritiana Lam.
Elanthai
Tree
LC
NATIVE
Zizyphus oenoplia (L.) Miller.
Soorai
Tree
LC
NATIVE
Canthium coromandelicum N. Burm.
Kaarai
Shrub
LC
NATIVE
39
40
41
42
Pedaliaceae
Poaceae
Rhamnaceae
Rubiaceae
204 Efficient Floristic Diversity and Conservation Status of Ammankkuruchi Reserve Forest, Pudukkottai District, Tamilnadu
Komalavalli Narayanaswamy, / Malaya Journal of Biosciences 2015, 2(4):198-208
43
44
Rutaceae
Sapindaceae
Canthium parviflorum Roxb.
Nallakkaarai
Shrub
LC
NATIVE
Carissa carandas L.
Kilakkaay
Shrub
LC
NATIVE
Carissa spinarum L.
Cirukala
Shrub
LC
NATIVE
Catunaregam spinosa (Thunb.) Tirveng. Ixora nigricans Br.
Madukarei
Shrub
LC
NATIVE
Mashagani
Shrub
NT
NATIVE
Oldenlandia herbacea (L.) Roxb.
Parpadagam
Herb
LC
NATIVE
Pavetta indica L.
Vellaippavattai
Shrub
LC
NATIVE
Spermacoce hispida L.
Nathaichuri
Herb
LC
NATIVE
Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa Ex. Shultz. Clausena dentata (Willd) Roeme.
Vilvam
Tree
VU
NATIVE
Kattukkaruveppilai
Shrub
LC
NATIVE
Cardiospermum halicacabum L.
Mudakkathan
Climber
LC
INVASIVE
Dodonaea viscosa (L.) Jacq.
Virali
Un-shrub
LC
NATIVE
45
Solanaceae
Datura metel L.
Oomathai
Herb
LC
NATIVE
46
Tiliaceae
Corchorus aestuans L.
Siruvalichedi
Herb
LC
NATIVE
47
Verbenaceae
Gmelina asiatica L.
Kumizha maram
Tree
LC
NATIVE
Phyla nodiflora (L.) Greene.
Poduthalai
Herb
LC
NATIVE
Lantana camera L.
Arisimalar
Shrub
LC
INVASIVE
Hybanthus enneaspermus (L.F.) Muell. Cayratia pedata (Lam.) Gagnep.
Oritaltamarai
Herb
LC
NATIVE
Eliilaipirandai
Climber
CR
NATIVE
Cayratia trifolia (L.) Domin
Kattupirandai
Climber
NT
NATIVE
Cissus quadrangularis L.
Pirandai
Climber
LC
NATIVE
Cissus vitiginea L.
Cempirandai
Climber
NT
NATIVE
Zingiber officinale Roscoe
Inji
Herb
LC
NATIVE
48
Violaceae
49
Vitaceae
50
Zingiberaceae
(18.62%) shrubs, 23 (15.86%) climbers including lianes, twinners, creepers and trailers and the rest 17 (11.72%) were trees (Fig 2). This tropical dry scrub forest type is a low forest having trees of 4 to 10 m high however, a complete canopy comprising small, coriaceous-leaved evergreen trees of short boles and spreading crowns with some deciduous emergent, without marked differentiation of canopy layers was
also observed. Floristically, it is distinguished by a fair representation of characteristic and preferential species, exclusively or mostly confined to this vegetation type [14].
3.2. Species, Family and Relative Dominance
205 Efficient Floristic Diversity and Conservation Status of Ammankkuruchi Reserve Forest, Pudukkottai District, Tamilnadu
Komalavalli Narayanaswamy, / Malaya Journal of Biosciences 2015, 2(4):198-208
Albiziaamara was the most abundant species when compared to other species in the study area. Euphorbiaceae and Rubiaceae were the dominant families followed by Poaceae and Asteraceae in terms of species number whereas, Rubiaceae was followed by Poaceae, Asteraceae and Euphorbiaceae in terms of abundance. The most species rich families included Euphorbiaceae with 7 genera and 10 species and Rubiaceae with 7 genera and 9 species was the dominant family followed by Asteraceae and Poaceae with 8 genera and 8 species each, Amaranthaceae with 5 genera and 7 species, Mimosaceae with 4 genera and 7 species, Acanthaceae, Asclepidaceae, and Fabaceae with 6 genera and 6 species each, Lamiaceae with 5 genera and 6 species, Cyperaceae with 4 genera and 6 species, Malvaceae with 5 genera and 5 species,Vitaceae with 2 genera and 4 species, Agavaceae and Verbenaceae with 3 genera and 3 species each, Commelinaceae, Convolvulaceae, Cucurbitaceae with 2 genera and 3 species each,Apocynaceae, Ceasalpinaceae, Liliaceae, Nyctaginaceae, Pedaliaceae, Rutaceae, sapindaceae with 2 genera and 2 species each, Rhamanaceae, Oleaceaeand Orchidaceae with 1 genera and 2 species each, Aponogenataceae, Arecaceae, Boraginaceae, Cactaceae, Capparidaceae, Cassythaceae, Ehretiaceae, Eriocaulaceae, Flinderaceae, Hyacinthaceae, Hypoxidaceae, Lythraceae, Marseliaceae, Menispermaceae, Molluginaceae, Moraceae, Myrtaceae, Onograceae, Solanaceae, Tiliaceae, Violaceae,and Zingiberaceae with 1 genera and 1 species each (Fig 3).
Figure 3. Analysis of Genera and Families contributing more than one species at Ammankuruchi RF
Assessments of conservation status at the species level was performed using the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List criteria [15]. In the present study, out of 145 species recorded 2 species namely Hildegardia populifolia and Cayratia pedatawere critically endangered, 12 species including Barleria acuminata, Ecbolium ligustrinum, Hygrophila auriculata, Caralluma adscendens, Hemidesmus indicus, Euphorbia tortilis, Indigofera linnaei, Mucuna pruriens, Ludwigia parviflora, Ixora nigricans, Cayratia trifolia and Cissus vitiginea were nearly threatened, 11 species viz., Barleria acuminate, Gymnemasylvestre, Ehretia microphylla, Chloroxylonswietenia, Curculigo orchioides, Anisochilus carnosus, Gloriosasuperba, Acacia arabica, Habenaria plantaginea, Habenaria roxburghii, and Aegle marmeloswere vulnerable and the remaining 120 species were categorized as least concern. The 3 species namely Blepharis acuminata, Habenaria plantaginea and Habenaria roxburghii were endemic to South India (Fig. 4). Similar classification of species occurrence status offlowering plants has been observed in earlier reports [16, 17, 18]. 3.4. Geographic origin of taxa
Figure 2. Habit wise analysis of Ammankuruchi enumerated plants
3.3. Conservation status of taxa
The geographic origin of recorded taxa wasdone based on the literature available from ENVIS. Ammankuruchi RF represents 26(17.93%) invasive
206 Efficient Floristic Diversity and Conservation Status of Ammankkuruchi Reserve Forest, Pudukkottai District, Tamilnadu
Komalavalli Narayanaswamy, / Malaya Journal of Biosciences 2015, 2(4):198-208
origin of recorded taxa wasdone based on the literature available from ENVIS. Ammankuruchi RF represents 26 (17.93%) invasive and 119(82.07%) native species. All the recorded species in the family Asteraceae (8) and Pedaliaceae (2) were Invasive species. Highest number of invasive species were documented in the family Asteraceae (8) followed by Euphorbiaceae (4), Amaranthaceae (3), Agavaceae and Pedaliaceae (2 species each), and the remaining Apocynaceae, Aponogetonaceae, Convolvulaceae, Mimosaceae, Nyctaginaceae, Sapindaceae and Verbenaceae were represented by one species each (Fig. 5). The listed invasive species were Agave Americana, Furcrae afoetida, Aervajavanica, Alternanthera philoxeroides, Celosia cristata, Catharanthus roseus, Aponogeton natans, Acanthospermum hispidum, Ageratina adenophora, Ageratum conyzoides, Eclipta prostrate, Emilia sonchifolia, Parthenium hysterophorus, Vernonia cinerea, zanthium strumarium, Ipomoea carnea, Croton bonplandianum, Euphorbia hirta, Jatrophagossypifolia, Phyllanthus amarus, Prosopis juliflora, Boerhavia diffusa, Martynia annua, Pedalium murex, Cardiospermum halicacabum and Lantana camera.
Figure 5. Families representing invasive vs total recorded species at Ammankuruchi RF
native seedlings, which is likely interferes with the biology and existence of native species, poses serious threat to the ecosystem by altering RF regeneration cum forest composition and causes economic loss. Documenting the Geographic origin of taxa of species creates a valuable database, useful for implementing better management and conservation of this patchy RF of Ammankuruchi. Presently, the forest site is subjected to various anthropogenic pressures. Data of plant diversity presented in the current study on trees and shrubs will be useful in highlighting the importance of these forests for species conservation and forest management in the near future.
4. CONCLUSION Figure 4. Conservation status of recorded species at Ammankurichi RF
Majority of the naturalized/invasive species of the plains are of tropical American origin [19, 20].The characteristics of invasive or non-native species are slightly different from those of the surrounding native plants and spreads naturally, which results in a highly successful species that is altering the composition and function of the native communities it invades. All the non-native species recorded were herbs and invades the understory of a RF affecting the growth rate of
RFs provide potential refugia for unique species assemblages, habitat for invertebrate wildlife and soil micro-organisms that have not been well studied to date. No forestland in Pudukkottai is free of human impact. The problem with the chronic form of forest disturbance is that plants or ecosystem often do not get time to recover adequately because the human onslaught never stops. An obvious approach to conserve plant biodiversity is to map distributional patterns and look for concentrations of diversity and endemism. Further, management of forest requires understanding of its composition in relation to other 207
Efficient Floristic Diversity and Conservation Status of Ammankkuruchi Reserve Forest, Pudukkottai District, Tamilnadu
Komalavalli Narayanaswamy, / Malaya Journal of Biosciences 2015, 2(4):198-208
forests, the effects of past impacts on the present status and the present relationship of the forest with surrounding land uses. Thus, the enumeration of the Ammankuruchi RF at Ponnamaravathytaluk and the assessment of the floristic wealth, IUCN conservation status and geographic origin would provide a strong basis for evolving measures for their protection.
Conflict of Interest
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The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest. 9.
Acknowledgment The author are grateful to UGC for financial assistance and to her Husband Mr. M. Ponnaiah with gratitude for the immense help and support rendered during field study and also extend the sincere thanks to Rapinant herbarium, St. Joseph’s college, Tiruchirappalli for plant identification.
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Efficient Floristic Diversity and Conservation Status of Ammankkuruchi Reserve Forest, Pudukkottai District, Tamilnadu