Structural, floristic and edaphic attributes of the grassland-shola forests of Eravikulam in peninsular India

摘要: Abstract The high elevation shola-grassland vegetation types of the Western Ghats apparently remained in a stable equilibrium for many decades, implying that both vegetational are highly developed and attained stability under same climatic regime. Several authors considered these two distinct formations occurring juxta-position, as climax formations. According to Clementsian view climax, however, distinctly different cannot form climaxes regional climate. Possibly some edaphic or biotic factors responsible rendering grassland this system. We tested following three hypotheses context. (1) physico-chemical properties soil such depth, organic matter, nutrient status water holding capacity more favourable depressions than exposed surfaces, which turn might be development woody depressions. (2) shola forests exhibits similar structural attributes higher floristic diversity compared with medium low wet evergreen region. (3) trees characterized by regeneration capacity, thus probably making it shrinking resource base. With its characteristic deep fertile moisture may remain steady state, provided anthropogenic other catastrophic disturbances do not destroy them. grasslands were, characterised generally shallow soils, site capital. Hence, assumption state vegetations maintained factors, holds good. Structural elements forest revealed very richness diversity, highest A total 942 stems at least 10 cm girth breast height (GBH) belonging 53 species were encountered 5000 m 2 sampling area (basal 48 ha −1 ). Contrary widely held dogma does possess adequate potential, present study reveals cover, profuse almost all overstorey occur. However, characteristics along margins open grasslands, possibly result differences ecological conditions.