ECOLOGICAL STUDIES OF TREE SPECIES OF KARIAN SHOLA IN PARAMBIKULAM WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, KERALA, SOUTH

The phytosociological state of tree species in a post-climax evergreen forest (Karian Shola) in the Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary's rain shadow zone is described in this research. Phytosociological data on many types of climax vegetation, such as evergreen forest, grassland, and savana, has been collected in large quantities, while data on post-climax vegetation is scarce. For the vegetation study, a stratified random sample method was used. The species area curve was used to standardise quadrat size. A total of 1.7 percent of the research area was sampled. From the 80 sample plots analysed, a total of 270 species of trees with a Girth at Breast Height (GBH) greater than 15 cm were identified, divided into 61 families. The overall number of people is 10,772 (14/ha) and the total density of tree species is 842/ha. The tree species' mean stand basal area is 50.50 m2/ha, and the maturity index value is 46.80. The diversity index value is 4.01, and the concentration of dominance value is 0.035. The current study's findings will debunk the myths surrounding the use of the term 'Karian shola' to describe a woodland patch.

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