A study on phenerogamic diversity in Haniya reserved forest, Karnataka

Abstract

Floristically the Western Ghats is one of the rich areas in the country harbouring more than 5000 species of flowering plant species and many plants found in the Western Ghats are extensively restricted distribution. In the present paper, we studied the floristic diversity of the Haniya forest region of Hosanagar taluk of Shimoga district, Karnataka. A total of 2290 individuals representing 226 species and 61 families were recorded from 20 quadrats. Haniya forest region located between 13°50'41 to 13°51'21 N and 75°03'12 to 75°04'18 E with an elevation of 460msl to 850 msl. Average rain fall is 900 cm. In this area the most important herb is Sida acuta with a SIV of 6.33 followed by Cymbidium bicolor, Spilanthes calva and Stachytarpheta indica with IVI of 5.68, 5.68 and 5.34, respectively. The shrubs are distributed in frequently. Lantana camara is the most important shrub with IVI of 13.81. Rubia cardifolia, Naravelia zeylanica were important climber with IVI of 11.41 and 10.48, respectively. The Haniya forest region trees distribution is moderate. Most of the trees are deciduous and semi evergreen in nature. The trees diversity represent by Hopea parviflora with basal area of 0.2h and IVI of 12. The forest region in the study area climatic climax forest consists of trees, shrubs lianas, climbers, herbs, ferns, mosses and epiphytes. We calculated alpha diversity for the plant species. The Shannon Weiner diversity index of herbaceous in Haniya forest is 4.3, shrubs 3.6, climbers 4 and for trees is 3.9, respectively. These forests showed rich in species diversity. Present information give the diversity and conservation value of plant species in the Haniya forest region.