Journal of Ecosystem & Ecography
Open Access

Abstract

Non Timber Forest Products (NTFP?S) are the resources other than timber derived from forests. Kodagu is an important hotspot of biodiversity in India with 81.40 per cent of the tree cover. Ecologically and economically, the region is important as it constitutes major evergreen forest formations with little disturbances which creates openings called as canopy gaps. It has effect on the regeneration dynamics and microclimate of the forest. This study was carried out to assess the community structure and floristic diversity of NTFP?s in Makutta region of Kodagu district using random sampling technique. All the trees and shrubs were identified and enumerated. The results revealed that the seedling density of the regenerating NTFP species were found to be high in gaps as compared to adjoining forest continuum on the contrary both species richness and species diversity was found to be high in adjoining forest continuum as compared to canopy gaps. Totally 65 species were recorded in the study area of which 26 were of NTFP?S yielding species. Out of these 26 species, eight to ten species were trees and rest of the species were shrubs and herbs. There were few dominant species of NTFP?S i.e Canes, Rampatre (Myristica malbarica), Dalchini (Cinnamonum zylenicum) and wild turmeric in the whole study

Biography

Mohan S has completed M. Sc (Forestry) from College of Forestry, Ponnampet under university of Agricultural sciences, Bangalore. Now working as scientific assistant in Information and Demonstration Centre of Biofuel in Same College. Has published few papers in reputed journals.