Abstract

An analysis was made of transects laid out in 1-, 3-, 16- and 62-year-old teak (Tectona grandis) plantations and adjoining moist deciduous natural forest in the Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala. The data were used to estimate resource availability (in terms of the abundance of grasses, herbs, shrubs and trees), animal abundance, the extent of animal visits, and type and amount of animal damage. Feeding trials were done on captive spotted deer, sambar and elephants (3 of the most common animal species) to determine foraging preferences. The most abundant grasses and forbs in plantations were Brachiaria remota, Mimosa pudica and Commelina sp. Other herbaceous plants and some shrubs were present in different abundances in plantations of different ages. Survival of planted teak seedlings was very low in the 1-yr-old plantation. There was extensive damage in the 3-yr-old plantation, where the maximum elephant damage was recorded. Damage to all plantations was mainly by elephants, but they alsoused natural forests, so it is suggested that damage could be reduced by mixing stretches of natural forests with different aged plantations