Abstract

This study was conducted at the Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, South India from 1983 to 1985 to compare different age teak plantations with adjoining natural forests in terms of food availability, abundance of animals and damage by wild animals in comparison with adjoining natural forest. Transects were laid out in one year old, three year old, 16 year old, 62 year old teak plantations and natural forest. Twenty points at 10 m interval along the transects were sampled for plants, animals and plantation parametres. Younger plantations had more of forbs and herbs, while older plantations and natural forests had more of herbs and shrubs. The total number of plant species found in the natural forest and plantations were more or less similar. There was no major plant species confined exclusively to a particular age plantation or natural forest. Animals like gaur, elephant, deer, wild pig and rodents were found in all plantations. Elephants were maximum in three year old