Abstract

In the virgin humid tropical forest of Nelliampathy, Kerala, over 75 of the total number of individuals of Calamus hookerianus Becc. observed were present in natural canopy gap regions and the rest were in closed canopy regions. Number of individuals per unit area in gaps were more in larger gaps than in smaller ones. Because natural gaps are mostly of smaller size (100 square meter) and at a given point of time only about 13 of the total forest area is occupied by canopy gaps the population of canes was sparse. Further, Nilgirianthus ciliatus (Nees) Bremek., a dominant shrub in gaps due to its aggressive growth antagonizes the spread of canes in gaps. Various growth mechanisms in the established seedlings which would faciliate the species to maintain its population in the climax forest were identified. Comparison of the virgin forest with forest plots disturbed by selective logging operations showed that Calamus hookerianus appear in larger numbers in virgin forest sites