Abstract

'Shola forest' (s.I.) are tropical forest vegetations comprising sub tropical hill forests and the montane temperate forests, generally inhabiting over 1, 500 m asl. The present study on the shola forest of Kerala has generated bench mark informationon the floristics, community, ecology and forest dymanics of the two major chunks of the shola forests, the Mannavan shola and the Eravikulam National Park, both situated in the Idukki District of the Kerala State. The data were analysed for details of structure and composition, dominance, species richness, biodiversity content, and population structure of slected tree species. The most dominant tree species in the community were: Cinnamomum wightii Litsea sp., Mastixia arborea, Hydnocarpus alpina, Isonandra candolleana, Persea marcrantha, Syzygium sp. and Gomphandra coriacea. Diveristy of herbs was very high in grassland ecotones and in disturbed (eg.burned) region in comparison to the undisturbed regions. Species richness of trees, as well as all species taken together of the semi-permanent plots showed a decreasing trend with increasing elevation. Results of population analysis did not provide evidence of any serious constraints in the natural regeneration of trees within the shola groves. Mannavann Shola and the Eravikulam National Park are two living musea of shola forests. Of these, only Eravikulam has the status of a National Park. Mannavan Shola, the largest shola forest patch in the state, which contains many botanical rarities and noveltiesshould also be considered for a better protective status