Structural & Regeneration studies of Symplocos sp in Talacauvery,India

Talacauvery is situated in Kodagu district of Central Western Ghats of Karnataka. Due to variation in altitude and aspect, combined with other climatic and edaphic factors, it has different mosaics of forests namely, mid elevation evergreen forests and high elevation evergreen sholas. Talacauvery harbors many endemic, rare and threatened flora and fauna. Some of the important endangered species of Talacauvery are Celestrus paniculatus, Cinnamomum sulphuratum,Garcinia gummi-gutta, Mappia foetida, Myristica dactyloides, Symplocos racemosa, S. kurgensis and S.cochinensis. Symplocos racemosa has been categorized under Vulnerable status. Excessive grazing, fire, collection of firewood and many other anthropogenic factors are threatening the existence of this unique habitat. Hence, conservation of this pristine ecosystem should be given utmost importance. With this background an attempt is made in this study to understand this ecosystem which would help in developing certain management strategies for conservation of this unique habitat.