Vegetation status of Southern secondary moist mixed deciduous forests of Trichur district in Kerala

Vegetation characteristics of southern secondary moist mixed deciduous forest of Trichur district of Kerala were assessed by random sampling through census quadrat method. Twenty plots (0.1ha) were evaluated from Chalakudy, Chimmony, Peechi and Vazhani regions of the district; with 0.5 ha area from each locality, covering two ha area in total. A sum total of 2919 individuals belonging to 208 species of 89 families were recorded from the 20ha area studied comprising, 81 tree species (38.94%), 21 shrubs (10.10%), 58 herbs (27.88 %) and 48 climbers (23.08 %). In terms of number of species per unit area, an average of 34 species recorded per quadrate (0.1ha). For trees, shrubs, herbs and climbers these values were 16, 5, 6 and 7 respectively. The dominant association of the study area is of Xylia xylocarpa - Lagerstroemia microcarpa - Grewia tiliifolia and Terminalia paniculata. Comparatively high species diversity index value is registered for trees but with a very low value for shrubs.