Structure and composition of woody species in tropical semi-evergreen forest of Kalrayan hills, Eastern Ghats, India K Kadavul and N. Parthasarathy

Species richness, density and population structure of all trees and lianas(>30cm gbh) were inventoried in four 1 ha plots of semi-evergreen forest, Kalrayan hills, Eastern Ghats. A total of 2064 stems (mean 516 ha-1) covering 89 species (in 74 genera and 39 families) were recorded. Species richness varied from 42 to 47 species ha-1, shannon index from 2.31 to 2.87 and stand density from 367 to 667 stems ha-1. Mean stand basal area was 33.6 m2 ha-1, Two trees, Nothopegia heyneana and Celtis philippensis dominated, contributing 50% of total density. Taxonomically, Moraceae (with 8 species), Euphorbieacea (7), Verbenaceae (6) and Meliaceae (5) were well represented. Density-wise Anacardiaceae, Ulmaceae, Ebenaceae, Annonaceae and Flacoutiaceae were abundant. Species richness and density decreased with increasing tree girths. The forest stand contained a growing population, but girth frequency considerably varied. In view of habitat uniqueness, human impacts and cultural tradition, the conservation need stressed.