- Ecological status, Udhayagiri hills, Importance value index.
Abstract
The present ecological investigation was carried out in the understorey of tropical moist deciduous forest of Udhayagiri fort hills, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu. A total number of 171 species were documented in the understory of the study area and among them 163 species were recognized as economically important.
The secured value of ecological attribute, importance value index (IVI) indicates that the species like Tephrosia purpurea, Clerodendron infortunatum Acalypa indica, Aerva lanata, Asystasia gangetica, Belpharis maderaptensis, Cleome viscosa, Dodonia viscose, Glycosmis pentaphylla, Leucas aspera, Limnophila indica,
Martynia annua, Oldenlandia umbellate, Pavetta indica, Phyllanthus amarus and Rhynchosia minima are well established in the study area. On the other hand, 55 plant species are considered to be ecologically weaker in the community. Hence priorities must be given to these species for natural regeneration and hence their
conservation as well.