Pteridophytic Flora Of Kemmangundi Forest, Karnataka, South India

Abstract

Kemmangundi forest is located in Bhadra wildlife sanctuary of central Western Ghats. Studies were conducted to determine the pteridophytic composition in Kemmangundi forest during 2009 to 2012. Present study indicated that the checklist consists of 38 taxa, of which 29 species of terrestrial, five epiphytic, one climber and six lithophytes belonging to eighteen families were documented with their diversity index. Pteridaceae stands the dominant family of the study area with eight species followed by Polypodiaceae (5), Adiantaceae and Aspleniaceae each with three species. Pteris is reported as a largest genus including eight species in study area. Arachniodes sledgei Fraser-Jenk. is followed by Pteris biaurita L.,Tectaria coudunata (Wall.ex Hook. & ex Grev.) C.Chr., Odontosoria tenuifolia (Lam.) J.Sm.and Thelypteris caudipinna Ching  the most densely populated with highest Importance value index in the study area. The Shannon’s diversity index value (H¹) 2.97 and Simpson’s diversity (D) =0.269 values for pteridophytic species in Kemmangundi forest evidencing the pteridophytes richness of the area. This is a comprehensive report of the pteridophytic diversity and distribution of Kemmangundi forest with special emphasis on composition, which will help various researchers as the sound basis for further works and conservation efforts.