Abstract

Vegetation characteristics of Southern secondary moist mixed deciduous forest in Agasthyamalai, Kerala, India, was assessed by random sampling through the census quadrat method. Twelve localities were selected from Peppara and Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuaries and Agasthyavanam Biological Park (neighbouring areas), and 10X10 m quadrats laid out at 10 sites in each locality. A total of 694 individuals (15 cm GBH) belonging to 49 species and 29 families was recorded. Stand density, species density and basal area were 535 trees/ha, 12 species per 0. 1 ha and 26. 57/ha respectively. Species richness was 2. 81, concentration of dominance 0. 15, species diversity 1. 89 and evenness 0. 73. The dominant association of the study area was Terminalia paniculata, Pterocarpus marsupium and Careya arborea. Among the 3 protected areas, Peppara showed comparatively higher stand density, basal area cover, species richness, diversity and evenness, while compared with the other regions of the Western