Abstract

Detailed phytosociological analysis of Agasthyamalai region of Western Ghats has so far not been carried out. This study is a pioneer attempt in this direction. Structure, composition, dynamics and diversity of the wet evergreen forest of the Agasthyamalai region of the southern Western Ghats were assessed using stratified random sampling by the census quadrat method. 0. 1 ha plots were laid out in four localities of Agasthyamalai. From the quadrat data gathered primary and secondary analysis of the vegetationn were done. A total of 435 individuals belonging to 79 species and spreading over 37 families was recorded. High stand density (1087. 5 trees/ha), species density (79 species in 0. 4 ha), medium basal area (64. 09 meter square per ha.), low maturity (22. 39), low similarity between stands (50. 76), the 'L' shaped curve of different dbh classes, medium diversity (3. 134), Shannon's index value), high species richeness (7. 07, margalef's index value) and low species