Research Article

Species Diversity and Tree Regeneration Patterns in Tropical Forests of the Western Ghats, India

Table 3

Distribution pattern of mature and regenerating phases of trees occur in different vegetation types. Regenerating species and species share in all phases of trees was lower in disturbed vegetation type such as DECI and WOOD as compared to other vegetation types. Percent similarity in species composition (using Sorenson index of similarity) of mature trees and regenerating individuals (saplings + seedlings) in different vegetation types of the study area and new species recruited (trees devoid of adult stage) are also shown.

Vegetation typesTree species occur in *Regenerating species (%)% Similarity between mature trees and regenerating individualsNew entry species (%)
All phases (%)Mature phase only (%)Regenerating
phase only (%)

DECI26 (37)21 (30)12 (17)50 (70)6912 (17)
SEMI53 (41)11 (9)27 (21)116 (91)8224 (18)
EVER49 (40)11 (9)24 (20)111 (91)8123 (18)
WOOD8 (29)8 (29)11 (39)20 (71)4910 (35)
SUBM40 (43)4 (4)18 (20)87 (95)8820 (21)
MONT20 (47)6 (14)11 (26)37 (86)7610 (23)

A number of species occur in saplings and/or seedlings, and these species may or may not have mature tree stage; % of species has been given in brackets.