RESEARCH ARTICLE

STRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS AND FLORISTIC COMPOSITION OF THE HAKGALA STRICT NATURE RESERVE AT 1800m ELEVATION

Abstract

The woody vegetation of Hakgala Strict Nature Reserve at an altitude of 1800 m was quantitatively studied by plot sampling. Twenty two species were found to be endemic. The exotic species, Cestrum nocturnum was the most abundant species at this altitude. Nineteen percent (11 species) of the species identified were present at less than 10 stems per ha density, and the most dominant gbh class was 10-20 cm. Only 19% of the species (11 species) was represented by 100 or more individuals per ha. Eighty eight per cent of species (50 species) were represented by less than 5% of the basal area. Based on the relative cover values of species, Neolitsea fuscata, Michelia nilagirica and Semecarpus coriacea were the dominant species found in the vegetation.

Keywords: Floristic composition

How to Cite: Rathnayake,R.M.W, (2006). STRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS AND FLORISTIC COMPOSITION OF THE HAKGALA STRICT NATURE RESERVE AT 1800m ELEVATION.WILDLANKA, 1(1):Pages 115-125

Published On:2006-01-01

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