Grass species composition in tropical forest of southern India

Grass composition was assessed by plot method (1 m2; n= 1,749) in three habitats (dry deciduous-DDF, moist deciduous-MDF, and thorn forest-TF) at Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, southern India across different seasons from Jan 2004 to Dec 2007. The grass species richness availability (per cent composition) varied significantly with habitats. Seventy-four of grasses sedges were recorded all habitats, a few common positively influenced precipitation. Among biotic factors, regeneration shrub density had primary influence on availability, followed herb, sedge weed density. principal coordinate analysis revealed seven major associations the tropical forest. There considerable changes association when compared past. Fire resistant such as Themeda triandra, Heteropogan contortus T. cymbaria dominated DDF. Aristida/Eragorstis TF, which considered indicators heavy grazing pressure. that reported rare sporadic earlier study not recorded, emphasizes better pasture management threatened invasion weeds.