Diversity of Trees Recorded in a 10 Hectare Long-term Forest Dynamic Study Plot in Kolli Hills, Southern Eastern Ghats, Tamil Nadu

A quantitative ecological study was conducted in evergreen forests of Kolli hills, Tamil Nadu. A 10 ha forest dynamics plot was laid in intact evergreen forests. The 10 ha study plot divided in to 250 25m×25m workable elementary plots. All trees ≥10cm diameter at breast height were measured at 137 cm from above the ground, tagged with consecutively numbered aluminium tags. All recorded individuals were identified up to species level with regional floras. Density, species richness, basal area and diversity indices were calculated. Density of species varied significantly among species. A sum of 5000 trees recorded from study plot. A total of 61 species belonged to 52 genera and 26 families were recorded from study plot. Basal area of trees also varied significantly among species. The present study recorded moderate density and diversity of trees. Continuous monitoring and further surveys are essential to decipher impact of climatic factors on tree dynamics in evergreen forests of Kolli hills, South India.