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Population ecology and genetics of two threatened tropical evergreen trees, endemic to the Western Ghats, India

  • Ecology & Biogeography - Original Article
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Abstract

Atuna indica (Bedd.) Kosterm (Chrysobalanaceae) and Hydnocarpus longipedunculatus Robi. Sasidh. & Jose (Achariaceae) are two threatened evergreen trees, endemic to the southern Western Ghats, India. We investigated the population ecology and the genetic diversity of these species. The population ecological study comprised of demography, vertical, spatial and age-wise (ontogeny) distribution, along with the Importance Value Index (IVI) of target species in the community. Dominant Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) primers are employed for Genetic diversity analysis. The small population size, clumped and under canopy distribution pattern are the primary population ecological impediments of target species. In addition, the extremely low number of reproductive individuals in A. indica intensifies the concern. Genetic studies revealed better diversity and gene flow compared to other threatened species. The construction of hydroelectric dams followed by water reservoir formation in natural habitats plausibly reduced the population size and it reflects in genetic diversity results. The present study warrants the protection of natural habitats and ecological niche model-based restoration programs.

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Acknowledgements

The financial support received from Kerala State Council for Science, Technology, and Environment (KSCSTE), Government of Kerala, is gratefully acknowledged. The first author thanks University Grant Commission (UGC, GOI) for the JRF fellowship. We are grateful to the Director, KFRI, for providing facilities to perform this work and the Kerala Forest Department for the logistic support during field studies/sample collections from the forest areas of Kerala. The authors extend gratitude to the anonymous reviewers for their insightful comments and suggestions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sustainable Forest Management Division, Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, Thrissur, Kerala, 680 653, India

    Kunnath Subin, P. A. Jose & K. V. Jithin

  2. Forest Genetics and Biotechnology Division, Kerala Forest Research Institute, Thrissur Kerala, Peechi, 680 653, India

    Suma Arun Dev

  3. University of Calicut, Kerala, 673 635, India

    Kunnath Subin

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  1. Kunnath Subin
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Appendices

Appendix 1

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Table 3 Floristic diversity and IVI table of Atuna indica at Kakkayam dam site population (gbh ≥ 10 cm)
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Appendix 2

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Table 4 Floristic diversity and IVI table of Atuna indica at Charangad population (gbh ≥ 30 cm)
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Appendix 3

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Table 5 Floristic diversity and IVI table of Atuna indica at Nadugani population (gbh ≥ 30 cm)
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Appendix 4

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Table 6 Floristic diversity and IVI table of H. longipedunculatus at Kulamavu MPCA population (gbh ≥ 30 cm)
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Appendix 5

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Table 7 Floristic diversity and IVI table of H. longipedunculatus at Cheri population (gbh ≥ 30 cm)
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Subin, K., Arun Dev, S., Jose, P.A. et al. Population ecology and genetics of two threatened tropical evergreen trees, endemic to the Western Ghats, India. Braz. J. Bot 46, 459–476 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40415-023-00884-x

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