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Trema orientalis: a suspected indicator plant for palaeo-landslides in tropical areas

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Abstract

In the creation of a landslide inventory of Kerala, India, the profuse growth of Trema orientalis (Family Cannabaceae) in landslide-affected areas has helped in identifying palaeo-landslide locations. This is the first report of the discovery of this particular plant being associated with landslide-affected areas. Trema is found to be an opportunistic plant, utilising the opportunity of canopy clearance during a landslide, to thrive.

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Acknowledgments

The author thanks the then officers of Geological Survey of India, State Unit: Kerala, as the author got ample opportunity to travel in different landslide-affected/prone areas in the state of Kerala. It was these travels that helped in identifying this tree species. Special gratitude to Dr. AP Pradeepkumar, Associate Professor (Geology), University of Kerala, for his valuable suggestions.

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  1. Department of Geology, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, 695 581, India

    K. S. Sajinkumar

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  1. K. S. Sajinkumar
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Correspondence to K. S. Sajinkumar.

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Sajinkumar, K.S. Trema orientalis: a suspected indicator plant for palaeo-landslides in tropical areas. Nat Hazards 78, 2169–2174 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-015-1783-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-015-1783-x

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