Deccan Shorea robusta (sal) Forest

The sal zone stretches over much of the northeastern parts of Decca extending into the Eastern Ghats. It is largely deciduous or semi-deciduous, sub-tropical forest dominated by the dipterocarp Shorea robusta. Other associated species include Adina cordifolia, Anogeissus latifolia, Chloroxylon swietenia, Dillenia pontagyna, Diospyros exsculpta, Schleichera oleosa, Sterculia urens, Syzigium cumini and Terminalia bellerica. Endemic or near endemic species found in the sal zone include trees such as Wendlandia gamblei (Rubiaceae), shrubs such as Phlebophyllum jeyporense (Acanthaceae), Senecio candicans (Asteraceae) and Tephrosia roxburghiana (Fabaceae) and the herbs Anaphalis lawii (Asteraceae) and Osbeckia hispidissima (Melastomataceae).

Deccan Hardwickia binata Forest

Much of southeast Decca is dominated by dry deciduous forest characterized by the dominance of the endemic Hardwickia binata (Fabaceae) together with several other species such as Anogeissus latifolia and the endemic Pterocarpus santalinus (Fabaceae). Other assocated endemic trees may include Shorea roxburghii and S. tumbaggaia (Dipterocarpaceae). In places these trees are festooned with epiphytic orchids such as as Dendrobium aquem, Diplocentrum recurvum, Luisia tenuifolia, Saccolobium pulchellum and Vanda testacea. Common climbers include Acacia pennata, Jacquemontia paniculata, Merrimia heberacea, Pterolobium hexapetalum, Rivea hypocrateriformis and Ventilago calycinus, while herb layer includes the ground orchid Acanthophippium bicolor and a variety of ferns.

Deccan Albizia amara Dry Evergreen Forest

These typically dry evergreen forests characterized by Albizia amara are confined to the dry eastern coastal plains of Andhra Pradesh and Tamilnada, and parts of the Deccan plateau of southern India. Other characteristic or preferential species include Cissus quadrangularis, Euphorbia antiquorum, Gmelina asiatica, Maba buxifolius and the endemic or near endemic Acacia latronum (Fabaceae), Atalantia racemosa (Rubiaceae), Canthium parviflorum (Rubiaceae), Capparis divaricata (Capparaceae), Diospyros chloroxylon (Ebenaceae), Erthroxylon monogynum (Erthroxylaceae), Hugonia mystax (Linaceae), Justicia prostrata (Acanthaceae), Mollugo disticha (Molluginaceae), Pterolobium hexapetalum (Fabaceae) and Stenosiphonium russelianum (Acanthaceae). Several species including Carmona microphylla, Garcinia spicata, Manilkara hexandra, Memecylon umbellatum and the endemic or near endemic Drypetes sepiaria (Putranjivaceae) and Pterospermum suberifolium (Malvaceae) appear to be confined to these coastal zone forests.

Deccan Tectonia grandis (teak) Forest

These are the southern tropical dry or very dry deciduous ‘teak bearing’ forests with a climax community dominated by teak (Tectonia grandis) together with species of Anogeissus and Terminalia. Upper canopy species include the endemic Hardwickia binata (Fabaceae) while examples of undergrowth endemics are Dolichandrone atrovirens (Bignoniaceae) and Petalidium barlerioides (Acanthaceae). It represents the largest of Deccan’s climax forests although much has now been cleared for agriculture and today it is mainly confined to nature reserves such as Bandipur, Gir, Kutru, Mudumalai and Taroba. Several types are recognised. In Saurashtra teak is largely confined to the Girnar and Gir forests near Junagardh on the Deccan trap. Here Tectonia grandis is the main canopy tree with species such as Acacia catechu, Anona squamosa, Manilkara hexandra and Syzygium cumini found occasionally. The main second story trees are Holarrhena antidysenterica, Wrightia tinctoria and species Grewia. Typical climbers include Clitoria ternatea and Stephania hernandifolia. At ground level herbs and grasses dominate. In central India the magnificent teak forests of the Bheru ghats and the Manpur ghats near Indone have a rich upper canopy, which in addition to Tectonia grandis commonly include Aegle marmelos, Bombax ceiba, Boswellia serrata, Dalbergia paniculata, Emblica officinalis, Lannea coromandelica, Ougeinia oojeinensis, Sterculia urens and Terminalia tomentosa. Chief amongst second storey trees are Dendrocalamus strictus, Holarrhena antidysenterica, Nyctanthes arbor-tristis and Wrightia tintoria. Climbers are largely dominated by the genera Cardiospermum, Dioscorea and Vitis. The main ground flora components include Cassia tora, balsams and grasses. Around Pune there is another major change in species composition. Here the main canopy species apart from Tectonia grandis include Acacia catechu, Anogeissus latifolia, Garuga pinnata, Santalum album and Schrebera swietenioides, while typical second story species are Carissa congesta, Euphorbia nerriifolia, Lantana camara and Maytenus emarginata. These forests also have a clear third storey with species like Cassia auriculata, Lasiosiphon oriocephalus, Lavendula burmanni and Woodfordia fruticosa. Common climbers include Clematis triloba, Cryptolepis buchanani and Dioscorea bulbifera. The ground flora commonly consists of forbs and grasses such as Andropogon pumilus, Apluda varia, Arundinella tenella, Cymbopogon martinii and Heteropogon cuntortus.

Deccan Syzygium-Memecylon Sub-Montane Forests

In the sub-montane zones of the Bhimashankar-Junnar area the forests are largely characterized by Syzygium cumini and Memecylon umbellatum. These forests can reach heights of up to 35 m and typically have a dense canopy. Consequently the undergrowth is often rather meager. Other common trees include Actinodaphne hookeri, Atalantia racemosa, Cassia fistula, Elaeagnus kologa, Embelia robusta, Ficus arnottiana, Magnifera indica, Mallotus philippensis and Symplocos beddomei. The second story tends to be discontinuous and mainly found in more open areas. On the other hand, the shrub layer can be dense in places and often dominated by Carvia callosa, while other shrubs include Acacia concinna, Callicarpa lanata, Celastrus paniculata, Grewia laevigata, Gymnosporia rothiana, Leea sambucina, Murraya koenigii and Pavetta indica. Climbing plants are not a major feature but among the more common species are Cyclea burmanni, Gnetum ula, Smilax macrophylla and the endemic Piper trichostachyon (Piperaceae).  The epiphytic flora, on the other hand, is well developed with an abundance of orchids, ferns and mosses. The most common epiphyte is Pleopeltis linearis. This and othersfestoon most of the branches and often hang in tassels for 20 cm or so. Common ground layer species include Curcuma pseudomontana, Cynoglossum denticulatus, Gerardinia zeylandica, Heracleum concanese, Impatiens balsamina, Pimpinella heyneana, Plumbago zeylandica and Solanum indicum although many of these are confined to openings and forest margins.

Deccan Thorn Scrub Forest

These stunted forests measuring no more than about 9 m tall are spread across the states of Andhra, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The dominant species include Anogeissus latifolia, several Acacia species (such as Acacia nilotica), Azadirachta indica, Balanites roxburghii, Carrisa carandas, Cassia fistula, Cordia myxa, Diospyros chloroxylon and Phoenix sylvestris. Other associated species include the endemic Pterocarpus santalinus (Fabaceae) and the rare endemic cycad Cycas beddomei (Cycadaceae). In parts of Tamil Nadu where there is little rain, the vegetation comprises open thorny forest characterized by Acacia planifrons with its strange umbrella-shaped crowns.

Deccan Acacia-Capparis Scrub

This scrubland, dominated Capparis decidua and various species of Acacia, is found in the driest parts of the Deccan plateau, but today this once extensive community is mainly confined to the Velavadar National Park in the Bhavnagar district of Gujarat.

Further information required.

References

Almeida, S. M. & Almeida, M. R. 1990. Threatened Endemic Plants from Maharahstra. In: Conservation in Developing Countries: problems and prospects. Eds. J.C. Daniel and J. S. Serrao. Proceedings of the Centenary Seminar of the Natural History Society. Bombay Natural History Society. Oxford University Press.

Behera, S. K. & Misra, M. K. 2006. Floristic and structure of the herbaceous vegetation of four recovering forest stands in the Eastern Ghats of India. Biodiversity and Conservation, 15: 2263-2285.

Campbell, D. G. & Hammond, H. D. 1989. Floristic Inventory of Tropical Countries. The New York Botanical Garden.

Champion, H. G. & Seth, S. K. 1968. A revised survey of the forest types of India. The Manager of Publication, Government of India, Nasik.

Dabadghao, P. M. & Shankarnarayan, K. A. 1973. The Grass Cover of India. Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi.

Gadgil, M. & Meher-Homji, V. M. 1990. Ecological Diversity. In: Conservation in Developing Countries: problems and prospects. Eds. J.C. Daniel and J. S. Serrao. Proceedings of the Centenary Seminar of the Natural History Society. Bombay Natural History Society. Oxford University Press.

Gopal, B. & Krishnamurthy, K. 1993. Wetlands of South Asia. In: Wetlands of the World: Inventory, ecology and management. Vol. 1. Eds. D. Whigham, D. Dykyjova and S. Hejny. Kluwer Academic Press.

Irwin, S. J. & Narasimhan, D. 2011. Endemic genera of Angiosperms in India: A Review. Rheedea, 21: 87-105.

Kadavul, K & Parthasarathy, N. 1999. Plant biodiversity and conservation of the tropical semi-evergreen forest in the Shervarayan hills of Eastern Ghats, India. Biodiversity and Conservation, 8: 421-439.

Law, B. C. 1968. Mountains and Rivers of India. 21st International Geographical Congress. National Committee for Geography, Calcutta.

Mani, M. S. 1974. The vegetation and phytogeography of the Eastern Ghats. In: Ecology and Biogeography in India. Ed. M. S. Mani, 178-196. Dr W. Junk B. V. Publishers The Hague.

Meher-Homji, V. M. 1990. Vegetation types of India in relation to environmental conditions. In: Conservation in Developing Countries: problems and prospects. Eds. J.C. Daniel and J. S. Serrao. Proceedings of the Centenary Seminar of the Natural History Society. Bombay Natural History Society. Oxford University Press.

Nayar, M. P. 1996. “Hot Spots” of endemic plants of India, Nepal and Bhutan. Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute. Palode, Thiruvananthapuram.

Parthasarathy, N.& Karthikeyan, R. 1997. Plant biodiversity inventory and conservation of two tropical dry evergreen forests on the Coromandel Coast, south India. Biodiveristy and Conservation, 6: 1063-1083.

Puri, G. S., Gupta, R. K., Meher-Homji, V. M. & Puri, S. 1989. Forest Ecology. Plant form, diversity, communities and succession. 2nd Edition. Volume 2. Oxford & IBH Publishing Co. PVT. Ltd.

Ramanujam, M. P. & Kadamban, D. 2001. Plant biodiversity of two tropical dry evergreen forests in the Pondicherry region of South India and the role of belief systems in their conservation. Biodiversity and Conservation, 10: 1203-1217.

Swamy, P. S., Sundarapandian, S. M., Chandrasekar, P. & Chandrasekaran, S. 2000. Plant species diversity and tree population structure of a humid tropical forest in Tamil Nadu, India. Biodiversity and Conservation, 9: 1643-1669.

Venkateswaran, R. & Parthasarathy, N. 2005. Tree population changes in a tropical dry evergreen forest of south India over a decade (1992-2002). Biodiversity and Conservation, 14: 1335-1344.