Altitude and Ecological distribution of genus Litsea (Lauraceae) in Western Ghats of Karnataka, India

Abstract

India is a subcontinent in the world with varied climatic regions, topographic variation results in the very diverse ecological diversity. Litsea is a largest genus in the family Lauraceae differentiated by its dioecious nature, distributed in tropical and subtropical regions which is influenced by some environmental factors. Present research work focussed on distribution of genus in the central Western Ghats of Karnataka, India. Litsea species were collected from 2013 to 2018 in different sampling sites.  A total of 12 species were identified and reported from this region. The diversity indices of Litsea vary from species to species as well as region to region. L. floribunda is frequently distributed in all the study sites and it showed highest density when compared with other species, whereas, L. deccanensis distributed only in Sakaleshpur region and it showed lower diversity. The highest number of Litsea species occurred in Sakaleshpur region (10 species) and Mullayyanagiri region having only one species that is L. floribunda. The results indicate that Litsea distribution and diversity is rich in moderate rainfall regions of Western Ghats. The macro and micro nutrients of the soil in the study area reflects the distribution of the genus. There is a gradual increasing in tendency of the species richness with increasing elevation when compared with lower elevated regions. The genus also showed more sensitive and positive association with the elevation factor.