|
PRINT ISSN : 2319-7692
Online ISSN : 2319-7706 Issues : 12 per year Publisher : Excellent Publishers Email : editorijcmas@gmail.com / submit@ijcmas.com Editor-in-chief: Dr.M.Prakash Index Copernicus ICV 2018: 95.39 NAAS RATING 2020: 5.38 |
The biodiversity-rich sacred groves are of immense ecological significance. They also play an important role in the conservation of flora and fauna. Besides, several rare and threatened species are found only in sacred groves, which are, perhaps, the last refuge for these vulnerable species. In Dapoli Taluka sacred groves have immense potential as ecosystem service providing habitats. There have been gaps in their documentation. So a comparative study four life forms was initiated in 11 sacred grove of Dapoli Taluka. For the present investigation, 11 Sacred groves were selected on the basis of size class viz. 0-5, 5-10, and 10< (Ha). Field surveys and mapping were conducted in selected sacred groves during October 2016 to January 2017 for gathering information on the status, extent, floral elements etc. A total of 171 species representing 145 genera and 66 families were recorded in the 11 sacred groves and associated outside plots. The maximum were trees (92) followed by shrubs (33), herbs (27), and climbers (18) and one orchid species. Among the families, Fabaceae was most dominant comprising 12 species and 10 genera, followed by Acanthaceae representing 10 species and 8 genera. In present study we recorded total 10 rare and threatened plants and 29 endemic plants from the 11 sacred groves of Dapoli taluka.