ABSTRACT

The study focused on three MPCAs Jenkadkal, Devimane, and Sandur representing Karnataka's Coastal Zone, Western Ghats, and Eastern Plains, along with their adjacent natural forests. Vegetation, regeneration and anthropogenic threats were assessed using a transect-based quadrat method. Devimane MPCA had the highest diversity with 70 tree species (Margalef index 8.9) followed by Jenkadkal MPCA with 59 species (Margalef index 7.00) and Sandur with 48 species (Margalef index 5.79). Devimane MPCA had Shannon diversity (3.62) and tree density (747.5 individuals/ha). Jenkadkal MPCA had a Shannon index of 3.32 and a density of 637.5 individuals/ha, while Sandur recorded a Shannon index of 2.92 and a density of 515 individuals/ha. Across all sites MPCAs had higher species richness, diversity indices and densities than natural forests.
In Jenkadkal MPCA, Diospyros sylvatica (IVI 42.10) was the dominant species followed by Hopea ponga and Holigarna arnottiana with Ebenaceae as the dominant family (FIV 44.94). In Devimane MPCA, Knema attenuata (IVI 31.62) was dominant species followed by Syzygium gardneri and Garcinia gummi-gutta with Myristicaceae (FIV 42.63) leading. In Sandur MPCA, Chloroxylon swietenia (IVI 54.15) was the most dominant followed by Anogeissus latifolia and Ixora pavetta with Rutaceae (FIV 63.36) as the dominant family.
Devimane had the most prolific regeneration with 63 species (Shannon index 3.61, density 13,600 individuals/ha) followed by Jenkadkal and Sandur. Sandur recorded the highest herb and shrub diversity (Shannon index 2.47 and 2.54), while Devimane highest in climber diversity (Shannon index 2.48). Disturbance levels were lowest in Devimane (CDI 15.38%) mainly due to developmental activities and moderate in Jenkadkal (CDI 41.03%) due to biomass removal and NTFP collection and highest in Sandur (CDI 74.36%) due to cattle grazing and footpath use.