Studies on Tree Species Richness and Diversity of Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka, India

Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, a key segment of the Western Ghats landscape in Karnataka, supports a rich assemblage of arboreal flora due to its varied topography and microclimatic gradients. To evaluate tree diversity and species richness, a structured belt transect method was applied across major vegetation types, including semi-evergreen, moist deciduous and riparian forest zones. A total of 36 belt transects (10 m × 100 m) were laid to enumerate all trees ≥15 cm DBH, along with measurements of basal area, density and frequency. The assessment recorded 50 tree species belonging to 25 families and 44 genera, dominated by typical Western Ghats taxa such as Tectona grandis, Xylia xylocarpa, Terminalia paniculata, Syzygium cumini and Dalbergia latifolia. Species richness and diversity indices (Shannon–Wiener and Simpson) revealed significant spatial variation, with riparian forests exhibiting the highest tree diversity, while moist deciduous patches showed greater dominance due to canopy-forming species. The overall stand structure indicated a healthy regeneration profile, with a balanced distribution of saplings, poles and mature trees. The findings reinforce the ecological importance of Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary as a stronghold for native and endemic tree species, emphasizing the need for sustained management interventions to safeguard tree diversity against anthropogenic disturbance.