status, distribution and diversity of woody species in … an urban town area and head quarter of...

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Status, Distribution And Diversity Of Woody Species In The Religious Worship

Places Located At Nagercoil Urban Area, Kanniyakumari District, Tamil Nadu,

India. R. Neelamegam

1*, V. Anchu

2, D

. Anusha

3 And J. Sindhu

4

1,2,3,4P.G. Department of Botany & Research Centre, S.T. Hindu College, Nagercoil-629002,

Kanniyakumari District, Tamil Nadu, India *Corresponding Author: Dr. R. Neelamegam,

ABSTRACT

The present study was carried out to access the ecological and diversity status of woody plant species

in three community based religious worship places, i.e., Temples, Mosques and Churches, located at

Nagercoil, an urban town area and head quarter of Kanniyakumari District, Tamil Nadu, India. A

total of 48 species of woody plants [35 tree sp. (423nos.), 13 shrub sp. (126nos.) having 549

individuals] were recorded from the three community worship places (33sites), which varied from

29species [21 tree sp. (141nos.), 8 shrub sp. (29nos.) having 170 individuals] in 8 churches; 9species

[all trees with 56 individuals] in 8 Mosques; and 37 species [27 tree sp. (226nos.), 10 shrub sp.

(97nos.) having 323 individuals] in 17 temples surveyed. Among the 48 species of woody plants

recorded, 15 species found in temples only, 10 species in churches only, 14 species in churches and

temples, 4 species in mosques and temples, 1species in church and mosque and 4species in all the 3

study areas (churches, mosques and temples). Maximum number of woody plants species (39sps.)

comes under <50cm GBH (44.08%) and <15cm DBH (43.53%) size class category. The overall total

basal area was estimated as 373,907.88cm2, and it is varied from 103,000.34cm

2 in churches,

28,383.45cm2 in mosques and 242,618.00cm

2 in temples. Among the woody plant species, Azadirachta

indica shows maximum TBA of 99,448.01cm2, whereas Cocos nucifera have maximum TBA of

62,273.41cm2 in temples, and 10,828.98cm

2 in mosques, and in churches, it was 58,041.72cm

2 noted

in Azadirachta indica. Based on number of individuals, most of the woody plant species (36sps; 75%)

comes under rare and very rare category that shows below 10 individuals. Shanon-Wiener’s species

diversity index (H’) of woody plant species in the overall study area was estimated as H’ =2.955;

Simpson’s diversity index was D =0.903; Simpson’s Concentration of Dominance was CD/λ =0.097;

Species Richness index was SR =7.451; and Species Evenness was E =0.763. Sorensson’s Similarity

Index (SI) was noted as 10.47% among the species of woody plants recorded in the overall study area,

which varied from 5.26% between churches and mosques; 21.21% between churches and temples;

and 17.39% between mosques and temples. This study is a pioneer in the aspect of ecology and

diversity conservation in the religious worship places of different communities. It can be helpful in

making awareness to improve, maintain and protect these religious sites with diverse plant species by

involving local communities.

Keywords: Woody plant species, Distribution, Religious worship places, Temples, Mosque, Churches,

Total Basal Area, Species diversity indices, Species richness index, Species evenness index, Similarity

index.

International Journal of Applied and Pure Science and Agriculture (IJAPSA) Volume 02, Issue 11, [November- 2016] e-ISSN: 2394-5532, p-ISSN: 2394-823X


I. INTRODUCTION

Information on the status and extent of woody species is scanty and not easily accessible. Sound

inventories and data bases on woody plants have not been appropriately organized. One reason for this

deficiency is the lack of cost-effective and practical inventory and assessment techniques and an absence

of clear classification systems. Although, various studies have emphasized their importance of

inventories for urban areas are generally unavailable. Documentation of existing green spaces of the

urban environment is important determine existing resources and to set target for future improvements1.

Results of tree inventory and assessment of urban environment can be a useful tool in urban planning

and conservation of important tree species2. Urbanization is one of the major reasons for destruction

of the natural vegetation urbanized areas can also harbor a high number of threatened species3.

The rich biodiversity of India comprises multitude of religious, casts and creeds. India is known as

a land of celebration, fairs and festivals, crowded ceremonies, communication, dancing and other social

leisure activates. The contribution of India culture and science to the world is unprecedented. Significant

innovation in astronomy and herbalism, traditional, system of medical practices and conservation of

biodiversity through traditional ceremonial and religious functions are among the most valuable and

precious festivals of the Indians of the humanity. Our ancestor has a unique and rich cultural heritage.

There are some rituals in which number of individual plant or any specific patch of vegetation protected

and used as a tool to communicate with souls and God4. A place of worship is a specially designed

structure where individuals or a group of people come to perform acts of devotion, veneration or

religions study. A building constructed or used for this purpose is sometimes called a house of worship.

Temple, Churches and Mosques are example of structure created for worship. India is the only country

where we have so many religious groups and religious places due to different people have different

religious views. Hindus have their temples, Muslims have mosques, Christians have churches, Sikhs

have gurudhuwars and we have many Buddhist monasteries and Synagogues as well.

In India, there are a number of ecological studies on floristic and biodiversity. However studies on

(woody trees & shrubs) plant diversity in urban ecosystem is very little. There was no study carried out

on diversity of woody plant species related to religious worship places like temples, church and

mosques. The plants are highly associated with Hindu religious aspects. Many plant species are

protected and conserved in such religious worship places based on their utility with regards the religious

of people. The present study was carried out to assess the status, distribution and diversity of woody

plant species in the religious worship places such as church, mosque located at and Nagercoil, an urban

administrative head of Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu, India.

II. MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.1. Study area

Nagercoil is a town in the southern most Indian state of Tamil Nadu located in Kanniyakumari District.

It is a municipality town of administrative headquarters of Kanniyakumari District. Nagercoil town is

situated (8’.17˚N; 77.43˚E) clone to the tip of the Indian Peninsula, locked with the Western Ghats on all

sides. In 1956, the city and the district were merged with Tamil Nadu. In its earlier days, the town and

Its surroundings were known as Nanjilnadu. It is a fertile agricultural area surrounded by kills and fresh

green fields of different crop varieties especially different verities of banana. It is a land of great

traditional and cultural significance. To study the diversity and community structure of woody species,

33 religious worship places located in Nagercoil town were selected which includes 8-churches, 8-

mosques and 17-temples (Figure 1).



Figure 1: Map showing the study area of religious worship places such as churches (C), Mosques

(M) and Temples (T) located at Nagercoil Town, Administratve Headquater of Kanniyakumari

District, Tamil Nadu, India.

Table 1: List of religious places selected to survey the woody plant diversity in Nagercoil area,

Kanniyakumari District, Tamil Nadu, India.

C-1 Booth Tucker memorial -Vedurnimadam T-1 Alagamman Temple -Vadeveshvaram

C-2 Calvary Lutheran Church -Kaliancaud T-2 Iyappan Temple - Parvathipuram

C-3 Christhva Arasar Church -Vedurnimadam T-3 Iyappaan Temple - Vadeveshvaram

C-4 C.S.I Church - Beach road T-4 Kanni Vinayagar Temple - Vadeveshvaram

C-5 C.S.I Church - Irulappapuram T-5 Kasi vishvanathar Temple - Vadaseary

C-6 C.S.I Church - Saraloor T-6 Krishna Temple - Esangavillai

C-7 C.S.I Church - Vadasery T-7 Krishna Temple - Krishnan Kovil

C-8 Saveriyar Church - Kottar T-8 Mutharaman Temple -Sarallor (Irulappapuram)

M-1 Bawakassium Oilyullah Jummah Masjid-

Kottar T-9 Mutharaman Temple - Vadalivillai

M-2 Kupta Mosque - Kottar T-10 Mutharaman Temple - Vaithiyanatha puram

M-3 Malick Dhinar Mosque - Parakai T-11 Nagarajan Temple - Nagercoil

M-4 Masgithul Anvar Mosque - Kottar T-12 Saraswthy Temple - Parvathipuram

M-5 Masgithul Noor Mosque - Parakai T-13 Shiva Temple - Irulappapuaram

M-6 Muhaitheen Mosque - Elangadai T-14 Sithivinayagar Temple - Saraloor

M-7 Sulaimaan Appa Mosque - Kottar T-15 Sri Lekshmi Narayana Perumal Temple-

Vadesveshvaram

M-8 Thaikka Mosque - Elangadai T-16 Sudalaimadan Temple - Esanga villai

T-17 Sudalaimadan Temple - Vedurnimadam



2.2. Data Collection

A botanical inventory of woody species in the selected 33 study sites of religious worship places,

such as churches, mosques and temples, located in the Nagercoil Town (Figure 1) was carried out

intensively from June 2016 to August 2016. The location of sample sites was recorded by a global

positioning system (GPS). In this study, all individuals of woody species with a girth size of ≥ 10cm

(GBH) at breast height present in the study sites were completely enumerated and identified by local

name or by botanical name that was later confirm by using the regional flora5. Except the herbs and

hedgerows, all individual of woody species, (trees, shrubs and woody climbers) are completely counted

and recorded by their botanical nomenclature, common name, family name, life forms and the woody

species were listed alphabetically based on their botanical nomenclature (Table 2). The botanical

inventory was conducted only once in each selected study site. Thus, the seasonal variation in woody

species structure was not assessed.

2.3. Data Analysis

The woody plant’s (woody climbers, shrub and trees) status, community structure, distribution

and pattern of diversity were analyzed following standard methods. The distribution pattern of woody

species in the study sites was analyzed and recorded. Woody species were assigned to different classes

based on girth (gbh) size classes (<50cm; 50cm – 100cm; 100cm – 150cm; 150cm – 200cm; and ≥

200cm) (Table 3) and to different diameter (dbh) size classes size classes (< 15cm; 15cm – 30cm; 30cm

– 45cm; 45cm – 60cm; and ≥ 60cm) (Table 3). Based on the number of individuals recorded, the woody

plant species were grouped into different categories (Table 1) such as very rare (represented by < 2

individuals), rare (2 – 10 individuals), common (10 – 25 individuals), dominant (25 – 50 individuals)

and predominant (≥ 50 individuals) following Kadavul and Parthasarthy6. Basal area of the woody plant

species was estimated (Table 3) by using the formula: BA =πr2; where, π =3.1415; r =radius

(diameter/2).

2.3.1. Phytosociological properties

Various quantitative phytosociological attributes7 and diversity indices were determined using standard

formulas as follows:

𝐴𝑏𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 % = 𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝐼𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑑𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑠

𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑦 𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑐ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡× 100

𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 % = 𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑦 𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑐ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡

𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑦 𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑠 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑦𝑒𝑑 × 100

𝑅𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 % = 𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑎 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑠

𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑠

𝐷𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 = 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑑𝑢𝑎𝑙𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑠

𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑦 𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑠 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑒𝑦𝑒𝑑

𝑅𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝐷𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 % = 𝐷𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑎 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑠

𝐷𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑠 × 100

𝐷𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 = 𝐵𝑎𝑠𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑑𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑠

𝐵𝑎𝑠𝑎𝑙 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝐴𝑙𝑙 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑠

𝑅𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝐷𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 (%) = 𝐷𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑑𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑠

𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐷𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑠 × 100



Basal cover = Density × Average basal Area of a species

The relative values of frequency, density and dominance (RF%+ RD%+ RDo %) were calculated and

summed up to obtain Importance Value Index (IVI)8-10

of individual species in order to express the

dominance and ecological success of the species. That is, Importance Value Index (IVI %) = (%RF +

%RD +%RDo). The spatial distribution patterns of various species in the two study sites were

determined by using Whitfold’s index11

obtained based on the ratio of abundance to frequency (A/F):

Whiteford Index (%) = Abundance/Frequency.

The values of abundance to frequency ratio (A/F) ratio of each species are used to indicate the

distribution pattern of the woody species. The A/F ratio value of ≤ 0.025 indicates regular distribution;

0.025 to 0.050 indicate random and ≥ 0.050 indicates contagious or clumped distribution11, 12

. The

various woody species were scored according to their relative densities (RD) to determine, weather the

species comes under abundant (RD ≥ 5.00); frequent (4.0 ≤ RD ≤ 4.99); occasional (3.00 ≤ RD ≤ 3.99);

rare (1.00 ≤ RD ≤ 2.99); or threatened / endangered (0.00 ≤ RD ≤ 1.00) category13

. Based on total value

of the species for all phytosociological parameters in the study sites, the dominant and subdominant

species were determined.

2.3.2. Diversity Indices

From the data collected in the study sites, diversity indices of woody plant species were determined

using standard formulas as follows: Data obtained from relative abundance (Pi =ni/N) was used to

compute the Shannon – Weaver’s Diversity index (H’) i.e., H

’ = −Σ𝑃𝑖 𝐼𝑛 𝑃𝑖 . Where, H

, =Shennon-

Weaver’s Diversity index; Pi =relative abundance of the ‘i’th

species; InPi =Natural logarithm of the

corresponding relative abundance (Pi = ni/N) of the species14

. Margalef index of species richness (SR) is

calculated by using the formula: SR =S−1

In(N); Where, S =Number of species; 1 =Total number of

individuals15, 16

. Pielou’s index of species evenness17

was computed using the formula: EPielou =𝐻 ′

𝐼𝑛 𝑆 ;

Where, H’ = Shannon-Weaver’s Diversity Index; In = Natural logarithm of species; S =Number of

species. Index of similarity (SI) was calculated following Sorenson18

to compare the woody species of

the study sites by using the formula: 𝑆𝐼 =2𝐶

𝐴+𝐵 𝑥 100; where, ‘A’ =total number of species in site –A;

‘B’ =total number of species in site –B; and ‘C’ =total number of common species in both A and B sites.

III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

3.1. Distribution Pattern of Woody Species

In the present study, selected 33-study sites were visited and carry out a survey and enumerate the

number of individuals of woody species having ≥10cm girth size at breast height (gbh). All the recorded

woody species were identified and the details such as botanical name, common name, family, life forms,

number of individuals in each species (NIES) and number sites the species present (NSiP), were

presented in Table 2.

The collected data clearly indicate that the overall study area found to have 48 woody species with

549 individuals (35 tree species with 423nos and 13 shrubs with 126nos). More number of woody

species, i.e., 37 species with 323nos (27 tree species with 226nos and 10 shrubs with 97nos) recorded in

temple study sites, followed by 29 woody species (21 tree species with 141nos and 8 shrub species with

29nos) in church sites and a minimum of 9 woody species (all trees) with 56nos in mosques were

recorded (Table 2; Figure 2). All the 48 woody species recorded in the overall study sites belongs to 46

genus and 30 families. In temples, all the 37 species belongs to 35 genus and 24 families whereas in


@IJAPSA-2016, All rights Reserved 1

churches, the 29 species belongs to 29 genus and 19 families. All the 9 species noted in the mosque

study sites belongs to 9 genus and 9 families (Table 2; Figure 2). Among the families of woody species,

Arecaceae, Moraceae and Rutaceae found to have more number of species, i.e., 4 species, in the overall

study areas, followed by Apocyanceae and Bignoneaceae with 3 species. In temple study sites,

Moraceae and Rutaceae show more number (4spp.) of species followed by Apocyanaceae and

Arecaceae with 3 species. In the church study sites, Arecaceae family has more number of species

(4spp.) followed by Bignoneaceae with 3 species and in mosques, all the 9 families represented with

single species. In the overall study sites, Arecaceae family found to have more number of individuals

(132nos) followed by Meliaceae (88nos.) and Apocyanaceae (87nos.). A maximum of 85 individuals

noted in Arecaceae followed by Apocyanaceae with 79 individuals noted in temple study sites, whereas

in churches, Meliaceae shows maximum number of individuals (40nos.) followed by Arecaceae with 25

individuals and in mosques, more number of individuals noted in Arecaceae (22nos) followed by

Meliaceae with 18 individuals (Table 1). Among the families, Arecaceae found in more number (31)

study sites in the overall study area followed by Meliaceae which exists in 28 study sites. Among the

religious worship places, Apocyanaceae found in 22 temple sites, Arecaceae found in 11 church study

sites and Meliaceae found in 8 mosque study sites (Table 2).

Among the species, Cocos nucifera found to have more number of individuals (121nos) followed

by Azadirachta indica (88nos) and Aistonia scholaris (52nos) in the overall study sites. In the temple

worship places, more number of individuals noted in Cocos nucifera (78nos) followed by Aistonia

scholaris (46nos), Nerium odorum (31nos) and Azadirachta indica (30nos), whereas in churches,

Azadirachta indica shows more number of individuals (40nos) followed by Cocos nucifera and

Azadirachta indica (21nos, each) and in mosques, Cocos nucifera leading with 22 individuals followed

by Azadirachta indica with 18 individuals. Among the woody species, Azadiracta indica found in more

number of overall study sites (28 out of 33) in general, and in 13 out of 17 temples; in 7 out of 8

churches; and in 8 out of 8 mosque study sites, in specific.

Among the study area, temple study site (T-11) found to have a maximum of 17 woody species

followed by 14 species in T-1, 12 species in C-5, 10 species in T-7 and C-2, and 6 species in M-4.

Among the study sites of worship places, the temple site T-11 contains more number of woody plants

(56nos) followed by T-1 and T-5 with 34nos, whereas in churches, C-2 with 36nos followed by C-1 and

C-3 with 25 individuals, each and in mosque study sites, M-4 and M-5 with 12nos, each followed by M-

1 and M-7 with 8 individuals alone (Table 2).

Figure 2D illustrates the average number of individuals per species, per genus, per family, per

study area; number of species per study sites and number of study sites surveyed. Among the worship

places, temple study sites found to have higher number of individuals per species (8.73), per genus

(9.22) and per family (13.46) as compared to church and mosque study sites while it was less than the

overall study sites (11.44, 11.93 and 18.30, respectively). Maximum number of individuals and species

per study site was noted as 21.25 and 7.50, respectively, in church study sites as compared to other

worship places and the overall study sites (Figure 2D).

Figure 3A indicate the distribution pattern of woody plant species based on the source of study

sites. Out of 48 woody species recorded, 15 species (31.25%) found in temples alone, 10 species

(20.83%) in churches alone, 14 species (29.17%) in both church and temple study sites, 4 species

(8.33%) in both mosque and temple sites, 1 species (2.08%) in both church and mosque study sites, and

4 species (8.33%) in all the three study sites (i.e., churches, mosques and temples). Out 549 individuals

of woody species, most of the individuals (246nos; 44.81%) were represented by 4 species, present in all

the three study area. About 198 (36.06%) individual represented by 14 species were found in both the

churches and temples study sites (Figure 3A).



Figure 2: Distribution pattern of woody plants in the religious worship places of churches,

mosques and temples located at Nagercoil, Kanniyakumari District, Tamil Nadu, India.

3.2. Quantitative Attributes of woody Species

Quantitative attributes, such as gbh, dbh and basal area, of woody species recorded in the study area of

religious worship places were presented in Tables 3. The girth size (gbh) of the woody species recorded

in the overall study sites ranged from 10cm to 690cm and the total gbh of all woody species was

estimated as36,965cm with 770.10cm of average gbh/species and 67.33cmof average gbh/individual of

woody species. At species level, the range of total gbh was noted as 10cm to 11257cm and the range of

average gbh recorded as 10 to 354cm (Tables 3; Figure 3B). Among the woody species, Ficus

bengalensis has maximum gbh of 354cm, and followed by Ficus religiosa (222.43cm). Among the

study area, temple study sites found to have maximum gbh (20,758cm) of woody species with an

average of 561.03cm gbh/species as compared to churches and mosque study sites (Table 3). But the

average girth size/individual was noted as 64.27cm gbh in temple study site was less than the other

study sites of churches (70.69cm), mosques (74.46cm) and in overall study areas (67.33cm). Ficus

bengalensis shows maximum girth size (690cm) in temple study sites followed by Azadirachta indica in

churches (244cm) and in mosques (160cm).

Diameter size of woody plants at breast height (dbh) was determined and the data presented in

Table 3; Figure 3C. The dbh of woody species varied from 3.18cm to 219.75cm in the overall study

areas and the total dbh was estimated as 11,772.29cm with an average of 245.26cm dbh/species and

21.44cm dbh/individual. The range of total dbh of woody plants was noted as 3.18cm to 3585.03cm and

the range of average dbh was 3.18cm to 112.74cm. Based on dbh, the top three woody species, Ficus

bengalensis (219.75cm), Ficus religiosa (193.63cm) and Mangifera indica (97.45cm) found to have

maximum dbh in the overall study areas and in temple study sites. In church study sites, Azadirachta



indica and Mangifera indica shows maximum dbh whereas in mosque study sites, maximum dbh noted

in Azadirachta indica (50.96cm).

Girth size class distribution of woody plant species and their individuals declined sharply from

lower to higher girth classes in overall as well as in the three study areas in specific and showed

pyramidal structure as reported by Mishra and Jeva19

. All the three study areas had a wide range of girth

structure. The temple study sites represented by individuals up to girth size 690cm gbh, whereas in

churches it was 244cm gbh in churches and 160cm gbh in mosque study areas. In the overall study sites,

maximum gbh of individuals was represented by Ficus bengalensis (690cm gbh). Adults (10cm to 50cm

gbh) were predominantly present in temple study sites (51%), churches (41%) and in overall study sites

(44%), whereas in mosques it was only 14% but the individuals were predominantly (75%) present in

the girth class of 50cm to 100cm gbh (Table 2; Figure 3D). Wide range of girth distribution in the study

area indicates the stability and complexity of community. The predominance of lower girth class

showed high regeneration efficiency at study area stand level20, 21

. Girth distribution follows reverse ‘J’

shaped curve which suggests that the study area are climax and stable22

.

Distribution of woody species based on diameter size (dbh) was categorized into different classes

such as < 15cm, 15cm to 30cm, 30cm to 45cm, 45cm to 60cm and ≥ 60cm dbh and the results are

presented in Table 3; Figure 3C. Diameter size (dbh) distribution of woody species and their individuals

declined sharply from lower to higher diameter class in all the religious worship places. Most of the

woody species represented at lower diameter class of < 15cm in the overall study sites (39 spp., 81.25%;

239 individuals, 43.53%) whereas in churches it was 24 spp. (82.76%) with 68 individuals (40%)

followed by temples with 26 spp. (70.27%) with 164 individuals (50.77%). But, the woody species were

predominant in the diameter class of 15cm to 30cm dbh represented by 5 species (55.56%) with 40

individuals (71.43%) as compared to other study areas. Maximum dbh size (≥60cm) was represented

only by 5 species (Ficus bengalensis (219.75cm), Ficus religiosa (193.63cm), Mangifera indica

(97.45cm), Phonix dactylifera (71.34cm) and Azadirachta indica (71cm) in the overall study sites.

Woody species recorded in the religious worship places were categorized into very rare, rare,

common, dominant and predominant, based on number of individuals and the results are presented in

Table 2; Figure 3D. In the overall study area, most of the woody species (36 species; 75%) comes under

rare (31 species; 64.58% with 122 individuals; 22.22%) and very rare (5 species; 0.91% with 5

individuals; 10.42%) category which represented by 127 individuals (23.13%). Only 5 species

represented in dominant (2 species with 62 individuals) and predominant (3species with 261

individuals) category (Table 2; Figure 3D). Woody species rarity (those represented by < 10individuals)

75% with 36 species obtained in the overall study area. The woody species rarity noted as 86.21% in

churches, 77.78% in mosques, 81.08% in temples and 75% in the overall study area. Thus the religious

worship places generally shows higher rarity of woody species. Common woody species (those

represented by 10 to 25 individuals) in the overall study area was 14.58% species, whereas it was

22.22%in mosques, 10.35% in churches and 8.11% in temple study sites (Table 2; Figure 3D). The

dominant and predominant woody species (those represented by 25 to 50 individuals) represented by

10.42% in the overall study areas, whereas 10.81% in temples, 3.45% in churches and no species in

mosque study sites (Table 2; Figure 3D). Based on the number of individuals, Cocos nucifera noted as

dominant species in the overall study sites (121 individuals) followed by Azadirachta indica (88

individuals) as subdominant species. The temple and mosque study sites also reveals the similar results.

But, in church study sites Azadirachta indica noted as dominant species with 40 individuals followed by

Cocos nucifera as subdominant species with 21 individuals (Table 2).



Figure 3: Distribution and size category of woody plants based on study area.

The distribution pattern of species was also determined by computing Whitford11

based on

abundance and frequency (A/F) ratio of woody species recorded in the study area of religious worship

places (Table 4). Results showed that contagious distribution was predominant in all the three study

areas in specific as well as overall study area in general. Among the 48 woody species in overall study

areas, 47 species showed contagious and one species, Azadirachta indica was distributed randomly. On

the other hand, of 29 species recorded, 23 species showed contagious and 6 species random distribution

in church study sites, whereas out of 9 species recorded in mosque study sites, 4 species showed

contagious, 3 species random and 2 species regular distribution and of the 37 species recorded in temple



study sites, 33 species shows contagious and 4 species was distributed as random. In general, except

mosque none of the study area shows regular distribution (Table 4). Among the study area, the

distribution pattern of woody species followed the similar trend: contagious > random > regular.

Predominance of contagious distribution in the study area indicates interaction of abiotic and biotic

factors acting together as reported by Mishra and Jeeva19

. Odum23

have emphasized that contagious

distribution is the commonest pattern in nature. Contagious distribution has been reported by several

workers24-27

. In the present study, most of the woody species in all the three religious worship areas

show contagious distribution (Table 4).

Based on relative density, the woody species recorded in the study area were categorized (Table 5)

into Abundant (RD ≥ 5%), Frequent (RD 4 to RD 5), Occasional (RD 3 to RDe 4), Rare (RD 1 to RD 3)

and Threatened/Endangered (RD ≤ 1). In the overall study area, out of 48 species most of the species

(85.42%) comes under rare (14species) and threatened (27species) category, whereas 5species noted as

abundant, 2species are occasional and non under frequent category. Among the study area, in temple

sites about 30species out of 37 species (81.08%) were under rare and threatened category (Table 5),

whereas in churches, it was about 19species out of 29 species (65.52%) and 3 species out of 9species

(33.33%).

The basal area of the woody plants recorded in the study areas was determined and the data

presented in Table 3. The total basal area of woody species recorded in the overall study area was

estimated as 3,73,907.88cm2 with an average basal area of 7,789.75cm

2/species and

681.07cm2/individuals of woody species. The basal area of the woody species varied from 7.96cm

2 to

37,906.10cm2, whereas the total basal area of the woody species ranged from 7.96cm

2 to 99,448.01cm

2

and the average basal area ranged from 7.96cm2 to 18,965.90cm

2 in the overall study area (Table 8).

Among the study area, temple study sites shows highest total basal area (242,618.00cm2) followed by

churches (103,000.34cm2 and mosques (28,383.45cm

2) study sites. Similar trend was also noted in

average basal area per species and per individuals of woody species. Among the woody species,

Azadirachta indica found to have highest total basal area (99,448.01cm2) in the overall study sites as

well as in the church study sites (58041.72cm2) whereas Cocos nucifera shows highest total basal area

in temples (62,273.41cm2) and mosques 10,828.98cm

2).

Basal cover of woody species in the overall study area of religious worship places was estimated

as 11,330.54cm2with an average basal cover 236.05cm

2/ species and 20.64cm

2/ individual (Table 3).

Among the worship study areas, temple study area shows maximum basal cover (14,271.68cm2)

followed by church sites (12,875.04cm2) and minimum in mosque study sites (3,547.94cm

2). Among the

woody species, Azadirachta indica shows maximum basal cover in the overall study area (3013.57cm2)

and in church study sites (7255.20cm2), whereas in temples and mosque study sites Cocos nucifera

shows maximum basal cover of 3663.16cm2 and 1353.63cm

2, respectively (Table 3).

3.3. Phytosociological Attributes of Woody species

Various phytosociological attributes such as abundance, frequency, density, relative abundance, relative

frequency, relative dominance and IVI of woody species surveyed in the religious worship places were

estimated and the results are presented in Tables 4 and 5. Among the woody species, Bougaivillaea

spectabilis had the highest abundance (8.0) in the overall study area and in church areas, whereas in

temple and mosque study areas Cocos nucifera shows highest abundance of 7.09 and 3.14, respectively

(Table 4).



In the overall study area, Azdirachta indica shows highest frequency (84.85%), relative frequency

(13.27%), dominance (0.26) and relative dominance (26.60%) whereas Cocos nucifera shows highest

density (3.67), relative density (22.04%) and IVI (57.28%). Among the study areas, Azdirachta indica is

dominant for all phytosocioigical attributes followed by Cocos nucifera in the church study sites

whereas in temples and mosque study areas, it was reversed that is Cocos nucifera noted as dominant

with highest values followed by Azadirachta indica for most of the phytosociological attributes (Table 4

and 5).

3.4. Diversity Indices of Woody Species

Community structure analysis and interprets the woody plants at different exposures provide first hand

information about the vegetation and basis for the prediction of likely future changes28

. Margalef29

reported high species diversity is an indication of maturity of an ecosystem. The lower values of

diversity have been related to the lower rate of evolution and diversification of communities30

, while

Connel and Orias31

related the lower value of diversity to severity in environment.

Species diversity refers to the variation that exists among the different forms of vegetation.

Species diversity is one of the most important measures of community structure and it has been related

to succession, stability, proper function and primary productivity32, 33

. The diversity of trees is

fundamental because they provide resources and habitats for almost all other species34

. In the present

study, the values of woody species diversity index for different religious worship places are presented in

Table 5 and Figure 4A. Shannon-Weavers woody species diversity in the study area varied from H’-

1.582 in mosque study sites to a maximum of H’-2.785 in temple study sites with an overall species

diversity of H’-2.955 in overall study areas. There are variations in the species diversity index values of

trees and shrubs among the woody species in the study area. Among the woody species, tree species

diversity shows maximum in church study sites (H’-2.097) followed by temples (H’-1.936) and

minimum in mosque study sites (H’-1.582) with an overall tree diversity of H’-2.167 among the overall

three study area. The shrub species diversity noted highest in temples (H’-0.849) followed by church

study area (H’-0.616) with an overall diversity of H’-0.787, while mosque study sites had no shrub

species.

The lower species diversity in mosque study sites indicates increasing biotic disturbances as

suggested by Dar and Kaul35

and Rad et al.36

and heterogenous distribution of the species, and this could

be due to lower rate of evolution and diversification of communities37

and severity in the environment31

.

The species diversity of a given area, besides climate and geographic location, would also depend on

site representativeness, plot dimension, various site attributes, and the extent of human interaction in the

past and present38

. The decrease in Shannon-Weaver’s species diversity index seems mainly due to

equitability. The diversity index is more sensitive to equitability (evenness) than to richness39

.

According to Odum23

the low species diversity value indicates that the ecological structure is less

complex. The increase in diversity and evenness may be due to less completion and availability of more

space due to less vegetation40

. The diversity patterns and spatial variation of Shannon-Weaver’s

diversity index of woody plant species might be simple but effective indicators for predicting the species

richness level41

.

Species richness depends on the climatic, edaphic and biotic factors42

. In the present study, the

Margalef’s species richness index was found to be fluctuating among the study areas as well as among

the tree and shrubs (Figure 4B). Among the study areas, temple sites shows the highest species richness

(SR-6.231) followed by church study sites with SR-4.041 and mosques with SR-1.987. The shrub

species shows the highest richness index (SR-2.079) in church study sites followed by SR-1.967 in



temples. In the overall study area, the tree and shrub species richness was noted as SR-5.622 and SR-2

488, respectively (Figure 4B). The species richness index of the three study areas is in the order of

temple > church > mosques. However, there is variation in the species richness index between trees and

shrubs among the study areas. Sanjeeb Bharali et al.43

recorded the tree species richness index as 1.03 to

1.24 and shrub species richness as 0.43 to 0.59 in the study area.

The Pielou’s species evenness index of woody species (Figure 4C) was found highest in the study

sites of churches (E-806) followed by temple study sites (E-0.771) and lowest in mosques study sites (E-

0.720). The overall woody species evenness was estimated as E-0.763 in overall study areas. The shrub

species have highest evenness in temple study sites (E-0.369) followed by lowest in churches (E-0.296)

and the overall evenness of shrubs in the overall study areas was noted as E-0.307. The tree species, on

the other hand, have maximum species evenness index in the study sites of mosques (E-0.720) followed

by churches (E-689) and minimum in temples (0.588) with an overall evenness of E-0.610 in overall

study sites (Figure 4C).

Figure 4: Diversity indices and similarity index of woody plants recorded in the study area.

The overall species similarity index of woody species was highest (SI-42.43%) between the study

areas of temples, churches followed by SI-17.39% between temples and mosques, and lowest between

churches and mosques (SI-5.26%) study sites. However, the overall similarity index of woody species

between three study areas (temples, churches and mosques) was noted as SI-16% (Figure 4D). High

similarity index of woody species composition was noted between temples and churches study sites and

less between churches and mosques. The high similarity could be attributed to the presence of some

species that have wide geographical range as suggested by Sanjeeb Bharali et al. (2011)43

. Moreover,

this might be also due to cultural similarities between the two religious communities. The low similarity

index of woody species noted between churches and mosques as well as temples and mosques. This

could be due to entirely different cultural variations exist between these religious communities. When



compared to various other reports, the similarity index of woody species is less which indicates different

cultural and aesthetic level exists among the religious groups.

Floristic diversity assessment is tried at local levels to understand the present status and make

effective management strategies for conservation. Trees outside the forest are an important resource and

play a key role in sustainable biodiversity management. The natural forests are diminishing under

pressures of urbanization and other human interferences. Urban landscapes and trees have been

wonderful silent major urban infrastructure assets in our cities for decades and even centuries. Cities are

biodiversity hot spots due to their variety of habitats available in public and private open spaces,

including front and backyards. By planting trees in and around human settlements, cities will help

increasing the forest cover, reduce pressure on forests and provide various services and goods to meet

several demands. Trees are also important in the socio-cultural lives of the people.

Since species diversity is important to maintain heterogeneity of a stable ecosystem, the diversity

is to be preserved through appropriate measures. From the results of present study, it is concluded that

proper management and conservative measures need to be implemented for conservation of woody plant

varieties in the study areas of temples, churches and mosques located in Nagercoil town of

Kanniyakumari district, Tamil Nadu, India. Because, the distribution pattern of most of the woody

species found in the study area are comes under rare/very rare communities. So, there is a need to carry

out our efforts to documenting the available plant species in the human habitats of urban areas, which

can be lost from the natural environment, otherwise it will leads to disappearance of economically

important woody species which associated with human activities.

IV. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The authors express sincere thanks to the Management Authorities, Principal. S.T. Hindu College,

and HOD, Department of Botany & Research Centre, S.T. Hindu College, Nagercoil, Kanniyakumari

District, Tamil Nadu, India for providing necessary facilities and encouragement.

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Table 2: List of woody species recorded in the study area of religious worship places such as

Churches, Mosques and Temples located in Nagercoil, Kanniyakumari District, Tamil Nadu,

India.



Table 3: Analysis of quantitative attributes (GBH, DBH, Basal area and Basal cover) of woody

species recorded in the study area.



Table 4: Estimation of quantitative attributes (Abundance, Frequency, Ab/F ratio, Density and

Dominance) of woody species recorded in the study area.



Table 5: Estimation of quantitative attributes (Relative Frequency, Relative Density, Relative

Dominance, Importance Value Index and Species Diversity Index) of woody species recorded in

the study area.

status, distribution and diversity of woody species in … an urban town area and head quarter of...

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