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3,261 Flowering Plant Species in Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve
A new checklist by a Keralam research team records 3,261 flowering plant species in the Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve (ABR). The checklist documents high endemism and biogeographic affinity with Sri Lankan and tropical American flora, highlighting ABR’s angiosperm diversity.
Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve:
| Dimension | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Species count documented | The checklist documents 3,261 species, 26 sub-species, and 28 varieties belonging to 1,139 genera and 190 families in ABR. |
| Endemism documented | The checklist records 1,018 taxa (31.2%) endemic to India, including 245 steno-endemic taxa confined to highly specialised habitats. |
| Biogeographic affinity documented | The flora reveals strong biogeographic affinity with Sri Lanka, with the two regions sharing 347 taxa, and includes 102 taxa displaying affinity with tropical American flora. |
| Location and spread | ABR spreads over Keralam and Tamil Nadu in the southern extremity of the Western Ghats. |
| Landscape description | The hill systems and vegetation of ABR constitute a biologically unique, yet ecologically fragile landscape. |
| Status within south India | ABR is one of four biosphere reserves in south India; the others are Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, and Seshachalam Hills Biosphere Reserve. |
| Establishment and UNESCO status | ABR is established in 2001 and has been added to the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2016. |
| Indigenous community | ABR is home to the indigenous Kani tribal community. |
| Protected areas encompassed | ABR encompasses Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary, Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary, and Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve. |