Beta diversity of angiosperms in the tropical forests of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, India

The paper aims to evaluate the beta diversity in homogeneous and heterogeneous habitats in tropical wrests. Also, the relationship between beta diversity and richness in the rain forests and monsoon forests is elucidated. The study was conducted in a forest landscape of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in the Western Ghats of India. The Wilson and Shmida index was used to assess the beta diversity of the angiosperms of the region. Results showed that species richness and beta diversity varied in different vegetation types; in heterogeneous habitats, species turnover was mainly due to habitat restriction, and not dispersal limitation, whereas within a homogeneous habitat beta diversity was dependent on dispersal limitation. Most of the species were restricted to specific habitats; a few species were more adapted to a wide spectrum of climatic conditions. Beta diversity and species richness of rain forests were higher than those of the monsoon forests.