Unravelling tree diversity patterns and responses to environmental gradients in a tropical forest landscape of the Western Ghats.

ABSTRACT: Understanding spatial patterns of plant species diversity and the factors (e.g., climate and human) that drive these patterns is essential for biodiversity conservation. We used data from 170 0.1-ha forest plots in the Shettihalli tropical forest landscape of the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot, India, to analyse tree community composition and the drivers of α-diversity (Shannon) and β-diversity (LCBD). Compositional patterns were visualized using Non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS), and hybrid feature selection with structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to evaluate the direct and indirect effects of environmental variables on diversity. NMDS identified four distinct forest types in the Shettihalli landscape: semi-evergreen, dry deciduous, moist deciduous, and plantatio

SUBMITTER: Kanda NB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12919276 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature