Abstract
A field survey conducted from 2016 to 2019 documented the diversity of lower plant groups—specifically, Pteridophytes—in the protected area of Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka. The survey recorded 99 fern species and 10 fern-allies, representing 50 genera across 23 families. Habitat diversity included 62 terrestrial, 26 epiphytic, 19 lithophytic, and 2 aquatic species. Terrestrial species comprised the majority (57%), followed by epiphytic (24%) and lithophytic (17%) forms. Among the 23 families, five—Pteridaceae (25 species), Polypodiaceae (11 species), Dryopteridaceae (10 species), Thelypteridaceae (10 species), and Aspleniaceae (7 species)—were dominant in the study area. Topographical and ecological factors were found to significantly influence species diversity.
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