Plant Diversity in Protected Area of Nallamala Forest at Velugodu, Kurnool , Andhra Pradesh, India

A five years aged, protected area at Velugodu, Kurnool district Andhra Pradesh, India was selected to assess and describe the species-richness by adopting basic ecological methods and to document the ecorestoration activity for conservation of species diversity. Floristic, Physionomic and Phytosocialogical analysis of vegetation was carried out . A total of 77 species were recorded from sampled area. Among them 28 wild species were found alien to the district. Pyereus pumulus (L) Nees ssp. Membranacea (Vahl) Koy and Lantana wightiana Gamble were recorded first time and are additions to the flora of Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema region, respectively. Ziziphus horrida, Roth a rare taxon in the state was also recorded . The biodiversity measurements done in the study area revealed the dominance of Dolichandrone atrovirens (Roth) Spr. Which has high regeneration and survival capability. D. atrovirens can be recommended for future afforestration and reforestration activities in the hilly areas of district. However, to quantify the total impact of protection on plant biodiversity, year to year variations in the diversity of forest ecosystems following secondary succession, a long term monitoring is desired.