Assessment of threatened arborous species in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Southern Western Ghats, India

Abstract The Western Ghats are the world’s second-most significant refuge for species at risk, particularly in the Nilgiri, a part of the Southern Western Ghats (SWG) region that is one of the richest biogeographic provinces in the Indian subcontinent. In the present research area of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, 68 threatened species (including 29 taxa that are endemic) were documented under 50 genera belonging to 35 families comprising 32 angiosperms and 3 gymnosperms (Cycadaceae, Cupressaceae, and Gnetaceae). Certain threatened factors, like overexploitation of natural resources and other anthropogenic activities, adversely affect the existing ecosystem and lead to the rarity of many species in the future. Therefore, the study emphasizes the strict protection of monumental forest patches, considering the presence of various endemic and threatened species in this region. This research will help determine the importance of these species-enriched areas and habitats for threatened diversity as habitats and habitat patches become priorities for conservation.