Phytosociological investigations of the pteridophytes in the Kolli Hills’ shola pocket in Tamil Nadu’s Namakkal District, Eastern Ghats, India

In order to comprehend the vegetative structure, species composition, and diversity of ferns in the area, phytosociological investigations of the fern flora in Shola pockets of Kolli Hills have been carried out. Only one research site with the greatest number of fern species were analyzed, and these were done throughout the course of a year, from January 2024 to December 2024, at three-month intervals. 34 species were found in Kuzhivalavu, according to the floristic analysis; however, the density varied significantly throughout the study period, typically at each sampling. The population fluctuated, meaning that it grew during the rainy season and shrank throughout the summer. According to the study, the Shola pockets were home to a wide variety of fern species, and as altitude rose, so did species richness and diversity. The investigation came to the conclusion that the Shola pockets’ fern flora in Kolli Hills was distinctive and valuable for conservation. The study’s findings can serve as a starting point for further investigations into the area’s fern flora and the creation of conservation plans for the distinctive and varied flora of the Shola pockets.