Ecology, distribution mapping and population structure of Trichopus zeylanicus subsp. travancoricus (Arogyapacha)

Trichopus zeylanicus subsp. travancoricus (Bedd.) Burkill ex K. Narayanan (Arogyapacha) is an ethnomedically important perennial herb with a restricted distribution in the southern Western Ghats, India. Habitat specifications reveal that suitable areas for this species occur at elevations ranging from 100 to 1000 m above sea level. A study was conducted to gain insights into the ecology, distribution mapping and population structure of T. zeylanicus subsp. travancoricus in the Western Ghats. The spatial distribution of this endemic species showed significant variations among populations. Seven populations were identified, exhibiting large and small distributional patches, even within a single population. Anthropogenic activities and climate-related shifts in ecophysiology have impacted seed dispersal, canopy gap formation and seedling mortality, altering vegetation composition. Observations indicated a disturbed ecological niche, fragmented habitat and patchy occurrence of this species. The vegetation data for T. zeylanicus subsp. travancoricus showed significant variations among the seven populations. The Kulathupuzha population exhibited higher recruitment rates and density than others. Canopy cover analysis revealed that populations with closed canopies influenced seedling recruitment and density. However, populations with moderately closed canopies displayed variable characteristics, with Kulathupuzha standing out for its higher recruitment rate and reproductive capacity.