EXTRACTION OF NON-TIMBER FOREST PRODUCTS IN THE FORESTS OF BILIGIRI RANGAN HILLS, INDIA - 5 - INFLUENCE OF DISPERSAL MODE ON SPECIES RESPONSE TO ANTHROPOGENIC PRESSURES

We examined the response of forest tree species with different dispers al modes to anthropogenic pressure ill ct dry deciduous forest of Sout h India. The species and their populations were sampled in two forest stands, one in proximity. to a Soliga settlement (greater disturbance) and the other distant to the settlement (lower disturbance). Our resu lts suggest that the populations of animal dispersed species than thos e of wind or passively dispersed species are more vulnerable to human disturbance. In fact wind dispersed species seem ro be facilitated by human disturbances. The proximal site hrm a higher representation of u nderstory plants and seedling belonging to wind dispersed species than that of animal dispersed species. We discuss the results in the conte st of the the of dispersal mode in shaping species response, and veget ation composition of forest to anthropogenic pressures.