DISTRIBUTION, DENSITY AND ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF BRYOPHYTES OF G.MADUGULA FOREST DIVISION, EASTERN GHATS OF INDIA

Abstract

Bryophytes are primitive group without much differentiation of the plant parts and vascular tissues. This group is received little attention from the researchers and scientists of Eastern Ghats of India. Present communication deals with the species composition, density and economic importance of Bryophytes in G.Madugula forest division of Eastern Ghats of India. Studies were made for a period of one year from January 2012 to December 2012. Quadrate method was used for collection of numerical data and a total of 60 quadrate samples were collected in different seasons of the year. In the present study a total of 10 species belonging to six families have been reported. Maximum abundance was reported for the species Polytrichum densiflorum. Medicinal and economic importance of these species was also discussed.