Plant Species Composition and Diversity in Tropical Dry Mixed- Deciduous Forest of Telangana, India

Tropical dry deciduous forests (TDDF) are among the most threatened ecosystems in India, yet they play a critical role in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem service provision. The present study assessed the structure, composition, and diversity of plant species in the Narsapur Reserve Forest (NRF), Medak District, Telangana, India. The objective of the study was to document floral diversity to support management interventions and enhance ecosystem services. Thirty transects (250 m × 4 m) and 180 quadrats (1×1 m) were laid to record trees, shrubs, herbs, grasses, and climbers between March 2021 and February 2022. A total of 13,601 woody individuals (81 species, 31 families) and 4,881 herbaceous individuals (59 species, 26 families) were recorded, representing 140 species across 51 families. Cleistanthus collinus and Chloroxylon swietenia dominated the woody stratum, while Justicia micrantha was most abundant in the herbaceous layer. Diversity indices revealed higher species richness and evenness among trees and shrubs compared to the herbaceous community. The stand structure indicates low abundance of large and canopy forming trees. Ensuring protection and preventing biotic pressure in post-monsoon phase may support survival of seedlings and regeneration of canopy forming trees such as Terminalia spp., Madhuca longifolia, Boswellia serrata, Albizia procera and improve overall structure. The findings highlight the ecological significance of NRF and underline the need for regulating anthropogenic disturbances, controlling invasive species, and maintaining canopy cover to sustain biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. These results provide a baseline for developing effective conservation and management strategies in TDDF landscapes.