Observations on debarking of trees by elephants in Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka

Abstract

Elephants play an important role in the dynamics of forest vegetation by trampling and debarking. Indirect observations on debarking of trees in Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary were made in three vegetation types along transects for one month. The study indicated that 14 species were commonly debarked by elephants among which the maximum number of debarked trees were from dry deciduous forests (68) followed by moist deciduous (46) and scrub jungles (12). Depending upon the extent of debarking the mortality rate of trees may vary.