The Western Ghats, one of 35 global biodiversity hotspots with the exceptional biodiversity of endemic flora and fauna: 4,600 species of flowering plants with 38% endemics, 330 butterflies with 11% endemics, 197 reptiles with 52% endemics, 529 birds with 4% endemics, 161 mammals with 9% endemics, 343 fishes with 31% endemics and 248 amphibians with 62% endemics. The Western Ghats with increasing dry period northwards, exhibit a progressive decline in tree endemics from south to the north. Of the 320 tree species considered endemic, 85% occur at 8-10° N, which receive maximum of 8-10 months of rainfall. At 10-12 °N, the region has 71% endemics, 43% in 12-14 °N, 22% in 14-16 °N, 17% in 16-18 °N and only 9% tree endemics north of 18° (the locality with only 3-4 rainy months). The rich biodiversity coupled with higher endemism is due to the humid tropical climate, topographical and geological characteristics, and geographical isolation (Arabian Sea to the west and the semiarid Deccan Plateau to the east). 

Most of tree endemism is among the evergreen species and hardly any among the deciduous. The connection of the Indian subcontinent with the Gondwana land in the geological ages, subsequently drifted northward through the  equatorial region, breaking away from Madagascar and collision with Eurasia with the rise of Himalayas. This region is endowed with rich diversity of plants of varied lineages, from Gondwana landmasses to Eurasia. However, with the rise of Himalayas the climate became drier in most of the Indian plains causing disappearance of most evergreen forests. The Western Ghats became a refugia for several endemics due to prevailing higher rainfall and humid conditions in some pockets (Karanth, 2003; Prasad et al., 2009; Daniels, 2003; Gururaja, 2004; Sreekantha et al., 2007).

This publication mainly based on field investigations in the mosaic of landscape elements of central Western Ghats (Uttara Kannada and Shimoga districts), deals with the select forest trees, representing forest types from evergreen to dry deciduous and diverse habitats (Myristica swamps to rocky terrain). Trees were chosen so as to represent the respective ecosystems, their ecological roles in the system, endemism and rarity. Dipterocarpus indicus and Vateria indica are representatives of the primary forests, especially sacred groves; others such as Olea dioica, Polyalthia fragrans and Terminalia paniculata are common trees. The chosen trees represent the diverse elements from the mosaic of landscape elements, shaped through millennia of human impact. Information is compiled from  different sources and serves to act as a vegetation guide to trees for those involved in ecological field investigations.

Person interested in core forests of the humid western portions of the Western Ghats would find high percentage of endemic trees, much different from the situation in the eastern fringes of the Ghats bordering the drier Deccan Plateau, with more deciduous elements and hardly any endemics. Such elements are present in the secondary forests and savannas of high rainfall areas as well, the results of centuries of human impact. The manual will benefit beginners than professional taxonomists; for the latter anyway, we are engaged in more detailed floristic compositions.

The importance of a pictorial flora
Floristic works of the region in the bygone times mainly targeted professional taxonomists and teachers of botany, because of their descriptiveness using scientific terminology and reliance more on floral and fruit characteristics and other subtle characters used to distinguish closely related species. Our focus here is on easier field identification techniques based on more of obvious, morphological and vegetative characters, often represented pictorially. Due to their descriptive nature and liberal use of scientific jargon, and less illustrations, despite their great benefits to professional botanists and ecologists, such works hardly ever are enthusing amateur naturalists and students. Therefore, many classical works such as the Flora of Presidency of Bombay (Cooke, T. 1901-1908), Forest Flora of Bombay Presidency and Sind (Talbot, W.A. 1906-1911),  Flora of Karnataka (C. J. Saldanha (1984-1996) seldom find any takers these days. This is the background for our introduction of the current work.
The central Western Ghats region, encompassing diverse array of ecosystems and habitats, is one of the most well studied regions, and has been attracting more professionals and amateurs interested in flora, medicinal plants, forestry, ecological studies etc.   Recent discoveries of several species from the region, as altogether new species (eg. the tree Semecarpus kathalekanensis, (Dasappa and Swaminath, 2000) the climber Friesodielsia sahyadrica (Page & Surveswaran, 2014) or as range extensions towards the north– of the highly threatened southern Western Ghat species (like the trees Madhuca bourdillonii and Syzygium travancoricum, herbs like Fimbristylis pubisquama Kern and Schoenoplectus grossus (L. f.)Palla Isachne pulchella,Roth ex R. & S, Dimeria avenacea (Chandran et al., 2008; Krishnakumar & Shenoy, 2006; Rao et al., 2011, 2012) etc., have captured greater attention of botanists.

The habitat indicator species, characterising any particular locality might indicate pristine habitats, recovering habitats after interventions in the past, or habitats getting impacted by humans to varied degrees. Forest encroachments, biomass extractions, developmental interventions, increasing networks of roads, excessive grazing by livestock, monoculture plantations etc. have been impacting the vegetation. Various indicator species resultant of such interventions have been paid some attention along with species from pristine habitats like Myristica swamps, well-preserved sacred groves, riparian forests etc. For this manual altogether 128 forest tree species of mainly Uttara Kannada, most also occurring in Shimoga district are given focus.  These are pictorially grouped on the basis of easily identifiable morphological characters. For most trees, photographs are given of bark, twig, leaves, flower, fruits, seeds etc., for easier identification. Additionally furnished are details of tree phenology, ecology and threat status, wherever possible. Taluk-wise distribution of tree species (in Uttara Kannada district) is also provided.

How to use the manual
Standing below high statured evergreen trees such as of Calophyllum polyanthum, Lophopetalum wightianum or Ficus nervosa, with no flower or fruit easily available, nor visible, the student might find it hard to use the conventional floras for identification. Therefore we have focused more on vegetative characters for preparing the keys and for descriptions. The buttresses, stilt roots, bark, exudations etc. are features readily available for any tree. Therefore, most beginners and amateurs will be benefitted from the current work which spares them also from for carrying bulky, descriptive floras during arduous treks in the forest.  Back in the headquarters such floras could be consulted for confirmation and further verification, as this manual is in no way replacement for classical floras. We have also made efforts to incorporate few lines on ecology and utilities of the species concerned. We have continued the tradition of botanical terminology as such terms are more apt expressions of the characters than the routine language. However, a complete glossary of technical terms with appropriate illustrations is provided for ready reference.
Trees have been grouped based on easily recognisable differences between them, based on in 14 different morphological characters. For the first few groups, characters like bark, wood thorns etc. are given importance in arriving at identification. Fragrance or smell of the wood is important in field identification, for which one may be required to make a small incision in the wood. Presence of any thorns or spines is useful for narrowing the choices of species. On may, thereafter, move to fragrance and latex or sap giving important clues for identification. Tree identification, inside a dense forest, using such vegetative characters becomes an art through more of experience.
When characters from bark, wood latex etc., do not match with the species one can move to twigs or leaves. Leaves are easily available material for identification; fallen leaves or twigs can be collected from the ground, from lower branches or large saplings. Thereafter, based on the venation, whether the tree has 3 or more veins from the leaf base, or whether the leaves are arranged in whorls at nodes and similar easily and readily available features like simple or compound leaves are taken into consideration in preparing the keys.  One may then proceed to simple or compound leaf group finally leading to the exact species.

Some of the things to be considered are:

1. Start identifying the tree from first group (Thorns/spines on stem) and follow the group as given in the manual.
2. In case of characters not so well pronounced, as for instance Euonymus indicus leaf having few serrations towards the tip, giving the appearance of leaf with entire margin at the outset, it is placed under Simple-opposite-entire leaf group.
3. While using leaves for identification, leaves from larger trees are to be used. For eg. Artocarpus hirsutus has different leaf shapes and sizes in saplings than in adults.
4. When a tree has two prominent vegetative characters such as clustered leaves and milky latex, the more readily recognised and striking character has been used for differentiation.
5. After entering a broad category the search can be narrowed down and confirmed by other easily visible or felt field characters- aroma or sticky bark for instance which are provided in Field identification section for each species.
6. Palms are placed separately.

Abbreviations used:
Forest type: EV-Evergreen, SE-Semi-evergreen, MD-Moist deciduous, DD-Dry deciduous, SS-Scrub-savanna, FO-Forest opening, RI-Riparian (along streams and rivers).
Fl & Fr (Flowering & Fruiting)- January (J), February (F), March (M), April (A), May (M), June (J), July (J), August (A), September (S), October (O), November (N), December (D).
Uses: Me-Medicinal, Ed-Edible, Or-Ornamental, Av-Avenue, OU-Other uses.
Endemism: WG-Western Ghat endemic, BE-Broader endemic (India-Sri Lanka).
Ecosys. Value (Ecosystem value)- Wi-Wild life importance
IUCN (Threat status):  Cr-Critically Endangered, En-Endangered, Vu-Vulnerable.
Distribution in Uttara Kannada district: BH-Bhatkal, HO-Honnavar, KU-Kumta, AN-Ankola, KW-Karwar, YE-Yellapur, SR-Sirsi, SI-Siddapur, MU-Mundgod, HA-Haliyal, JO-Joida.

Acknowledgement

We acknowledge the financial support from (i) NRDMS Division, The Ministry of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, (ii) The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, GoI and (iii) Indian Institute of Science. We thank Mr. Akhil C A and Mr. Ganesh Shet for the scientific works and Illustrations. We also thank  Dr. Balachandran, Dr. Prakash Mesta and Mrs. Gayatri  Naik for technical assistance and Srikanth Naik for assistance during the field work.

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