Ecological niche modeling of salacia species in western ghats

Occurrence and distributional studies of Salacia beddomei, S. macrosperma and S. gambleana were carried out in six districts of Central Western Ghats of Karnataka region. Various bio-climatic variables such as mean temperature, annual precipitation etc., were used to identify the potential geographical distribution of Salacia using DIVA-GIS application. Study identified 23, 22 and 25populations of S. beddomei, S. macrosperma and S. gambleana respectively in Central Western Ghats. The crest line and high rainfall Western hilly slopes of Western Ghats were predicted to be highly suitable for the species, suggesting a high habitat-specificity and restricted distribution of Salacia. These predicted areas could be taken as best ecological niche for the conservation of species through species recovery programme.