South Asian evergreen forests: some thoughts towards biogeographic reevaluation

This preliminary review of the biogeography of the wet evergreen forests of South Asia reveals wide differences between the forests of southwest Sri Lanka and the Western Ghats. These are discussed in historical and ecological contents. Differences in flotistics and community classification are amplified by comparing the similar differences that occur in contiguous forests north and south of the Kan-gar-Pattani Line in the southern Isthmus of Kera. Although historical factors, including an ancient and continuing climatic barrier between the Ghatand Lankan wet forests are recognized, the massive effects of the presence of a dry season in the Ghats, and differences in geomorphologyand soil; are particularly stressed. Several important gaps in knowledge are identified for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]