The study examines the diversity and ecological distribution of plant life forms in the Guntagola Forest, located in Lingasugur Taluk, Raichur District, Karnataka, India. Using Raunkiaer’s life-form classification system, the research investigates plant adaptation strategies in a semi-arid environment characterized by rocky terrain, sparse vegetation, and limited rainfall. Data were collected through 48 systematically placed 10 m × 10 m quadrats across diverse habitats, including forest patches, grasslands, and rocky outcrops. Species richness, evenness, and spatial distribution were analyzed using GIS tools, and statistical methods were applied to evaluate the relationship between life forms and environmental variables. The results revealed a total of 531 plant species categorized into five major life-form classes: therophytes (243 species, 45.76%), phanerophytes (115 species, 21.66%), chamaephytes (73 species, 13.75%), hemicryptophytes (70 species, 13.18%), and cryptophytes (30 species, 5.65%). A significant deviation from Raunkiaer’s Normal Spectrum was observed, with therophytes being highly dominant due to their adaptation to dry and disturbed conditions. In contrast, phanerophytes and hemicryptophytes showed reduced representation, likely due to habitat disturbance and climatic constraints. Environmental factors such as soil moisture and temperature played a crucial role in shaping the distribution patterns of life forms. This study highlights the ecological significance of plant functional diversity in semi-arid regions and provides a comprehensive overview of life-form adaptations to specific climatic and edaphic conditions. The findings contribute to the understanding of biodiversity in the Guntagola Forest and underscore the need for conservation efforts to maintain ecological balance in this fragile ecosystem. Future research may focus on long-term monitoring of life-form dynamics and the impact of anthropogenic activities on vegetation composition.

Keywords:Plant Life Forms; Raunkiaer Classification; Semi-Arid Ecosystems; Species Diversity; Guntagola Forest; Lingasugur; Raichur; Ecological Adaptation