This ecoregion is part of the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot and plays a crucial role as the source for a majority of large rivers and streams across the southern peninsula. This region receives between 2500 to over 7000 mm of rainfall per annum with 7 – 10 months of the year having a majority of rainy days. The dominant vegetation type includes multi-storeyed, tall evergreen forests with high plant diversity and density, and high rates of endemism. The storeys are made up of the emergent canopy (40 – 60 m), the main canopy (20 – 35 m), the subcanopy and the understorey. The forests have low-, middle- and high-elevation types, with plant community varying from south to north.