NAME: MD KAUSAHR
COURSE:BCOM(PROG.)
SEMESTER:IIIRD
RLL NO-11515
SUBJECT-AEC (EVS)
SECTION-A
Biological invasion with reference to Indian diversity
Biological Invasion: are a major force of change, affecting many dimensions of
life on Earth. Invasions result when species colonize new geographic regions,
which are disjunct (isolated) from existing populations. Humans have
dramatically altered invasion dynamics, especially with the global expansion of
trade in modern times.
Status and distribution of
invasive plant species in India
Biological Species / Invasive Spices /India
Lantana camara (common lantana) is a species of flowering plant within
the verbena family (Verbenaceae) native to the American tropics. It is a very adaptable
species, which can inhabit a wide variety of ecosystems; once it has been introduced into a
habitat it spreads rapidly; between 45ºN and 45ºS and more than 1,400 metres (4,600 feet) in
altitude.
Parthenium hysterophorus is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is
native to the American tropics. Common names include Santa-Maria, Santa Maria
feverfew, white top weed, and famine weed.[5] In India, it is locally known as carrot
grass, congress grass or gajar ghas or dhanura. It is a common invasive species in
India, Australia, and parts of Africa.
Mimosa pigra commonly known as the giant sensitive tree (pigra = lazy, slow), is a species
of plant of the genus Mimosa, in the family Fabaceae The genus Mimosa (Mimosaceae)
contains 400–450 species, most of which are native to South America. M. pigra is a
woody shrub native to tropical America but which has now become widespread throughout
the tropics. It has been listed as one of the world's 100 worst invasive species and forms
dense, thorny, impenetrable thickets, particularly in wet areas.
Hypothenemus hampei the coffee berry borer, is a small beetle native to Africa. It is the
most harmful insect pest of coffee worldwide. Spanish common names of the insect
include barrenador del café (coffee borer) Gorgojo del café (coffee weevil), and broca del
café (coffee drill).
Top invasive species are blooming in India despite climate change.
Invasive plants such as Lantana camara and Chromolaena odorata are emerging as
a serious threat, especially to natural and agricultural landscapes.
Control and eradication measures will further drive up economic losses already being
incurred as invasives overtake habitats.
Experts suggest green bonds be leveraged to control invasive species.
Invasive plant species threaten 66 percent of India’s natural areas
Invasive plant species management in India has historically been constrained by a lack of
information regarding the spread of invasions. So to combat this, scientists from the Wildlife
Institute of India were forced to come up with a unique solution.
They decided to integrate an invasive plant assessment with India’s national assessment of tiger
populations, taking place every four years and monitoring 358,000 km2 of natural areas. A mobile
app was used to sample 158,000 plots of land, ultimately revealing that 66 percent of wilderness
areas had been invaded by invasive plant species, including Lantana camara, Prosopis
juliflora, and Chromolaena odorata.
Professor Qamar Qureshi from the Wildlife Institute of India explains “The tiger project was
intended to monitor the changing status of the animals and their habitat. Plant invasions end up
altering these habitats and revealing intricate ecological changes. In the end, it just made sense to
monitor both plants and tigers simultaneously”
Why is there so much plant invasion?
India’s legacy of human modifications, historical propagation of
invasive plants, shifting soil moisture regime, and altered cycles of
natural disturbances are amongst the leading drivers that likely
facilitate invasions.
India has one of the world’s highest population densities. Therefore,
demand for food, energy and infrastructure are poised to intensify,
potentially escalating the already rampant invasions even more.
How can we solve the problem of invasive plants?
Using the date collected in the national-scale invasive plant
assessment, the researchers developed a model to identify priority
restoration sites, namely those where invasions are in their initial
stages, with preference for those within already protected areas.
Protecting these sites requires less investment and intervention, while
still delivering promising biodiversity returns.
Professor Y V Jhala, also from the Wildlife Institute of India, says
“Personal judgements are often used to select and manage invasive
species and areas. Without understanding the ecological or landscape-
scale context of invasions, such investments rarely achieve the
objective of ecological restoration. Using our strategic prioritisation
plan can ensure that limited resources are invested in a manner that
maximizes long-term biodiversity gains”.
