The study looks at ways to manage grass dominance in savannahs

Subject: Environment

Section: Ecosystem

Context:

A study from the Eastern Ghats highlights the dominance of native Cymbopogon grass (lemongrass) in a mesic savannah ecosystem and probes the causes and control measures to take it back to the desired or historical state to preserve biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Cymbopogon grass (lemongrass):

Cymbopogon is a C4 grass or a warm-season grass that needs plenty of sunlight and is heat and fire-tolerant.
It is a genus of Asian, African, Australian, and tropical island plants in the grass family.
Some species (particularly Cymbopogon citratus) are commonly cultivated as culinary and medicinal herbs because of their scent, resembling that of lemons (Citrus limon).
In India, C. citratus is used as a medical herb and in perfumes. It is consumed as a tea for anxiety in Brazilian folk medicine.
The grass contains oil and the dominance of such inflammable grass can result in more frequent, large fires that do not favour the biodiversity and the ecosystem.
Savannah ecosystems have existed in India for over a million years.
Fire is an integral part of the management of savannahs. Dry ecosystems like savannahs depend on fire to recycle biomass.