Invasive plant species threaten 66% of India’s natural systems

  • October 7, 2023
  • Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
  • Category: DPN Topics
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Invasive plant species threaten 66% of India’s natural systems

Subject: Environment

Section: Biodiversity

Context:

  • About 66 per cent of the country’s natural systems are threatened with invasive species, according to the report published in the Journal of Applied Ecology.

Details of the study:

  • The study offered the first account indicating distribution status of high-concern invasive plants spread across the country.
  • The findings are a result of a national-level survey conducted in India.

Key findings:

  • The 11 high-concern invasive plant species that showed presence in 20 states of the country included Lantana camara, Prosopis juliflora and Chromolaena odorata.
  • The economic loss due to biological invasions would cost the Indian economy up to $182.6 billion.
  • The data indicated that invasive cover increases with temperatures up to a threshold and declines with increasing rainfall, seasonal vegetation opening and human modification index.
    • Human modification index is based on 13 anthropogenic sensors that provide a cumulative measure on impact of the human modification of terrestrial lands across the globe.

Spread and threats of Invasive Alien Species (IAS):

  • Susceptibility to invasive species: Highest in Savannas (87%), followed by moist grasslands (72%), dry deciduous forests (72%) and evergreen forests (least susceptible at 42%).
  • The suitability of individual alien plants and its drivers varies for each species.
  • Some invasive species are: Prosopis juliflora, Senna tora, Xanthium strumarium, Mesosphaerum suaveolens, Mikania micrantha and Ageratina adenophora.
  • Invasive species that have invaded most are: Lantana camara (Maximum expanse at 50%), Mikania micrantha (least expanse at 13%).
  • Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in Western Ghats was one of the largest impacted hotspot areas due to invasion dominated by Lantana camara, Prosopis juliflora and Chromolaena odorata. 
  • Southern Eastern Ghats were found to host the most densely invaded landscapes with maximum vegetation of Prosopis juliflora and Lantana camara.
  • Central Indian Highlands: Invaded along the ecocline between dry and moist systems by Prosopis juliflora.

Causes of these invasions:

  • Human modifications, shifting soil moisture regime, historical propagation of invasive plants and altered cycles of natural disturbances.
  • Human modifications include: Increasing work population densities and proportional increase of demand for food, infrastructure, energy and socio-ecological drivers.

Source: DownToEarth

Environment Invasive plant species threaten 66% of India’s natural systems