Invasive plant species in indian protected areas: conserving biodiversity in cultural landscapes

Hiremath, Ankila J. and Sundaram, Bharath (2013) Invasive plant species in indian protected areas: conserving biodiversity in cultural landscapes. In: Plant Invasions in Protected Areas. Springer India, New Delhi, pp. 241-266. ISBN 9789400777491

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Abstract

Invasive plant species in Indian protected areas have received relatively little attention until recently. This may partly be due to a historical emphasis on wildlife protection, rather than on a broader science-based approach to conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. A literature review of invasive plant species in India showed that nearly 60 % of all studies have been done since 2000, and only about 20 % of all studies are from protected areas. Studies from protected areas have largely focused on a small subset of invasive alien plants, and almost half these studies are on a single species, Lantana camara, probably reflecting the species’ ubiquitous distribution. The spread of alien plants in India has been both ecologically and human mediated. Efforts to manage plant invasions have, in the past, been diluted by the ambivalence of managers attempting to find beneficial uses for these species. Despite growing knowledge about the harmful impacts of certain invasive plants on native species and ecosystems, their deliberate spread has continued, even till quite recently. And, despite the successful implementation of management initiatives in some protected areas, these efforts have not expanded to other areas. The lack of a national coordinated effort for invasive species monitoring, research, and management largely underlies this.

Item Type:	Book Section
Authors:	Hiremath, Ankila J. and Sundaram, Bharath
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Invasive alien species, Lantana camara, Management, Prosopis juliflora.
Subjects:	Social sciences > Economics > Economics of land & energy Natural Sciences > Life sciences; biology > Ecology
Divisions:	Azim Premji University > School of Development
Full Text Status:	Restricted
Related URLs:	Google Scholar
URI:	http://publications.azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/id/eprint/311
Publisher URL:	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7750-7_12

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