Abstract
The present study describes the current spread of plant invaders and management efforts at Mihintale, Sri Lanka’s first recorded Wildlife Sanctuary. Among the five land use zones identified, roadside (RS), village (VA) and reservoir associated (RA) zones were subjected to a detailed analysis of diversity and abundance of Invasive Alien Plants (IAP) using stratified random sampling plots of 20 m x 20 m (n=09). Encroachment of IAP into the forested (FO) zone was studied using three 50 m transects established from edge to interior of the forest. The above ground diversity of IAP was assessed via Margalef’s, Shannon –Weiner, Shannon evenness, abundance and important value indices. Aquatic IAP were also identified. Below ground diversity of IAP was estimated by enumerating soil seed banks via seedling establishment method. A questionnaire (n=60) was used to ascertain the invasion history, awareness on IAP, their interference on human activities, uses and control measures adopted by the villagers. Nearly half of the IAP reported for Sri Lanka were present in the Mihintale Sanctuary. Richness of IAP was high in RA but the abundance was high at RS zone. Lantana camara and Chromolaena odorata had the highest spread, extending even >25 m into the forests. Salvinia was the most abundant aquatic IAP. Top soil layer contained the highest number of germinable IAP seeds. The villagers were well aware of the impacts of IAP and indicated their attempts and potential in IAP management. The study revealed that spread of IAP at the Mihintale Sanctuary currently lies at a manageable level. Better awareness among villagers on “do’s and dont’s with IAP” would assist in opening up more opportunities for community participation in effective IAP management. Keywords: Chromolaena odorata, invasive plants, Lantana camara, Mihintale, Salvinia. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/jnsfsr.v40i1.4170 J.Natn.Sci.Foundation Sri Lanka 2012 40 (1):67-76
Highlights
Invasive alien species (IAS), defined as those non- native plants and animals that threaten ecosystems, habitats or species (CBD, 2008) are considered as the second most important agents responsible for biodiversity loss and extinction (Jayasuriya, 2000; Balckburn et al, 2004; Cassey et al, 2004; Gurevitch & Padilla, 2004; Mc Neely & Jeffery, 2004)
A total of 15 Invasive Alien Plants (IAP) belonging to 15 genera and 09 families were identified from the Mihintale Sanctuary
Lantana camara and Chromolaena odorata were identified as aggressive invaders in the Mihintale Sanctuary based on their higher abundance index (AI), reservoir associated (RA) and Importance value index (IVI) values (Tables 2a & b)
Summary
Invasive alien species (IAS), defined as those non- native plants and animals that threaten ecosystems, habitats or species (CBD, 2008) are considered as the second most important agents responsible for biodiversity loss and extinction (Jayasuriya, 2000; Balckburn et al, 2004; Cassey et al, 2004; Gurevitch & Padilla, 2004; Mc Neely & Jeffery, 2004). Thirty plants and thirteen animal species have been identified as IAS in Sri Lanka (Marambe et al, 2002) and their detrimental impacts on several ecosystems have been documented (Amarasinghe, 1999; Bambaradeniya et al, 1999; Algama & Seneviratne, 2000; Pushpakumara et al, 2000). Responding to the principles of CBD, the Government of Sri Lanka implemented a strategy to prevent/minimize adverse impacts of IAS (Ministry of Forestry and Environment, 1999), and as a result national programmes were conducted to control and eradicate
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Journal of the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
