Effect of invasive plant, Prosopis juliflora on tree diversity in the southern tropical thorn forest of Western Ghats, India

Abstract

ABSTRACT The spread of invasive alien species (IAS) affects the conservation of tropical forest ecosystems. This study assessed the effect of Prosopis juliflora, an invasive species, on the tree diversity in the southern tropical thorn forest of Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS), a protected area in the southern Western Ghats, Kerala, India. The results showed a significant difference in the diversity of mature tree species between invaded and uninvaded areas. The P. juliflora invaded area has less tree diversity than P. juliflora non-invaded area only in the mature tree phase. Examining the relationship between the abundance of P. juliflora and tree diversity (r = -0.59), the study revealed a negative relationship between the biotic components. There is a need to eradicate P. juliflora from CWS for the conservation of biodiversity.