Abstract
Parthenium hysterophorus is an alien annual herb that aggressively threatens biodiversity of Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP) in Uganda. Occurrence, abundance and impact of P. hysterophorus on plant species diversity were examined. An observational inspection survey assessed the occurrence of P. hysterophorus while Quadrats sampled vegetation in P. hysterophorus invaded and uninvaded sites of Mweya Peninsula and along Kazinga Channel Track. Plant species richness, dominance, evenness and diversity of invaded and uninvaded sites were statistically different at P < 0.05. Species richness (R) and dominance (D) were higher in invaded sites (R = 58, D = 0.62) than uninvaded sites (P = 0.043; R = 39, P = 0.04; D = 0.46). Consequently, species diversity of other plants became less (1-D = 0.38) in invaded than uninvaded (P = 0.039;1-D = 0.55). Also, P. hysterophorus significantly starts to reduce species diversity and richness at very low levels of abundances, as low as (4.6%) and (7.7%), respectively, and dominates at a relatively higher level (40.2%). It was concluded that P. hysterophorus in QENP, negatively affects the plant species diversity at low levels of abundances through dominance. Key words: Parthenium hysterophorus, environmental impact, species abundance, species richness, weed spread.
Highlights
Parthenium hysterophorus is an alien annual herb that belongs to the Asteraceae family (Meena et al, 2017)
From the survey with the invasive species management committee, the hot spots for P. hysterophorus were found to be motor-mechanical workshops, water drainage trenches, campsites, homesteads, trash burning sites located in Mweya Peninsula and spots along Kazinga channel track
It is evident that incoming vehicles were the most probable means of introduction of P. hysterophorus in these areas and its spread was further enhanced by crisscrossing of more vehicles
Summary
Parthenium hysterophorus is an alien annual herb that belongs to the Asteraceae family (Meena et al, 2017). It was concluded that P. hysterophorus in QENP, negatively affects the plant species diversity at low levels of abundances through dominance. The occurrence and abundance of P. hysterophorus and its impact on plant species diversity of QENP were documented.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
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 call