Invasive succulents in Southern Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India

P Muthulakshmipechiammal,A Rajendran

doi:10.21472/bjbs.051111

P Muthulakshmipechiammal, A Rajendran

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.21472/bjbs.051111

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Abstract

The present article reports a total of 42 invasive succulents identified from Southern Western Ghats. Majority of the species are from Tropical America (14 species), South America (9 species), Southern Africa (3 species) and the rest from other countries. A quick inventory and plant identification networks are needed for early detection of naturalized weed in order to control the spread of invasive plant species.

Highlights

Invasive alien species decreases the diversity of native fauna, flora and ecosystem functions negatively and it changes the composition of native populations and communities. (Elton, 1958; Vitousek, 1986)
Threat to native biodiversity by invasive alien species was greater than environmental pollution and it was assessed as the primary cause of global biodiversity loss (Reddy et al, 2008)
On a global scale the potential damage by invasive alien species to native species and ecosystems may be as severe as the impact due to habitat loss and degradation (IUCN 2000)

Summary

Introduction

Invasive alien species decreases the diversity of native fauna, flora and ecosystem functions negatively and it changes the composition of native populations and communities. (Elton, 1958; Vitousek, 1986). Threat to native biodiversity by invasive alien species was greater than environmental pollution and it was assessed as the primary cause of global biodiversity loss (Reddy et al, 2008). On a global scale the potential damage by invasive alien species to native species and ecosystems may be as severe as the impact due to habitat loss and degradation (IUCN 2000). Some naturalized species disperse and produce viable offspring in areas distant from the sites of introduction Their natural distribution and get introduced to the new ecosystem which has increased its spread in the new location, displacing the local biota and threatens native biological diversity (Saxena, 1991; Keane and Crawley, 2002). The significance of the Western Ghats is that along with its rich biodiversity, it supports a rich environment-dependent civilization of several thousand years

Materials and methods

Result and discussions

20 Drymaria cordata Caryophyllaceae

Findings

41 Trianthema