Invasive Plant Species
WHY IN NEWS ?
About 66 per cent of the country’s natural systems are threatened with invasive species, according to the report.
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- Introduced as an ornamental species and for use as firewood from South and Central America or for paper-making, the species has become highly invasive in the Sigur plateau in both the core and buffer zones of the MTR.
- It has bright yellow flowers and has a negative effect on local biodiversity, crowding out native species and limiting food availability for wildlife.
- Forest Department is formulating a 10-year-plan to systematically remove Lantana camara, the other major weed that poses a threat to biodiversity in both the core and buffer zones of the Tiger Reserve.
5 major invasive species of Nilgiris are:
- Senna spectabilis
- Lantana camara
- wattle
- Eucalyptus
- Pine
- Eucalyptus and Pine, though exotic, do not spread as quickly as the other species and are considered easier to manage
- Funds raised from the removal of the species will be used in eco-restoration to help bring back native species.
What are Invasive Alien Species?
- Invasive alien species, also known as invasive exotic species or non-native species, refer to organisms that have been introduced to regions or ecosystems outside of their native range and have established self-sustaining populations.
- These species often outcompete native species and disrupt the balance of ecosystems, leading to a range of negative impacts.
Impacts of Invasive Alien Species:
- Ecological Impacts: Invasive species can outcompete native species for resources such as food, water, and habitat, leading to a decline or extinction of native species.
- Some invasive species may become predators of native species, causing declines in prey populations.
- These disruptions can have far-reaching consequences for ecosystem stability and resilience.
- Economic Impacts: The annual costs of invasive alien species have quadrupled every decade since 1970. In 2019, the global economic cost of these species exceeded a staggering USD 423 billion annually.
- Species like Zebra mussels can clog water pipes and infrastructure, leading to expensive repairs and maintenance.
International Instruments and Programmes on Invasive Species:
- Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (2022): Governments have committed to reducing the rate of introduction and establishment of invasive alien species by at least 50% by 2030.
- Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD – 1992): Adopted at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, it recognizes invasive alien species as a major threat to the environment, second only to habitat destruction.
SOURCE – THE HINDU
