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Plant Invasion Ecology of an Indo-Burma Hot spot region along the Disturbance Gradient: A case study

Author Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Environmental Science, Mizoram University, Aizawl, INDIA

Int. Res. J. Environment Sci., Volume 4, Issue (3), Pages 108-114, March,22 (2015)

Abstract

Plant invasion is the priority threat to global biodiversity and hence deleterious to both ecology and economy of any nation. Invasive plants or weeds transmogrify the landscapes of urban forests and duly affect its phytosociology as well as diversity of native species in a complex intricate manner. Various hypotheses have been proposed to understand the basic mechanism of succession in order to device sustainable management strategy, however, no one describe it in its totality. Present case study was performed in urban forests of Aizawl, Mizoram, North East India falling under an Indo-Burma hot spot region of existing ecological relevance and pristine environment. Phytosociolology of invasive weeds and soil attributes (pH, soil moisture, soil respiration) or resources (organic matter, C, N, K) were analyzed along a disturbance gradient. Ageratum conizoides was the widest occurring invasive weed which was recorded at all the three sites along the disturbance gradient. Organic matter, soil carbon, soil moisture, soil respiration, soil nitrogen; soil pH was recorded highest at disturbed sites which may be responsible for highest diversity of weeds. Results concluded that high intensity of disturbance and plenty of soil resources may facilitate the site ripe for plant invasion.

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