Research Article | Published: 01 September 2009

Effects of Lantana camara invasion on plant biodiversity and soil erosion in a forest watershed in lower Himalayas, India

Pawan Sharma, Prem Singh and A. K. Tiwari

Indian Journal of Forestry | Volume: 32 | Issue: 3 | Page No. 369-374 | 2009
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54207/bsmps1000-2009-5ZOUGX | Cite this article

Abstract

Establishment of a forest watershed using bioengineering conservation measures resulted in gradual decrease in soil loss from 37 Mg ha -1 yr-1 to just 1.0 Mg ha-1 yr-1 during the period 1964 to 1985. This reducing trend however reversed after the invasion and proliferation of Lantana camara causing a change in vegetation during the period 1990-2000. Lantana camara and Murraya koenigii became the most dominant plants with highest Importance Value Index (IVI), while many native shrubs like Nyctanthes abortristis, Adhatoda vasica, Carissa opaca and Rubus biflorus drastically declined during this period. L. camara attained the highest biomass, causing drastic reduction in the grass biomass. The IVI of Acacia catechu and Caesalpinia sepiaria increased, while that of Dalbergia sissoo, Acacia nilotica, and Acacia modesta decreased. There was a reduction in evenness index and Shannon index of diversity, while the Simpson index of dominance has increased during this period. The native vegetation like Randia dumatorum, Grewia optiva, and Acacia leucophloea showed a negative inter-specific interaction with L. camara.

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How to cite

Sharma, P., Singh, P. and Tiwari, A.K., 2009. Effects of Lantana camara invasion on plant biodiversity and soil erosion in a forest watershed in lower Himalayas, India. Indian Journal of Forestry, 32(3), pp.369-374. https://doi.org/10.54207/bsmps1000-2009-5ZOUGX

Publication History

Manuscript Published on 01 September 2009

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