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| Mesquite (Prosopis juliflora) - Deccan Herald |
There are some species of plants or animals that seem to take over everything in their path! They’re like uninvited guests who overstay their welcome and eat all the snacks! Nature’s bullies!
They are called invasive species -- organisms, such as plants, animals, fungi, or even pests that find themselves in a new environment and wreak havoc on the local ecosystem.
They outcompete native species for resources, reduce biodiversity, and even alter habitats.
HOW THEY GET HERE
In this globalised world, no one is cut off from others. There is a constant movement of people and goods. Trade, travel, and even gardening bring these species to new places.
They could hitch a ride on cars, trains, planes, ships. Other times, they’re introduced intentionally for ornamental or agricultural purposes. Once they settle in, they spread like wildfire.
SEVERAL OF THEM IN BENGALURU
In Bengaluru, some of the invasive species are Prosopis juliflora (Mesquite), Lantana camara, and Eichhornia crassipes (Water Hyacinth).
According to a report by Paani.Earth, a group that helps with sustainable management of river resources, nearly half of the lakebeds in areas like Hesaraghatta are now covered with invasive shrubs and trees planted by the Karnataka Forest Department to prevent encroachment.
WHY WORRY ABOUT THEM
Invasive species have economic consequences.
For instance, agricultural pests like the fall armyworm have devastated maize crops in Karnataka since 2018. The cost of cultivation had gone up by ₹3,600 per hectare as the small farmers had to invest more pesticides.
Native plants like neem, mango, jamun, and banyan trees not only support local fauna but also have medicinal value. Replacing them with exotic species reduces these benefits while increasing maintenance costs for ecosystems.
WHAT CAN BE DONE
- Residents should prioritise native plants over exotic ones to help restore balance in the ecosystem.
- Local authorities should conduct risk assessments of invasive species and take proactive measures to remove them from sensitive areas like lakebeds.
- Policies should discourage planting invasive species for ornamental purposes or fuelwood harvesting.
- Efforts should focus on conserving native biodiversity through afforestation programmes that favour indigenous plants.
So, next time when you are planning your garden or supporting a tree-planting drive, ask yourself: Is this plant helping or hurting the local ecosystem.
Keep the place green, in every way!
(This post is part of the A to Z Challenge. The theme is environment)
Hari Om
ReplyDeleteOh yes, this is a global issue. In Australia there is a strong battle against all sorts of invasive species. Here in Scotland, one of the biggies is, ironically, an invader from the sub-continent... the Rhododendron! In its native Himalayan habitat it is nothing but beautiful and useful. Here, it has overridden woodlands where our own natives such as Silverbirch and Rowan would otherwise have thrived. And like so many who invade, they are proving very difficult to remove! YAM xx
Ah yes, invasive species. A threat everywhere. Although, what you would call invasive I might not, but that's the joy of our wonderful, diverse world. Location matters.
ReplyDeleteHi Pradeep ... oh yes - invasive species ... on Vancouver Island, and I'm sure along that east coast of north America, the gorse spread is awful - brought in via early trade in the 1700s - as the world as we know today was explored ... it came in via a ship from the Hawaii Islands. Sadly they're not helpful ... as Yam mentions Rhododendrons they're trying to remove them here ... particularly in Cornwall. I wonder if water hyancinth came in from South America ... it's invasive in South Africa and Africa as whole. We have Japanese Knotweed - native to east Asia - but positively disastrous here. Great post - very timely ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteI agree and am trying to do better. :)
ReplyDeleteI believe lantana is a pest plant species here. It is certainly invasive.
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