Impact Assessment of Parthenium Hysterophorus on Commercial Areas of Jalandhar, Punjab

Meena Sharma*; Priya Mahajan; Kanchan

Impact Assessment of Parthenium Hysterophorus on Commercial Areas of Jalandhar, Punjab

2015

Meena Sharma* | Priya Mahajan | Kanchan

An alien plant also referred to as exotic, introduced, foreign, non-indigenous or non-native,is one that has been introduced by humans intentionally or through human agency oraccidentally from one region to another. Loss of plant species is due to these invasiveplants. In India, many invasive exotic weeds have been reported but very little has beendone on IAS in Punjab so far. Parthenium hysterophorus, one of the commonest weed ofPunjab is considered for study as it causes decline in the amount of native species in theinvaded area (commercial area). Impact assessment of Parthenium hysterophorus is done inroadside and wastelands of commercial areas of Jalandhar, Punjab (India) with the help ofground based mapping. There was significant increase in density of invasion, abundanceand dominance in commercial areas and significant decrease in species richness (Margalef’sindex of Richness r1) in invaded areas as compared to non-invaded areas. Total 75 species incommercial areas were noted in roadside and wastelands of Jalandhar. The invasion ofParthenium hysterophorus highly reduced the growth of other useful plant species incommercial areas as comparison to residential areas. They directly or indirectly becomeresponsible for the loss of productivity and diversity of species in the invaded areas. SoP.hysterophorus species drastically alters the structure, function and dynamics of invadedhabitats. Thus, there is an urgent need for the management of these indigenous plants in theinvaded areas under their natural habitats.

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