Invasive Alien Plant Species Assessment in Semi-Arid Ecosystems: A Case Study from Southern Haryana, India

Abstract

Forests of Southern Haryana are incredibly rich in medicinally important plant species but anthropogenic activities and invasive alien plant species are putting a huge stress on these forests. In order to comprehend the ecology of invasive alien plant species, the current study was carried out in the semi-arid forests of Southern Haryana districts, namely Charkhi Dadri and Mahendergarh. During the study, different analytical parameters were calculated such as density(D), basal area (B.A) and importance value index(IVI) along with different diversity indices such as Shannon-weiner index(H'), Simpson index(CD), Pielou index(d) and Margalef index(E). A total of 19 alien plants were recorded with family Asteraceae dominating with 5 species followed by family Solanaceae and Malvaceae. Some of the alien plants were turned out as deadly invasive such as Parthenium hysterophorus, Prosopis juliflora, Chenopodium murale and Croton bonplandianus with high value of IVI, affecting the survival and growth of important native plant species. Thus, the present study is carried out in the field of phytosociology in forests of Southern Haryana. Appropriate strategies must be implemented in this direction to retain the natural ecology of the area.