Impact of invasive alien plant species on aquatic biodiversity of Koshi Tappu Wetlands : Ramsar Site, Nepal

Abstract

Invasive Alien Species (IAS) are the species which have the capacity to compete with native species outside their geographical origin (CBD, 1992). IAS are of great concern for conservationists and natural resource managers because of their rapid spreading nature, competitiveness and capability to colonize in new areas within short time period (Rejmánek and Richardson, 1996). These species primarily gain entry into new geographic areas through human activities, environmental disturbances, deforestation and forest degradation, and forest fire which promotes the establishment of the species (Early et al., 2016; McNeely, 2001). IAS have negative consequences to native species and ecosystem services (MEA, 2005) by predation, Impact of invasive alien plant species on aquatic biodiversity of Koshi Tappu Wetlands : Ramsar Site, Nepal