Potential impact of climate change on the distribution of six invasive alien plants in Nepal

Shrestha, Uttam Babu; Sharma, Krishna Prasad; Devkota, Anjana; Siwakoti, Mohan; Shrestha, Bharat Babu

doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2018.07.009

Cited by 93 publications

(57 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…Furthermore, He et al [71] reported a positive correlation between the stomatal density and altitude, thus attributing A. adenophora's adaptability to higher temperature and lower humidity in high altitude areas. Similar to the report by Lamsal et al [21], the spread of P. hysterophorus decreased in this study, which could be because this species thrives mostly in agroecosystems and grasslands [22], and in Bhutan, the land cover is dominated by forests, as high as 71%. Parthenium hysterophorus is also very sensitive to photoperiodic fluxes and temperature changes [72], which are very common in Bhutan due to its high topographical variability [73,74].…”

Section: Spatial Change Analysissupporting

confidence: 90%

“…The results also indicate changes in patterns of invasion, some becoming more concentrated toward a given direction, while others become more dispersed over time. This study provides a framework that can be used in the strategic control of the species, future detection surveys, and further research.Agronomy 2019, 9, 442 2 of 16 recreational amenities for ecotourism, deforestation, and upland agriculture adoption [19], compounded by climatic change, have exposed vulnerable mountains to disturbance [20][21][22][23][24]. The warming climate has resulted in an altitudinal upward shifting of cold-temperate species (e.g., Fagus sylvatica) and Mediterranean species (Quercus ilex) in Catalina, Spain [25].…”

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confidence: 99%

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Distributions of Alien Invasive Weeds under Climate Change Scenarios in Mountainous Bhutan

et al. 2019

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Climate change is viewed as a cause in accelerating the rate of invasion by alien species in addition to the globalization of anthropogenic activities. Ecological niche modeling has become an instrument in predicting invasion from natural or invaded ranges to uninvaded ranges based on the presence records of organisms and environmental parameters. This study explored the changes in the distributions of globally noxious alien species (Aegratina adenophora, Ageratum conyzoides, Chromolaena odorata, Lantana camara, Mikania micrantha, and Parthenium hysterophorus) in Bhutan, to provide evidence that even a mountain environment is under the threat of invasion given the change in climatic conditions. With fairly high accuracy, the model results suggest that there will be a potential increase in the areas of invasion among most of the species, except Parthenium hysterophorus, which will experience a northerly shift and decline in distribution. The results also indicate changes in patterns of invasion, some becoming more concentrated toward a given direction, while others become more dispersed over time. This study provides a framework that can be used in the strategic control of the species, future detection surveys, and further research.Agronomy 2019, 9, 442 2 of 16 recreational amenities for ecotourism, deforestation, and upland agriculture adoption [19], compounded by climatic change, have exposed vulnerable mountains to disturbance [20][21][22][23][24]. The warming climate has resulted in an altitudinal upward shifting of cold-temperate species (e.g., Fagus sylvatica) and Mediterranean species (Quercus ilex) in Catalina, Spain [25]. In Bhutan, farmers have reported that due to climate change, invasive plants have started to colonize highland pasture, preventing the regeneration of fodder grasses [26]. Given a change in climatic conditions, adjacent lowland flora heavily influence species composition in mountain communities [27]. Mountain environments are rated as highly sensitive to climate change due to a short growing season and limited niches for resident species [28][29][30][31][32]. Human activities and climate change has led to invasions in mountainous areas in Europe, Australia, South Africa, Kashmir, Hawaii, the United States Pacific Northwest, and Chile [20]. Furthermore, alien invasive weeds are habitat generalists, with high plasticity to adapt to wide ranges of climatic conditions [33][34][35][36][37]. Species tolerant of wider environmental conditions are frequently associated with the following physiological traits: an efficient use of nutrients in low nutrient soils, higher root-shoot ratio in arid systems and a lower root-shoot ratio in light-limited systems for resource acquisition, lower leaf construction costs and higher photosynthetic energy use efficiency as well as early phenology in arid systems [38,39].With its inhospitable terrain and strong conservation strategies (maintaining 60% or more forest cover, with more than 51% designated as protected areas and with a rigid forest management rule...

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Section: Spatial Change Analysissupporting

confidence: 90%

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confidence: 99%

Distributions of Alien Invasive Weeds under Climate Change Scenarios in Mountainous Bhutan

et al. 2019

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“…Certain IAPS like Ageratum houstonianum, Chromolaena odorata, Lantana camara, Parthenium hysterophorus etc. have invaded different Himalayan regions, which exacerbate the future climate change scenario, as predicted by the species distribution modelling (Shrestha et al, 2018). Climate change interactions with the IAPS are argued to have an increased invasion through complex intricate changes in IAPS physiognomy, anatomy and biochemistry (Ziska, 2016).…”

Section: Plant Invasion Interactions With Climate/other Global Changementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Commonly known as parthenium weed, that now has a pan-tropical distribution; High expansion area in Himalayan mountain under the climatic change Cai et al (2016), Shrestha et al (2018) 13. Fallopia japonica (Japanese knotweed)…”

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confidence: 99%

Invasive alien plant species: Their impact on environment, ecosystem services and human health

Kumar

Singh

2020

Ecological Indicators

270

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Ecological perturbations caused by biotic invasion have been identified as a growing threat to global sustainability. Invasive alien plants species (IAPS) are considered to be one of the major drivers of biodiversity loss and thereby altering the ecosystem services and socio-economic conditions through different mechanisms. Although the ecological impacts of IAPS are well documented, there is a dearth of studies regarding their economic quantification, livelihood considerations, biotechnological prospects (phytoremediation, bioenergy, phytosynthesis of nanoparticles, biomedical, industrial applications etc.) and human health risk assessments of IAPS. In this context, the current panoramic review aimed to investigate the environmental, socio-ecological and health risks posed by IAPS as well as the compounded impact of IAPS with habitat fragmentation, climate and land use changes. To this end, the need of an integrated trans-disciplinary research is emphasized for the sustainable management of IAPS. The management prospects can be further strengthened through their linkage with geo-spatial technologies (remote sensing and GIS) by mapping and monitoring the IAPS spread. Further, the horizon of IAPS management is expanded to ecological indicator perspectives of IAPS, biosecurity, and risk assessment protocols with critical discussion. Moreover, positive as well as negative implications of the IAPS on environment, health, ecosystem services and socio-economy (livelihood) are listed so that a judicious policy framework could be developed for the IAPS management in order to mitigate the human health implications.

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“…Though the weed was frequently recorded in agroecosystems, the damage has not been significant until now in Nepal as compared to other regions of the world, such as eastern Africa (Pratt et al, 2017). However, it is highly likely that the damage will be significant in near future this weed is starting to invade diverse cropping systems rapidly (Shrestha et al, 2015) and the geographic extent of its suitable habitat is likely to increase under future climate change scenarios (Shrestha et al, 2018). Furthermore, similar to the report from Africa (McConnachie et al, 2011;Wabuyele et al, 2014), its widespread occurrence in fertile zones with agriculture potential (e.g., the Tarai, valleys of Siwalik and Middle Mountains regions) may have serious consequences to food security.…”

Section: Distribution Pattern Of Parthenium Hysterophorusmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution of Parthenium hysterophorus and one of its biological control agents (Coleoptera: Zygogramma bicolorata) in Nepal

et al. 2019

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Summary Parthenium hysterophorus is a noxious invasive weed of both agricultural and natural ecosystems, spreading aggressively in Nepal. Management of this weed in Nepal has been limited, mainly because of the lack of geo‐referenced data concerning the weed's distribution. We conducted a nationwide survey of P. hysterophorus and its coleopteran biological control agent Zygogramma bicolorata from 2013 to 2016 to determine their spatial distribution. Both were widespread, with the distribution of Z. bicolorata lagging behind the invasion front of P. hysterophorus. The weed was present in 21.2% of the 4838 locations examined, including several isolated satellite populations. The weed was found in the Tarai, Siwalik, Middle Mountains and High Mountains regions, reaching up to 2000 m asl. It has invaded natural and modified ecosystems including all six protected areas in the Tarai and Siwalik regions. Road access appears to be the major pathway for its long‐distance dispersal. Zygogramma bicolorata had spread from the east to the west and was present in 15.4% of the weed occurrence locations, inflicting a low amount of damage. A CLIMEX modelling projection revealed the presence of additional geographic areas in Nepal which are climatically suitable for both P. hysterophorus and Z. bicolorata. Eradication of satellite populations of the weed by physical and chemical measures, and the release of Z. bicolorata into new, but climatically suitable, locations should be prioritised for P. hysterophorus management in Nepal. In conclusion, P. hysterophorus has rapidly become widespread in Nepal and the currently available biological control agent has not been able to prevent further spread of the weed.

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Potential impact of climate change on the distribution of six invasive alien plants in Nepal

Cited by 93 publications

References 52 publications

Distributions of Alien Invasive Weeds under Climate Change Scenarios in Mountainous Bhutan

Distributions of Alien Invasive Weeds under Climate Change Scenarios in Mountainous Bhutan

Invasive alien plant species: Their impact on environment, ecosystem services and human health

Distribution of Parthenium hysterophorus and one of its biological control agents (Coleoptera: Zygogramma bicolorata) in Nepal

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