Unveiling the ecological alarm: People's perception towards exploring the impact of invasive plants on biodiversity and ecosystem services in the Western Himalaya

Q2 Environmental Science Environmental Challenges Pub Date : 2024-08-01 DOI:10.1016/j.envc.2024.100997
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Abstract

This paper presents the insights from both an ecological and people's perception study, aimed at understanding the ecological status of selected two common Invasive Alien Plants species (IAPs), i.e., Ageratina adenophora (Sprengel) King & Robinson and Lantana camara L., and the perspectives of local communities towards their use, status, and influence on biodiversity and ecosystem services as well as controlling measures of these species. For the examination of the distribution and spread of these invasive species in the forests, a quadrat-based phytosociological assessment was conducted in the three dominant forest types [Sal (Shorea robusta Gaertn f.), Chir-pine (Pinus roxburghii Sarg.), and Banj-oak (Quercus leucotrichophora A. Camus)] of Uttarakhand State. However, to assess the perception and awareness of local communities towards these IAPs and their impacts on local biodiversity, ecosystem services, and processes, a questionnaire-based study was conducted in seven villages of the Nainital district, spanning three different vegetation zones: Sal, Chir-pine, and Banj-oak forests. Perception data were gathered from 112 households through questionnaire surveys and interviews with key informants such as teachers, elders, community leaders, and researchers. The results of the ecological assessment indicate that the mid-elevation zone, particularly the Chir-pine forest, is highly prone to species invasion. However, findings from the perception study reveal that the people are aware of these invasive species, and their negative impacts on human and animal health, native biodiversity, ecosystem services, and ecological processes. Interestingly, over the past decade, invasive alien plant species (IAPs) have interfered with forests in the study area, leading to a decline in native species. According to local perceptions, factors such as deforestation, forest fires, climate change, increased transportation, no use of species in daily life, and grazing have contributed significantly to the spread of these IAPs. However, some people use these species as fencing wood, firewood, and for composting, etc. The results of this study indicate that awareness and educational initiatives could play a crucial role in mitigating and managing invasion in the Himalayan region.

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揭开生态警报:人们对探索入侵植物对西喜马拉雅地区生物多样性和生态系统服务影响的看法
本文介绍了一项生态学和人们认知研究的见解,旨在了解选定的两种常见外来入侵植物(IAPs)的生态状况,即 Ageratina adenophora (Sprengel) King & Robinson 和 Lantana camara L.,以及当地社区对这些物种的使用、状况、对生物多样性和生态系统服务的影响和控制措施的看法。为了研究这些入侵物种在森林中的分布和传播情况,对北阿坎德邦的三种主要森林类型 [萨尔(Shorea robusta Gaertn f.)、奇松(Pinus roxburghii Sarg.)和班吉栎(Quercus leucotrichophora A. Camus)] 进行了基于四分法的植物社会学评估。然而,为了评估当地社区对这些 IAPs 及其对当地生物多样性、生态系统服务和过程的影响的看法和认识,我们在奈尼塔尔地区的七个村庄开展了一项基于问卷的研究,横跨三个不同的植被区:萨尔林、奇松林和班吉橡树林。通过问卷调查以及与教师、长者、社区领袖和研究人员等主要信息提供者的访谈,收集了 112 户家庭的感知数据。生态评估结果表明,中海拔地区,尤其是奇松森林,极易受到物种入侵。然而,认知研究的结果表明,人们意识到了这些入侵物种及其对人类和动物健康、本地生物多样性、生态系统服务和生态过程的负面影响。有趣的是,在过去十年中,外来入侵植物物种(IAPs)干扰了研究地区的森林,导致本地物种减少。根据当地人的看法,砍伐森林、森林火灾、气候变化、交通量增加、日常生活中不使用物种以及放牧等因素在很大程度上导致了这些 IAPs 的蔓延。不过,也有一些人将这些物种用作栅栏木材、木柴和堆肥等。这项研究的结果表明,提高认识和教育活动可以在减轻和管理喜马拉雅地区的入侵方面发挥至关重要的作用。
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来源期刊
Environmental Challenges
Environmental Challenges Environmental Science-Environmental Engineering
CiteScore
8.00
自引率
0.00%
发文量
249
审稿时长
8 weeks
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