GIS approach should be one of the best way to predict how invasion of Lantana affects the indigenous vegetation.
Yes there is a connection with climate change and lantana invasion. One of the most important being the seeds of Lantana dont germinate in cold temperatures like that of higher altitudes and sometimes they may also get killed by frost or snow. Hence as the temperature gets warmer, Lantana tends to shift upwards in elevation and hence disrupts the natural vegetation in the area. one of the best experiments would be to try growing Lantana at different elevations in different temperature zones. Just checking Lantana seed germinaation in labs at different controlled temperature would give good results. Dear Mr. Satya Prakash, depletion in bryophyte richness in the area may not be caused due to lantana or climate change but for one basic reason and that is air pollution. Presence of Lantana does show allelopathic affect on the natural vegetation. Regards Pankaj
