Thanks, Sabyasachi ji, Same to you & your team. Pl. keep up the good work. I am forwarding it to efi.
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: IndiaWilds <[email protected]> Date: 25 October 2011 14:26 Subject: IndiaWilds Newsletter Vol. 3 Issue X To: [email protected] *Dear Mr Garg,* I would like to wish everybody, a *Very Happy Diwali*. *IndiaWilds Newsletter Vol. 3 Issue X* This issue of IndiaWilds Newsletter examines the impact of Invasive species on our bio-diversity. This issue with images is available online. To view and add your comment you can click here: http://www.indiawilds.com/diary/indiawilds-newsletter-vol-3-issue-x/ ** ** *Invasives* ** ** India’s bio-diversity is under an unprecedented assault from multiple sources. Vast tracts of wilderness areas are submerged due to the ill planned dams, fragmented due to roads, canals, railways; destroyed due to large industrial projects and unplanned human settlements and avaricious builders-politician-official nexus grabbing forest land etc. The last tiger census revealed that an estimated 20,000 square kilometers of forest areas have shrunk. While we are still grappling with such shocking facts, there is also another major issue that is threatening India’s bio-diversity which unfortunately hasn’t attracted much attention. It is the problem of invasive species. ** ** Any species that is not the native of a particular region is termed as exotic species or aliens. When these exotic species find the conditions suitable for them to start multiplying and dominating the native species, they are termed as Invasive Species or invasives. According to IUCN “Invasive alien species are animals, plants or other organisms introduced by man into places out of their natural range of distribution, where they become established and disperse, generating a negative impact on the local ecosystem and species”. IUCN acknowledges that “invasive species represent the second most significant cause of species extinction worldwide after habitat destruction, and in islands, they are undisputedly first. The impacts of alien invasive species are immense, insidious, and usually irreversible. They are causing significant damage to the ecological, economic and health issues. As a matter of fact, they compete with native species, act as pests or pathogens for cultivated or domesticated species, or even disseminate allergic or infectious agents. “ ** ** In its 2005 Meze declaration IUCN “urge Governments and donor agencies to increase funding to facilitate the development of prevention, management and monitoring programmes, essential research, and economic analysis on invasive alien plants”. ** ** However, to set the record straight not all exotic species are harmful and some became harmful after passage of many years. Many of our plant species in India owe their origin abroad. According to a FAO report, out of the nearly 45000 (Fortyfive thousand) plant species in India, nearly 18000 (eighteen thousand) of those are exotics which corresponds to a massive 40% (Forty percentage). Only when these species start breeding rapidly colonising large areas by out-competing the local species for food/nutrition, producing allelopathic effects on other plants to inhibit their growth or simply constricting or killing them etc they get categorised as harmful or invasive species. ** ** *Mode of Introduction of Exotic or Invasive Species:* ** The exotic or invasive species can get introduced into a geographical region either intentionally or by accident. Accidental introduction of species happens either through travel, shipments of food grains, goods, logs and even by the ships. *Pet Trade:* It also happens due to legal and illegal trade of species that are often brought in as pets and later on escape into the wild on their own or released by their owners who find difficult to keep them. In USA, owners of Burmese pythons released them into the wild when they found these full grown pythons too large for their comfort. These pythons found Florida to be a suitable habitat and now Burmese pythons are in constant struggle with the alligators to don the mantle of the apex predators with size of the individual python or alligator deciding the winner. These pythons are creating havoc with the local wildlife who were not used to such a predator. ** ** Similarly, there are many species that can breed with each other. So some of the exotic bird species which are brought in as pets get released from the house and can mate with the local ones contaminating the gene pool. ** ** People often bring their pets or domestic animals with them to a new landscape and these being alien to that place create a huge impact. Similar is the case of introduction of deers for sport in islands which multiply fast without any natural predator. Though these pets and domestic animals are not readily viewed as invasives they do considerable harm. In a place like Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the introduction of goats, deers, elephants had a huge impact. * * *Scientific Experiments:* Exotic species can also get introduced into a country due to experiments – scientific or otherwise. Teleonemascrupulosa is a case of deliberate introduction of a species in India. It was introduced to tackle the problem of lantana, however, they started attacking the teak plantations. They are still found in places in the wild. ** ** In the past, African lions had been brought into India and released into the wild. However, all of them have been known to have been killed as they could not compete with the tigers. ** ** The MoEF has approved a project to bring in African Cheetahs and introduce those in the wilds. Since genetically they are different than the Asiatic cheetah that has gone extinct in India, if these African cheetahs ever manage to get released in the wild from their enclosures and start breeding successfully then they would become exotic invasives feeding on the few blackbucks left in the wild. ** ** Some of these also escape or spread from acquaculture. * * *Major Invasive Species in India:* In India, *lantana camara* was introduced as a flowering plant in 1809 and it has gone wild to colonise most of our forests and degraded lands. Lantana which grows rapidly to form dense thickets above ground inhibits the growth of other plants. Infact, its cane-like low wood density helps in its fast growth. In India, its leaves were not eaten by herbivores. However, langurs have been observed eating the leaves and flowers. **** ** ** Birds serve as important agents in its pollination. Lantana is found more in degraded habitat and follows the destructive foot steps of humans as in road building, creating canals, fire lines in the jungles etc. This plant catches fire fast and burns even when it is green. So during forest fires, lantana acts in enhancing the fire. Manual control methods like repeated slash, uproot and burn technique repeated for a couple of years help. Also, immediately after the controlled burning plantation of native species is advised. ** ** *Partheniumhysterophorus* an exotic noxious weed was accidentally introduced into India when its seeds came to India along with the grain imports in 1951. This quickly went on to establish itself in large parts of India, especially in the degraded lands, road sides, pastures etc. This weed like Lantana has allelopathic effects on other species and causes respiratory problems like asthma, skin infections etc. Apart from reducing the amount of grass and other edible plant species for herbivores, its impact on wildlife is yet to be studied. ** ** *Mikaniamicrantha*, a climber species was introduced in India during the World War II to camouflage airfields. These climbers too have allelopathic effects on other plant species and it cuts the amount of light available to them. This species is mostly found in the moist deciduous forests and plantation in western ghats, north east etc. Plantations in the western ghats use herbicides on them. A biological control measure in form of Pucciniaspegazzinii fungus is being tried out. Cuscuta a species of parasitic plants which have become a problem especially in South India are being tried to control the growth of *Mikaniamicrantha* species in Assam. ** ** There are also many introduced species like acacia, eucalyptus, wattle etc which are harmful to the bio-diversity. Many plantation owners brought in these species for their fuel wood needs. The wattle due to its seeds retaining the capacity to germinate over longer periods of time is able to colonise grasslands, increases transpiration, dries up the soil and impacts the water percolating and appearing as streams. This impacts the balance of shola forests and grasslands in the Western Ghats. Eucalyptus, another species favoured by the plantation owners for fuel as well as the newsprint industry for making pulp, reduces the water table fast. Unfortunately, these are still being planted today. ** ** Similarly, Gulmohur is a species introduced in India due to its colourful flowers. Though one of India’s foremost naturalist M. Krishnan was very vocal against planting this species, after his demise it seems people have forgotten that this is an introduced species. ** ** In the acquatic ecosystems, water hyacinth or *Eichorniacrassipes* which was introduced in India in 1914 has choked most of our wetlands. Coupled with eutrophication, these plants reduce the amount of oxygen available in water and lead to the death of the waterbody. It has become a huge problem in the backwaters of Kerala and several biological controls like curculionid weevil was introduced in India. Manual control ie weeding it out also helps. In places like USA, boats specially designed to cut the weeds are employed in the great lakes. These results in fragmentation and the fragments can grow elsewhere, however it helps in opening up large areas fast. ** ** In India, exotic species like *Gambusiaaffinis* and *Poeciliareticulata*(commonly known as Guppy) were introduced to control the mosquito menace as these fishes were found to be effective in eating the mosquito larvae. There are indigenous species of fresh water fishes like *Esomusdanricus*, * Puntiusticto*, *Daniorerio*, *Rasboradaniconius* that prey on the mosquito larvae. However, these fishes produce smaller brood than the * Gambusiaaffinis* and *Poeciliareticulata* and also they are susceptible to water quality, turbidity, temperature difference and transportation. Hence the *Gambusiaaffinis* was introduced in 1928 in India. Apart from eating mosquito larvae, these two exotic species didn’t appear to impact the other fishes. However, the actual impact of these two species on the micro-habitats of native acquafauna in India is yet to be studied in detail. ** ** The British introduced Brown Trout (*Salmotruttafario*) and Rainbow trout (* Salmogairdneri*) in Kashmir and slowly in many other rivers in India. Though these are touted as anglers delight, a study by Blinn*et al* (1993) they are detrimental to the native species as they predate on the eggs and hatchlings of native fishes. According to Molur and Walker, the introduction of Silver carp (*Hypophthalmichthysmolitrix*) has impacted the native fish populations in many places. The spread of tilapia (*Oreochromismossambicus, Oreochromisniloticus*) in our rivers and ponds is a cause of concern as it has out-competed our native fishes. Similar is the case with African catfish (*Clariasgariepinus*) which was illegally imported into India. The control method is to use fishing rods (difficult to eliminate all through this method), nets or simply draining out the waterbody completely. If the water body is small then the last mentioned method works as a good solution, however, if it is a large lake, then this physical control method simply doesn’t work. In a number of countries, anglers are encouraged to fish invasive species and use it for food, unlike other species of fish that has to be released back into the waters. Last year, there was a hue and cry when the forest department drained out the waterbody in Sultanpur National Park on the pretext of removing the African black fish, as there is an immediate impact on the nesting of birds that depend on fish. ** ** *Ignorance:* A major problem that causes spread of invasive species in India and other parts of the world is ignorance. Some time back, the former President of India, Dr Abdul Kalam had proposed cultivation of sea weeds near Rameshwaram and other coastal areas. Little did he know that he was proposing introduction of an exotic species which in all probablility will move and colonise the entire Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park. ** ** For example, Mimosa pudica also known as touch me not plant which had given us so much of pleasure during our child hood days due to its ability to close its leaves on external stimuli, was introduced form South America and has spread over vast areas in India. Since most of the people don’t know that certain plants are weeds, they don’t make any effort to remove them from their property. ** ** *Need of the Hour:* India needs to create a National Action Plan in fighting the spread of existing invasive species and preventing introduction of new exotic species in India. Till date we haven’t estimated an economic impact due to the presence of invasive species in India. Considering that Africa spends roughly about 100 million US Dollars annually to just fight the spread of water hyacinth, one can safely estimate that the overall impact of invasives in India is to the tune of billions of dollars. The newspapers may be grapple with the headline grabbing one lakh crore spectrum scam, however, the overall impact of invasives can be much larger. We urgently need a National Action Plan and bring together all the scientific expertise together along with evangelists who can spread the message to contain this menace of invasives. ** ** *Other Conservation articles:* A Wild Thorn: Silent Valey by MuraliSivaramakrishnan http://www.indiawilds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7702 ** ** Goa not keen for inclusion in Western Ghats World Heritage tag: http://www.indiawilds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7765 ** ** Impact of mobile towers on birds: http://www.indiawilds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7712 ** ** News from Top Slip: http://www.indiawilds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7745 ** ** *Equipment Discussions:* Canon Announces Professional EOS 1D X camera with 3 brains: preview and discussions http://www.indiawilds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7743 ** ** *Wildlife Photograpy:* Images shared by our members between 10th Sept 2011 – 9th October 2011 that depict interesting behavior, habitat or are just plain beautiful. Salam Walaikum IndiaWilds: By Shalik Jogwe http://www.indiawilds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7619 Blackbuck habitat: by Mrudul Godbole http://www.indiawilds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7669 Shikra by Dr. Kalamoi Kakati http://www.indiawilds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7510 Spotted owlet by Bibhav Behera http://www.indiawilds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7641 Down Memorry Lane: Beauty of the Manas Tiger Reserve By Shaktipada Panigrahi http://www.indiawilds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7681 Jumping spiders by Abhishek Jamalabad http://www.indiawilds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7537 Millipede by Jitendra Katre http://www.indiawilds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7574 ** ** *Who’s Who:* Members are invited to introduce themselves in the Who’s Who section with a brief writeup about themselves and a self image and also welcome others. http://www.indiawilds.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=22 ** ** I look forward to your inputs and your support in preserving the last tracts of wilderness and wildlife left in this beautiful country. For other interesting articles and photographs please check: http://www.indiawilds.com/forums/ ** ** All the newsletters can be found online at: http://www.indiawilds.com/diary/category/newsletter/ You can register at -www.indiawilds.com/forums/register.php using your Full Name as user id. ** ** Regards, *Sabyasachi Patra* www.indiawilds.com Profile: http://www.indiawilds.com/profile.htm Contact: http://www.indiawilds.com/contact%20us.htm Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/IndiaWilds/132629240481 www.indiawilds.com Diary: http://www.indiawilds.com/diary/ Equipment reviews: http://www.indiawilds.com/diary/category/equipment/ Forums: http://www.indiawilds.com/forums/index.php** ** -- With regards, J.M.Garg ([email protected]) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Jmgarg1 'Creating awareness of Indian Flora & Fauna' The whole world uses my Image Resource of more than a *thousand species* & eight thousand images of Birds, Butterflies, Plants etc. (arranged alphabetically & place-wise): http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:J.M.Garg. You can also use them for free as per Creative Commons license attached with each image. For identification, learning, discussion & documentation of Indian Flora, please visit/ join our Efloraofindia Google e-group: http://groups.google.co.in/group/indiantreepix (more than 1725 members & 85,000 messages on 30/9/11) or Efloraofindia website: https://sites.google.com/site/efloraofindia/ (with a species database of around 5500 species). Also author of 'A Photoguide to the Birds of Kolkata & Common Birds of India'.
