Spreading fast yet unnoticed: are we in for another invasion?

摘要

A recent study has pointed out that 46% of woody flora and 20% of herbaceous flora in the Doon valley of western Himalaya are represented by exotics. Sapium sebiferum, commonly referred to as the tallow tree, is one of the most troublesome invasive species of the world. S. sebiferum was introduced in the Himalaya for multipurpose agroforestry and for economic benefits. In Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, it can be seen growing profusely as an escape plant. In a few localities of western Himalaya, it can be seen dominating the wetland and mesic areas. In the USA, it has invaded wild areas where it was not found before, such as in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas. The plant has successfully naturalized in the sub-Himalayan tracts of India and poses a serious threat to biodiversity. The invasive potential of S. sebiferum was worked out where the invasiveness was 7.28 indicating the high possibility of being invasive.