LB 27-236 - Selecting potential natives for controlling Invasive alien Lantana: A strategic approach to select valuable plant species in Indian Himalayan Region of India.

Invasive plant species are considered one of the significant drivers of habitat loss for endangered plants by strangling and covering native flora in various biogeographical zones. Invasives alter the local ecology, resulting in a decline in the frequency and abundance of native inhabitants that the invaded region supports. The settlement of aggressively spreading invasive species is one of the most severe challenges to biodiversity conservation.Lantana camara, with its pan-tropical and sub-tropical presence, is an invasive that affects the local biodiversity. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) considers it one of the ten worst weeds. Native and indigenous species may evolve to compete with invasive species, reducing invader fitness. Species competition fluctuates throughout environmental gradients, life phases, and abundances. Hence, competition outcome is very context-dependent. In the present study, we conducted field surveys in Doon Valley of the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) to screen the species growing and competing with Lantana camara. In our experiments, we observed phenological growth patterns (using the BBCH scale) for Pterospermum acerifolium, Urtica dioica, Pongamia pinnata, Adhatoda vasica, and Bauhinia variegata for the first time. Furthermore, we conducted intra and interspecific competition experiments using RII (Relative Interaction Index) for selected species with respect to Lantana based on the Domin-Karajin scale and Importance Value Index followed by studying diversity indices. Out of these species, Broussonetia papyrifera, Pterospermum acerifolium, Urtica dioica, Pongamia pinnata and Bauhinia variegata performed comparatively well in pot and field experiments. We also used the seed ball method to introduce native grasses in the field experiments along with selected plants. Native grass species like Penissetum pedicellatum and Sachharum spontaneum performed best, giving competition to Lantana. The present study will be helpful for policymakers and park management authorities to adopt competitive native species for dealing with invasive Lantana in the Indian Himalayan Region.