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Ecology & Environment
Mahesh

01/02/23 08:20 AM IST

Senna spectabilis

In News
  • The Nodal Centre for Biological Invasions (NCBI) at the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) has come out with a management plan to eradicate Senna spectabilis, the exotic invasive plant that is posing a severe threat to the State’s wildlife habitat.
About Senna Spectabilis
  • Senna spectabilis isa deciduous tree native to tropical areas of America
  • The thick foliage of the tree arrests the growth of other indigenous tree and grass species. Thus, it causes food shortagesfor the wildlife population, especially herbivores
  • IUCN: Least Concern
  • Invasion of Senna spectabilis is most severe in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary and nearby forests
About Plan
  • The invasive species has to be removed using a threefold approach for large trees, large saplings, and small saplings:
  • Firstly, the large trees need to be debarked from breast height downwards (1.3 m above ground level), including the collar part of the tree.
  • Secondly, once the trees start to dry up, their soil seed bank will become active and a large number of plantlets will sprout. The larger saplings can be uprooted using specially designed weed pullers.
  • The third is the removal of small plantlets which need to be removed mechanically.
Invasive Species
  • An invasive species is an organism that causes ecological or economic harm in a new environment where it is not native.
  • They are capable of causing extinctions of native plants and animals, reducing biodiversity, competing with native organisms for limited resources, and altering habitats.
  • They can be introduced to an area by ship ballast water, accidental release, and most often, by people.
Source- The Hindu

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