The Himalayan region is one of the global biodiversity hotspots. However, its biodiversity and ecosystems are threatened due to abiotic and biotic drivers. One of the major biotic threats to biodiversity in this region is the rapid spread of Invasive Alien Species (IAS). Natural forests and grasslands are increasingly getting infested by IAS affecting regeneration of native species and decline in availability of bio-resources. Assessing the current status of IAS and prediction of their future spread would be vital for evolving specific species management interventions. Keeping this in view, we conducted an in-depth study on two IASs, viz., Ageratina adenophora and Lantana camara in the Indian part of Kailash Sacred Landscape (KSL), Western Himalaya. Intensive field surveys were conducted to collect the presence of A. adenophora (n = 567) and L. camara (n = 120) along an altitudinal gradient between 300 and 3000 m a.s.l. We performed Principal Component Analysis to nullify the multi-colinearity effects of the environmental predictors following MaxEnt species distribution model in the current and future climatic scenarios for both the species. All current and future model precision (i.e., Area Under the Curve; AUC) for both species was higher than 0.81. It is predicted that under the current rate of climate change and higher emission (i.e., RCP 8.5 pathway), A. adenophora will spread 45.3% more than its current distribution and is likely to reach up to 3029 m a.s.l., whereas, L. camara will spread 29.8% more than its current distribution range and likely to reach up to 3018 m a.s.l. Our results will help in future conservation planning and participatory management of forests and grasslands in the Kailash Sacred Landscape–India.

This study documents the traditional uses of Cheura or Chyur (Diploknema butyracea) by a tribal group (Van-Raji) in Eastern Uttarakhand part of western Himalayan region. Cheura is one of the economically important but lesser known and underutilized multipurpose tree of Himalaya. It has a great spiritual and cultural importance along with livelihood association along the Himalayan communities especially the Van-Rajis, which are among the most ancient primitive vulnerable tribes (PVTs) of India with a population of around 700 in Uttarakhand. Field surveys were conducted during 2015-2017 to collect data on the availability and uses of various parts of this tree by the tribals in their 9 hamlets in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand. These tribals use almost all the parts of the tree and has a great economic value in respect of food, fuel wood, timber, fodder and other products. It is also used to cure many diseases and body disorders by the community people such as in inflammation of tonsils, rheumatism, itching, ulcers, hemorrhage, etc. All such uses are discussed. An attempt has also been made to document the current causes of habitat loss of this socio-economic important tree and traditional knowledge thereof along with a suggested action plan.

Invasion of alien species in high altitude ecosystems is a potent threat to the species diversity as well as it can cause severe environmental and economic issues. The invasion of alien plant species can be facilitated by many eco-climatic factors. The present study was conducted to assess patterns and trends of invasion by Ageratina adenophora in major land use and land cover types; in Gokerneshwergad watershed of Kailash Sacred Landscape (KSL) in western Himalaya. Extensive surveys were conducted to map the species in each season and habitat type. Sites with high biotic pressure and open forest canopy were the most suitable habitats for its growth. A negative correlation was found between distribution and altitude. The highest invasion was recorded in between 1700 -1800m elevation gradient, between 20° and 30° slope positions and at North (33.33%), whereas, the lowest invasion was recorded between 700 -800m in South-East directions (3.70%). Several other parameters such as distance from the disturbance site such as road, villages or settlements, drainage and soil texture were also found to be affecting the distribution pattern of this species. Interestingly results reveal that the alien plants also start competing among themselves after reaching their threshold level.

The western Himalayan region is one of the unique biodiversity hotspots is rapidly getting invaded by alien invasive species and become a major management concern to save many economically and culturally important indigenous endemic species of this region. The present study aims to investigate the probable current and future apposite invaded habitat of Eupatorium ( Ageratina adenophora ) and Lantana ( Lantana camara ) in the Kailash Sacred Landscape-India in response to representative concentration pathways (RCP) 8.5 of global climate change. Intensive field surveys were conducted to collect the presence locations of Eupatorium ( n = 400 ) and Lantana ( n = 250 ) along the altitudinal gradient of 300 to 2500 masl that covers diverse vegetation and landscape features. We performed Principle Component Analysis to nullify the multi-colinearity effect of the environmental predictors followed by M axEnt species distribution model in the current and future climatic scenario of both the species. All current and future model precision for both these species was higher than 0.81 with the area under the curve (AUC). If the climate change continues to follow the higher emission RCP8.5 pathway, Eupatorium will spread 45.3% more of its current distribution area and will spread up to 3024 masl. Whereas, Lantana will spread 29.8% more of its current distribution area and will reach up to 3018 masl. The further distribution of this alien species may cause a serious threat to the local biodiversity results into a change in ecosystem processes and reduced ecosystem services in the area. Therefore, our current and the projected future map of their distribution will be helpful for local managers to take necessary action to overcome the adverse effect of this plant invasion in future.

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