Impact of Alien Invasive Species ( DC.) on Cassia spectabilis Soil Properties in Nagarahole Tiger Reserve

Abstract

The aggressive behavior of invasive alien plants has been reported to alter the plant species composition and is even observed to replace the native species. The current study was carried out to evaluate the impact of on soil properties in D B Kuppe and Cassia spectabilis Anechowkur Range of Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, located in Karnataka, India The intensity of infestation was . categorized into three level viz., highly infested, moderately infested and non-infested areas. Four soil samples were collected at 0-20 cm and 20-40 cm depths randomly and composite sample was made and analyzed for soil physicochemical properties, which varied significantly between different levels of infestation across locations as well as across different depths. In both locations, the moderately infested areas recorded the highest percentage of organic matter. Soils within had greater moisture content, electric conductivity, higher pH and highest percentage C. spectabilis of organic matter than soils from other levels of infestation. But bulk density was highest in non-infested areas of . Correlation C. spectabilis analysis for tree regeneration with soil properties revealed that most of the variables were correlated with each other.