Invasive flora of Pakistan: a critical analysis

Abstract

Invasive species are mostly nonnative species introduced accidentally or intentionally by humans in natural or established habitat where they threat the environment, economy and/or health. Several thousands of the alien species have become established in different parts of the world over the past couple of centuries. This biological pollution is considered as second potential threat to natural biodiversity after habitat loss. Fortunately the magnitude of invasive species in Pakistan is not as great as in some other countries but unfortunately, there is deficit in context of invasion biology literature. Current effort intends to present a systematic review of sporadic studies undertaken in past to record invasive alien plant species on a small scale with prime goals of: establishing a preliminary inventory of reported invasive plants; analyze the family and life form contribution in total invasive flora; describe status, impacts, management approaches and world's perspective about worst terrestrial invasive plants in Pakistan.

Assessments impact of an invasive alien weed species on indigenous species and its management practices in eastern Hararghe, Ethiopia

“…However; it is most common in semi-arid, sub-tropical and warmer temperate regions (Huma Q et al; 2014; Jarosık et al; 2011; Sanaa, A. and Moussa, I. 2012) [14,17] . Invasive alien species are introduced deliberately or unintentionally outside their natural habitat, where they have the ability to establish themselves, invade, out-compete natives and take over the new environment (CBD, 2005) [7] .…”

“…It is also possible for the whole plant to break off at the base which can be blown by the wind in to new areas. It can grow and persist in disturbed areas and farmland where it can compete and potentially displace native biodiversity (Huma Q et al; 2014, Rajvaidhya, S et al; 2012; Reddy, C. S. and Pattanaik, C (2007) [14,26,29] . The formation of dense stands, as seeds fall locally, also affects wildlife and decreases biodiversity which is commonly found as a weed of road sides, mining dumps, rabbit warrens, recently cultivated paddocks, waste places, and overgrazed pastures (Karlsson, L et [19,27,29,24] .…”