IMPACT OF Lantana camara L. INVASION ON VEGETATION DIVERSITY AND SOIL MICROBIAL POPULATION IN DHADING, CENTRAL NEPAL
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Amrit Campus
Abstract
Lantana camara L. a plant from Verbenaceae family is one of the 100 worst invasive
plant. This present study was conducted to assess the impact of Lantana camara L. on
vegetation and soil microbes in Dhunibesi municipality, Dhading, Nepal. Random
stratified sampling method was used with two categories: Invaded and Non-invaded.
Total of 100 quadrates, 50 quadrates in each category of 10×10m were laid and inside
of each plot three sub-plots of 5×5m for shrubs and 1×1m for herbs were laid in each
category. Vegetation and soil attributes were studied in each category. A total of 159
species (103 in invaded and 139 in non-invaded sites) belonging to 73 families were
recorded from the study sites. The density and frequency of other plant species were
decreased in the area invaded by L. camara as compared to the non-invaded sites. Plant
density, Simpson's diversity (D), Concentration of dominance, Shannon-wiener index
(H), Species richness and evenness varied significantly (t-test, p<0.05) among the
categories. These variables were lowest in invaded sites and highest in non-invaded
sites. Analysis of similarity index showed the significant change, (p<0.05) in vegetation
composition among the invasion and non invasion condition for all growth forms. pH
of soil was found higher in invaded sites than the non-invaded sites but the change in
pH was not significant.
Invasion of L. camara also influenced the soil microbe population. Population of
bacteria and fungi were found significantly higher in non-invaded sites and lower in
invaded sites. A total of 34 species (29 from non-invaded and 22 from invaded sites) of
fungi were recorded from the soil of study sites. The species richness of fungi was found
significantly higher in non-invaded sites. The study concludes that the invasion of L.
camara changes the vegetation density, frequency, species diversity, evenness and
species composition along with soil pH, soil microbe population and fungal species
composition. The significant differences in these parameters suggest that L. camara is
changing the vegetation and soil microbe composition and diversity in Dhunibesi so
required to manage and remove the L. camara for the protection of species diversity.