Occurrence of Invasive Alien Plant Species (IAPS) in the habitat of Swamp Deer (Cervus Duvaaucelii Cuvier, 1823) of Shuklaphanta National Park, Nepal

Abstract

The present study was conducted during October 2018 to April 2019 with an aim to assess the floral diversity, status and distribution of invasive alien plant species and its impact on swamp deer habitat in seven research sites within the grasslands of Shuklaphanta National Park. The quadrats of 5*5m were laid so as to collect the data for native and invasive species in the park. The number of native and invasive alien plants species within the quadrats were counted and noted. The invasive floral diversity indices, Shannon- Weiner index (H) and Simpson Index of species (SI) diversity were calculated using Ms Excel 2016. Out of 20 plant species recorded in the study area, grass species were nine, and invasive plant species were eleven. The abundance of IAPS was higher in Tintale area and least in Barkaula. The Shannon- Weiner diversity index for Tintale are, Singhapur, Barkaula, Silalekh, Pillar 24, Pillar 26 and Sundarpur were 1.051, 1.275, 0.085, 1.309, 0.953, 0.905 and 0.541 respectively whereas the Simpson Index diversity was 0.573, 0.692, 0.033, 0.683, 0.563, 0.547 and 0.355 respectively. The abundance of invasive alien plants was higher in open grasslands and those having less distance from the village and roads. The invasive species cover was low in the areas where there was high native species cover. The overall impact of IAPS was seen low in the grasslands of the park to create impact on the habitat of the swamp deer however the threats due to invasion cannot be neglected. The buffer zone and the wetlands were highly invaded, which can become a major contributor to encourage the invasion in the core areas of the park which can eventually lead to the decline of Swamp Deer population in the park. Therefore, proper management of IAPS before it completely invades the park and Swamp Deer Conservation action plan is needed in the park.