A STUDY OF THE ECOLOGY OF SELECT SPECIES OF WEEDS IN DIFFERENT VEGETATION TYPES OF NILGIRI BIOSPHERE RESERVE

Abstract

Invasion by weedy species of plants has serious impact on natural and managed ecosystems. Weedy species invade agricultural lands, fallow lands, roadsides, disturbed forests and plantations. Invasion by such species modifies the ecosystem structure and function. Invading species may dominate and displace the native vegetation and cause extinction of certain native species, leading to alteration in the original biodiversity of an area. In recent years, biological invasion is being recognized as a serious threat to biodiversity conservation