Q. With reference to the ‘Lantana Camara’ plant, consider the following statements:
1.It is an invasive species in India.
2.The invasion of Lantana Camara heavily impacts the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in the Western Ghats.
3.The species is also responsible for increasing soil fertility.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation –
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Lantana Camara is an invasive species in India. Introduced as an ornamental plant, it has aggressively spread, particularly in disturbed areas, impacting biodiversity. It’s listed among India’s “species of high concern.” The invasion of Lantana camara heavily impacts the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in the Western Ghats, where it has spread rapidly and formed dense thickets, threatening the wildlife habitat, including the Asian elephant population. The plant is native to the American tropics.
Statement 3 is incorrect. Lantana camara does not increase soil fertility. In fact, it has been reported to alter biodiversity, suppress native forest regeneration, reduce native plant species richness, and increase the risk of fire, ultimately threatening the biodiversity of the invaded areas.
Source: Forum IAS
