SURVIVAL STRATEGIES AMONG SPECIES IN NATURE. II: INVASIVE SPECIES IN AND AROUND PACHMARHI BIOSPHERE

Among many Biospheres in India, Pachmarhi biosphere is the most talked about and frequently visited by tourists. The biosphere is one of the most popular biospheres often called as the queen of Satpura ranges and is located at 22 15' -22 28' N latitude and 78-13' 78-26' E longitude ( Fig.1 A). Pachmarhi was once designated as paradise for botanists on account of species richness of Bryophytes and Pteridophytes and the past exhaustive floristic studies have also recorded 101 Angiosperm (flowering plants) families comprising of 452 genera and 778 species (Trees and Shrubs 247+ 531 herbs). Additionally, serene natural beauty of series of three tier forests all around Pachmarhi in the lovely geological contours steeping down in the valleys to plains and high top hills make Pachmarhi a favourite place for a visit. The entire area in and around Pachmarhi is an excellent biological treasure cradling highly versatile fauna in deeper forest areas including tigers, leopards and lot many carnivores. Lately, the concept of Ecotourism and excessive rise in population based business along with too many tourists and related anthropogenic influences have degraded the carpet flora. Invasive species are on rise and about 70% of the land out of major forest area is now covered with invasive plant species which, three decades ago was mainly covered with wild native herbaceous fern flora. This study is in continuation of searching invasive species in Pachmarhi Biosphere and briefly suggests that we can untilize these weeds in a useful way.We have to make efforts to prevent the entry of Invasive species and conserve excellent original flora.