Lal Bahadur Thapa, Krittika Kaewchumnong, Aki Sinkkonen, and Kitichate Sridith

DOI: 10.14456/sjst-psu.2016.86

pp. 683 - 689

Abstract

Chromolaena odorata is an invasive species known to have its adverse impacts on native diversity. We studied its
impacts on plant species richness, composition and Shorea robusta seedlings in a tropical Sal forest of Nepal. We conducted
field experiment along transects established in invaded and uninvaded understory vegetation. Our results show differences
in native species richness and S. robusta seedling density between invaded and uninvaded plots. The invaded plots are
associated with fewer species than uninvaded plots. Plot type (invaded and uninvaded), C. odorata density and cover show
an effect on vegetation composition. Moreover, some of the native species are found replaced from C. odorata invaded sites.
Overall, the Sal forest protects native diversity and Sal seedling recruitment besides having its high economic value and
beneficial impacts on people’s livelihood. Therefore, control and proper management of C. odorata is needed for conserving
native vegetation and preventing future problems associated with invasion.