suresh kumar thatikonda

The objective of this short communication is to review the impact resulting from climate change modifications in the landscape on the growth of invasive plant species within the Western Ghats region, with a specific emphasis on the state of Kerala in India. The study highlights the correlation between intense precipitation events and the frequency of landslides, which in turn facilitates ideal conditions for the growth of invasive plant species. The Western Ghats, which are of utmost importance for biodiversity, are being confronted with substantial challenges.

our study region, characterized by the presence of abundant laterite soils, encounters regular occurrences of landslides, particularly in rubber plantations that cultivate Mucuna bracteata and Pueraria phaseoloides. The plants possessing nitrogen-fixing capabilities make a significant contribution to soil conservation and facilitate the growth of rubber. In places effected by landslides, invasive plants exhibit a notable proliferation, so showcasing their ability to swiftly alter the patterns of vegetation in areas that are susceptible to such disturbances. The study additionally investigates the ramifications of intense precipitation events, such as cloud bursts, on drainage systems near the rubber plantations, hence presenting a potential hazard to indigenous flora and fauna. In summary, this study underscores the increased vulnerability presented by invasive plant species in relation to increasingly extreme weather phenomena, resulting in disruptions to ecosystems within the Western Ghats region.