Preface

The study on the diversity and ecology of invasive plants in the recent Anthropocene era has enormously increased. Invasive species are one of the worst threats to biodiversity and ecosystems across the globe. According to the Rio Convention of Biological Diversity (1992), invasive alien species were ranked the second highest threat to the loss of biodiversity. Invasive plants are non-native plants that are introduced into an area and spread at a very fast rate with significant ecological and economic impacts. In a new area, an invasive plant competes with native plants for light, nutrients, water, and other resources, thereby replacing the native vegetation. As a consequence, the biodiversity and natural beauty of the environment are distorted. Controlling invasive plant species is very difficult and costly. There are various methods available for control such as mechanical, chemical, and biological. Further, climate change exacerbates the spread of invasive alien plant species. Therefore, it is important how to control it by applying modern tools and techniques.

This book gives an account of diversity, distribution, and ecology of invasive plant species around the globe, their impact on ecosystem, and control and management for conserving native biodiversity. Section I (Diversity of invasive species) describes the diversity and distribution of invasive plant species in various parts of the world. Section II (Impact of invasive species on ecosystem and its control) sheds light on the impact of invasive plants on natural and artificial ecosystems, economics and human health and also control and management for biodiversity conservation.

We express our deep gratitude to the authors for sharing their knowledge by contributing chapters to this book. We are extremely thankful to Ms. Dolores Kuzelj, Ms. Sara Petanjek, and other officials for their constant support during various phases of publication of this book and thank them for providing us opportunity to edit the book.

We hope that this book will be helpful to a wider group of people; researchers, scientists, forest managers, conservation biologists, and academicians.

#### **Dr. Sudam Charan Sahu**

Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, North Orissa University, Baripada (Odisha), India

**Dr. Sanjeet Kumar** Ambika Prasad Research Foundation, Bhubaneswar (Odisha), India

**1**

Section 1

Diversity of Invasive Species

Section 1
