According to a new study, tropical montane grasslands (TMG) in the Shola Sky Islands of the Western Ghats have suffered big reductions due to invasions by exotic trees such as acacias, pines and eucalyptus.
Impact
- The invasion has led the shrinking the range sizes of endemic species, including plants, birds, amphibians and mammals. Some populations are being driven to local extinction.
- In the Western Ghats, 23% of montane grasslands were reportedly converted into invasive exotic tree cover over a period of 44 years.
- Researchers have now identified areas suitable for grassland restoration and conservation to reverse the decline.
- Researchers focused on identifying grassland restoration sites using satellite images with a high spatial resolution (RapidEye), and have recommended careful removal of young and isolated exotic trees at the invasion front and restoring grasslands, instead of removing dense stands of mature exotic trees.
What are tropical montane grasslands (TMG)?
- Tropical Montane Grasslands (TMG) are high elevation grasslands forming only 2% of all grasslands in the world.
- Among their functions is regulating the global carbon cycle and serving as a source of water to downstream communities.
- In India, TMG have even been classified as wastelands in forest management plans since they are unlikely to generate revenue, contrary to the timber (even if exotic) found in forests.
(Source: The Hindu)
