Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Vegetation and soil seedbank dynamics in Parthenium hysterophorus L. invaded subtropical grassland in Nepal

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Tropical Ecology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Parthenium hysterophorus L. is a noxious invasive weed and is ever expanding in its introduced range including Nepal. Understanding vegetation dynamics including soil seedbank in Parthenium invaded communities and the growth pattern of the weed itself is essential for effective management of Parthenium. We monitored growth of Parthenium (height, density, cover and soil seedbank) and species composition of associated plant species for 5-year period from 2009 in a grassland invaded by Parthenium in south-central Nepal. We found that Parthenium cover and height decreased from 2009 to 2010 and then slightly increased in 2013. Parthenium density decreased from 2009 to 2010 and then was variable until 2013. Year × grazing interactions had significant effect on Parthenium cover and density. Parthenium soil seedbank was eight times higher near the soil surface (0–5 cm) than in deep soil (5–10 cm). It increased from 2009 to 2012 but decreased in 2013. Seedbank was also affected by interactions of year × depth, depth × grazing, and year × depth × grazing. Altogether, 87 plant species were recorded in Parthenium invaded sites and their species richness decreased until 2012 but slightly increased in 2013. The composition of associated plant species was affected by animal grazing intensity, Parthenium density, cover, and their interactions. Parthenium invasion has been ever increasing in our study site and many palatable plant species are under potential threat. Thus, there is an urgent need to carry out awareness campaign, formulate proper management plans, and implement such plans properly to manage Parthenium weed in Nepal.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adkins S, Shabbir A (2014) Biology, ecology and management of the invasive parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus L.): Management of parthenium weed. Pest Manag Sci 70:1023–1029. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.3708

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Adkins SW, O’Donnell C, Khan N, Nguyen T, Shabbir A, Dhileepan K, George D, Navie S (2010) Parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) research in Australia: new management possibilities. In: 17th Australasian weeds conference papers & proceedings: New frontiers in New Zealand, together we can beat the weeds. New Zealand Plant Protection Society, Christchurch Convention Centre, Christchurch, New Zealand, pp 120–123

  • Bajwa AA, Chauhan BS, Farooq M, Shabbir A, Adkins SW (2016) What do we really know about alien plant invasion? A review of the invasion mechanism of one of the world’s worst weeds. Planta 244:39–57. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-016-2510-x

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bulleri F, Benedetti-Cecchi L, Jaklin A, Iveša L (2016) Linking disturbance and resistance to invasion via changes in biodiversity: a conceptual model and an experimental test on rocky reefs. Ecol Evol 6:2010–2021. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.1956

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Dhakal S (2017) Diversity of naturalized plant species across vegetation types in Tarai and Siwalik regions of central Nepal. M.Sc. Thesis, Central Department of Botany, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu

  • Dhileepan K (2003) Seasonal variation in the effectiveness of the leaf-feeding beetle Zygogramma bicolorata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) and stem-galling moth Epiblema strenuana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) as biocontrol agents on the weed Parthenium hysterophorus (Asteraceae). Bull Entomol Res 93:393–401

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dhileepan K, Callander J, Shi B, Osunkoya OO (2018) Biological control of parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus): the Australian experience. Biocontrol Sci Technol 28:970–988. https://doi.org/10.1080/09583157.2018.1525486

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DoHM (2015) Department of Hydrology and Meteorology. Ministry of Science, Technology & Environment, Kathmandu, Nepal

  • Fenner M (2000) Seeds: The Ecology of Regeneration in Plant Communities. CABI Publishing, Wallingford

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Gupta S, Narayan R (2006) Species diversity in four contrasting sites in a peri-urban area in Indian dry tropics. Trop Ecol 47:229–241

    Google Scholar 

  • Haseler WH (1976) Parthenium hysterophorus L in Australia. Proc Am Nat Soc 22:515–517. https://doi.org/10.1080/09670877609414342

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hejda M, Hanzelka J, Kadlec T, Štrobl M, Pyšek P, Reif J (2017) Impacts of an invasive tree across trophic levels: Species richness, community composition and resident species’ traits. Divers Distrib 23:997–1007. https://doi.org/10.1111/ddi.12596

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang D, Haack RA, Zhang R (2011) Does global warming increase establishment rates of invasive alien species? A centurial time series analysis. PLoS ONE 6:e24733. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0024733

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Javaid A, Riaz T (2012) Parthenium hysterophorus L., an alien invasive weed threatening natural vegetations in Punjab. Pakistan Pak J Bot 44:123–126

    Google Scholar 

  • Joshi S (1991) Biocontrol of Parthenium hysterophorus L. Crop Prot 10:429–431. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0261-2194(91)80129-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karki D (2009) Ecological and socio-economic impacts of Parthenium hysterophorus L. invasion in two urban cities of south-central Nepal. M.Sc. Thesis, Central Department of Botany, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu

  • Keeley JE, Lubin D, Fotheringham CJ (2003) Fire and grazing impacts on plant diversity and alien plant invasions in the Southern Sierra Nevada. Ecol Appl 13:1355–1374. https://doi.org/10.1890/02-5002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khan N, George D, Shabbir A, Adkins SW (2019) Suppresive plants as weed management tool: Managing Parthenium hysterophorus under simulated grazing in Australian grasslands. J Environ Manage 247:224–233

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khatri-Chettri J (2012) Plant species composition and soil seedbanks in Parthenium hysterophorus L. invaded grassland of Hetauda, Central Nepal. M.Sc. Thesis, Central Department of Botany, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu

  • Kluge RL, Neser S (1991) Biological control of Hakea sericea (Proteaceae) in South Africa. Agric Ecosyst Environ 37:91–113. https://doi.org/10.1016/0167-8809(91)90141-J

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leck MA, Parker VT, Simpson RL (eds) (1989) Ecology of Soil Seed Banks. Academic Press

  • Lepš J, Šmilauer P (2014) Multivariate Analysis of Ecological Data Using CANOCO 5, 2nd edn. Cambridge University Press

  • MFSC (2014) Nepal National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2014–2020. Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation (MFSC), Kathmandu, Nepal

  • Milbau A, Stout JC (2008) Factors associated with alien plants transitioning from casual, to naturalized, to invasive. Conserv Biol 22:308–317. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2007.00877.x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mollot G, Pantel JH, Romanuk TN (2017) The effects of invasive species on the decline in species richness: A Global meta-analysis. In: Bohan DA, Dumbrell AJ, Massol F (eds) Advances in Ecological Research. Academic Press, pp 61–83

  • Navie SC, McFadyen RE, Panetta FD (1996) The biology of Australian weeds 27. Parthenium hysterophorus L. Plant Prot Q 11:76–88

    Google Scholar 

  • Navie SC, Panetta FD, McFadyen RE, Adkins SW (1998) Behaviour of buried and surface-sown seeds of Parthenium hysterophorus. Weed Res 38:335–341. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-3180.1998.00104.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nguyen TLT, Navie SC, Adkins SW (2010) The effect of parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) on plant diversity in pastures in Queensland, Australia. In: 17th Australasian weeds conference papers & proceedings: New frontiers in New Zealand, together we can beat the weeds. New Zealand Plant Protection Society, Christchurch, New Zealand, p 135

  • Nigatu L, Hassen A, Sharma J, Adkins SW (2010) Impact of Parthenium hysterophorus on grazing land communities in north-eastern Ethiopia. Weed Biol Manag 10:143–152. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1445-6664.2010.00378.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Practical Action Nepal (2009) Temporal and spatial cariability of climate change over Nepal (1976–2005). Practical Action Nepal Office, Kathmandu, Nepal

  • Press JR, Shrestha KK, Sutton DA (2000) Annotated Checklist of the Flowering Plants of Nepal. Natural History Museum, London

    Google Scholar 

  • R Development Core Team (2018) R: A language and environment for statistical computing. Accessed 18 Mar 2018

  • Richardson DM, Kluge RL (2008) Seed banks of invasive Australian Acacia species in South Africa: Role in invasiveness and options for management. Perspect Plant Ecol Evol Syst 10:161–177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ppees.2008.03.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roskov Y, Ower G, Orrell T, Nicolson D, Bailly N, Kirk PM, Bourgoin T, DeWalt RE, Decock W, Nieukerken E van, Zarucchi J, Penev L (2019) Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life, 2019 Annual Checklist. In: Plant List. www.catalogueoflife.org/annual-checklist/2019. Accessed 17 Jul 2019

  • Russell JC, Meyer J-Y, Holmes ND, Pagad S (2017) Invasive alien species on islands: impacts, distribution, interactions and management. Environ Conserv 44:359–370. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0376892917000297

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shabbir A, Bajwa R (2006) Distribution of parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus L.), an alien invasive weed species threatening the biodiversity of Islamabad. Weed Biol Manag 6:89–95. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1445-6664.2006.00202.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shrestha BB (2019a) Management of invasive alien plant species in Nepal: current practices and future prospects. In: Garkoti SC, van Bloem S, Fule PZ and Semwal RL (Eds.), Tropical Ecosystems: Structure, Functions and Global Change. Springer Nature Singapore. pp. 45-68

  • Shrestha BB (2019b) Impact of Parthenium weed on plant species composition and forage productivity of pastures in Nepal. Unpublished report submitted to International Foundation for Science, Sweden

    Google Scholar 

  • Shrestha BB, Pokhrel K, Paudel N, Poudel S, Shabbir A, Adkins SW (2019) Distribution of Parthenium hysterophorus and one of its biological control agents (Coleoptera: Zygogramma bicolorata) in Nepal. Weed Res 59:467–478

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shrestha BB, Budha PB, Wang LJ, Pagad S (2017) Global Register of Introduced and Invasive Species- Nepal. v2.4. https://ipt.ala.org.au/resource?r=nepal-griis-gbif. Accessed 29 May 2019

  • Shrestha BB, Joshi S, Bisht N, Yi S, Kotru R, Chaudhary RP, Wu N (2018) Inventory and impact assessment of invasive alien plant species in Kailash Sacred Landscape. International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Kathmandu, Nepal

  • Shrestha BB, Poudel A, Khattri-Chettri J, Karki D, Gautam RD, Jha PK (2010) Fortuitous biological control of Parthenium hysterophorus by Zygogramma bicolorata in Nepal. J Nat Hist Mus Nepal 25:332–337

    Google Scholar 

  • Shrestha BB, Shabbir A, Adkins SW (2015) Parthenium hysterophorus in Nepal: a review of its weed status and possibilities for management. Weed Res 55:132–144. https://doi.org/10.1111/wre.12133

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simberloff D (2011) How common are invasion-induced ecosystem impacts? Biol Invasions 13:1255–1268. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-011-9956-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Siwakoti M, Verma SK (1999) Plant Diversity of Eastern Nepal: Flora of Plains of Eastern Nepal. MS Bishen Singh, Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehra Dun, India

  • StatSoft Inc (2015) STATISTICA Data Analysis Software System. StatSoft, Inc

  • Strayer DL, D’Antonio CM, Essl F, Fowler MS, Geist J, Hilt S, Jarić I, Jöhnk K, Jones CG, Lambin X, Latzka AW, Pergl J, Pyšek P, Robertson P, von Schmalensee M, Stefansson RA, Wright J, Jeschke JM (2017) Boom-bust dynamics in biological invasions: towards an improved application of the concept. Ecol Lett 20:1337–1350. https://doi.org/10.1111/ele.12822

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • ter Braak CJF, Smilauer P (2012) Canoco 5, Windows release (5.04). Biometris, Plant Research International, The Netherlands and Czech Republic

  • Theoharides KA, Dukes JS (2007) Plant invasion across space and time: factors affecting nonindigenous species success during four stages of invasion. New Phytol 176:256–273. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8137.2007.02207.x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Timsina B, Shrestha BB, Rokaya MB, Münzbergová Z (2011) Impact of Parthenium hysterophorus L. invasion on plant species composition and soil properties of grassland communities in Nepal. Flora 206:233–240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.flora.2010.09.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tiwari S, Siwakoti M, Adhikari B, Subedi K (2005) An Inventory and Assessment of Invasive Alien Plant Species of Nepal. IUCN-The World Conservation Union, Nepal

    Google Scholar 

  • Vilà M, Espinar JL, Hejda M, Hulme PE, Jarošík V, Maron JL, Pergl J, Schaffner U, Sun Y, Pyšek P (2011) Ecological impacts of invasive alien plants: a meta-analysis of their effects on species, communities and ecosystems. Ecol Lett 14:702–708. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1461-0248.2011.01628.x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • White GG (1994) Parthenium Weed. Corporative Research for Tropical Pest Manangement, Brisbane, Australia

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgement

This study was supported by Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) for data collection in 2009 and 2010 for all except MBR. For MBR, the study was supported by the Czech Science Foundation (project no. 17-10280S) and partly by institutional support RVO 67985939. We are thankful to Binu Timsina for arranging data in proper format for analysis. We are thankful to Hetauda Cement Industries Limited for allowing us to carry out sampling and also locals who cooperated during our entire study period. Ambika Poudel helped in data collection during 2009 and 2010. We also thank the Central Department of Environmental Sciences, Tribhuvan University for providing soil core sampler and the Central Department of Botany, Tribhuvan University, Nepal for allowing us to use greenhouse facilities.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Botany, Czech Academy of Sciences, Zámek 1, 252 43, Průhonice, Czech Republic

    Maan Bahadur Rokaya

  2. Department of Biodiversity Research, Global Change Research Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, Bělidla 4a, 603 00, Brno, Czech Republic

    Maan Bahadur Rokaya

  3. Trichandra Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University, Kathamndu, Nepal

    Jyoti Khatri-Chettri

  4. Central Campus of Science and Technology, Mid-Western University, Surkhet, Nepal

    Shiba Raj Ghimire

  5. Central Department of Botany, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal

    Bharat Babu Shrestha

Authors
  1. Maan Bahadur Rokaya
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jyoti Khatri-Chettri
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Shiba Raj Ghimire
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Bharat Babu Shrestha
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

BBS and MBR conceived and designed the study. JKC, BBS, SG and MBR collected data. MBR analyzed data. MBR and BBS wrote the manuscript, all other authors commented and approved the final version of manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bharat Babu Shrestha.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interests

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary file1 (DOCX 2358 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Rokaya, M.B., Khatri-Chettri, J., Ghimire, S.R. et al. Vegetation and soil seedbank dynamics in Parthenium hysterophorus L. invaded subtropical grassland in Nepal. Trop Ecol 61, 238–247 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42965-020-00085-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42965-020-00085-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation