Logo

Contents: 1. Invasive Aliens and their Biology. 2. State of Maharashtra. 3. Taxonomic Treatment. 4. Systematic Enumeration. References.

‘Convention For Biological Diversity’ (CBD) (1992) thought ‘Bioinvasion’ of exotic species as ‘The Second Worst Threat to Native Biodiversity’ after habitat destruction. Biologists also considered it as ‘Biological Pollution’ and a cause of global environmental change and species extinction. Biodiversity is obviously the mainstay of Homo sapiens and essential ecosystem functioning. At this backdrop, it has become necessary knowing the status of bioinvasion of a region. This move will help for biodiversity management and conservation. Salient features of this inventory in the state of Maharashtra are:
•    It sheds more light on 636 invasive alien plant species belonging to 413 genera 113 families of angiosperms.
•    Invasive alien wild and cultigens are earmarked from the biodiversity of the state.
•    Necessary information regarding local name if any, flowering and fruiting period, precise phytography and critical notes are provided.
•    Although this inventory is confined to the state of Maharashtra, these invasive alien species do occur in other states of India. It is, hence, also provide useful data to other regions of the nation
•    Hard evidences such as archaeobotany, palaeobotany and ancient Indian heritage scriptures are mentioned in lending support for such bioinvasion, indicating antiquity.
•    Interestingly, some American taxa have been found prior to Pre-Columbian period in Maharashtra.
•    Certainly, it is useful to the managers of biodiversity, conservationists, foresters, environmentalists, agriculturists, besides those engaged in biodiversity studies in teaching colleges, universities and research institutions.
•    Apart from these, the introductory chapter explains ‘pros and cons’ of the subject matter.