Impact of alien invasive species of Annona Glabra Special reference to Kelaniya Mudun Ela catchment

Abstract

Invasive alien species (IAS) have distressing impacts on native biota, causing decline or even extinction of native species, and negatively affecting ecosystems. All major invasions are due to the actions of humans such as deliberate introductions or escapes, and hitchhiking with global trade of species to other continents. Annona glabra plants also highly impact to the wetland ecosystems in the western part of Sri Lanka. The main objective of this research is to identify the environmental impact of annona glabra plant. The Mudhun Ela catchment in Mahara Divisional Secretariate Division was selected as the study area. The primary and secondary data were used for this research. The mixed-method has been used by this research. Primary data was collected through semi-structured questionnaires, observation, and ground surveys with square method while reports, books, articles, and institutional reports have been used as secondary data. Ground survey data were analyzed using Shannon's wiener diversity index calculation and it showed species richness and density were highest in the study area. Also, it could be identified that the people not aware of the threat of the IAS plant to the ecosystem. According to the analysis, it is better to conduct awareness among the villagers and government on dos don’t with IAS would assist in opening up more opportunities for community participation in effective IAS management.