Impact of Exotic Pests on Agro-biodiversity and their Management: A Review

Abstract

Author(s): Saurabh Singh, Abhay K. Pandey, Bhupendra K. Singh and D.C. Rajak

The agricultural economy in India is vulnerable to threat from exotic pests/ diseases. Invasive species, disease vectors, and pathogens affect biodiversity, ecosystem function and services, and human health. Climate change, land use, and transport vectors interact in complex ways to determine the spread of native and non-native invasive species, pathogens, and their effects on ecosystem dynamics. Although invasive alien species have been identified as the second greatest threat to biodiversity after habitat loss, characterizing and quantifying their impacts on native species and habitats remains a fundamental problem in the conservation
biology. Adopting a hypothesis-driven experimental approach to impact assessment, and to eradication efforts through adaptive management, would benefit our ecological understanding of invasive species without delaying critical management action that could reduce the spread of invasive species population. A new plant quarantine order has been approved by the Indian Government in 2003 which harmonizes the International plant protection convention with regulatory framework of India. For the management of alien species, community based approaches can be implemented with other control measures. In the present chapter the short description, their impact and control measure of Indian alien species has been discussed.

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