Exotic and Invasive Plant Species Impacting Forests

Dear Colleagues,

In 1958, Charles Elton, a pioneer in population ecology, wrote of how ecological explosions were threatening the world. Nearly half a century later, his early warning has become one of the most important environmental crises of our time. Biological invasions have caused more species extinctions than human induced climate change and are the second leading cause of species extinctions after habitat loss. It is one of the major reasons of biodiversity depletion. Invasive plants, in particular, are to blame for much native species decline and ecosystem degradation.
The invasion of native ecosystems by alien plants can lead to alterations in nutrient cycling, fire regime, hydrology, energy budgets, and native species abundance and survival. There are studies being conducted to answer ecological, environmental, management and socio-economic questions related to invasive alien plans in forested ecosystems the world over. Although the economic and ecological damage caused by alien animal and microbe species are also astounding, the scope of this special issue is limited to alien plant invasions of forested ecosystems. We welcome your submissions.

Prof. Dr. Shibu Jose
Guest Editor