ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF INVASIVE ALIEN PLANT SPECIES ON ENVIRONMENT, ECOSYSTEM SERVICES AND HUMAN HEALTH

Abstract

Invasive alien plant species (IAPS) are considered to be an important driver of global change in biodiversity, community structure, and ecosystem processes of the invaded ecosystem, fundamental to human well-being (access to secure livelihoods, health, good social relations, security and freedom). There isa lack of studies on IAPS, concerning its economic quantification, livelihood considerations and human health risk assessments. In this article, we review the role of invasive alien plant species in modulating native plant species diversity, environment, ecosystem, climate change, land-use change, socioeconomic security and also tried to discuss the role of IAPS on the health of humans and human well-being. We suggest some management practices and use of advance tools such as remote sensing and GIS to assess, map and monitor the vulnerability of IAPS. These advance technologies may also help in the detection of impact of IAPS on ecosystems, and its conservation and restoration.