Prosopis chilensis
Context: A study has revealed that Prosopis chilensis is threatening to pulverise native vegetation in the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve (GoMBR).
About Prosopis chilensis UPSC
Prosopis chilensis is a drought-resistant plant.
It is also commonly known as Chilean mesquite.
It is a small to medium-sized legume tree
Spread - It is native to the arid regions of South American countries namely, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru.
The species has migrated to Africa and naturalized in many African countries.
Threat - Prosopis chilensis is an alien invasive species in the 21 islands divided into the Tuticorin, Vembar, Kilakkarai, and Mandapam groups in the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve (GoMBR).
The invasiveness of this species and how they came to India is not known so far.
Corals, seagrass, and mangroves are among the 3 unique ecosystems present on the islands.
Like any invasive species on an island, Prosopis chilensis will slowly kill the native trees as well as the mangroves.
The GoMBR, India’s first marine biosphere reserve, is one of the important habitats for coastal birds migrating as far as the Arctic Circle
Source: The Hindu
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