Population Size of a Weed, <I>lantana camara</I> L. in the Understorey of Teak Forests of Anaimalais, Western Ghats as Influenced by Upper Canopy Cover

Abstract

The population synamics of an exotic weed, Lantana camara were studied over a period of 25 months in disturbance gradient teak forests of Topslip, Western Ghats. The density of Lantana camara was higher in degraded site at all times of sampling and it varied between 1.3 and 12.6/m² across the forest sites. The population size increased significantly as the disturbance proceeded. Hence, for control of this weed in forest systems, creation and maintenance of closed canopy are suggested through intensive habitat protection.