Proc. of International Conference on Environmental Aspects of Bangladesh (ICEAB10), Japan, Sept.

2010

FB03
The Environmental Impact of Alien Invasive Plant Species in Bangladesh
Sonya Afrin1, Subarna Sharmin2, Qazi Azizul Mowla3
1
Department of Architecture, Stamford University Bangladesh; afrinsonia@yahoo.com
2
RIIP II, Local Government Engineering Department; sharminsubarna@yahoo.com
3
Department of Architecture, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Dhaka;
qamawla@arch.buet.ac.bd
Abstract— Invasive alien species colonize the environment demand etc. [6]. According to Forest Department and
and are aggressively a mediator of change and threaten some other sources Bangladesh forest cover is nearly about
native biodiversity of Bangladesh. The spread of invasive 2.53 million ha representing approximately 17.5% of the
alien plants is due to their opportunistic exploitation of country’s total surface area, but according to FRA- 2005 it
anthropogenic disturbances; the absence of natural enemies; is only about 0.871 million ha [7], however, only 6% of the
and frequently their allopathic competitive strategies.
forest resources is well stocked. The annual deforestation
Invasive non-indigenous species can have a significant impact
on development, affecting sustainability of livelihood, natural rate in the country is 3.3% which is highest among the
habitats, food security and rapidly changing the native south-east Asian countries [8]. The causes of deforestation
character of indispensable natural or semi-natural ecosystem in Bangladesh are due to heavy demands for forest
services and dynamics. The study entails the impact of these products and fuel wood, besides conversion of forest land
alien invasive plant species on the perspective of Bangladesh. to other uses such as urbanization, cultivation, industrial,
Keywords: Alien plant, Invasive plant, Ecosystem,
infrastructures, transportation, energy production and so on.
Biodiversity, Bangladesh. The environmental effects of deforestation are soil
degradation, flooding, erosion and above all the danger of
INTRODUCTION contributing towards climate change [3]. The massive
deforestation has been creating enormous degradation of
Plants are the basis of life on earth and are central to native biodiversity and ecosystem of the country. Major
people’s livelihoods. They provide natural conservation, reasons behind biodiversity depletion in Bangladesh are
ecological balance and benefits, as well as contribute high population density, extreme poverty and
towards the aesthetic values of the environment. People are unemployment, habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation
closely allied to their ecosystem and live in harmony with of land, illegal poaching, environmental pollution and
nature [1]. Plants are assets in the urban and rural degradation, lack of people’s awareness, lack of political
landscape. The geographical condition and climate of commitments and unwillingness towards addressing the
Bangladesh is quite conducive to the growth of different burning issues, absence of proper institutional
plant species. arrangements, global climate change and sea level rise and
Introduction of plants from one place to another may be introduction of invasive alien species etc. [9].
natural or planned manner. But in recent years invasive
alien species have gained considerable notoriety as being A. History of Invasion
major threats to native species and ecosystem of A large number of exotic (non-native) plants have been
Bangladesh [2]. Some of the species have luxuriant growth introduced into Bangladesh for agriculture, horticulture,
and suppress the growth of other native species. This forestry, animal husbandry and fisheries. Introduction of
results in a loss of native floral diversity of the country. alien invasive species of flora and fauna were in most cases
These alien invasive plants are becoming a major concern, deliberate in Bangladesh, to increase productivity and to
during past two decades, among conservationists, support the needs of 140 million people in an area of only
ecologists, foresters, policy makers and scientists for their 147,000 sq. km. Introduction of alien species has a long
severe biological, ecological and socio-economic impacts
worldwide. It has been identified as one of the greatest history in Bangladesh [6]. The plantation of alien invasive
intimidation to native ecosystems, species habitats and species dates back to colonial period, but these have
biodiversity [3]. The undisturbed natural forests are expanded alarmingly in recent years. Most of the herbs and
resistant to alien invasions while the degraded and shrubs were introduced during the British colonial period
secondary forest areas and wastelands are susceptible to for their aesthetic value and most of the timber species
aggressively invading invasive alien species [4]. This were introduced in Bangladesh from the late 1880s to early
study attempts to evaluate the environmental impact of 1890s to meet the country’s rapidly growing demand for
alien invasive plant species in the Bangladesh context. timber [3]. The British mostly contributed to the
introduction of some economically important forest plants
BANGLADESH CONTEXT from almost all the continents in the 19th century, e.g.
Tectona grandis, Paraserianthes falcataria, Albizia
Bangladesh is basically formed by the fertile soil brought saman, Xylia dolabriformis, and Swietenia macrophylla etc.
down by the mighty rivers. Due to the favourable In the 20th century this trend continued, and some
geo-climatic context, it is exceptionally rich in biodiversity Australian species (Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Acacia
[5]. The country’s flora and fauna has the characteristics of mangium, and Acacia auriculiformis) were getting
high growth rate, high economic value, high market preferences in the plantation programs [3]. Perhaps the
first widely introduced alien invasive plant species in
Bangladesh is Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes). At

- 62 -
 Proc. of International Conference on Environmental Aspects of Bangladesh (ICEAB10), Japan, Sept. 2010

that time, nobody realized how vigorously this species and spread of invasive alien plant species. Records reveal
could turn into an aquatic weed. Now it has invaded almost that more than 130 exotic tree species so far have been
all the wetlands of Bangladesh [10]. Among the Australian tried in the plantation programs of Bangladesh but only a
alien plant species, the Acacia auriculiformis is few of them adapted well for growth in the large scale
dominating in all the plantation programmes and growing plantation programs.
well in all sorts of degraded land. But its pollen is thought
C. Factors Contributing Towards the Growth of Invasive
to be allergic to many people [3]. In fact, these alien
Plants
species are introduced in Bangladesh for their rapid
growth, increasing food production, utilization of a vacant There are different factors that influence species invasions
niche in the native ecosystem, efficient dispersal and contribute to the massive growth and spread of
capabilities, control of undesirable species considered as invasive alien plant species in Bangladesh. Most invasive
pest, pestilence, weed, etc. as a tool for biological control, non-indigenous plant in the country produces huge amount
large reproductive output and tolerance to a broad range of of long lived seeds that is transferred to different regions
environmental conditions etc. However, some of them by wind and birds. Reproductive strategies also help to
were introduced for decorative or ornamental purposes in spread of these alien species in Bangladesh. The
Bangladesh [6]. geo-climatic condition and availability of nutrient are
favourable for the rapid growth rates of most alien plants
B. The Invasive Plants in Bangladesh
species in Bangladesh. Most invasive alien plant species
Many of the exotic plants are of economic benefit and have the ability to colonize new habitats in Bangladesh.
some have severe negative impacts through invasion on Human activities are also facilitator to trans-locate the
the native biodiversity of the country [4]. Some of alien plants in the new areas due to their lack of awareness on
plant species in terrestrial zones that have been introduced invasive impact of alien species in Bangladesh. Due to
to Bangladesh for many years for their high economic increasing level of tourism and import, the entry of
importance are concurrently creating severe negative invasive non- indigenous species have increased in
impacts to the ecosystem including that of break of local Bangladesh. On the other hand, alien species have been
food-web and food-chain, thus contributing towards the introduced through flood water from India [3][11]. Most of
breakdown of the local ecosystem [11]. Some of the the alien agricultural species require extra care, fertilizers,
examples are as Akashmoni (Acacia auriculaeformis); insecticides and controlled watering thus resulting in the
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus brassiana); Eucalyptus loss of soil fertility and contributing towards soil and water
(Eucalyptus camaldulensis); Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus pollution. In short, the threat of invasive alien plants to
tereticornis); Telekadam (Leucaena leucocephala), Pine biodiversity is second only to habitat loss and even more
(Pinus oocarpa); Caribaea pine (Pinus caribaea); etc. than pollution that have severe impacts on air; water; soil;
[12]. During the British colonial period the first widely food web and natural chains in the ecosystem.
introduced alien invasive aquatic plant species in
D. Environmental Impact of Invasive Plant Species
Bangladesh as stated earlier was Water Hyacinth
(Eichhornia crassipes) (weedy in nature) that was brought Some of the alien invasive plants which have the ability to
from Brazil. Besides there are Alligator weed endure very high air pollution, temperatures and draught
(Alternanthera philoxeroides), (Ipomoea aquatic Forsk) are Ipil-Ipil, Acacia and Eucalyptus. Some plants species
and Water lettuce or Tupapana (Pistia stratiotes L) etc. [3]. also have a major impact on catchment hydrology; it does
More than 300 exotic species are supposed to be either alter hydrological flows; condition and patterns; reduce
wildly growing or cultivated as an economic crop in stream flow; reduce water yield from watersheds; reduce
Bangladesh. Among all invasive non-native plants species, surface water runoff etc. It can also disrupt stock watering,
most potential invasive alien plants is Acacia and irrigation, tourism and recreational use of resources and
Eucalyptus that created several controversies and heritages [2]. Some alien invasive weed species rapidly
problems. All the species of these two genera are proven to invade lake, water ways and wetlands, create floods in
be rivals to the endemic flora and found to be water ways and reduce oxygen level of water for
environmentally unfriendly to Bangladesh [10]. Acacia phytoplankton growth. Aggressive alien invaders reduce
and Eucalyptus trees produce leaves that are not easily the amount of nutrients and water that is available to native
degradable resulting in less fertile soil and the threatening species, alter soil chemistry, moisture-holding capacity,
of thousands of humus-dependent species including herbs and erode ability, increase soil erosion along stream banks,
and earthworms. These trees absorb large amount of water shorelines and roadsides, change characteristics of the soil
and hence even the indigenous trees cannot grow properly structure, increased nitrogen (N) (ex. as Ipil-Ipil and
around them. These plants do not support any wildlife Acacia) deposition in soil. Some types of flora introduced
since these do not produce edible fruit or nectar for them in Bangladesh which exercises adverse effects on soil
[10]. Eucalyptus trees release allelochemicals into the soils fertility. The allelochemicals released into the soils of
that lower the nutrient content of soil and effect the growth some invasive alien plants (ex. as Eucalyptus) lowered
of native crops and plants species very severely [13]. nutrient content in comparison to native forest ecosystems
Among alien aquatic plant (weed) species Eichhornia and inhibited the growth of native species [14]. These
crassipes, water hyacinth is most likely to cause problems chemicals also reduced crop output when planted adjacent
in Bangladesh. It is an aggressive invader of dams and to crops [13]. Long-term exposure to allelochemicals may
slow flowing of rivers [3][5] creating high sedimentation. cause soil erosion by reducing vegetative cover [15].
There are several factors that contribute to the fast growth

- 63 -
 Proc. of International Conference on Environmental Aspects of Bangladesh (ICEAB10), Japan, Sept. 2010

The invasion of plant species in the new environments is ACKNOWLEDGMENT

triggered by land and forest degradation; land use and land The paper is based on un published M.Arch term paper by
cover changes; disrupt fire regime; displace native plant the author A (Sonya Afrin) under the supervision of author
and animal species; man-induced habitat fragmentation; C (Prof. Dr. Qazi Azizul Mowla) in Bangladesh University
human health; many diseases affecting humans, plants and of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
animals; and interrupt food webs and food chain etc. [3].
Among all these impacts of IAS, food webs and food chain REFFERENCES
plays a severe effect on the environment. Non-native
invasive plant species are one of the major causes of [1] RAP, Tiger paper: Study of Some Medicinal Plants Found in
Dudhwa National Park. Bangkok Food and Agriculture
habitat loss. Organization of the United Nations (FAO) 2008.
Among different invasive non-indigenous plant species, [2] Kunwar, R. M., Invasive alien plants and Eupatorium: Biodiversity
some of them have strength and much utility on the and livelihood. Himalayan Journal of Sciences. Vol 1 Issue 2, 2003.
environment of the country. Some of these alien plants are [3] Afrin, Sonya, The Environmental Impact of Alien Invasive Plant
Species, unpublished Master’s term paper in the Department of
fast growing, can be planted in any kind of soil, have the Architecture, BUET, 2009, Dhaka.
ability to withstand in degraded areas and unfavourable [4] Das, S., Alien Invasive Plants in Bangladesh and Their Impacts on
conditions, can grow in unfavourable climatic conditions, the Ecosystem, Introduction of Exotics in the Plantation Forestry of
and can help raise people’s economy by being planted in Bangladesh. Proceedings of the Second Bangladesh National
Conference on Forestry, Dhaka. 85-93, 1982.
afforestation programs. It help in erosion control, have the [5] Mowla, Q.A., Eco-Sustainability of Urban Environment – the Case
ability to filter different air pollutants, use for compost of Dhaka, presented in the International Continuing Education Meet
materials, providing different building materials (use in on Sustainable Communities – Bridging the Gap between Research
bridges, buildings, railway, aircrafts etc.), produce farm and Action, jointly organized by TKK-Finland, AIT-Thailand,
UN-HABITAT and UNEP, 11-22 August 2008, AIT Bangkok.
timbers, fuel wood (e.g. Acacia , Ipil Ipil and Eucalyptus), [6] Barua, S. P., Khan M. M. H., Reza, A.H.M., The Status of Alien
stick, paper pulp (e.g. Acacia, Ipil Ipil and Eucalyptus), Invasive Species in Bangladesh and their Impact on the Ecosystems.
wood coal (e.g. Acacia and Ipil Ipil), oil (e.g. Eucalyptus), IUCN-The World Conservation Union, Bangladesh (2000).
ply wood (e.g. Ipil Ipil), use as shade trees in native crops [7] FAO. Global Forest Resource Assessment 2005: Progress towards
sustainable forest management. FAO Forestry Paper 147, Food and
plantation program etc. These plants if at all introduced
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome. 2006, p.320.
should be strictly in a controlled manner only for a [8] Poffenberger, M. (ed).,. Communities and forest management in
particular desired effect [11]. South Asia. IUCN, DFID and Asia Forest Network, Indonesia.
2000, Pp.35-46.
[9] Ahmed, S. M., Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable
CONTROL OF INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES Development in Bangladesh: An overview of the present status,
management problems and future prospects. Department of Forestry
A variety of well-known methods can be used as measures and Environmental Science, School of Agriculture and Mineral
to control alien invasive species and their spread. These Sciences, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet
vary from administrative (national and international 3114, (2007). Bangladesh.
[10] Ameen M., Development of Guiding Principles for the Prevention
cooperation and coordination, database management, of Impacts of Alien Species. Paper presented at a consultative
legislation regarding quarantine and so on), to mechanical workshop in advance of the 4th Meeting of SBSTTA to the CBD,
(including digging up root systems, slashing and organized by IUCN Bangladesh at Dhaka on 25 May 1999.
chopping), to chemical (utilizing acceptable and tested [11] Mowla, Q.A., Eco-systems and Sustainable Urban Design Nexus –
A Borderless Concept, in the Global IIT 2005 Alumni Conference
herbicides) and to biological (making use of plant specific
On Beyond ii Technology, with the theme “Technology without
insects or pathogens to damage and control aliens). These Borders” May 20-22, 2005, Bethesda, Washington DC, USA.
options are generally incorporated into integrated control [12] Zabala, N. Q., Silviculture of Species, Development of Professional
program. Education in the Forestry Sector, Bangladesh. Institute of Forestry,
Chittagong University, Bangladesh. 1990, pp. 96-150.
[13] Jagger, P. and Pender, J. The role of trees for sustainable
CONCLUSION management of less-favored lands: the case of eucalyptus in
Ethiopia. Forest Policy and Economics ,Volume 5, Issue 1, 2003,
The alien invasive plant species have been acknowledged pp. 83-95.
as a stern threat to the native biodiversity of Bangladesh. [14] Michelsen,A., Lisanework, N. and Friis, I.,. Impacts of tree
plantations in the Ethiopian highland on soil fertility, shoot and root
These species are extremely susceptible to the ecosystems growth, nutrient utilization and mycorrhizal colonization. Forest
of the country that threatening the endurance of local Ecology and Management (Volume 61, 1993), pp. 299–324.
counterparts. These plant species remain a pressing [15] Bielski, S., Exotic Species in Social Forestry Programs: An Analysis
concern for authorities responsible for environmental of Ecological and Economic Impacts, Honors Thesis, SPEA Honors
Paper Series Vol. 2, No. 10, 2008, Indiana University
conservation and other economic sectors. There are scores
of gaps in the current management approach against
invasive species in the country. Undeniably there are
innumerable areas that need to be strengthened to
effectively administer the problem. To prevail over further
detrimental effects on agricultural and natural ecosystems,
the policy makers of Bangladesh must put management of
these alien invasive plant species lofty on their list of
national resource management priorities. Besides, of the
many alien species in the country, their impact on local
ecosystems have yet to be identified should be studied.

- 64 -