Paired plot experiments to assess impact of invasive species on native floral diversity in Pakistan

The threat of invasion is growing globally and endangers biodiversity. Exotic invasive plants are putting a harm to the vegetation Pakistan’s Pothwar region, which biodiversity hotspot. In current study, effects Broussonetia papyrifera , Parthenium hysterophorus, Xanthium strumarium Lantana camara on local flora in area were examined. Two categorical groups (invaded non-invaded) used dichotomized experimental design collect data. Using software PRIMER-7 IBM SPSS v. 21, different diversity indices including Margalef’s index species richness, Shannon diversity, Simpson dominance measured compared between invaded control plots. comparison plots, plots had an average more individuals diversity. On multivariate scale, non-metric multidimensional scaling (nMDS) analysis similarity (ANOSIM) revealed higher richness effect L. was highest, followed by X. strumarium, P. B. papyrifera.