INVASION OF EXOTIC MEDICINAL WEEDS LANTANA SP. AND EUPATORIUM SP. AND ITS IMPACTS ON THE AVIAN DIVERSITY IN THE MUDUMALAI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, INDIA

Distribution of invasive exotic medicinal weeds, Lantana sp. and Eupatorium sp. in different parts of Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, India has been documented. Weed intensity was found to increase the avian diversity. The bird species richness was also more in high weed intensity areas Lantana sp. is a major food plant for various frugivorous birds and omnivorous birds. These exotic plants especially Lantana sp. also helps the birds to breed and hide. The common peafowl was previously (before more weed invasion) distributed in very less numbers in Mudumalai but now the population is very high. In low weed areas the common peafowl distribution is very less than the high weed intensity areas of the sanctuary. Key words: Avian diversity, Eupatorium, Exotics, Invasion, Lantana and Mudumala