News
Birds return to forest patches where Lantana was removed: Study
Weeding out the invasive tropical American shrub, Lantana camara, appears to alter the composition of bird species in a forest, according to a new study conducted in Central India.However, the research was carried out over only three years. Long-term assessments of how birds and insects respond to the removal of this invasive species are needed, the study published in journal Restoration Ecology, stressed.
Lantanas arrived in India as a decorative shrub in the British colonial period but quickly took over several ecosystems as an invasive plant. The shrub can spread on the forest ground, climb over trees an a creeper and entangle with other native plants with ease.
The researchers focused on tropical dry forests, which don’t often get enough attention. “Peatlands or humid forests get more emphasis for their ability to sequester carbon,” Pooja Choksi, who has just completed her PhD at Columbia University and the lead author of the study, told Down To Earth.
Though dry forests sequester less carbon, people heavily depend on them, she added. Forest restoration by removing lantana was done for the convenience of people, Choksi highlighted. Local communities carried out the removal, the state forest department and a non-governmental organisation.
The team used sound recorders to assess how lantana removal in Madhya Pradesh’s Bichhiya, a critical tiger conservation site, impacted animals that vocalise in frequencies between the frequency range of 2-8 Kilohertz. Bioacoustics, which is the study of animal vocalisations, helps researchers monitor species.
They focused their research on three forest sites: Restored, unrestored, and those with little or no lantana. The team found no difference in species richness or the cumulative number of species across the sites.But differences emerged when they looked at the composition of bird communities or differences in species present at a site.
“What is interesting is that restoration for people’s livelihoods and convenience does not hurt biodiversity,” Choksi highlighted.
They also found differences in acoustic space use (ASU), which quantifies the amount of time soundscapes (animal sounds) are active in 24 hours. A higher ASU can indicate more diversity or abundance of vocalising species.
This change could be temporary, the expert speculated. When lantana is removed, it causes a shift in habitat. Some species will likely leave while others move in, she added.
“When such sudden changes happen, animal communities could be reorganising their community,” she said, adding that long-term studies could provide more concrete answers.
Choksi and her team are currently analysing the data to get a better understanding of the effects a change in soundscapes and the vocalising species composition could mean.
“We have seen a change in composition, but does that mean we are seeing more pollinators or more insectivores — we are currently assessing that,” she said.
Choksi plans to investigate the links between socio-ecological changes and restoration and how people perceive Lantana camara and forest restoration.
– Down to Earth
It has been reported that a Sri Lanka Air Force Bell 212 Helicopter has crashed into the Maduru Oya Reservoir this morning.
Latest News
Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central and Eastern provinces and Monaragala and Hambantota districts
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 4.00 p.m. 08 May 2025, valid for 09 May 2025
The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central and Eastern provinces and Monaragala and Hambantota districts.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
News
EC asks winners to name heads of majority-controlled LG institutions; bargaining continues in hung councils
Chairman of the Election (EC) Commission R. M. A. L. Ratnayake said yesterday that the EC would direct the political parties and independent groups that have secured absolute majorities in local government bodies to name the heads of those institutions.
The ruling NPP and the Opposition parties are vying for control of the hung local councils including the Colombo MC. Both the NPP and the SJB have offered to coalesce with independent groups to muster majorities.
Ratnayake said that notifications would be sent to the General Secretaries of parties and independent groups that have won local government bodies with a majority of more than 50% of the vote.
The results of the 2025 Local Government election held on Tuesday (6) were released on Wednesday (7).
The NPP won 266 out of 339 local government institutions. The SJB and the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi won 13 and 37 councils respectively. Independent groups and regional Tamil political parties won the other councils.
However, the winners have failed to secure more than 50% of seats in a majority of the local government institutions.Ratnayake said that the members elected to local government institutions at the ward level would be officially gazetted in the coming days.
The heads of the non-majority councils will be elected by their members. The government and the Opposition are accusing each other of using financial inducements to make some councilors switch their allegiance ahead of the election of the heads of the hung local councils.
The NPP has said it is confident of forming stable administrations in 134 local councils, but the Opposition is of the view that the NPP will not be able to do so in about 186 councils.
PSL moved to UAE amid India-Pakistan tensions
Bell 212 helicopter crashes into Maduru Oya reservoir
Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central and Eastern provinces and Monaragala and Hambantota districts
-
Opinion5 days agoRemembering Dr. Samuel Mathew: A Heart that Healed Countless Lives
-
Business3 days agoAitken Spence Travels continues its leadership as the only Travelife-Certified DMC in Sri Lanka
-
Business3 days agoLinearSix and InsureMO® expand partnership
-
Latest News2 days agoNPP win Maharagama Urban Council
-
Features5 days agoTrump’s economic missiles are boomeranging
-
Latest News5 days agoThe Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern, Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Monaragala and Hambantota districts.
-
Business2 days agoNDB Bank partners with Bishop’s College to launch NDB Pixel awareness
-
Sports2 days agoDamsiluni, Buwindu win Under 14 tennis titles