In Kawas area of Barmer district of arid western Rajasthan , India Tamarix species has replaced native Prosopis cineraria /Tecomella undulata and even exotic Prosopis juliflora after flash flood of 2006.What could be reason.
The reason is because weed seeds were present which are the early colonisers in disturbance events :)
Thank you , Andrew .Prosopis juliflora is a species having extra wide ecological amplitude . It can come up in any environmental conditions except temperate and high mountain environs.That species have been replaced by Tamarix sp. in my case. We have some preliminary information regarding change in nutrient cycling pattern in the area in question . I was thinking on the lines - has ingress of Tamarix sp. changed nutrient cycling pattern in the area , which may be very suitable for Tamarix and unfavourable for others.
Replacement of Prosopis juliflora (which is extremely hardy and especially adapted to desert conditions) by Tamarix sp. is indeed surprising.
Replacement of Tecomella and P. cineraria by Tamarix can be understood as they are not aggressive species compare to Tmarix but Prosopis juliflora (which is extremely hardy and well adapted) is suspicious logically. It require little more survey and in depth study as P. juliflora eradication is launched in many states but failed due non availability of better indigenous alternatives. It is really good news if P juliflora has natural replacement in arid zone by Tamraix and what are limiting factors which after fresh floods change the succession cycle in favour of Tamarix need to be studied in larger area.
Tamilnadu Government is one which plan to do at war footing. So for them it will be better option.
Dear Dr. Dobriyal, The area is very small , lot of research efforts are required to understand the mechanism .But that is there . Biotic stress has also increased in the area , when construction activities started after 2006 unprecedented flood.Regards.
You are correct sir. But observations are unique and are ray of sight for studying the effect of biotic factors, flesh floods etc in favour of ecological succession of Tamarix in arid zone.
Dear Sir
my approach Prosopis cineraria ,Tecomella undulata and the exotic Prosopis juliflora (though its adapted to saline) can only propagate through seeds. The flood could flushed all the seeds. The Tamarix is such a species can adapt more alkalinity and its mode of propagation (both vegetative- Root succors & stem cutting and also by Seeds - a capsule contain numerous seeds can be dispersed by wind and water) can form the mat could be the reason for fast replacement.
It might be some climatic pattern change, like getting hotter in summer or less water, when natives are decreasing their adaptive features, but invasives getting stronger. Might be Tamarix roots faster reacting and can better adapt to changing the water table. It could be the factor of climate change but could be some other factors, usually it never goes alone.
Prosopis juliflora can be very invasive in some arid areas, like occurs in the Cape Verde Islands. I think it may be better to use Tamarix trees, choosing native species when possible.
Best regards.
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