Invasive Alien Plants in Urban Ecosystems

This book provides a collection of contemporary researches focused on the challenges, impacts and precautionary measures to be taken to address invasive alien plant species in urban systems. The current scenario of rapid urbanization and anthropogenic disturbances across the globe are supplemental to the expansion of invasive alien plant species. Urban ecosystems are strangely under-explored in the constantly developing understanding of alien species invasions. In this book, topics related to alien plant species occurrence in urban ecosystems, their ecosystem services and disservices, their comparative assessment to native species, challenges to the urban ecosystems under changing climatic scenarios, the impact of alien plants on different components of urban environment/ecosystems, aesthetic values, livelihoods and health of urban dwellers, management approaches and policies related to alien plants in urban systems are highlighted. The book will be helpful in understanding the invasion process in urban centres as human-affected landscapes in urban areas are expected to support a larger chunk of alien species, and are instrumental in the dissemination of invasive propagules to nearby natural landscapes. Invasive alien plant species are reported as a serious threat to native biodiversity and human health. It is predicted that climate change associated disturbances or extreme events may play supportive role in colonization and spread of invasive alien plants in urban ecosystems. This book will be suitable for students (undergraduate and postgraduates) of urban planning and architecture, urban agriculture, urban forestry, urban ecology, and environmental sciences; teachers, researchers, climate change scientists in academic and research institutions. It will also be applicable to town planning and environmental management agencies, government agencies and policy makers.