Does the introduction of exotic species pose a threat to the sorroundings? Explain with any two relevant illustrations (200 Words)
Refer - The Indian Express
Enrich the answer from other sources, if the question demands.
IAS Parliament 5 years
KEY POINTS
Exotic species, often referred to as alien, nonnative, nonindigenous, or introduced species, are those that occur in areas outside of their natural geographic range.
Yes, exotic species pose a threat to environment
· “Russian poplar” is a misnomer as the tree has nothing to do with Russia. It was introduced in Kashmir in 1982 under a Word Bank-aided social forestry scheme. The tree is a Western American species.
· With the onset of May, the “Russian poplars” shed their seeds covered in cotton-like material. The cotton-covered seeds can be seen in the air, on the ground and in water-bodies.
· Around the same time, patients complaining of respiratory diseases swell many times. People have been blaming the seeds for the respiratory diseases.
· Citing Article 21, the court also observed: “The right to life can become meaningful, only if a person is healthy.” And direct concerned authorities to remove branches of Russian poplars.
· A 2017 study by the Government Medical College, Srinagar, found that the pollen of “Russian poplars” can cause allergic reactions in less than 20% of the population.
Exotic species clean environment
· Common water hyacinth, is an aquatic plant native to the Amazon basin, and is often a highly problematic invasive species outside its native range.
· But, Water Hyacinth can absorb minerals and inorganic substance from the sewage. It can be grown rapidly in every kinds of condition.
· As a result, after using it to clean the sewage, it is brought to use as organic fertilizer like compost or mulching.
· Water Hyacinth could be brought to make compost in order to add nutrients to plant and solve the problem of lacking soil fertility.
· It gradually emits nutrients useful to plants in long period. It also resists acid and alkaline in soil and adds food source for microbe. As a result, there is a large amount of microbe and microbial activity.
· Water Hyacinth can be brought to make compost, mulching and to clean the sewage. It is a good way to change waste products into useful things.
· In case of phytoremediation water hyacinth absorbs metals like lead, chromium, mercury from the area and cleanse it.
N.k 5 years
Review....
Thanks
IAS Parliament 5 years
Good answer. Try to include Water hyacinth which helps in composting, absorbing toxic metals like mercury, chromium etc. Keep Writing.
Darshan 5 years
Hrituraj 5 years
Please review..
IAS Parliament 5 years
Cut short the introduction part. Try giving other example like Water hyacinth which helps in absorbing metal wastes like lead mercury, used for composting etc. Keep Writing.
