Networks and Helpline » Nodal Center for Biological Invasions (NCBI)

Nodal Center for Biological Invasions (NCBI)

Biological invasions occur when species are deliberately or accidentally introduced and become established in environments they have not previously occupied. An invasive alien species can either be an animal, plant, pathogen or vector that causes ecological, economic or health impact in the invaded range.

NCBI attends to the issue of Biological Invasions encompassing plants, pathogens, insects, animals, and birds in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Considering that invasions by any taxa follows a certain pathway and invasion dynamics, we have successfully addressed the issues of the Giant African Snail, several plants in forests and non-forest ecosystems, the Red-eared Slider turtle, the Wax Scale Insect and several others. We help restoration of invaded habitats and provide protocols for preventing further invasions.

NCBI also offers internship programmes and postgraduate attachments for science aspirants. Also, the general public can report, raise queries or seek solutions regarding bio-invasions via the NCBI helpline.

NCBI has the following objectives:

  • Restoration of invasive species invaded habitats
  • Early detection and rapid control of biological invasions
  • Development of Policy directives
  • Awareness creation among decision-makers and general public

Research/Academic Projects

  1. A study on the risk assessment of Invasive Alien Plants in Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Pathanapuram Taluk, Kollam district.
  2. Ecology and Invasion dynamics of the Giant Sensitive Weed complex in the Western Ghats. Dr. KV Sankaran , Suresh T.A (Uni: FRI-U, Ph.D Awarded on 2014)
  3. Ecology, Phenology and social contexts of invasion by selected alien plants in Kerala. Dr. TV Sajeev , Soumya R (Uni: FRI-U, Ph.D Awarded on 2018)
  4. Monitoring of four Aquatic Invasive Plants in The Kole wetlands of Cherpu Block Panchayat - Thrissur ( Haripriya, M.Sc. Project)
  5. Investigating additional invasion enhancing characteristics in the alien invasive species Senna spectabilis (DC.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby (Sreerag Krishnan, M.Sc. Project)
  6. Report of the Risk Assessment of Invasive Alien Plants in Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary.

Publications


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Contact:
Tel: +91-487-2690390
e-mail: ncbi@kfri.res.in