International Journal of Research Studies in Biosciences (IJRSB) Volume 4, Issue 8, August 2016, PP 19-21 ISSN 2349-0357 (Print) & ISSN 2349-0365 (Online) http://dx.doi.org/10.20431/2349-0365.0408004 www.arcjournals.org ©ARC Page | 19 Impact of Invasive Plants in Changing Pattern of Native Biodiversity from Vidarbha Region of Maharashtra State S.P. Rothe 1 , D.A.Dhale 2 * 1 Department of Botany,ShriShivaji College of Arts, Commerce and Science, Akola. 1 PG-Department of Botany, SSVPS’s, L.K.Dr.P.R.Ghogrey Science College, Dhulem, (Maharashtra) India Abstract: During extensive and intensive exploration of naturalized aliens or exotics from Vidarbha region of Maharashtra state, in last ten years 2003 – 2014, in all 233 plant species were collected from various localities of Vidarbha. These species are naturalized in forest vegetation, along road sides, on margin of ponds, rivers, dams constructed by government. Simultaneously every year, effect of these plants on natural vegetation was studied with continuous observation. Some are maintaining phyto-sociological relationship at the same time, most of the naturalized aliens are producing large number of communities and replacing native species, also they are harmful to human health and animals, some are allergic causing number of skin diseases, dysentery, diarrhoea, gastro-intestinal tract diseases, blindness, bronchial asthma, cough, etc. Keywords: Biodiversity, Invasive plants, Vidarbha Region 1. INTRODUCTION Vidarbha region is comprised by 11 districts viz., Akola, Amravati, Buldhana, Chandrapur, Bhandara, Gadchiroli, Gondia, Nagpur, Wardha, Washim and Yeotmal. In this region forest is dry deciduous type while in some parts like Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, Amravati and Yeotmal luxuriant growth of vegetation is found namely, moist green and moist dry vegetation. At some parts, rivers are flowing nearly for twelve months. Due to availability of water aquatic vegetation is richly developed, while the ponds and dams constructed by government also show marginal aquatic vegetation. During exploration of naturalized aliens or exotics in all 233 plants are collected from various localities and are identified by using standard floras like Flora of Maharashtra State Volume I & II for dicotyledones and Flora of Maharashtra State for Monocotyledons. Simultaneously effect of these plants on natural vegetation was studied with the continuous observation. It was noted that some invasive species can change ecosystem processes, such as hydrology and soil chemistry. Most common hydrophytes found in this region are Ammania baccifera, Eichhornia crassipes, Limnophila spp., Lindenbergia spp., Monocharia vaginalis, Potamogeton natans, Typha angustifolia, Pistia strattiodes, Vallisneria spiralis, Gnaphalium leutoalbum whereas on margins of ponds Alternonthera sessilis, Parthenium hysterophorus, Ipomea sinensis, I.carnea, and many species of Cyperaceae and Poaceae. A few of them have flourished crowding out native vegetation. On such area Cyathocline purpurea, Sutera dissecta, Sphaeranthus calva, Leucas biflora, L. cephalotes, Launaea procumbens, Hyptis suaveolens, Ocimum canum, Malvastrum coromandelianum and Sida alba, S. cordifolia, S.ovata, Sonchus aspera, S. oleraceus, S. brachyoptus species are dominant and the wildlife that feeds on it. They are causing harmful effect in the form of diseases. These invasive plants have a competitive advantage because they are no longer controlled by their natural predators and can quickly spread out of control. Invasion further requires that introduced plant produces reproductive offspring in areas distant from sites of introduction. Taxa that can cope with the abiotic environment and biota in general may invade disturbed semi-natural communities. Invasion of successionally mature undisturbed communities usually requires that the alien taxa overcome a different category of barriers. Invasive alien species are plants, animals; pathogen and other organism that are non-native to an ecosystem and which may cause economic or environmental harm or adversely affect human health viz. pollen grains of Prosopis juliflora, Leucaena glauca, Albizia species, most of the ornamentals planted in garden