Invasive mikania in Chitwan National Park, Nepal: the threat to the greater one-horned rhinoceros Rhinoceros unicornis and factors driving the invasion

Invasive mikania (Mikania micrantha) poses a significant threat to the greater one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) in Chitwan National Park, Nepal. The study found that 44% of surveyed habitats are infested with mikania, with nearly 15% exhibiting high infestation levels (>50% coverage). Riverine forests, tall grasslands, and wetlands—habitats critical for rhinoceros survival—show the highest densities of this invasive plant. Anthropogenic activities, particularly annual grassland burning (25–50% of the park's area) and natural resource collection by local communities, are key drivers of mikania spread. The research highlights the urgent need for management strategies to control burning, mitigate spread, and promote sustainable resource use practices among local communities.

Murphy, S. T., Subedi, N., Jnawali, S. R., Lamichhane, B. R., Upadhyay, G. P., Kock, R., & Amin, R. (2013). Invasive mikania in Chitwan National Park, Nepal: the threat to the greater one-horned rhinoceros Rhinoceros unicornis and factors driving the invasion. Oryx, 47(3), 361–368. https://doi.org/10.1017/s003060531200124x