Distribution modeling of Lantana camara and identification of hotspot for future management of the species in the lower Shivalik region of Uttarakhand, India

Invasive alien species are one of the most significant threats to biodiversity of the earth ecosystem. Spatial modeling has played a vital role in predicting and mapping the suitable areas of the species habitat for management implementation. Lantana camara is one of the ten worst invasive weed enlisted by IUCN., and has its distribution in more than 154000 sq. km area in India. We predicted the distribution of Lantana camara using Ecological Niche Modeling (ENM) in MaxEnt software for Rajaji- Corbett landscape in the lower Shivalik region of the state of Uttarakhand, India. The predicted area for the invasion was classified into four categories high, good, medium, and low potential areas. The distribution hotspots were identified using Getis Ord G* method in ArcGIS 10.5 by calculating plot-wise species occurrence. Major hotspot areas under threat of high infestation are Dholkhand, Gohri, Ramgarh, Motichur, and Chilla from Rajaji Tiger Reserve, Palain, Mandal and Maidavan from Kalagarh Tiger Reserve and Bijrani, Dheela, Dhikala, Jhirna and Kalagarh from Corbett Tiger Reserve. This study provides a current status of the invasive species in the landscape with identified areas that need immediate actions to control the spread of the species. The study results can help the policymakers and stakeholders build an efficient and strategically weed management plan.