Vol. 11, Special Issue 11 (2022)

The forest in Bhavanisagar range forms a part of the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve, and is one of the rich biodiversity areas of Western Ghats. Invasive alien species such as Prosopis juliflora, Lantana camara and Opuntia delinii have invaded in plain and hilly regions. Besides these, they created a harmful effect on native environments that include displacement of native species, degradation or elimination of habitat welfare factors, alternation in soil properties, degradation of wildlife forage, adversely altered fire regime and posed a considerable threat to endangered species. The present study was initiated to study the invasion impact of Prosopis juliflora on mammalian diversity of Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR). The results revealed that a total 16 mammal species were documented in this area, through direct and indirect evidences of which 10 species of herbivore 5 species of carnivore and 1 species of omnivore were recorded. In habitat analysis, natural forest significantly was rich in habitat welfare factors for mammal diversity.