A new research has unveiled that parasitic 'vampire' plants could add to the abundance and diversity of surrounding vegetation and animal life.

These are the plants that not only attach on another living plant, but also derive nutrients from them. The researchers studied the impact of the 'vampire plant' on the biodiversity of species-rich, semi-natural grassland by changing the densities of hemi-parasite.

The researchers also compared the plant and invertebrate communities in areas where the parasitic plant, Rhinanthus minor, was removed and left at natural densities or increased in abundance.

Study's lead researcher Sue Hartley from York University said, "Although hemi-parasites are known to increase the diversity of other plants in the community by suppressing the dominant species they parasitise, none of us predicted there would be such dramatic and positive impacts on other components of the grassland community".

Rhinanthus minor is a parasite that also photosynthesis. The plants use this process to convert light energy from the Sun into chemical energy and it can be released to pep up the organisms' activities. Hartley said that the parasite increase the presence of all types of animals like snails, woodlice, butterflies, wasps and spiders.

Study's co-researcher Libby John from the University of Lincoln said that their study is a clear example of the fact that indirect interactions act as vital structuring forces in ecology.

Hartley said that the study findings are vital from the conservation and management of grassland communities are quite unique, but also threatened.