Distribution and socio-ecological impacts of the invasive alien cactus Opuntia stricta in eastern Africa

Ecological perturbations caused by biotic invasion have been identified as a growing threat to global sustainability. Invasive alien plants species (IAPS) are considered to be one of the major drivers of biodiversity loss and thereby altering the ecosystem services and socio-economic conditions through different mechanisms. Although the ecological impacts of IAPS are well documented, there is a dearth of studies regarding their economic quantification, livelihood considerations, biotechnological prospects (phytoremediation, bioenergy, phytosynthesis of nanoparticles, biomedical, industrial applications etc.) and human health risk assessments of IAPS. In this context, the current panoramic review aimed to investigate the environmental, socio-ecological and health risks posed by IAPS as well as the compounded impact of IAPS with habitat fragmentation, climate and land use changes. To this end, the need of an integrated trans-disciplinary research is emphasized for the sustainable management of IAPS. The management prospects can be further strengthened through their linkage with geo-spatial technologies (remote sensing and GIS) by mapping and monitoring the IAPS spread. Further, the horizon of IAPS management is expanded to ecological indicator perspectives of IAPS, biosecurity, and risk assessment protocols with critical discussion. Moreover, positive as well as negative implications of the IAPS on environment, health, ecosystem services and socio-economy (livelihood) are listed so that a judicious policy framework could be developed for the IAPS management in order to mitigate the human health implications.

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“…Direct exposure Health implications in form of eye and skin irritations, possibly due to glochids on the fruit Shackleton et al (2017) 19.…”

Section: Opuntia Strictamentioning

confidence: 99%

Invasive alien plant species: Their impact on environment, ecosystem services and human health

Kumar

Singh

2020

Ecological Indicators

234

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“…Invasive plant species such as acacia species are widely used by pastorals as a fodder for browser, nectar for bees, charcoal, medicine against different disease, fuel wood and construction material (Shackleton et al, 2017). Table 6 presents the perceptions of local community on invasive plant species.…”

Section: Benefits Of Invasive Plant Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Socio-economic and environmental impacts of invasive plant species in selected districts of Bale Zone, Southeast Ethiopia

Mussa¹,

Teka²,

Aliye³

2018

Afr. J. Agric. Res.

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Understanding the socioeconomic and environmental impacts of invasive plant species from the affected communities' perspectives is essential to design and plan sustainable control and prevention strategies. Hence, understanding the socio-economic and environmental impacts in the infested and susceptible areas such as Bale zone is very crucial. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess socio-economic impacts of in lowlands of Bale zone, Southeastern Ethiopia. House hold survey, focus group discussion and key informant interview to understand socio-economic and environmental impacts invasive plant species were used. Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) (v. 20) was used for data collection. The results showed that a total of 12 invasive plant species were recorded, and of which Parthenium hysterophorus, Xanthium strumarium, Argemone ochroleuca, Ceasalpinia spp, Acacia bussie, Acacia mellifera, Acacia seyal and Acacia tortolis were highly distributed in the study areas. Respondents reported that heavy infestation of invasive plant species were found on the roadsides followed by arable land. The invasive plant species has also certain economic and ecological benefits. The local communities blame the invasive plant species for their negative impacts on biodiversity, degrading ecosystems, livestock and livestock products, crops, animal and human health. The study result showed that the local community utilizes chemical, mechanical and biological methods to reduce and control the impacts even though the percent of households that were trying to control is very low. Community perception showed the invasive plants species infesting grazing lands, crop lands, road sides, frosts and settlement areas. However, much has not been done to alert the local people on the danger of environmental impacts on biodiversity, agriculture and health. The menace of the species is increasing at an alarming rate, thus control methods have to be designed to stop further spreading into Bale Mountain National Parks.Key words: Environmental impacts, invasive alien species, socio-economic impacts, Southeast Ethiopia. INTRODUCTIONGlobalization has brought social and economic benefits to many people, but it has also presented new challenges of which invasive alien species (IAS) are among the most significant. At no time in history has the rate of biological invasion (Mack et al., 2000) or the diversity and volume of these invaders been so high and the consequences so great (Reaser et al., 2007).Ethiopia has a long history in the introduction of alien 674 Afr. J. Agric. Res. plant species, especially those which were found to be productive elsewhere and offered potential economic benefits to the country. In many other countries in the tropics, hundreds of alien plant species have entered Ethiopia intentionally and unintentionally (Abdulahi et al., 2017). In the country, there are many invasive plant species that are posing negative impacts on native biodiversity, agricultural lands, range lands, national parks, water ways, lakes...

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“…Here we have shown introductions of Cereus peruvianus and O. ficus-indica spineless cultivar not documented earlier. Opuntia stricta has also been shown to occur widely in Kenya with recent introduction of less than ten years [19].…”

Section: Cactus Species In Northern Kenyamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although most of cactus species were initially introduced as ornamentals and for hedging purposes, these species tend to spread to other non-targeted areas due to their easiness to propagate through clodades [20,36]. Lack of any management further increase their spread and invasion non-targeted areas [19]. High abundance observed in Maralal, Baragoi and Morijo may be associated with species spread to non-targeted areas where management or attempts to remove or control are not applied.…”

Section: Cactus Species Richness Abundance In Northern Kenyamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite these economic gains, cactus species are also the most damaging introduced invasive species causing biodiversity and economic losses worldwide (4). Cactus invasion has been reported in Australia, Africa and Europe [4,[17][18][19][20][21][22]. The easiness of Cactus vegetative propagation through clonal, abundance of photosynthetic tissue, shallow root structure, and ability to perform CAM photosynthesis makes it a noxious weed that out competes many other indigenous species [6,[23][24][25].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Diversity, Potential Utilization and Management of Cacti in Northern Kenya

Muchane¹

2017

IJNREM

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Cactus family (Cactaceae) is popular horticultural plant group with worldwide introduction outside their native ranges for ornamental purposes or as drought tolerant crops for arid and semi-arid lands (ASALS). Despite their importance the species are also the most damaging invasive, yet very little information exists about their status, diversity, potential utilization and problems associated with their management. Field and socio-economic surveys were carried out in ASALs of Northern Kenya to document (i) abundance and diversity of introduced Cactus species, (ii) identify reasons for their introduction, (iii) find potential uses and any invasive problems associated with introduced species. Field methods recorded species richness and abundance of cactus species while socio-economic methods recorded local knowledge on potential utilization and problems associated with management of Cactus species using semi-structured questionnaires. This study recorded only three species of cactus; Opuntia ficus-indica (both spined and spineless), Opuntia exaltata and Cereus peruvianus. The species were found mainly in settled areas and within urban centres. The species were introduced as ornamental (horticulture), dry land crop with ability to provide food (fruits and vegetable) or fodder (for humans or livestock) and as live fences due to their ability to thrive dry conditions. Cactus species in particular O. ficus-indica plays an important role in the region in providing fodder and fruits in the extremely dry seasons. Although cactus species in this region are not yet problematic weed, overgrowth if left unmanaged and thorns were cited as major problems associated with its introduction necessitating sustainable management options to avoid any invasive problem. Proper management of the spineless variety has great potential in improving rural livelihoods.

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Distribution and socio-ecological impacts of the invasive alien cactus Opuntia stricta in eastern Africa

Cited by 78 publications

References 44 publications

Invasive alien plant species: Their impact on environment, ecosystem services and human health

Invasive alien plant species: Their impact on environment, ecosystem services and human health

Socio-economic and environmental impacts of invasive plant species in selected districts of Bale Zone, Southeast Ethiopia

Diversity, Potential Utilization and Management of Cacti in Northern Kenya

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