Prosopis: a global assessment of the biogeography, benefits, impacts and management of one of the world's worst woody invasive plant taxa

Abstract

Taxa from the genus Prosopis are widespread invasive aliens across the globe. Numerous species have contentious issues surrounding them as they provide both benefits and harm. Prosopis taxa are currently naturalised or invasive in 103 countries and are bioclimatically suitable for many more. There are numerous management practices available to control Prosopis invasions, each with their benefits and costs, however, in most areas management has had only limited success. There is need for more research to improve understanding and management success and for countries to develop strategic plants to guide managed in the future.

Stakeholder perceptions and practices regarding Prosopis (mesquite) invasions and management in South Africa

“…In the semi-arid parts of Brazil, the direct-use services provided by invasive species were seen as more important for local communities than those from native species (Dos Santos et al 2014). Pinus spp., Prosopis, and other invasive trees are also exploited commercially on a large scale by private companies (Moran et al 2000;Shackleton et al 2014). In addition, species like Acer platanoides, Jacaranda mimosifolia, and Pinus are valued for aesthetic and cultural reasons by communities (Foster and Sandberg 2004;Dickie et al 2014).…”

“…Prosopis taxa have been introduced to many parts of the world over past centuries to curb desertification, stabilize soils, and provide services such as fuelwood, fodder, and shade to aid local communities (Pasiecznik et al 2001;Low 2012b;Shackleton et al 2014). As with most invasive alien woody plants around the world , Prosopis introductions were initially seen as only beneficial to most stakeholders.…”

“…As with most invasive alien woody plants around the world , Prosopis introductions were initially seen as only beneficial to most stakeholders. However, negative perceptions of Prosopis grew as its abundance increased, and adverse effects of invasions emerged (Pasiecznik et al 2001;Mwangi and Swallow 2005;Maundu et al 2009;Shackleton et al 2014).…”

“…There is growing evidence of the costs of Prosopis invasions on biodiversity, ecosystem services, and the economy in South Africa (Shackleton et al 2014). This includes reductions in bird and insect species' richness and diversity (Steenkamp and Chown 1996;Dean et al 2002), Prosopis causing increased mortality of Acacia erioloba and a reduction in the population stability of native tree species, due to competition for limited resources (Schachtschneider and February 2013;Shackleton et al 2015), loss of grazing potential (Ndhlovu et al 2011), impacts on water resources (Dzikiti et al 2013), and negative impacts on the South African economy (Wise et al 2012).…”

Genetic structure of twoProsopisspecies in Chaco areas: A lack of allelic diversity diagnosis and insights into the allelic conservation of the affected species

“…The genus Prosopis has ecological and economic importance in arid regions (Burkart, 1976; Shackleton, Le Maitre, Pasiecznik, & Richardson, 2014) and is associated with chaquenian areas (Prado, 1993). The genus is mainly pollinated by insects (Bessega, Pometti, Ewens, Saidman, & Vilardi, 2012; Bessega et al., 2000; Burkart, 1976), which present a short distance of pollen dispersion (Bessega et al., 2000, 2012).…”