Distribution and Challenges of an Invasive Exotic Species, Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC. (Fabaceae) in Ethiopia, East Africa.

Abstract

Ethiopian farmers in the dry areas are suffering a lot by the spreading of Prosopis juliflora into their farmlands. In contrary, different countries of the world are using the plant stem, leaves and pods for different purposes. The plant has been introduced for combating desertification in most areas of the world. However, in contrary to its purpose of introduction it escaped out of control and is invading farmlands, pasture lands, rangelands, and irrigation schemes and caused many land cover changes in Ethiopia. Due to the fact that the tree has been introduced, but the knowledge and experiences surrounding its wise management and use has not. The plant is fast growing, drought resistant and invasive. Nowadays, it is repeatedly reported to be one of the invasive and a problematic tree heavily infests most agricultural as well as potential rangelands in Afar region as well as in other parts of the country. It is observed that the species has been increasing in density and area coverage from year to year even from month to month. The thorny nature of the plant, remarkable ability to withstand adverse condition, nonbrowseable nature, and above all, the nomadic nature of the people have paved the way to invade most potential lands of the region. P. juliflora shows a great depressive effect on the number, density, and frequency of native vegetation. It has two main ecological opportunity behaviours: seed dormancy and allelophatic effect. It possesses allelochemicals that inhibit germination, growth and survival of other species. Keywords: Afar, allelophatic. challenges, Ethiopia, Prosopis juliflora,