Removing barriers to invasive plant management in Africa

Overview

Results

The team

Related information

So what's the problem?

Agriculture, trade, and the environment are all being adversely affected by invasive alien species. These plants, animals and microorganisms have escaped from their native environments and are spreading to new areas around the world. They now form the second biggest threat to biodiversity after habitat destruction and while this problem is not a new one, it continues to be a growing concern. Globalisation of trade and travel is increasing the number of species moving around the world, and changes in land use and climate are making some habitats more susceptible to invasions.

In Africa, many invasive species have been introduced both intentionally and accidentally and are now damaging natural and man-made ecosystems. Various tropical South American water plants have invaded unique wetlands, lakes and rivers. This has led to a loss of biodiversity and is affecting the local fishing and tourism industries. Terrestrial ecosystems are also being affected and agricultural production and food security are under threat.

Prevention and mitigation of the effects of invasive alien species is especially challenging in Africa as there are many barriers to the effective management of invasive species, from weak policies and a lack of information and awareness, to inadequate prevention and control programmes.

What is this project doing?

In support of Article 8(h) of the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD), this project aims to reduce and remove barriers to the management of invasive alien species in Ethiopia, Ghana, Uganda and Zambia. CABI, assisted by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), is supporting these countries to achieve this goal by providing guidance in:

The establishment of guidelines for the relevant institutions to ensure that strategies to control invasive alien species are standardised;
Raising public and political awareness of the issues surrounding alien invasives, this including giving decision makers the information they need on the risks, impacts and management of invasive species;
Setting up training programmes developed for officials, quarantine officers, community members and other groups affected by invasive species.

Results so far

National invasive species strategies and action plans have been developed and coordinating units in the four
countries will soon be established. A huge amount of awareness raising has taken place and procedures for
risk analysis, early detection and rapid response mechanisms have also been developed.

Crucially, lists of invasive plants are being produced nationally, whilst ecosystem management plans for pilot
sites have been developed. Methods of control for invasive species such as paper mulberry, water hyacinth,
lantana, mimosa, and mesquite are being trialled at pilot sites using various techniques. In addition to this,
a variety of training programmes have been developed, quarantine departments have been provided with
equipment and material support and more than 20 post-graduate students have been enrolled at various
universities.

The project countries cover a range of habitats and species, so the outcomes of this project will be shared with
others to assist the control of invasive alien species across the continent.

Below are some articles on invasive species which may be of interest: