Spatial Distribution of Solanum elaeagnifolium in the Tunisian Arid Region Using GIS Tools

Abstract

Alien plant invasions are getting more widespread and serious at an alarming rate around the world. In Tunisia, many plant species introduced accidently and deliberately have become invasive and continue to engender serious environmental, economic and sanitary problems. Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav. is considered as one of the most widespread invasive weeds in Tunisia, invading a wide range of habitats and generate considerable negatives impacts. Given the potential of its harmful impacts, Solanum elaeagnifolium management has become a high priority for the conservation of ecosystems specially crop fields. Weed mapping is considered the foundation for the development of a strategic long-term management plan to protect agro-biodiversity. In this context, our research consists to provide mapping surveys in a Tunisian arid region to estimate the actual extend of Solanum elaeagnifolium using geographic information system technology in the attempt to generate an accessible geodatabase and to develop a standardized mapping method to track and update weed population dynamics over time.