Invasive alien plant species in Ethiopia: ecological impacts on biodiversity a review paper

Abstract

Ethiopia has great geographic diversity and climatic variability. This has created diverse and suitable ecosystems, which are home to large number of flora, fauna and microbial species. However, there are threats to biodiversity by invasive alien plant species (IAPS). They cause threats to biodiversity, economic and health problems in Ethiopia. This paper addresses the ecological impacts of IAPS on biodiversity in the major types of ecosystems, and discusses the reasons why IAPS in Ethiopia constitute a threat to biodiversity locally and globally, examine the ecological impacts on biodiversity, discuss its use and suggest mitigation measures of the IAPS in Ethiopia. Recently, there are about 35 IAPS in Ethiopia. Some of these species include Prosopis juliflora, Parthenium hysterophorus, Eichhornia crassipes, Lantana camara, and Acacia species, which are the major threats to biodiversity losses. Water bodies, wetlands, disturbed vegetation types (e.g. Acacia-Commiphora vegetation type), agro-ecosystems, road sides, urban green areas, range lands are under threat of IAPS nowadays in the country. To minimize and control such invasions, different strategies are being applied such as eradication by utilization of P. juliflora in Afar Region for example, and mechanical control of P. hysterophorus in different parts of the country. For use of sustainable ecosystem services, strategies such as integrated management strategies, participation of all stockholders and multidisciplinary research approaches within and across countries should be designed to reverse the situations.