Spatial Distribution and Abundance of Invasive Alien Plant Species in Gamo Gofa Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

Introduction and spread of invasive alien plant species is affecting natural environment, economy, and society, including human health. The current threats posed by existing invasive alien plant species are significant and are growing at an alarming rate. As a result, Habitats such as roadsides, arable lands, grazing lands, villages and towns are in a great challenge of suffering from the invasion of IAPS in the study area. Therefore, mapping the spatial distribution of invasive alien plant species was carried out in Gamo Gofa Zone. The objective of this study was to examine the distribution and abundance of invasive alien plant species and develop the distribution map of major invasive alien plant species that is crucial for environmental monitoring and early warning systems. In order to achieve the objectives latitude and longitude coordinates was recorded at 10 kms intervals using hand held GPS in 12 accessible Districts and presence/absence and abundance of invasive alien plant species was observed and recorded. The distribution maps of invasive alien plant species were prepared using latitude and longitude coordinates recorded by GPS in different locations of the study area. The results of the study indicated that major invasive alien plant species that are found in Gamo Gofa Zone include Parthenium hysterophorus, Prosopis juliflora and Lantana camara. Other invasive alien plant species observed and recorded as minor invaders in the study area were; Senna occidentalis, Xanthium strumarium, Parkinsonia acuelata and Calotropis procera. During field observation, heavy infestation of invasive alien plant species was recorded on the roadsides followed by arable land. On the other hand, natural forest is the least infested habitat in the study area. Generally, disturbed habitats are more infested by invasive alien plant species than natural habitats.