Lantana camara
Produced by:
| Introduction | Species | Lantana | Prosopis |
& Pierre Binggeli
Invasive plants
Related site:
Woody Plant Ecology
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Lantana camara -
the invasive shrub that threatens to drive people out of their
land For centuries humans have moved plant species around the earth. While concerns for introductions may have been minimal in the past the spread of some introduced species (i.e. invasive species) into tropical regions is now viewed with great concern by ecologists but their threat(s) to nature and humans is still not fully appreciated by the public at large, NGOs or government institutions. Invasive species may cause severe negative impacts on both the environment and human activities. Until recently the spread of these non-indigenous species have often been considered as an oddity especially in the tropics. Indeed a perusal of the literature would suggest that Ethiopia is all but immune to this phenomenon, although the case of the invasive Prosopis juliflora has been recently highlighted. This small South American tree is now spreading in the drier parts of the country, i.e. the lower Awash River Basin (Afar Region). Following a 1999 workshop discussion it was concluded that the species was on balance detrimental to the environment and should be eradicated. Another case in point is that of Lantana camara, an ornamental shrub, introduced to all parts of the tropics. Morphologically, it is highly variable because many horticultural varieties have been bred, especially during the 19th century. Lantana is well-known in Ethiopia especially as a showy garden plant, for instance the Horticultural Society of Ethiopia recommends its planting in Addis Ababa home gardens. It may also be seen growing around some farmsteads as a live hedge along the Nazret - Welenchiti Road. Until now, this species had not been perceived as a problem in Ethiopia although in much of the tropics lantana is known as one of the most troublesome weeds. Few regions of the world are now immune to the spread of this plant and it is known to be highly detrimental to many human activities (e.g. agriculture, forestry and tourism) as well as a threat to natural ecosystems. During a recent botanical trip to North Shewa the sudden dominance of Lantana camara in the vegetation along the Senbete - Kemise main road was an unexpected, but striking, ecological feature of the local landscape. Discussions with the local population rapidly indicated that the plant is having major impacts on the local community. Here we report on our early findings based on casual interviews with a number of informants living near to the River Jara. A couple of elders reported that lantana was first intentionally introduced to the area, probably from the town of Majete 15 km away, around 1985 (probably 1984). At first it was used as a highly effective live fence especially to protect chat (Catha edulis - a highly profitable crop and mild intoxicant) plantations from goat grazing and cattle trampling. At the time while the shrub was considered as a good live fence no-one knew about its negative impacts. Within 3-4 years of its introduction it became clear to locals that the plant was spreading rapidly and little could be done to stop it. Cutting the plant made it to grow even better and seeds would readily germinate. Its early benefits were soon forgotten as its many major drawbacks became more and more important when the plant started to overcome grasslands, fields and home gardens. All local people agreed that the plant has been spreading like wild fire and is actively dispersed by birds. They broadly agree on its impacts, these being to:
Some local people are now blaming lantana for the disappearance of large trees although this change is clearly related to the widespread practice of charcoal making, there appears to be a tendency to blame all ills on the weed. Local people have a number of names for lantana that reflect its value, impact and mode of spread. These are:
Nowadays nobody wants Lantana camara and all people perceive it as a mortal threat to maintenance of their local community. Unless something is done about it they think that the land will not be able to sustain cattle and cultivations necessary for their survival. They have approached the local agricultural official requesting them to burn and uproot the lantana plague. They also asked us for advice and requested us to approach relevant authorities to ensure that governmental help will be forthcoming to deal with, what they consider, as a disaster. In view of lantana's record around the tropics and its high reproductive output, no quick remedy to control its spread, or even decrease its impact on local environments, can be formulated. It is likely that the plant will continue to spread unabated and will further affect agricultural communities situated in the region. As elsewhere, the only means of tackling this weed is the initiation of a biological control programme that, in the medium term, will reduce the lantana population to tolerable levels. |
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Note that this is the uncensored
version of our article. After the newsletter was printed the
EWNHS Director Kinfe Abebe viewed the third paragraph as
highly controversial. Without consulting the authors, the
paragraph was altered, reprinted and glued on every single copy
of the newsletter!
Link:
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