Invasive plants a threat
Jun 22, 2008
UGANDA should fight invasive plants to protect the environment, Arne Witt, the coordinator of Invasive Species, CABI Africa, has said.
By Juliet Waiswa
UGANDA should fight invasive plants to protect the environment, Arne Witt, the coordinator of Invasive Species, CABI Africa, has said.
Invasive plants are unwelcome plants, insects and other organisms that disrupt the ecology of natural ecosystems, displacing native plant and animal species, and degrading the diverse biological resources.
The plants reduce the amount of light, water, nutrients and space available to native species, alter hydrological patterns, soil chemistry and moisture-holding capacity.
Speaking at the agriculture ministry’s medium term review workshop recently, Witt said crops like Lantana Camara, which is common in Uganda, have cost South Africa millions of shillings to protect the livestock industry.
“When cattle feed on the plant, they develop depression, inflamed nose and tongues and wounds on their bodies, leading to death,†he said
The most common invasive plants in Uganda are Kapanka, (Lantana Camara), water hyacinth (Eichhornia Crassip es), omuteete (Cymbopogon nardus) and orugando (Acacia hockii).
Lantana Camara is easily spread by birds and human beings. It is common in Busoga region although it has widely spread to other parts of the country.
The plant is home to tsetse flies, which cause nagana in cattle. In areas where these plants grow, no other food crop can thrive because the land becomes arid.
The national project coordinator, Invasive Plants, Dr. Gadi Gumisiriza, says although Uganda has identified only three invasive plants; Lantana Camara, water hyacinth and Omuteete, the project will study other plants which are likely to invade the country.
He decried the lack of quarantines at border posts and clear policies on invasive plants, which makes it easy for people to bring the plants into the country.
“There are many environment policies in the country, but there is no clear policy on invasive plants. Most of the plants are brought into the country through flower nurseries,†Gumisiriza said.
UGANDA should fight invasive plants to protect the environment, Arne Witt, the coordinator of Invasive Species, CABI Africa, has said.
Invasive plants are unwelcome plants, insects and other organisms that disrupt the ecology of natural ecosystems, displacing native plant and animal species, and degrading the diverse biological resources.
The plants reduce the amount of light, water, nutrients and space available to native species, alter hydrological patterns, soil chemistry and moisture-holding capacity.
Speaking at the agriculture ministry’s medium term review workshop recently, Witt said crops like Lantana Camara, which is common in Uganda, have cost South Africa millions of shillings to protect the livestock industry.
“When cattle feed on the plant, they develop depression, inflamed nose and tongues and wounds on their bodies, leading to death,†he said
The most common invasive plants in Uganda are Kapanka, (Lantana Camara), water hyacinth (Eichhornia Crassip es), omuteete (Cymbopogon nardus) and orugando (Acacia hockii).
Lantana Camara is easily spread by birds and human beings. It is common in Busoga region although it has widely spread to other parts of the country.
The plant is home to tsetse flies, which cause nagana in cattle. In areas where these plants grow, no other food crop can thrive because the land becomes arid.
The national project coordinator, Invasive Plants, Dr. Gadi Gumisiriza, says although Uganda has identified only three invasive plants; Lantana Camara, water hyacinth and Omuteete, the project will study other plants which are likely to invade the country.
He decried the lack of quarantines at border posts and clear policies on invasive plants, which makes it easy for people to bring the plants into the country.
“There are many environment policies in the country, but there is no clear policy on invasive plants. Most of the plants are brought into the country through flower nurseries,†Gumisiriza said.