Abundance and Distribution of Invasive Alien Plant Species in Illu Ababora Zone of Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia

Jemal Tola and Taye Tessema

 

Research Paper I Published December,2015

 

Journal of Agricultural Science and Food Technology  Vol. 1 (7), pp.94-100

 

 

ABSTRACT

 

The study was conducted to determine the invasive alien plant species (IAPS) composition, abundance and geographical distribution in the Illu Ababora Zone. Data were recorded in a total of 67 Way Points at 10 Km interval on the roadsides using GPS60 instrument. During the study, a total of 16 IAPS, namely, Parthenium hysterophorus, Cuscuta campestris, Lantana camara, Cirsium vulgare, Mimosa invisa, Xanthium strumarium, Xanthium spinosum, Senna occidentalis, Senna didymobotra, Acanthus pubescens, Opuntia stricta, Tapinanthus globiferus, Argemone ochroleuca, Psidium guajava, Ipomeoa spp., and Caesalpinia spp. were recorded. Of the species intercepted C. campestris, T. globiferus and C. vulgare were recorded with more than 40% frequency while others were observed with less than 20% frequency. The abundance and distribution of P. hysterophorus, L. camara, and M. invisa was found less and limited to roadside and around habitation in and/or near the towns but in a phase of rapid population growth. The study proved that most of the IAPS have been introduced to the Zone. Therefore, further research is needed to quantify the increases in species abundance, distribution and socio-economic impact, which may support planning on prevention and management measures to combat against invasive in the study area.

Key Words: Ethiopia, Invasive Alien Plant Species, Abundance and Distribution.

 

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