EFFECTS OF THE ABUNDANCE OF PARTHENIUM HYSTEROPHORUS ON THE COMPOSITION AND DIVERSITY OF OTHER HERBACEOUS PLANT SPECIES IN SIMANJIRO RANGELAND, TANZANIA

Leticia J Musese,Samora M Andrew,Ramadhan Kilewa,Deo D Shirima,Arne Witt

doi:10.29121/ijetmr.v7.i5.2020.631

Abstract

Parthenium hysterophorus is an annual herbaceous plant native to tropical America; and an invasive plant in Africa causing distressing effects on natural flora. This study investigated the effects of P. hysterophorus on the composition and diversity of native herbaceous plant species in Simanjiro rangeland, Tanzania. Plant species count data were collected from 60 (1m2) quadrats. Using generalized linear models (GLM), the abundance of P. hysterophorus was regressed against the abundance and diversity of the native herbaceous plants. Also, Jaccard’s similarity index was used to compare species composition. Results showed that there were 14 herbaceous plant species belonging to 13 genera and 10 families in the study area. Parthenium hysterophorus was the most dominant species recorded. The abundance of P. hysterophorus has a substantial negative effect on the abundance and diversity of other herbaceous plant species. Moreover, Jaccard’s similarity index showed a slightly significant difference between the infested and non-infested areas. This finding suggests that P. hysterophorus has a substantial potential threat on other herbaceous flora which are sources of food and nutrients to livestock and wild animals in the area. Thus, integrated management strategies are required to control the weed from spreading to other nearby rangelands.

Highlights

An expansion on international trade, travel and tourism has resulted into a significant increase in invasive species (Etana et al, 2011)
In western Europe, the grass Elymus athericus, previously a minor component of high intertidal vegetation, began spreading seaward because of increased nitrogen in both aerial deposition and runoff, and it occupies most of the intertidal in many areas (Valéry et al 2004).The greatest effects of invasive species is the alteration of the whole ecosystems which affects the resident species negative consequences on ecosystem goods and services delivered by plant communities (Yurkonis et al, 2005)
This study aimed at assessing the effect of P. hysterophorus on other herbaceous plant species within a rangeland in Simanjiro District in Tanzania

Summary

Introduction

An expansion on international trade, travel and tourism has resulted into a significant increase in invasive species (Etana et al, 2011) These invasive species create a major threat to biodiversity globally (Preisser et al, 2008). In western Europe, the grass Elymus athericus, previously a minor component of high intertidal vegetation, began spreading seaward because of increased nitrogen in both aerial deposition and runoff, and it occupies most of the intertidal in many areas (Valéry et al 2004).The greatest effects of invasive species is the alteration of the whole ecosystems which affects the resident species negative consequences on ecosystem goods and services delivered by plant communities (Yurkonis et al, 2005). The effects of invasive species vary basing on the biological traits of the invader and characteristics of the invaded community and effects of invasion should not be generalized (Andrew et al, 2014)

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