Invasive Effects of Prosopis Juliflora Essay Sample

Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) D.C. (Fabaceae) is a fast-growing, nitrogen-fixing, hardy tree that was introduced to Ethiopia in the 1970s and 1980s as a source of fuel wood and dry season fodder for the rural population. Although it was introduced with the best of intentions, the threat posed by Prosopis juliflora in terms of invasion of fertile agricultural lands and loss of biodiversity is looming enormous. In the lowlands of Ethiopia, arid and semi-arid rangelands are subjected to different human and natural impacts. Undesirable weeds and woody plants are encroaching rangelands that have become threat to pastoral production systems. Among