A highly invasive species, originally introduced to fight the desertion, is growing in Kenya, forcing all communities to move, The Guardian reports.
What happens?
The mesquit bush, known in Kenya as Mathenge, has outstripped the lawns used for grazing, caused the fall of cattle teeth and even redirected water flow flows during the consumption of approximately 7,700 square miles of land in the Eastern African nation, according to the Guardian.
In the 1970s, the United Nations and Agriculture Nations and the Kenyan government strongly encouraged the planting of Mathenge, which is a native of South America, according to Guardian.
These authorities viewed Mathenge as a potential solution for expanding deserts and deforestation, creating a shade as well as livestock food. Initially, Mathenge provides clear benefits such as reducing dust storms and acting as a source of firewood for locals, according to Forest News.
However, over time, Mathenge’s problems have become clear. Its dense greenery blocks the light from reaching other plants, killing local species. While his pods provided food for grazing animals, they were so rich in sugar that they caused goat teeth to rot and fall out, found a study published in the boundaries in the science of conservation.
The dense greenery and shade of the Mathenge plant have also given predators to hide and create “ideal soil for mosquito breeding”, increasing the risk of malaria and other diseases carried by mosquitoes, the study found.
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Adding to the problems, the Mathenge plants grow incredibly deep root systems – up to 115 feet underground – which redirect water flows to certain areas, The Guardian reported.
“Spread [of mathenge] is so fast that it has caused displaced communities, schools to close and even break the flows of the river, as the plants block water courses, contributing to floods and displacement, “said Davis Ikiror, director of the Kenya-Somalia country, before the Vétérina Sans SUSES SUSES.
By the time the huge problems of the Mathenge plant became obvious, its expansion was already out of control, growing by approximately 15% a year.
Why are invasive species important?
Mathenge is just one example of how invasive species grow on local ecosystems, disrupt food supplies, surpass local species, and even force communities to move.
As shown in Kenya, invasive species can influence the supply of human food through surrounding plants used for grazing and robbery of the soil by vital nutrients necessary for growing crops.
Invasive species also affect biodiversity.
“Worldwide, invasive species are the second most critical factor in reducing biodiversity,” comes behind only habitat loss, the study published in Frontiers said.
What is being done for invasive species?
In Kenya, while the full elimination of Mathenge is essentially impossible at this time, many groups are exploring ways to produce productively the plant as they manage its spread. For example, a study published on Sciensedirect examines efforts to use Mathenge to produce copper and make charcoal.
If successful, these strategies could help meet local fuel and food needs while providing employment and limiting the spread of invasive appearance.
On an individual scale, there are many things you can do at home to help prevent the spread of invasive species. When choosing plants, choose local varieties and be sure to avoid invasive.
If you want to go even more, you can explore the upgrade to a natural lawn or even adjust your entire yard with local plants by helping pollinators and other local wild animals.
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