Abstract

Amare Seifu,* Tesfaye Bekele, Gebeyaw Tilaye, Temesgen Tigab, Manaye Misganaw and Ashenafi Ayenew

ABSTRACT

Invasive alien species are getting more and more problematic in many African countries including Ethiopia. The introduction and spread of Invasive Alien Plants (IAPS) threatens the biodiversity, the economy and the society at large. Cryptostegia grandiflora is one of the IAPS worldwide. In Ethiopia its distribution is increasing from time to time. Therefore, the objectives of this study was to assess the impacts, spreading mechanisms, trends, status, distribution and management practices of Cryptostegia grandiflora in selected districts of East Shewa Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Accordingly, an assessment was carried out in two selected districts of East Shewa Zone (Fentale and Boset) in 78 randomly selected households from six different Kebeles (the smallest administrative unit in Ethiopia). All respondents (100%) agreed that they were aware of about the horrible invasiveness and the negative impacts of Cryptostegia grandiflora. Based on the interview and field observation, the level of Cryptostegia grandiflora invasion was very high and it was the most dominant IAPS on flooding areas, roadside, forest areas, around fence and hill side and Awash River basins in the study areas. Almost all of the respondents reported that the level of damaging impact of Cryptostegia grandiflora on native biodiversity increased in the past and most of them (91 %) worried about its negative impacts on biodiversity in the future. Regarding the main route of introduction of Cryptostegia grandiflora in the study districts, majority (62.8%) of respondents did n’t know how it was introduced. Besides this, some of the respondents claimed that it was introduced either by flood or wind and a few them reported as it was occurred instantly. Most of the respondents recommended that to control the spread of Cryptostegia grandiflora in the future further investigation is needed by concerned body. Therefore, Governmental and Nongovernmental Organizations should find a mechanism to control and eliminate this IAPS and save the range land and forests of the study areas before becoming out of control.