GPS MAPING FOR PARTHENIUM WEED IN ARUSHA MUNICIPAL

   Parthenium hysterophorus

Parthenium weed is considered to be one of the world’s most serious invasive alien plants, because of its potential for spread, and its economic, health and environmental impacts. It has already become invasive in South Africa and Ethiopia, and appears to be rapidly spreading in Uganda and Kenya. It is thus only the matter of time before it impacts on Tanzania.

The recent report found parthenium weed in two main localities in northern Tanzania. These are Kilimanjaro International Airport and also at Arusha airport and around Arusha town. Parthenium weed has also been recorded in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Also the Serengeti-Masai Mara ecosystem in Africa, which hosts the largest wildlife migration known to man, is under attack from a noxious weed (Parthenium hysterophorus).The weed grow along parts of the Mara River and along some dirt tracks in the Masai-Mara National Reserve. So far a nationwide survey of the area invaded by this weed is lacking. (Clark and Lotter, 2010)

REMARKABLE IMPACTS ON BIODIVERSITY

Parthenium hysterophorus can compete with indigenous plant species for resources such as water, space, nutrients and sunlight. Because of its invasive and alleolpathic properties, it causes a lot of damage to natural ecosystem. It is reported to cause total habitat change in native grassland, open woodland, riverbanks, and flood plains(McFadyen,1992)The allelopatic potential of parthenium hysterophorus is believed to play an important role in the ability of the plant to displace natural vegetation and interrupt natural succession in the natural environments (Shabbir and Bajwa,2006)

  Another impact includes (a) reduced crops production (Hegde and Patil, 1988), (b) effect on animal production, (c) human health problems (Anonymous, 1976), (Evans,1997a)

Parthenium hysterophorus control

No single method of parthenium weed control has been proved satisfactory as each method suffers from one or more limitations such as inefficiency, high cost, impracticability, environmental safety and only temporary relief (Bhan et al, 1997).Hence; there is a need to adopt an integrated parthenium weed management approach by using more than one option. The components of integrated managements such as (a) Prevention (PAG, 2000, manual and mechanical (Bhan et al, 1997). Tamado Tana(2001), (b) Cultural, (c) Chemical (Bhan et al, 1997).(Kanchan and Jaychandra,1977), and (d) biological control measures.

GPS mapping was done by Mgouya C., Nzao L. and Izack M., under supervision of Dr. Edward Khoi and Mr. M. Chediel (TAWIRI RESEARCHERS)