Distribution and Abundance of Parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) in East Shewa and West Arsi Zones of Ethiopia

Abstract

Parthenium hysterophorus L. is a herbaceous invasive alien weed belongs to the family Asteraceae now recognized as the major emerging problems and pose the greatest threats to native species and ecosystems in Ethiopia. This non-native species, subsequently escaping from their entry points and are spreading at an alarming rate from time to time. Precise distribution of the existing Parthenium hysterophorus is poorly understood and systematically documented. Thus the aim of this study was to generate information for a better understanding of the distribution and abundance of Parthenium hysterophorus in East shewa and West arsi Zones of the Oromia regional governmental state of Ethiopia. The biological data were collected along gravel and asphalt roads at interval of 10km. Relative abundance and distribution were determined. The locations’ latitude and longitude coordinates were recorded with a garmin GPS in order to map their abundance and distribution using arcGIS 9.1 software. The study revealed that P. hysterophorus extensively distributed in study area mainly in East shewa zone where it infest most of terrestrial habitats (Road side, Farm land, Pastoral, around habitation Waste land) and it has a potential to flood all districts not infested currently in the study area. Moreover, P. hysterophorus hinders economic development of the study area and the country at large. Therefore, proper and targeted control methods should be employed to control the further spread of invader and reduce the negative economic impact. Thus proper management action should be taken to mitigate their impact.

Keywords: abundance, distribution, distribution map, Parthenium hysterophorus