Impacts of Prosopis Juliflora on Land Use and Ecology of Salabani Location, Marigat District, Baringo County, Kenya

Abstract

Invasive alien plants dominate ecosystems and are a growing threat to the delivery of ecosystem services. The ecological adaptation of invasive species over native plant species affects land use and structure of vegetation. This study therefore examined the impacts of Prosopis juliflora on land use and ecology of Salabani Location in Marigat District, Baringo County in Kenya. Satellite imageries of 1998 and 2012 were used to establish various land use classes, determine rate of spread of Prosopis and its impact on other land use. The study established that in 1998, P. juliflora had only covered 2,906 ha which is 4.2 % of land cover. However by 2012 it had spread very fast to 8,555ha representing 68.1% annual increment. Invasion of prosopis has reduced grazing land by 40.3%, acacia woodlots by 89.8%, and forest cover by 57.1%. The plant has invaded all land use types and in general 61.8% of Salabani Location has been lost to P. juliflora invasion. The invasion of P. juliflora has changed the structure of the ecology in Salabani location since the weed is allelopathic and coppices heavily. P. juliflora is now a threat to the ecosystem of Lake Bogoria Nature Reserve a Ramsar site. The study recommends that the government of Kenya should facilitate commercial production of charcoal from the plant, encourage and facilitate utilization of other products from the plant like steam energy, animal fodder, wax and medicinal value. The study concludes that the plant is spreading very fast and is becoming a threat to the ecosystem of Salabani besides other ecological benefits. This raises concern to the community and stakeholders alike hence need to manage the spread.

Keywords: Invasion, Prosopis juliflora, land use, Ecology