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

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, Ecolog

Socioeconomic Impacts of Prosopis Juliflora on the People of Salabani Location, Marigat District, Baringo County in Kenya

Alien invasive species are a threat to functioning and structure of ecosystems in the world. They affect provision of goods and services of ecosystems and have also ecological and socio-economic impacts on ASAL communities. The purpose of this study was therefore to examine the socio-economic impacts of Prosopis juliflora on the livelihoods of the people of Salabani Location in Baringo County. A survey was carried out on 200 randomly selected households out of the total households living in Salabani using pretested questionnaires. The results were coded captured and analyzed using SPSS computer program. Satellite images of 2012 indicate that Prosopis juliflora covers 8555ha of land as compared to 2906 ha in 1998 representing an annual increment of 66%. Survey results showed that 95% of the households use P. juliflora as the main source of fuelwood and produce 240 bags of charcoal per household per annum. The economic benefits accruing from products associated with P. juliflora is KES 169,400 per household per annum. Economic losses from Prosopis which are associated with its thorns are estimated at KES 128,000 per household per annum. The net present value of Prosopis is 21,244.74 while the benefit / cost ratio is 3.091 hence the study concludes that utilization of Prosopis is economically viable. The study recommends that the Government of Kenya should encourage utilization of the many products and services of the tree since the residents have underutilized it. Keywords:  Invasive species, Prosopis juliflora, Economic benefits, Economic losse

Invasion of Prosopis Juliflora in Salabani Location Kenya is Soil a Factor

Invasive species occur outside their adaptive and dispersal range. They are tolerant to climatic and edaphic variations and have adapted to harsh conditions of the dryland by their deep rooting system. They are a threat to functioning and structure of ecosystems worldwide. Prosopis is a leguminous plant that fixes nitrogen through symbiosis hence can directly affect soil nitrogen dynamics. This study sot to examine the relationship between spread of Prosopis juliflora and soil characteristics in Salabani Location. The study area was stratified into areas of high density, low density and zero density of P. Juliflora invasion. Soil samples were collected and analyzed for pH, Cation exchange capacity and soil nutrients. Soil analysis established that soil nutrients increased under high density P. juliflora stands than where there was no P. Juliflora. The plant increased soil nutrients through nitrogen fixing and lowered the pH which might have contributed to invasive growth of the plant. Soils under high P. juliflora density had seventeen times total nitrogen content than soils without P. juliflora and had more than four times nitrogen than soils under low P. juliflora density

Coping Mechanisms to Invasion of Prosopis juliflora in Kenya: Case Study of Salabani Location, Baringo County

Alien invasive species are a threat to functioning and structure of ecosystems in the world. They affect provision of goods and services of ecosystems and have also ecological and socio-economic impacts on local communities. The purpose of this study was therefore to examine how the local community in Salabani Location, are coping with the invasion of Prosopis juliflora. Results indicate that the local community utilizes the plant for charcoal production, sale posts, poles, and pods to improve their livelihoods. The tree is the main source of firewood. It is also used as fence against wild animals, poachers and cattle rustlers. 49% burn the trees, 28% uproot, 22% prune and 7% thin. No chemical or biological control is used. Cut stems are scourged using cow dung as source of fuel which burns for a long time hence effective. The Government formed five Farmers Field Schools to train and build capacity of the local people. The locals wear special sandals made from old vehicle tyres called ‘kinyira’ to protect them against the tough Prosopis thorns. They have formed cooperative societies to help sale their charcoal to avoid exploitation by middlemen. The introduction of bruchid beetle was put on hold as animal feed manufacturers test the viability of using pods instead of wheat bran. However, the Kenya government should release the beetles to help control spread of the tree as locals enhance and diversify utilization of Prosopis. Keywords: Coping mechanism, Prosopis juliflora, weed contro