Prosopis Species—An Invasive Species and a Potential Source of Browse for Livestock in Semi-Arid Areas of South Africa
| Autor: | Humbelani Silas Mudau, Khuliso Emmanuel Ravhuhali, Ntokozo Happy Msiza, Bethwell Moyo, Onke Hawu |
|---|---|
| Rok vydání: | 2021 |
| Předmět: |
0106 biological sciences
Prosopis semi-arid Geography Planning and Development TJ807-830 Context (language use) Management Monitoring Policy and Law TD194-195 nutritive value 010603 evolutionary biology 01 natural sciences Renewable energy sources Invasive species invasive species Grazing GE1-350 Ecosystem Prosopis species Environmental effects of industries and plants biology Renewable Energy Sustainability and the Environment business.industry Agroforestry biology.organism_classification Arid livestock Environmental sciences Livestock Species richness business environment 010606 plant biology & botany |
| Zdroj: | Sustainability, Vol 13, Iss 7369, p 7369 (2021) |
| ISSN: | 2071-1050 |
| DOI: | 10.3390/su13137369 |
| Popis: | Globally, there have been differing views on whether the proliferation of invasive species will be of benefit as a livestock feed source or it will have detrimental effects on the ecosystem. The infestation of invasive plants such as Prosopis species does not only affect the groundwater levels but also threatens the grazing capacity and species richness of most of the semi-arid areas around South Africa. Though Prosopis is invasive, it is however of good nutritive value and can serve as an alternative source of protein and minerals for livestock during the dry season. Bush encroachment by browsable invasive species can be controlled through biological methods by using organisms such as livestock. The utilisation of Prosopis through browse benefits livestock production and at the same time reduces its spread, thereby preventing possible environmental harm that may arise. Although several studies have been carried out globally on the assessment of the Prosopis species’ nutritive value and also on the threat of this invasive species to the environment, there is a need to update the state of knowledge on this species, particularly in the context of the semi-arid areas of South Africa where the dry season is characterised by less herbage of poor quality. It is therefore critical to understand whether Prosopis is a beneficial invader, or a detriment that needs to be eradicated. This review will contribute knowledge towards finding practical solutions to controlling Prosopis species and whether utilising Prosopis as a feed source will limit its spread and result in a vegetation structure where Prosopis becomes part of the ecosystem with limited detrimental impact. This means that the several components of the species such as nutritive value and the negative impact associated with this plant species along with the means to control its spreading must be well understood to recognise the plant species’ vital contribution to the ecosystem. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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