Spatial distribution of invasive large fever berry trees (Croton megalobotrys) in Sengwa Wildlife Research Area: Gokwe, Zimbabwe
Background The invasion of rangelands by invasive plant species is a major threat to biodiversity in most parts of Zimbabwe posing not only an ecological challenge but a growing management and eradication challenge as well. However, there is sparse information relating to the spatial distribution...
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| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2023
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| Online Access: | https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/5617 https://doi.org/10.1186/s40068-023-00285-9 |
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| author | Mark Matsa Kudzai Andrew Mugogo Innocent Mahakata Beauty Dzawanda Roberta Mavugara |
| author2 | Department of Geography, Environmental Sustainability and Resilience Building, Midlands State University, Senga, P.O Box 9055, Gweru, Zimbabwe |
| author_facet | Department of Geography, Environmental Sustainability and Resilience Building, Midlands State University, Senga, P.O Box 9055, Gweru, Zimbabwe Mark Matsa Kudzai Andrew Mugogo Innocent Mahakata Beauty Dzawanda Roberta Mavugara |
| author_sort | Mark Matsa |
| collection | DSpace |
| description | Background
The invasion of rangelands by invasive plant species is a major threat to biodiversity in most parts of Zimbabwe posing not only an ecological challenge but a growing management and eradication challenge as well. However, there is sparse information relating to the spatial distribution of these species and the conditions promoting their growth and development particularly in Sothern Africa. The study assessed the spatial distribution of the invasive large fever berry tree and associated soil type in Sengwa Wildlife Research Area. A mixed methods research design triangulating qualitative and quantitative methods was utilized. All known sites occupied by large fever berry trees were obtained from the Sengwa Wildlife Research Institute’s records on invasive plant species. Ground truthing was done for all sites and global positioning system coordinates of occupied areas were collected. Mapping of invaded areas by the large fever berry tree was done using Quantum GIS software. Coordinates were imported to show points with the large fever berry tree. Altitude of invaded areas and soil samples were also collected for soil analysis and a soil texture triangle was used to come up with the soil type associated with the growth and spread of the large fever berry trees.
Results
The results show that the large fever berry tree occupied areas along major rivers and streams on loam soils. An area of 16.5km2 which is 4.4% of the Sengwa Wildlife Research Area is invaded by the large fever berry tree. Results further indicated that sandy- loam soils were associated with the growth and development of the large fever berry tree in Sengwa Wildlife Research Area. Veld fires were also identified as a factor influencing the spread of the large fever berry tree species in the Sengwa Wildlife Research Area.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a holistic framework was developed to curb the invasion of the large fever berry tree in Sengwa Wildlife Research Area. It is recommended that further studies be conducted outside the protected area to establish soil characteristics and invasion rates in order to fully understand drivers of its invasion. |
| format | research article |
| id | ir-11408-5617 |
| institution | My University |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2023 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | ir-11408-56172023-05-05T07:05:09Z Spatial distribution of invasive large fever berry trees (Croton megalobotrys) in Sengwa Wildlife Research Area: Gokwe, Zimbabwe Mark Matsa Kudzai Andrew Mugogo Innocent Mahakata Beauty Dzawanda Roberta Mavugara Department of Geography, Environmental Sustainability and Resilience Building, Midlands State University, Senga, P.O Box 9055, Gweru, Zimbabwe Department of Geography, Environmental Sustainability and Resilience Building, Midlands State University, Senga, P.O Box 9055, Gweru, Zimbabwe Senior Terrestrial Ecologist at Sengwa Wildlife Research Institute, Gokwe, Zimbabwe Department of Geography, Environmental Sustainability and Resilience Building, Midlands State University, Senga, P.O Box 9055, Gweru, Zimbabwe Department of Geography, Environmental Sustainability and Resilience Building, Midlands State University, Senga, P.O Box 9055, Gweru, Zimbabwe Invasive species Large fever berry tree Soil quality Riverine vegetation Sengwa Wildlife Research Area Background The invasion of rangelands by invasive plant species is a major threat to biodiversity in most parts of Zimbabwe posing not only an ecological challenge but a growing management and eradication challenge as well. However, there is sparse information relating to the spatial distribution of these species and the conditions promoting their growth and development particularly in Sothern Africa. The study assessed the spatial distribution of the invasive large fever berry tree and associated soil type in Sengwa Wildlife Research Area. A mixed methods research design triangulating qualitative and quantitative methods was utilized. All known sites occupied by large fever berry trees were obtained from the Sengwa Wildlife Research Institute’s records on invasive plant species. Ground truthing was done for all sites and global positioning system coordinates of occupied areas were collected. Mapping of invaded areas by the large fever berry tree was done using Quantum GIS software. Coordinates were imported to show points with the large fever berry tree. Altitude of invaded areas and soil samples were also collected for soil analysis and a soil texture triangle was used to come up with the soil type associated with the growth and spread of the large fever berry trees. Results The results show that the large fever berry tree occupied areas along major rivers and streams on loam soils. An area of 16.5km2 which is 4.4% of the Sengwa Wildlife Research Area is invaded by the large fever berry tree. Results further indicated that sandy- loam soils were associated with the growth and development of the large fever berry tree in Sengwa Wildlife Research Area. Veld fires were also identified as a factor influencing the spread of the large fever berry tree species in the Sengwa Wildlife Research Area. Conclusion In conclusion, a holistic framework was developed to curb the invasion of the large fever berry tree in Sengwa Wildlife Research Area. It is recommended that further studies be conducted outside the protected area to establish soil characteristics and invasion rates in order to fully understand drivers of its invasion. 12 8 1 11 2023-05-05T07:05:08Z 2023-05-05T07:05:08Z 2023-03-22 research article https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/5617 https://doi.org/10.1186/s40068-023-00285-9 en Environmental Systems Research 2193-2697 open SpringerOpen |
| spellingShingle | Invasive species Large fever berry tree Soil quality Riverine vegetation Sengwa Wildlife Research Area Mark Matsa Kudzai Andrew Mugogo Innocent Mahakata Beauty Dzawanda Roberta Mavugara Spatial distribution of invasive large fever berry trees (Croton megalobotrys) in Sengwa Wildlife Research Area: Gokwe, Zimbabwe |
| title | Spatial distribution of invasive large fever berry trees (Croton megalobotrys) in Sengwa Wildlife Research Area: Gokwe, Zimbabwe |
| title_full | Spatial distribution of invasive large fever berry trees (Croton megalobotrys) in Sengwa Wildlife Research Area: Gokwe, Zimbabwe |
| title_fullStr | Spatial distribution of invasive large fever berry trees (Croton megalobotrys) in Sengwa Wildlife Research Area: Gokwe, Zimbabwe |
| title_full_unstemmed | Spatial distribution of invasive large fever berry trees (Croton megalobotrys) in Sengwa Wildlife Research Area: Gokwe, Zimbabwe |
| title_short | Spatial distribution of invasive large fever berry trees (Croton megalobotrys) in Sengwa Wildlife Research Area: Gokwe, Zimbabwe |
| title_sort | spatial distribution of invasive large fever berry trees (croton megalobotrys) in sengwa wildlife research area: gokwe, zimbabwe |
| topic | Invasive species Large fever berry tree Soil quality Riverine vegetation Sengwa Wildlife Research Area |
| url | https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/5617 https://doi.org/10.1186/s40068-023-00285-9 |
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