Prosopis juliflora: a threat to agriculture and pastoralism in Sudan
Common mesquite (Prosopis juliflora, Fabaceae) is an evergreen leguminous tree native to the Americas. The tree was introduced into Sudan in 1917 to combat desertification. Its successful establishment and ability to fix sand dunes encouraged further introductions and deliberate spread of the species within the country. The tree was planted as shelterbelts around towns, cities and agricultural schemes in places threatened by desertification. Mismanagement, over exploitation of natural vegetation, coupled with the invasive nature of the plant, enhanced rampant spread of mesquite and fostered colonization of a variety of habitats.
It is currently estimated that the area invaded by mesquite is over one million hectares. The tree has become a national pest and is a threat to agriculture, biodiversity and pastoralism. Management, which relies on eradication and containment of satellite foci seems to be the plausible solution.
Sources
Babiker A G T, Nagat E M ; Ahmed E A M (2011) Mesquite (Prosopis juliflora): A threat to agriculture and pastoralism in Sudan. In Brunel S, Uludag A, Fernandez-Galiano E, Brundu G (Eds.) Proceedings of the 2nd International Workshop on Invasive Plants in the Mediterranean Type Regions of the World, 2010-08-02/06, Trabzon, Turkey pp. 283-287. http://archives.eppo.org/MEETINGS/2010_conferences/ias_trabzon/Proceedings_Trabzon_Workshop.pdf