Population changes of alien invasive plants in the Lower Kuiseb river / Joh R. Henschel, Thomas Parr

References

The status of six alien invasive plant species was investigated along the Lower Kuiseb River. The focus entailed a comparison of plants surveyed along transects located at five settlements of a rural community, with additional transects located between these settlements. While most living alien plants occurred in or adjacent to the main channel of the river, additional seed banks were noted in river areas further away from the channel. Nicotiana glauca was clearly on the increase along the length of the study area, while Argemone ochroleuca, Ricinus com- munis, Datura stramonium and D. inoxia appear to be declining, and Prosopis continues to be confidut. While changing surface hydrology and near-surface geohydrology may underlie the increase in N. glauca, trampling action by increasing livestock numbers could perhaps explain the decreases by other species. More detailed studies and long-term monitoring are required to improve management of alien plants in the Kuiseb and other ephemeral rivers.

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