Non-native tree devastates Ethiopia's ecosystems and threatens livelihoods

"Prosopis, introduced to Ethiopia in the 1970s, now depletes water, harms livestock and disrupts ecosystems across Afar. Once lauded as a remedy for Ethiopia's advancing desertification, a non-native tree has transformed into an uncontrolled menace across the East African country, endangering delicate ecosystems and threatening the existence of local communities. The prosopis, a shrubby tree indigenous to Latin America, was initially introduced to Ethiopia's northeastern Afar region during the 1970s. For livestock farmer Khadija Humed, it has become a source of misery."

"Initially, prosopis seemed promising. Resistant to heat and quick-growing, it was intended to prevent soil erosion and provide cooling shade in Afar's dry lowlands. Today, however, it dominates the region's expansive plains with thorny branches that reach heights of up to 10 metres (33ft). Each tree extracts up to 7 litres (nearly 2 gallons) of water daily through its extensive root system, depleting soil moisture and devastating agriculture."

"Local pastoralists also reported that prosopis harms their livestock. The plant has turned against us, Hailu Shiferaw, a researcher at the Ethiopian Water and Land Resources Centre, told AFP. No one could have foreseen its harmful effects. In Humed's village, about 200km (124 miles) northeast of Addis Ababa, she explained that the tree's pods sicken their cattle and obstruct their mouths and stomachs, sometimes fatally. These losses have plunged the community into severe poverty, she said."

Prosopis was introduced to northeastern Afar in the 1970s to combat desertification, prevent soil erosion and provide shade. The tree is drought-tolerant and fast-growing, but it now dominates plains with thorny branches up to 10 metres high. Each tree can extract up to 7 litres of water daily through extensive roots, depleting soil moisture and damaging agriculture. The tree's pods sicken livestock and can obstruct mouths and stomachs, causing deaths. Dense foliage attracts predators such as lions and hyenas into villages. Spread of prosopis has driven livestock losses and severe poverty among pastoral communities.

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