Experimental prosopis management practices and grassland restoration in three Eastern African countries

Abstract Woody species have been introduced in many parts of the world to provide economic benefits, but some those are now among worst invaders, causing widespread and environmental damage. Management woody restore original ecosystem services, such as biodiverse grassland that can fodder sequester carbon, needed limit impacts alien species. However, best management methods, i.e., most economically efficient effective way remove trees or rehabilitate cleared land, not developed for In Eastern Africa, prosopis ( Prosopis julifora ) has invaded large areas savanna grassland, thereby affecting, other things, water livestock, access dry season grazing lands ultimately pastoral livelihoods. We tested three treatments (manual uprooting cut stump basal bark herbicide application) combination with incremental restoration interventions (divots, divots + mulching, mulching grass seed sowing). The three-year study was replicated Ethiopia (Afar National Regional State), Kenya (Baringo county) Tanzania (Moshi district). survival vegetation development, both diversity biomass, were recorded. all highly (between 85 100% tree mortality almost cases), two involved complete removal aboveground biomass stump) yielded a more productive diverse than treatment killed standing (basal bark). Compared effect removal, on composition small, indicating re-established from soil bank. results show it is possible land previously by prosopis. Despite different rates establishment variation composition, resulted cases contained substantial fraction perennial grasses. method chosen control depends availability resources, including herbicides, need rootstocks if intention plant crops.