Zambia - Atlas of our Changing Environment

Barriers to Removing Invasive Alien Species in Zambia

Zambia’s biodiversity is threatened by the spread of invasive alien species. Invasive alien species are defined as species “introduced deliberately or unintentionally outside their natural habitat where they have the ability to establish themselves, invade, outcompete natives and take up the new environment” (Environmental Council of Zambia, 2008). The spread of invasive alien species is now recognized as one of the greatest threats to the conservation of biodiversity (Matthews and Brand, 2004). They adversely affect local biodiversity and

threaten agricultural production and food security, which continues to be the main priority for many African governments. During the implementation of the project on Removing Barriers to Invasive Plant Management in Africa between 2005 and 2010, 15 invasive plant species - six aquatic and nine terrestrial - were identified.

Sample of Invasive Species found in Zambia

Mimosa pigra thicket ZEMA, 2007

Argemone mexicana ZEMA, 2007

Cardiospermum grandiflorum ZEMA, 2007

Eichhornia crassipes ZEMA, 2007

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ZAMBIA - ATLAS OF OUR CHANGING ENVIRONMENT