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ZAMBIA - ATLAS OF OUR CHANGING ENVIRONMENT
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Cardiospermum grandiflorum
ZEMA, 2007
Eichhornia crassipes
ZEMA, 2007
Mimosa pigra
thicket
ZEMA, 2007
Sample of Invasive Species found in Zambia
Argemone mexicana
ZEMA, 2007
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
Barriers to Removing Invasive Alien Species
in Zambia
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.