Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Aliens in the Arc: Are Invasive Trees a Threat to the Montane Forests of East Africa?

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Plant Invasions in Protected Areas

Part of the book series: Invading Nature - Springer Series in Invasion Ecology ((INNA,volume 7))

Abstract

Although plant invasions are often regarded as a significant threat to global biodiversity, current understanding of the vulnerability of tropical forests to invasion or the factors that lead to alien species becoming invasive in the tropics remains limited. Here, we synthesise available information on plant invasions in protected areas for the most ecologically important montane forests of East Africa. We undertake a hierarchical analysis to explore patterns across the entire mountain chain with those within an individual mountain block down to a single nature reserve. A common feature of the occurrence of alien trees in the Eastern Arc Mountains is the overwhelming importance of propagule pressure in the representation of species found colonising forests. The patterns observed emphasise the need for scientifically sound advice regarding not only the potential impact of an alien species on native biodiversity but also an assessment of which mitigation strategies might be most appropriate and highlights the research, control and social challenges of managing invasive agroforestry trees in the tropics.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 219.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 279.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 279.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Axelrod DI, Raven PH (1978) Late Cretaceous and Tertiary vegetation history of Africa. In: Werger MJA (ed) Biogeography and ecology of Southern Africa. Dr. W. Junk Publications, The Hague, pp 77–130

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Beharrell NK, Fanning E, Howell KM (eds) (2001) Nilo Forest Reserve: a biodiversity survey. East Usambara Conservation Area Management Programme, technical paper no. 53. Frontier Tanzania, Dar es Salaam

    Google Scholar 

  • Binggeli P (1989) The ecology of Maesopsis invasion and dynamics of the evergreen forest of the East Usambaras, and their implications for forest conservation and forest practices. In: Hamilton AC, Bensted-Smith R (eds) Forest conservation in the East Usambara Mountains, Tanzania. IUCN, Gland, pp 269–300

    Google Scholar 

  • Binggeli P, Hamilton AC (1993) Biological invasions by Maesopsis eminii in the East Usambara forests, Tanzania. Opera Bot 121:229–235

    Google Scholar 

  • Brooks TM, Mittermeier RA, Mittermeier CG et al (2002) Habitat loss and extinction in the hotspots of biodiversity. Conserv Biol 16:909–923

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buchholz T, Tennigkeit T, Weinreich A (2010) Single tree management models: Maesopsis eminii. In: Bongers F, Tennigkeit T (eds) Degraded forests in Eastern Africa: management and restoration. Earthscan, London, pp 247–266

    Google Scholar 

  • Burgess ND, Butynski TM, Cordeiro NJ et al (2007) The biological importance of the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania and Kenya. Biol Conserv 134:209–231

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • CEPF (2003) Ecosystem profile: Eastern Arc Mountains and coastal forests of Tanzania and Kenya biodiversity hotspot. Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Colon SM, Lugo AE (2006) Recovery of a subtropical dry forest after abandonment of different land uses. Biotropica 38:354–364

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cordeiro NJ, Patrick DAG, Munisi B et al (2004) Role of dispersal in the invasion of an exotic tree in an East African submontane forest. J Trop Ecol 20:449–457

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cronk Q, Fuller J (1995) Plant invaders: the threat to natural ecosystems. Chapman and Hall, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Cunneyworth P (ed) (1996a) Kwamarimba Forest Reserve: a biodiversity survey. East Usambara Conservation Area Management Programme, technical paper no. 33. Frontier Tanzania, Dar es Salaam

    Google Scholar 

  • Cunneyworth P (ed) (1996b) Longuza (north) Forest Reserve: a biodiversity survey. East Usambara Conservation Area Management Programme, technical paper no 34. Frontier Tanzania, Dar es Salaam

    Google Scholar 

  • Cunneyworth P (ed) (1996c) Kambai Forest Reserve: a biodiversity survey. East Usambara Conservation Area Management Programme, technical paper no. 35. Frontier Tanzania, Dar es Salaam

    Google Scholar 

  • Cunneyworth P, Stubblefield L (eds) (1996a) Magaroto Forest: a biodiversity survey. East Usambara Conservation Area Management Programme, technical paper no. 30. Frontier Tanzania, Dar es Salaam

    Google Scholar 

  • Cunneyworth P, Stubblefield L (eds) (1996b) Bamba Ridge Forest Reserve: a biodiversity survey. East Usambara Conservation Area Management Programme, technical paper no 31. Frontier Tanzania, Dar es Salaam

    Google Scholar 

  • Cunneyworth P, Stubblefield L (eds) (1996c) Mlungui Proposed Forest Reserve: a biodiversity survey. East Usambara Conservation Area Management Programme, technical paper no 32. Frontier Tanzania, Dar es Salaam

    Google Scholar 

  • Dawson W, Mndolwa AS, Burslem DFRP et al (2008) Assessing the risks of plant invasions arising from collections in tropical botanical gardens. Biodivers Conserv 17:1979–1995

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dawson W, Burslem DFRP, Hulme PE (2009a) Factors explaining alien plant invasion success in a tropical ecosystem differ at each stage of invasion. J Ecol 97:657–665

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dawson W, Burslem DFRP, Hulme PE (2009b) Herbivory is related to taxonomic isolation, but not to invasiveness of tropical alien plants. Divers Distrib 15:141–147

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dawson W, Burslem DFRP, Hulme PE (2009c) The suitability of weed risk assessment as a conservation tool to identify invasive plant threats in East African rainforests. Biol Conserv 142:1018–1024

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dawson W, Burslem DFRP, Hulme PE (2011) The comparative importance of species traits and introduction characteristics in tropical plant invasions. Divers Distrib 17:1111–1121

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Doggart N, Dilger M, Cunneyworth P, Fanning E (eds) (1999a) Kwamgumi Forest Reserve: a biodiversity survey. East Usambara Conservation Area Management Programme, technical paper no. 40. Frontier Tanzania, Dar es Salaam

    Google Scholar 

  • Doggart N, Dilger M, Kilenga R, Fanning E (eds) (1999b) Mtai Forest Reserve: a biodiversity survey. East Usambara Conservation Area Management Programme, technical paper no. 39. Frontier Tanzania, Dar es Salaam

    Google Scholar 

  • Doggart N, Joseph L, Bayliss J, Fanning E (eds) (1999c) Manga Forest Reserve: a biodiversity survey. East Usambara Conservation Area Management Programme, technical paper no. 41. Frontier Tanzania, Dar es Salaam

    Google Scholar 

  • Doggart NH, Doody KZ, Howell KM, Fanning E (eds) (2001) Semdoe Forest Reserve: a biodiversity survey. East Usambara Conservation Area Management Programme, technical paper no. 42. Frontier Tanzania, Dar es Salaam

    Google Scholar 

  • Doody KZ, Beharrell NK, Howell KM, Fanning E (eds) (2001a) Mpanga Village Forest Reserve: a biodiversity survey. East Usambara Conservation Area Management Programme, technical paper no 51. Frontier Tanzania, Dar es Salaam

    Google Scholar 

  • Doody KZ, Fanning E, Howell KM (eds) (2001b) Segoma Forest Reserve: a biodiversity survey. East Usambara Conservation Area Management Programme, technical paper no. 50. Frontier Tanzania, Dar es Salaam

    Google Scholar 

  • Doody KZ, Howell KM, Fanning E (eds) (2001c) Amani Nature Reserve: a biodiversity survey. East Usambara Conservation Area Management Programme, technical paper no 52. Frontier Tanzania, Dar es Salaam

    Google Scholar 

  • Edward E, Munishi PKT, Hulme PE (2009) Relative roles of disturbance and propagule pressure on the invasion of humid tropical forest by Cordia alliodora (Boraginaceae) in Tanzania. Biotropica 41:171–178

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fine PVA (2002) The invasibility of tropical forests by exotic plants. J Trop Ecol 18:687–705

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Greenway PJ (1934) Report of a botanical survey of the indigenous and exotic plants in cultivation at the East African Agricultural Research Station, Amani, Tanganyika Territory. Unpublished typescript, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

    Google Scholar 

  • Griffiths CJ (1993) The geological evolution of Eastern Africa. In: Lovett JC, Wasser SK (eds) Biogeography and ecology of the rain forest of Eastern Africa. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 9–21

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Hall JB (2010) Future options for Maesopsis: agroforestry asset or conservation catastrophe? In: Bongers F, Tennigkeit T (eds) Degraded forests in Eastern Africa: management and restoration. Earthscan, London, pp 221–246

    Google Scholar 

  • Hall SM, Fanning E, Howell KM, Pohjonen V (eds) (2002) Mlinga Forest Reserve: a biodiversity survey. East Usambara Conservation Area Management Programme, technical paper no. 56. Frontier Tanzania, Dar es Salaam

    Google Scholar 

  • Hall J, Burgess N, Lovett JC et al (2009) Conservation implications of deforestation across an elevational gradient in the Eastern Arc Mountains, Tanzania. Biol Conserv 142:2510–2521

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hall JM, Gillespie TW, Mwangoka M (2011) Comparison of agroforests and protected forests in the East Usambara Mountains, Tanzania. Environ Manag 48:237–247

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hamilton AC, Bensted-Smith R (1989) Forest conservation in the East Usambara Mountains, Tanzania. IUCN, Gland

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang WD, Pohjonen V, Johansson S et al (2003) Species diversity, forest structure and species composition in Tanzanian tropical forests. For Ecol Manag 173:11–24

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hulme PE (2011a) Biosecurity: the changing face of invasion biology. In: Richardson DM (ed) Fifty years of invasion ecology – the legacy of Charles Elton. Blackwells, Oxford, pp 301–314

    Google Scholar 

  • Hulme PE (2011b) Addressing the threat to biodiversity from botanic gardens. Trends Ecol Evol 26:168–174

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hulme PE (2011c) Botanic garden benefits do not repudiate risks: a reply to Sharrock et al. Trends Ecol Evol 26:434–435

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hulme PE (2012) Weed risk assessment: a way forward or a waste of time? J Appl Ecol 49:10–19

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iversen ST (1991) The Usambara mountains, NE Tanzania: phytogeography of the vascular plant flora. Symbolae Botanicae Upsaliensis 29:1–234

    Google Scholar 

  • Johansson SG, Sandy R (1996) Protected areas and public lands - land use in the East Usambara. East Usambara Catchment Forest Project technical paper no 28. Forestry and Beekeeping Division, Dar es Salaam

    Google Scholar 

  • Lovett JC (1989) The botanical importance of the East Usambara forests in relation to other forests in Tanzania. In: Hamilton AC, Bensted-Smith R (eds) Forest conservation in the East Usambara Mountains, Tanzania. IUCN, Gland, pp 207–212

    Google Scholar 

  • Lovett JC (1998) Importance of the Eastern Arc Mountains for vascular plants. J East Afr Nat Hist 87:59–74

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lovett JC, Wasser SK (1993) Biogeography and ecology of the rain forests of Eastern Africa. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Lugo AE (2004) The outcome of alien tree invasions in Puerto Rico. Front Ecol Environ 2:265–273

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mittermeier RA, Robles Gil P, Hoffmann M et al (2004) Hotspots revisited. CEMEX, Mexico

    Google Scholar 

  • Moreau RE (1935) A synecological study of Usambara, Tanganyika territory, with particular reference to birds. J Ecol 23:1–43

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muthuramkumar S, Ayyappan N, Parthasarathy N et al (2006) Plant community structure in tropical rain forest fragments of the Western Ghats, India. Biotropica 38:143–160

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Myers N, Mittermeier RA, Mittermeier CG et al (2000) Biodiversity hotspots for conservation priorities. Nature 403:853–858

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Newmark WD (1998) Forest area, fragmentation and loss in the Eastern Arc Mountains: implications for the conservation of biological diversity. J East Afr Nat Hist 87:29–36

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Newmark WD (2002) Conservation biodiversity in Eastern African forests: a study of the Eastern Arc Mountains, Ecological studies 155. Springer, Berlin

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Oliver SA, Bracebridge CE, Fanning E, Howell KM (eds) (2002) Mgambo Forest Reserve: a biodiversity survey. East Usambara Conservation Area Management Programme, technical paper no. 59. Frontier Tanzania, Dar es Salaam

    Google Scholar 

  • Olson DM, Dinerstein E (1998) The Global 200: a representation approach to conserving the Earth’s most biologically valuable ecoregions. Conserv Biol 12:502–515

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rejmánek M (1996) Species richness and resistance to invasions. In: Orians RD, Dirzo R, Cushman JH (eds) Diversity and processes in tropical forest ecosystems. Springer, New York, pp 153–172

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Rejmánek M, Richardson DM, Higgins SI et al (2005) Ecology of invasive plants: state of the art. In: Mooney HA, McNeely JA, Neville L et al (eds) Invasive alien species: a new synthesis. Island Press, Washington, DC, pp 104–162

    Google Scholar 

  • Reyes T, Quiroz R, Msikula S (2005) Socio-economic comparison between traditional and improved cultivation methods in agroforestry systems, East Usambara Mountains, Tanzania. Environ Manag 36:682–690

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richardson DM, PyÅ¡ek P, Rejmánek M et al (2000) Naturalization and invasion of alien plants: concepts and definitions. Divers Distrib 6:93–107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ricketts TH, Dinerstein E, Boucher T et al (2005) Pinpointing and preventing imminent extinctions. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 102:18497–18501

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rodgers WA (1998) An introduction to the Eastern Arc Mountains. J East Afr Nat Hist 87:7–18

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rodgers WA, Homewood KM (1982) The conservation of the East Usambara Mountains, Tanzania: a review of biological values and land use pressures. Biol J Linn Soc 24:285–304

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruffo CK, Mmari C, Kibuwa SP et al (1989) A preliminary list of plant species recorded from the East Usambara forests. In: Hamilton AC, Bensted-Smith R (eds) Forest conservation in the East Usambara Mountains, Tanzania. IUCN, Gland, pp 156–184

    Google Scholar 

  • Sandy RF, Boniface G, Rajabu I (1997) A survey and inventory of the Amani Botanical Garden. East Usambara Catchment Forest Project, technical paper no. 38. Forestry and Beekeeping Division, Dar es Salaam

    Google Scholar 

  • Sheil D (1994) Naturalised and invasive plant species in the evergreen forests of the East Usambara Mountains, Tanzania. Afr J Ecol 32:66–71

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spanhove T, Lehouck V (2008) Don’t miss the invasions! A note on forest health monitoring in the Taita Hills, Kenya. J East Afr Nat Hist 97:255–256

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Staddon S, Fanning E, Howell KH (eds) (2002a) Bombo East I forest reserve: a biodiversity survey. East Usambara Conservation Area Management Programme, technical paper no. 57. Frontier Tanzania, Dar es Salaam

    Google Scholar 

  • Staddon S, Fanning E, Howell KM (eds) (2002b) Bombo East II Forest Reserve: a biodiversity survey. East Usambara Conservation Area Management Programme, technical paper no. 58. Frontier Tanzania, Dar es Salaam

    Google Scholar 

  • Stattersfield AJ, Crosby MJ, Long AJ et al (1998) Endemic bird areas of the world: priorities for biodiversity conservation. BirdLife International, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • URT (2010) Nomination of properties for inclusion on the World Heritage List serial nomination: Eastern Arc Mountains forests of Tanzania. UNESCO Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. United Republic of Tanzania, Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

    Google Scholar 

  • Viisteensaari J, Johansson S, Kaarakka V et al (2000) Is the alien tree species Maesopsis eminii Engl. (Rhamnaceae) a threat to tropical forest conservation in the East Usambaras, Tanzania? Environ Conserv 27:76–81

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Von Holle B, Simberloff D (2005) Ecological resistance to biological invasion overwhelmed by propagule pressure. Ecology 86:3213–3218

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zimmerman N, Hughes RF, Cordell S et al (2008) Patterns of primary succession of native and introduced plants in lowland wet forests in eastern Hawai’i. Biotropica 40:277–284

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln University, Canterbury, 84, New Zealand

    Philip E. Hulme

  2. Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Cruickshank Building, Aberdeen, AB24 3UU, UK

    David F. R. P. Burslem

  3. Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitaetstrasse 10, D 76464, Konstanz, Germany

    Wayne Dawson

  4. Department of Forest and Landscape, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 23, DK-1958, Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Denmark

    Ezekiel Edward

  5. Tanzania Forestry Research Institute, 95, Lushoto, Tanzania

    John Richard

  6. Department of Zoology, Tropical Biology Association, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, UK

    Rosie Trevelyan

Authors
  1. Philip E. Hulme
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. David F. R. P. Burslem
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Wayne Dawson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ezekiel Edward
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. John Richard
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Rosie Trevelyan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Philip E. Hulme .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. South African National Parks, Centre for Invasion Biology Conservation Services, Skukuza, South Africa

    Llewellyn C. Foxcroft

  2. Department of Invasion Ecology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic Institute of Botany, průhonice, Czech Republic

    Petr Pyšek

  3. Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University Center for Invasion Biology, Stellenbosch, South Africa

    David M. Richardson

  4. ISPRA Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, and Chair IUCN SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group, Rome, Italy

    Piero Genovesi

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Hulme, P.E., Burslem, D.F.R.P., Dawson, W., Edward, E., Richard, J., Trevelyan, R. (2013). Aliens in the Arc: Are Invasive Trees a Threat to the Montane Forests of East Africa?. In: Foxcroft, L., Pyšek, P., Richardson, D., Genovesi, P. (eds) Plant Invasions in Protected Areas. Invading Nature - Springer Series in Invasion Ecology, vol 7. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7750-7_8

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation