In the heart of Uganda’s beloved Queen Elizabeth Park, an invasive plant, Sickle Bush, is turning the savanna into a dense thorn forest.
Sickle Bush, or Dichrostachys cinerea, is choking large parts of the savannah, leading to the decline of native plant species, reduced grazing, and other devastating trickle-down effects.
What Has Accelerated the Invasion?
The rapid growth of the Sickle Bush invasion is largely blamed on changing climatic conditions. Areas that once received ample rainfall have steadily turned into dry, arid patches of soil.
These conditions not only inhibit the growth of native plant species but also provide the perfect conditions for the thorny bush to thrive.
Additionally, with ample space, the weed grows quickly and spreads widely, overtaking huge tracts of land.
The After Effects of Sickle Bush Invasion
The immediate effects of the Sickle Bush invasion are quickly visible as the sprawling savannah is now replaced with thorny bushland. The park officials say that the weed has invaded about 7,800 acres of land inside the park.
Apart from negatively impacting the local plant biodiversity, the bushes have also disrupted the traditional wild animal migration routes, creating confusion.
For this reason and the dwindling grazing grounds, the animals have been forced to move to other areas.
Consequently, human-wildlife conflict is on the rise as animals find themselves grazing near nearby communities. Tourism, a cornerstone of Uganda’s economy, has also been negatively impacted by the invasion.
Community Resolution Against the Sickle Bush Invasion
As Ecological Monitoring and Research officers like Philemon Tumwebaze await government funds to conduct large-scale Sickle Bush eradication, he and other officers are helping local communities take major steps against the invasion.
Community groups are uprooting the bushes and earning extra income from the activity. The bush has also become an important source of fuel, eliminating the need to use native plants to meet such needs.
However, the need for urgent and large-scale government intervention is still vital for removing the invasive Sickle Bush and preserving the native biodiversity.
Lead Editor for Insight Weeds.