Background Information

As in many other countries in the tropics, hundreds of alien species have entered to Ethiopia, intentionally and unintentionally. The country has a long history of introduction of alien species of plants and animals, especially those that were found to be productive elsewhere and offered potential economic benefits to the country.

Recently, it has become clear that some alien species are having very negative impacts in Ethiopia. Several alien species are spreading at alarming rate, threatening agricultural lands, rangelands, national parks, waterways, lakes, rivers, power dams, roadsides and urban green spaces.

Foremost among these is Parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus), although major problems are also being caused by mesquites (Prosopis juliflora), water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), Lantana camara and Acacia spp.

International activities on invasive species

• BCH, Biosafety CHM
• BW, International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships Ballast Water and Sediment, IMO (invasive species)
• CBD, Alien Species web site
• Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
• GISIN – Global Invasive Species information Network
• GISP, Global Invasive Species Programme
• TEMATEA

Sponsored by GoE-GEF/UNEP Removing Bariers to Invasive Plant Management in Africa Project, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Addis Ababa