DEVELOPING A PARTICIPATORY APPROACH TO ASSESSMENT ANDMANAGEMENT OF ALIEN PLANT INVASION RISKS: A CASE EXAMPLE IN THE WEST USAMBARA MOUNTAINS (WUM), TANZANIA

Abstract

In this article we discuss important issues that need to be considered in developing
participatory approaches to management of alien plant invasion risks. The discussion uses a
case of what is required in West Usambara Mountains (WUM) in Tanzania, where the highest
number of agroforestry and forestry exotic a tree species and other plants for food, fodder and
ornamental uses have been introduced and are extensively planted in agricultural landscapes.
We emphasize the importance of all stakeholders to be aware a wide dimension of issues
affecting success in management of alien plant invasions particularly the following; awareness
of environmental and socioeconomic impacts of alien plants invasion, how to distinguish and
prioritize invasive plants, stages of invasion and precautionary measures to be taken at early
stages, the importance for management to tackle the causes rather than the effects of invasion,
identification of relevant stakeholders and other issues of high priority in developing
participatory management plans and in addition the article emphasizes the importance and the
attributes of properly grounded activities of research, monitoring alien plants spread, impacts
and evaluation of the effectiveness of management measures applied.