The Conqueror of the Somali Lands

[AbdiWahab252]

This invader has seized more Somali territory than any other living being. From the river Tana to the Red Sea, it spreads its tentacles. Where did this invader come from ? Why is it so efficient ? Why is it like Shabab allowing no other species to live amongst it ? This vicious invader kills off all its competitors and prospers where others would not.

It goes by many names: Cali garoob, Geed Yehudi, Gaaranwa etc. Its scientific name is Prosopis and it invaded Somalia in the early 1980s as part of a antidesertification program to stop soil erosion and the sand dunes. It spread rapidly from the south all the way to the north and also into the northern frontier district and Somali Galbeed.

There is forest of these trees at the Mogadishu Int'l airport. It has seized entire neighbourhoods. Where this plant grows, no other plant can grow. It can grow in places where other plants would struggle.


ALL HAIL the MIGHTY PROSOPIS, CONQUEROR OF THE SOMALI LANDS.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosopis


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosopis_juliflora

[Grant]

SXB.

I was following your discussion on this topic with Gurey yesterday, and I don't feel it is quite the danger you do. Propsopsis is related both to the acacias and the mesquites, both of which are excellent for charcoal production. Given the Dhuhul industry and the effect it is having on the Somali landscape, perhaps this stuff should be welcomed and utilized. Mesquite barbeque is a big deal in Mexico and Texas.

Phttp://www.lazzari.com/

[DropkickMurphy]

Udun made a topic about this tree before. Somalis believe that the thorns on this tree can cause tetanus infection. It really needs to be eradicated. Birds and some other animals are spreading it.

[AbdiWahab252]

Adeer Grant,

First of all welcome back. You disappeared for some time. I was worried about you.

I have seen this plant and noticed that most are small shrubs. I haven't seen huge ones that can be felled and used to make charcoal. You would have to cut tons of these trees to make one sack.

I know that in Mogadishu, that some of the feeding kitchens use these trees are fuel. In Marka, they use it in the production of lime. There has to be an awareness campaign to teach people how to use this invasive species and manage its spread.

I wanted to plant a few of them along the Hobyo road to combat the stand dunes which have cut off the main road forcing a 25km detour around them.

[AbdiWahab252]

Dropkick,

Actually, the seeds are spread by goats and sheep who eat them.

Grant,


An excellent paper: http://www.issg.org/database/species/re ... w_2005.pdf

[Grant]

AW,

Thanks for the welcome. I see you are in Hamar, and envy you, don't envy you, at the same time......

The mesquite in Mexico isn't very big either. It's really more of a shrub. But it's the chief fuel for large areas. The wood is hard and burns hot, and the root is also useable.

I suspect you will find that Prosopis has it's uses also as a landscape plant, in addition to holding back the odd sand dune. It's roots are some of the deepest known, and, over time, it can grow to 40 feet.

Grant

[DropkickMurphy]

The mesquite in Mexico isn't very big either.

I have seen some really large Mesquites. I guess it depends on the species.

[Grant]

I haven't been able to get that last link to work???

DKM,

Species and proximity to a permanent source of water. The ones I have seen generally in Texas and northern Mexico are mostly shorter than 10 feet.

Grant

[globetrotter2]

Abdiwahab,

A good thread! Actually, this is what happens when you introduce a species for a good reason; romour has it ( I haven't verified yet) that Ali Garoob did wonders in the Amazon and other tropical areas and was introduced into semi-arid lands. But, nobody did an experiment on the suitability in somalia, the NFD and other regions.

The animals that eat this tree die and the seeds are transported into other regions.

It has however served one purpose; all year round green. lThe notion that no other tree grows is to early to suggest; according to evolutionary theory, it could be the case that in a few years there will be adaptation

[udun]

Udun made a topic about this tree before. Somalis believe that the thorns on this tree can cause tetanus infection. It really needs to be eradicated. Birds and some other animals are spreading it.

Thanks bro DropkickMurphy for reminding this people. This tree was introduced to Somalia by international NGO and UN Orgs who were working in Somalia in the 1980s. These types of trees killed the native trees in Somalia, which the livestock in Somalia live on. Many in Somalia believe it is part of the war against Somalis and their way of life. By introducing trees that can easily kill of the native trees, the livestock and other wild animals that live in Somalia will also gradually die off. Since the population depends on the livestock, they will gradually also follow it.

On one hand, we have endless chaos imposed on Somalia, we have the balkanization of Somalia, we have the toxic waste dumping on the Somali coast, and and we also have the gradual removal of Somali habitat. It is a long way before we, Somalis, realize it. It kinda reminds you how the native American population were gradually decimated including poisoning them.

[AbdiWahab252]

Globetrotter,

There was no study at all. A good notable example was the introduction of the prickly pear cacti into NFD. Initially where it was found in Mexico, it produced a thorn free fruit suitable for animal feed but when it was introduced into Garissa and Wajir it grew thorns and could not be consumed by livestock.

Udun,

Whats good brother ? This tree served its purpose in dune control but soon spun out of control. I believe it can be harvested and managed.

[globetrotter2]

Aw,
check http://www.actahort.org/members/showpdf ... rnr=728_41

[Grant]

http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke ... flora.html

Yep, it's toxic to cattle and pigs if fed as the sole source of food. With sheep it may be ok.

Check the uses, yields, etc. The seed pods were one of the earliest sources of human food in the new world. Has several medicinal uses.

[ciyaal_warta]

the only i know when its Thorn get injured its infection can never be cured and brother udun might right

[Armstrong]

Qurac?

Long live the booc booc