Challenges of Managing the Impact of Invasive Plants on the Environment: The Case of Water Hyacinth on Lake Tana, (Achera and Adisge Kebeles), Central Gondar Zone, Ethiopia
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Date
2019-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Water hyacinth is one of the world’s most invasive aquatic plants causing significant ecological
and socio-economic impacts. Most of the problems are associated with its rapid growth rate, its
ability to compete with other aquatic plants, and difficulties to manage its spread. Water
hyacinth infestation on Lake Tana has been manifested on a large scale, and has created serious
problems mainly on the environment and socio-economic activities. The study focused on the
challenges of managing the impacts of water hyacinth on Lake Tana, Central Gondar Zone. A
total of 226 households were drawn as representative sample using simple random sampling.
The data gathering instruments used were questionnaire, key informant interview and focused
group discussions. Data were described using frequency counts, percentages, Chi-square and
Independent t-test. The results shown that water hyacinth expanded more and adversely affected
the local environment. The major water hyacinth controlling practices were dependent on hand
removal by local community. The result also revealed that low concern of the government, lack
of appropriate technology to apply, and declining participation of local communities on manual
removal of the weed as the major challenges of managing water hyacinth in the area. Besides,
there is no significant perception difference between farmers and non-farmers on the expansion
of water hyacinth (p=.960), and there is no statistically significant relationship between the
participants’ occupation and perception on the challenges of managing water hyacinth
(p=0.323). Recommendations, government has to support and strengthen efforts undertaken
currently, appropriate policy and strategies need to be formulated and strong institutional set
up must be established, application of appropriate technology and integrated control methods
have to be employed to effectively manage the problem.
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Keywords
Challenges, Impact, Management practice, Water hyacinth