Title
Assessment of Invasive Species Status and Development of a Restoration Strategy & Management Plan for Maputo National Park (MNP), Mozambique Final Report
Author(s)
Terblanche, Colette; Liversage, Terrence; Richter, Willem
Published
2022
Abstract
This document describes the extent of the invasive alien plants (IAP’s) in Maputo National Park (MNP) and provides a restoration strategy and management plan with a five-year costing that will allow MNP to effectively control IAP’s and restore biodiversity where affected. A field assessment of the status of invasive species was conducted from the 5th to the 13th of September 2021 covering the entire MNP. The park was divided along natural boundaries (rivers, roads, and vegetation types) into logical management unit compartments, which allows for coherent management interventions, referred to in this plan as Alien Control Units (ACU’s). A total of 32 alien plant species were identified. Parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus) is an emerging weed in MNP and has been identified as the priority species to control, due to its potential to spread, potential impact on the biodiversity and because it has only started to invade. The dominant/most abundant IAP is Lantana (Lantana camara) followed by Chromolaena (Chromolaena odorata). 97% of MNP is at or below 5% density of IAP’s per ACU. The western boundary, along the Futi river is above 20% density of IAP’s. There are a few species of concern which occur in isolated areas: Barbados gooseberry (Pereksia aculeata), Mauritian hemp (Furcraea foetida) and Prickly pear (Opuntia spp.). All ACU’s were prioritised according to international best practices. The first priority areas, Category A, has been prioritised to prevent new introductions, control emerging weeds and control vectors/pathways of spread. The second priority is to keep clean areas clean – Category B1 areas, and thirdly to control areas invaded from lowest to highest densities - Category B2 & B4. Exceptions were made to areas with IAP’s that are costly to remove and require a specific control method –Category B3. As there are funds to specifically control the Eucalyptus spp. and Pinus spp. close to the main gate, the area was not prioritised and was given it’s own category – Category C. A boundary of 500m around the fence line and 1km along rivers flowing into MNP have been allocated as Category D. Funding should be allocated to the first priority Category A first and then the next priority depending on funding availability. To get to a maintenance phase (all areas below 2% density) within five years, it is estimated that it will require an average of MZN 33,609,820 per year and a work force of 307 persons per year. Because of the relatively low infestation levels, restoration of natural vegetation in treating IAP’s areas can be left to naturally regenerate through successional means with management techniques which include: the planting of desirable woody species, the exclusion of fire or the prescribed burning of areas, depending on the vegetation type. Control methods and a photo of each of the IAP’s identified have been listed, with a detailed description of how to apply the methods described. Monitoring the effectiveness of control is critical and biodiversity indicators are being developed as a separate exercise to this plan. The plan will have to be updated once the indicators have been established. This will only affect areas above 5% density where the biodiversity is affected. In areas below 5% density indicators here are whether the IAP’s have been removed. A database of control efforts against the plan, as well as quality control of clearing operations are essential to the success of this plan. This plan should be reviewed every five years.
Full Citation
Terblanche, C., T. Liversage, and W. Richter (2022). Assessment of Invasive Species Status and Development of a Restoration Strategy & Management Plan for Maputo National Park (MNP), Mozambique Final Report. Maputo, Mozambique: Colterra Environmental Consultants, BIOFUND, and Wildlife Conservation Society, 1-71.

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