Invasive plant species represent the second largest threat to global biodiversity loss, after changes in land use. Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC (Fabaceae) (hereafter referred to as Prosopis) is one of the invasive plant species native to South America, the Caribbean and Central America. Prosopis was knowingly introduced to Ethiopia, particularly Afar, in the late 1970s and 1980s. In the tropical arid and semi-arid region, although the introduced Prosopis has served as firewood and dry season fodder for the rural population, the threat posed by it in terms of invasion of fertile agricultural land and loss of biodiversity looms large. huge. . In the lowlands of Ethiopia, arid and semi-arid rangelands are subject to diverse human and natural impacts. Weeds and woody plants are invading pastures which have become a threat to pastoral production systems. Among forest invasions, Prosopis is the most endangered in arid and semi-arid areas of eastern and north-eastern Ethiopia, particularly in the Afar region. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Changes in land use and land cover, competitive ecological advantages, and climate change are key factors thought to influence the likelihood of Prosopis invasion. Human activities such as overgrazing, land use conversion from pasture to cropland, urbanization and infrastructure construction also impact natural resources. Currently, it is estimated that more than 30,000 hectares of grasslands, pastures, water points and croplands are occupied by Prosopis in the Middle Awash area alone. Furthermore, Luleseged et al (2012) estimated that the expansion of woody species was at a rate of 50,000 ha per year between 2002 and 2012 in the region. On the other hand, Wakie et al (2014) reported 360,500 ha of Prosopis invasion areas in the northern parts of the Afar region alone. Alien plant invasions have major impacts on biodiversity, ecosystem services, agriculture, forestry, human well-being and the economy. Roadsides, river courses, agricultural lands, irrigation canals, wetlands, grasslands, protected areas and rural areas are the most severely encroached habitats in the Afar region. Prosopis dominates large areas of prime grazing in the Afar region. As a result, palatable, nutrient-rich grasses, the main source of food for grazers, are gradually being overtaken. In several literatures, Prosopis have both positive and negative interactions with plant communities in naturalized areas or ecosystems. However, studies conducted in many parts of the world have shown that the problems of Prosopis outweigh the positive ones ecologically, socioeconomically and in all health aspects. For example, there has been a depressing effect of Prosopis canopy on associated native plants. The depressant effect of Prosopis was more evident on annual plants than on perennials, especially on grasses in arid soils. Studies recorded that standing biomass, frequency and cover of plant species under floors were significantly higher in the open area than under Prosopis canopies. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Customize EssayInvasive species can change native community composition, reduce species diversity, and influence ecosystem processes. For example, the effects of Prosopis foliage were.