Assessment of Artemisia annua to Control Invasive Gutenbegia cordifolia at Mwiba Wildlife Ranch in Great Serengeti Ecosystem

25 Nov 2019 Mwiba Wildlife Ranch, Tanzania, Africa

Sarah Adiel Mero

The project seeks to address effectiveness of natural plant extracts of Artemisia annua as a first trial to control the invasive, Gutenbegia cordifolia. It is an urgent conservation action to be taken since ungulates (target species) will continue to decrease in number as their natural food is outcompeted by the weed in terms of nutrients, water and space. Also, the project will monitor on the undesired effects of extracts of Artemisia annua to native vegetation to preserve the goal of conservation. Further, will determine if fire events and shade have an effect to seed germination and growth of the invasive, Gutenbegia cordifolia.

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The project aims at suppressing an invasive chronic weed, Gutenbegia cordifolia using natural extracts of a medicinal species, Artemisia annua. The project aims at controlling the weed from continuing invading foraging grounds for herbivores, which are the target species. The weed is unpalatable to herbivores as it contains germacranolides, toxic substances that causes allergies to especially ungulates such as (Equus quagga) Zebra, (Connochaetes taurinus) wilderbeest, (Hippotragus equinus) Roan Antelope and sub- ungulates such (Loxodonta africana), the African elephant. This has affected the rangelands along the Serengeti ecosystem, and hence Mwiba is one of the affected sites along the ecosystem that requires an urgent conservation action to exclude the weed from continuing damaging herbivores' foraging grounds.

Also, will consider monitoring undesired effects of using extracts of Artemisia annua to native vegetation to preserve the purpose of conservation. Further, the project will conduct conservation awareness programs to local communities at the village on invasive species and the damage they bring to native vegetation. This will be facilitated through outreaches and workshops, where leaflets and flyers (written in Swahili, the national language) will be supplied to enable transfer the message and educate a larger group.

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