Invasive Plant Species in Ghana: Route of Spread, Socio-Economic and Environmental Impact
Joshua Dwomoh *
Department of Biological Sciences Education, College of Agriculture Education, Akenten Appiah – Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development, Ghana.
Samuel Ayetibo Ofori
Department of Biological Sciences Education, College of Agriculture Education, Akenten Appiah – Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development, Ghana.
Dennis Kwabena Frimpong
Department of Biological Sciences Education, College of Agriculture Education, Akenten Appiah – Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development, Ghana.
Charles Nyarko Osei
Department of Biological Sciences Education, College of Agriculture Education, Akenten Appiah – Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development, Ghana.
Eldith Adongo
Department of Biological Sciences Education, College of Agriculture Education, Akenten Appiah – Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development, Ghana.
Stephen Appiah
Department of Biological Sciences Education, College of Agriculture Education, Akenten Appiah – Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development, Ghana.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Globally, there has been a rapid increase in biodiversity loss, these losses have been attributed to habitat loss and invasive flora and fauna species. Extensive work has been done on the losses brought about by invasive fauna species, however, the impact of invasive flora species has less been explored in Ghana. This review focused on the various alien plant species found in Ghana and the factors that support their spread, establishment, and colonization. Findings indicate that the common invasive plants in Ghana are Chromolaema odorata, Calopogonium mucunoides, Cedrella ordorata, Leucaena leucocephala, Broussonetia papyrifera and Prosopis glasdulosa, Azardiracta indica, Echinochloa colona, and Leucaena leucocephala. The economic losses and environmental impact of these plant species were also reviewed. This review revealed that there is an urgent need to initiate interventions to control the rapid spread of invasive plant species, those measures should be cost-effective and eco-friendly.
Keywords: Invasive plant species, route of spread, habitat loss, biodiversity, eco-friendly, Ghana