The utilization of alien plant invaders in Nigeria

Bachelor Thesis from the year 2019 in the subject Biology - Botany, grade: A, , course: Biology, language: English, abstract: This study reviews the utilization of alien plant invaders in Nigeria, with a view to recommending these plants to Nigerians considering their utilization potential. The overall aim of this research project is reflected in the following research questions: How does educational awareness have impact on the utilization of plant invaders? What was the utilization of alien plants invasions? How does climate change and variability aid the invasion of alien species? How do alien plant invaders affect the economic, recreational and environmental uses?

Invasive alien species have been introduced to Nigeria from different parts of the world both intentionally and unintentionally and they are affecting indigenous plants and animal communities. The intentional spread has been a result of ongoing and increasing human redistribution of species to support agriculture, forestry, mariculture, horticulture and recreation. This supplies a continuous pool of species from which invasive aliens are recruited.

The invasive alien species were also introduced as commercial plants or ornamental garden plants. Invasions also occurred countrywide as a result of seed introductions, of tree and shrub clearing for pasture and grazing infestations. The unintentional introductions of IAPs include disease organisms, agricultural weeds and insect pests. However, they were broughtwithout their natural enemies, which results in these plants reproducing copiously.