Bio-diversity

Invasive species management project in Gabel Elba protectorate that funded by GEF/SGP is a small project aims to contribute for assessment and management of the invasive mesquite trees that invaded the southern areas of Elba protected area since 1986. Mesquite tree Prosopisjuliflora is the most serious invader in the southeast corner of Egypt. Introduced to the area by the local community of the Halaib region in the 1980s for agro- forestry and charcoaling purposes, it subsequently spread rapidly, especially after a period of heavy rain in 1996, Prosopis poses a threat to the Elba PA s biodiversity, and negatively impacts ecosystem functioning and catchment hydrology The project activities mainly focuses on providing on-job training for Gabel Elba s rangers and local community on best practices for eradication and mitigation the impact of the invaders Mesquite tree in addition for strength the involvement of local community in management of threats that challenges the protectorate s biodiversity, which the invasive species measures used are seen as a temporary solution, which will at least help conserve natural resources until the best way of exploiting this species within a sustainable and integrated management approach has been identified. Gabal Elba protected area containing more than 458 plant species, about 22% of the total biodiversity in Egypt. Controlling invasive species such as mesquite tree, which considered a major threat on the biodiversity in Gabal Elba protected area. Decreasing the threats of invasive species and develop a plan of actions to control it. Provide the necessary information and databases on invasive species in Gabal Elba, and put a strategy on a local level to combat the trans-boarder invasive plant species. Partnership with local communities to develop measures to combat invasive species. Partnership with government, executive and scientific institutes to identify potential threats from these plants. Expected Results: To train 200 people from the local community to monitor and manage plant diversity and invasive species reserve To combat and eliminate 90% of the invasive species in the protected area. To put a strategy on a local level on managing invasive species in the PA. To raise the awareness of the local communities, researchers and PA rangers To implement a field camps for students on how to combat the mesquite trees, a planting other wild endemic plants

Egypt