Water Hyacinth, an Invasive Species in Africa: A Literature Review

Water hyacinth is without a doubt the water invader that causes the most harm to water bodies. Water hyacinths originated from Eastern Mediterranean, West Asia, and Central Asia; they are cultivated and loved worldwide. According to reports, water hyacinth has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and...

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Main Authors: Lubembe, Sharon Indasi, Okoth, Sharon, Turyasingura, Benson, Oyugi, Timothy, Ibarasa, Hillary, Moenga, Kelvin, Chavula, Petros, Tumushabe, Jennifer Turyatemba
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: East African Journal of Environment and Natural Resources 2023
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12493/1356
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author Lubembe, Sharon Indasi
Okoth, Sharon
Turyasingura, Benson
Oyugi, Timothy
Ibarasa, Hillary
Moenga, Kelvin
Chavula, Petros
Tumushabe, Jennifer Turyatemba
author_facet Lubembe, Sharon Indasi
Okoth, Sharon
Turyasingura, Benson
Oyugi, Timothy
Ibarasa, Hillary
Moenga, Kelvin
Chavula, Petros
Tumushabe, Jennifer Turyatemba
author_sort Lubembe, Sharon Indasi
collection KAB-DR
description Water hyacinth is without a doubt the water invader that causes the most harm to water bodies. Water hyacinths originated from Eastern Mediterranean, West Asia, and Central Asia; they are cultivated and loved worldwide. According to reports, water hyacinth has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. The plant extracts can also be used to treat cholera, sore throats, and snake bites, as well as to scent hair. Water hyacinth Pontederia crassipes (Eichhornia crassipes) has proliferated rapidly in African inland waters, posing numerous threats to fisheries by reducing the existence of some species; water quality by lowering levels of dissolved oxygen; human health and the environment by introducing various disease causing pathogens and harbouring dangerous animals. The hyacinths further impact human activities by blocking waterways for fishing and destroying habitat for some fish to bread properly. Tourism and navigation are also affected by limiting access to recreational areas, especially for boat cruising. Fishing; effects on fishing activities and effect on plankton production, which is the main food. Different control methods have been utilised and others suggested in Africa, although it has not been fully controlled as it is highly reproductive and still a menace in African inland waters. The most commonly used control measures are biological and physical controls. As a recommendation, all methods should be used in water bodies to reduce its spread as quickly as possible although with caution on chemical methods. In relation to water hyacinth and its effects on terrestrial animals, there is still a need for much research to still be done; however, it is an aquatic plant that is not wanted in many places does not mean it should be eradicated. Its use to produce biogas could be helpful in reducing the challenges that come with it.
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spelling oai:idr.kab.ac.ug:20.500.12493-13562024-01-17T04:46:36Z Water Hyacinth, an Invasive Species in Africa: A Literature Review Lubembe, Sharon Indasi Okoth, Sharon Turyasingura, Benson Oyugi, Timothy Ibarasa, Hillary Moenga, Kelvin Chavula, Petros Tumushabe, Jennifer Turyatemba Water hyacinth is without a doubt the water invader that causes the most harm to water bodies. Water hyacinths originated from Eastern Mediterranean, West Asia, and Central Asia; they are cultivated and loved worldwide. According to reports, water hyacinth has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. The plant extracts can also be used to treat cholera, sore throats, and snake bites, as well as to scent hair. Water hyacinth Pontederia crassipes (Eichhornia crassipes) has proliferated rapidly in African inland waters, posing numerous threats to fisheries by reducing the existence of some species; water quality by lowering levels of dissolved oxygen; human health and the environment by introducing various disease causing pathogens and harbouring dangerous animals. The hyacinths further impact human activities by blocking waterways for fishing and destroying habitat for some fish to bread properly. Tourism and navigation are also affected by limiting access to recreational areas, especially for boat cruising. Fishing; effects on fishing activities and effect on plankton production, which is the main food. Different control methods have been utilised and others suggested in Africa, although it has not been fully controlled as it is highly reproductive and still a menace in African inland waters. The most commonly used control measures are biological and physical controls. As a recommendation, all methods should be used in water bodies to reduce its spread as quickly as possible although with caution on chemical methods. In relation to water hyacinth and its effects on terrestrial animals, there is still a need for much research to still be done; however, it is an aquatic plant that is not wanted in many places does not mean it should be eradicated. Its use to produce biogas could be helpful in reducing the challenges that come with it. Kabale University 2023-08-24T10:20:14Z 2023-08-24T10:20:14Z 2023-07-18 Article Lubembe, S. I, Okoth, S., Turyasingura, B., Oyugi, T., Ibarasa, H., Moenga, K., Chavula, P. & Tumushabe, J. T. (2023). Water Hyacinth, an Invasive Species in Africa: A Literature Review. East African Journal of Environment and Natural Resources, 6(1), 243-261. https://doi.org/10.37284/eajenr.6.1.1293. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12493/1356 en application/pdf East African Journal of Environment and Natural Resources
spellingShingle Lubembe, Sharon Indasi
Okoth, Sharon
Turyasingura, Benson
Oyugi, Timothy
Ibarasa, Hillary
Moenga, Kelvin
Chavula, Petros
Tumushabe, Jennifer Turyatemba
Water Hyacinth, an Invasive Species in Africa: A Literature Review
title Water Hyacinth, an Invasive Species in Africa: A Literature Review
title_full Water Hyacinth, an Invasive Species in Africa: A Literature Review
title_fullStr Water Hyacinth, an Invasive Species in Africa: A Literature Review
title_full_unstemmed Water Hyacinth, an Invasive Species in Africa: A Literature Review
title_short Water Hyacinth, an Invasive Species in Africa: A Literature Review
title_sort water hyacinth an invasive species in africa a literature review
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12493/1356
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