Towards a holistic understanding of non-native tree impacts on ecosystem services: A review of Acacia, Eucalyptus and Pinus in Africa

TY - JOUR

T1 - Towards a holistic understanding of non-native tree impacts on ecosystem services

T2 - A review of Acacia, Eucalyptus and Pinus in Africa

AU - Wells, Jasmine J.

AU - Stringer, Lindsay C.

AU - Woodhead, Anna J.

AU - Wandrag, Elizabeth M.

N1 - Funding Information: AJW is funded by a Leverhulme Trust Research Centre—the Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity (Award RC-2018-021). LCS and EMW acknowledge support from a Leverhulme Trust Research Centre—the Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity. Publisher Copyright: © 2023

PY - 2023/4

Y1 - 2023/4

N2 - Fast-growing, stress-tolerating tree species belonging to the genera Acacia, Eucalyptus and Pinus have historically been introduced to many tropical and sub-tropical regions to support various economic and environment-regulating functions. While these non-native tree (NNT) species are often highly useful, many are simultaneously invasive, generating negative environmental impacts. Current knowledge regarding the impacts of these NNTs on the ecosystem services (ES) that affect human well-being is largely informed by South African research, which inhibits a broader understanding of the contributions of these trees to those services. Acacia, Eucalyptus and Pinus have been widely introduced globally, yet very little is known about their contribution to ES in many locations. Here, we aimed to summarise the evidence for Acacia, Eucalyptus and Pinus as generating benefits and harm to ES, focusing on sub-Saharan Africa outside of South Africa. We conducted a literature search using the ISI Web of Science, which yielded 125 relevant publications. Although the three genera were reported to affect key ES in sub-Saharan Africa, the data were limited in geographic scope, with a strong bias towards East Africa as well as biases towards certain species and ecosystem service. The benefits of these NNTs relative to their costs are context dependent and may not reflect their actual impacts on ES in sub-Saharan Africa. Our review highlights the need for more systematic research from a broader perspective to manage potential conflicts and guide better management prioritisation.

AB - Fast-growing, stress-tolerating tree species belonging to the genera Acacia, Eucalyptus and Pinus have historically been introduced to many tropical and sub-tropical regions to support various economic and environment-regulating functions. While these non-native tree (NNT) species are often highly useful, many are simultaneously invasive, generating negative environmental impacts. Current knowledge regarding the impacts of these NNTs on the ecosystem services (ES) that affect human well-being is largely informed by South African research, which inhibits a broader understanding of the contributions of these trees to those services. Acacia, Eucalyptus and Pinus have been widely introduced globally, yet very little is known about their contribution to ES in many locations. Here, we aimed to summarise the evidence for Acacia, Eucalyptus and Pinus as generating benefits and harm to ES, focusing on sub-Saharan Africa outside of South Africa. We conducted a literature search using the ISI Web of Science, which yielded 125 relevant publications. Although the three genera were reported to affect key ES in sub-Saharan Africa, the data were limited in geographic scope, with a strong bias towards East Africa as well as biases towards certain species and ecosystem service. The benefits of these NNTs relative to their costs are context dependent and may not reflect their actual impacts on ES in sub-Saharan Africa. Our review highlights the need for more systematic research from a broader perspective to manage potential conflicts and guide better management prioritisation.

KW - Ecosystem disservices

KW - Environmental impacts

KW - Geographic bias

KW - Invasive species

KW - Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

KW - Nature's contributions to people

KW - Taxonomic bias

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85146887045&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.ecoser.2023.101511

DO - 10.1016/j.ecoser.2023.101511

M3 - Review article

AN - SCOPUS:85146887045

SN - 2212-0416

VL - 60

JO - Ecosystem Services

JF - Ecosystem Services

M1 - 101511

ER -