Spatiotemporal trajectories of invasive tree species reveal theimportance of collective action for successful invasionmanagement

Abstract

Biological invasions are complex processes requiring coordinated andspatially targeted management. This study assessed spatiotemporal tra-jectories and determinants of Prosopis cover in Baringo County, Kenya.Land cover data for every seven years between 1988 and 2016 revealedthe presence of Prosopis. We tested for trajectory clusters using spatialautocorrelation and overlaid the trajectory categories with landscapefeatures. Generally, most plots were only temporarily managed or notmanaged at all, while continuous management of Prosopis occurredmainly near rivers and on plots suitable for cultivation. Parcels within250 m from roads, which are dispersal pathways for Prosopis seeds, wererarely cleared of Prosopis. We conclude that successful managementrequires incentives for stakeholders’ engagement in collective manage-ment action at a landscape level. Trajectory mapping should be integratedinto planning tools to foster the prioritization of timely and context-specific response mechanisms.