Pastoralists perception of Vachellia reficiens invasion and its impacts on their livelihoods and social well-being in the Maasai rangelands

The negative impacts of invasive plant species constitute a global challenge, resulting in substantial environmental and economic costs. Vachellia reficiens, an invasive woody species, is increasingly affecting grazing lands and rangeland ecosystems in northern Tanzania; however, its impacts, uses, and management remain poorly documented. Significant concerns regarding the spread, impact, and establishment of invasive species have been raised by local communities and government, with a particular focus on their environmental, agricultural, and economic impacts. This study investigated the perception of the pastoral community regarding the impacts of V. reficiens on their livelihoods and social well-being in the Maasai rangelands of Tanzania. Household interviews were conducted with 124 randomly selected respondents from five purposively selected villages within the Enduimet Wildlife Management Area. Data collected covered demographic characteristics, awareness of the species, perceived drivers of its spread, impacts, uses, participation in control activities, knowledge gaps, and interest in learning. Awareness of V. reficiens was high (88.7%), primarily acquired through direct observation. Climate change was ranked as the main driver of the spread (p < 0.001). Reported impacts included reduced grass availability (44.1%) and declining biodiversity (39.3%), while perceived effects on livestock and soil were minimal. Reported uses of the species were both beneficial and negligible. Participation in control activities was low, with 85.5% of respondents having never participated, although interest in learning management approaches was high (69.1%). These findings indicate high awareness but limited management action, underscoring the need for targeted education, participatory control strategies, and the integration of local and scientific knowledge in rangeland management. Key words: Community perceptions, invasive species, participatory management, rangelands, Vachellia reficiens.