ABSTRACT
Numbere, A.O. and Moudingo, J.-H.E., 2023. Scenarios of Nypa fruticans invasion: Impacts and management strategies in West and Central Africa. Journal of Coastal Research, 39(1), 114–128. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208.
Nipa palm (Nypa fruticans) is a coastal invasive species that has depleted many coastal resources across Africa. It is a foreign species that has colonized many coastal areas in both Cameroon and Nigeria. This study involves the investigation of the negative and positive impacts of nipa palm in the waters of Cameroon and Nigeria. These neighboring countries have become endemic for this species in the last 30 years, resulting to a 30% loss of mangrove forest. This loss had led to a decline in the fish population and had caused a safety hazard for boat travelers along the coast. The expansion of the palms beyond local and international boundaries can be controlled through seed removal, tree destruction, seedling monitoring, and establishment of a nipa palm enlightenment and control unit across regional boundaries and a Nigeria–Cameroon nipa palm management agency, whose aim would be to sensitize the public in both countries regarding the need to stop nipa palm encroachment because of its adverse effect on the ecosystem and livelihood opportunities of rural dwellers. Also recommended is the use of the palm to produce biomass energy.
