Lantana camara (shrub)

Ecology Distribution Management Info Impact Info References and Links Contacts

General Impact Lantana is now a major weed in many regions of the Palaeotropics where it invades natural and agricultural ecosystems (Thomas and Ellison 1999). The plants can grow individually in clumps or as dense thickets, crowding out more desirable species. In disturbed native forests it can become the dominant understorey species, disrupting succession and decreasing biodiversity. As the density of lantana in forest increases species richness decreases (Fensham et al. 1994, in Day et al. 2003). Its allelopathic qualities can reduce vigour of plant species nearby and reduced productivity in orchards (Holm et al. 1991, in Day et al. 2003). At some sites, lantana infestations have been so persistent that they have completely stalled the regeneration of rainforest for three decades (Lamb 1991, in Day et al. 2003). Such is its impact that, for example, in south-east Queensland lantana was ranked as the most significant weed of non-agricultural areas (Batianoff and Butler 2002, in Day et al. 2003). Lantana competition may have caused the extinction of the shrub Linum cratericola Eliasson (Linaceae), and is a major threat to other endangered plants in the Galapagos Archipelago (Mauchamp et al. 1998, in Day et al. 2003). The replacement of native pastures by lantana is threatening the habitat of the sable antelope in Kenya (Greathead 1971b, in Day et al. 2003). Lantana can greatly alter fire regimes in natural systems (Humphries and Stanton 1992, in Day et al. 2003). It can affect agriculture in a number of ways. In plantations in south-east Asia and the Pacific Island communities it can reduce productivity and interfere with harvesting. It may affect economic viability of crops such as coffee, oil palm, coconuts and cotton (Holm et al. 1977, in Thomas and Ellison 1999). In Queensland, loss of pasture is the greatest single cost of lantana invasion in grazing areas (A$3m per year at 1985 values) (Culvenor 1985, in Day et al. 2003). In dense stands of lantana, the capacity of the soil to absorb rain is lower than under good grass cover (Cilliers 1983, in Day et al. 2003). This could potentially increase the amount of run-off and the subsequent risk of soil erosion in areas infested with lantana. Lantana has been implicated in the poisoning of a number of animals including cattle, buffalo, sheep and goats (Sharma et al. 1988, in Day et al. 2003) (its leaves and seeds contain triterpenoids, which cause poisoning and photosensitivity). Poisoning mainly occurs in newly introduced young animals without access to other fodder (Everist 1974, Yadava and Verma 1978; Sharma 1994, in Day et al. 2003). Lantana has many secondary impacts, especially in many tropical countries where it can harbour several serious pests. Malarial mosquitoes in India (Gujral and Vasudevan 1983 in Day et al. 2003) and tsetse flies in Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya shelter in bushes and are the cause of serious health problems (Greathead 1968, Katabazi 1983, Okoth and Kapaata 1987, Mbulamberi 1990 in Day et al. 2003).          Location Specific Impacts: Eastern Australia (Australia)   Agricultural: Mike Day (Alan Fletcher Research Station) Competition: Mike Day (Alan Fletcher Research Station) Economic/Livelihoods: Mike Day (Alan Fletcher Research Station) Human nuisance: Mike Day (Alan Fletcher Research Station) Hybridisation: Mike Day (Alan Fletcher Research Station) Modification of fire regime: Mike Day (Alan Fletcher Research Station) Modification of nutrient regime: Mike Day (Alan Fletcher Research Station) Southeast Australia (Australia)   Agricultural: Mike Day (Alan Fletcher Research Station) Competition: Mike Day (Alan Fletcher Research Station) Economic/Livelihoods: Mike Day (Alan Fletcher Research Station) Human nuisance: Mike Day (Alan Fletcher Research Station) Hybridisation: Mike Day (Alan Fletcher Research Station) Modification of fire regime: Mike Day (Alan Fletcher Research Station) Modification of nutrient regime: Mike Day (Alan Fletcher Research Station) Stotts Island Nature Reserve (Australia)   Reduction in native biodiversity Threat to endangered species Saint Helena   Agricultural: Lantana camara is a host of Orthyzia insignis. L. camara is toxic to livestock. Modification of successional patterns: Lantana camara has an allelopathic effect on other species and can stop succession through forming dense carpets (Kendle and Rose, 2001 in Varnham, 2006).