Workshop on Biocontrol of Invasive Plants

The Burundi National NGO Greenbelt Action for the Environment (ACVE) and The Lake Tanganyika Authority (LTA) together with UNOPS/UNDP and IUCN (The International Union for Conservation of Nature) are holding a Workshop on Thursday, 3^rd May, 2012 to discuss Biological Control of Invasive Plants with special reference to two species of alien and invasive plants that are affecting the Lake Tanganyika ecosystem within Burundi.

The workshop with first present concepts of biological invasions in general and invasive plants of relevance to Lake Tanganyika and its associated riparian areas and wetlands.

Discussion will then turn to options for control and management of the two plants to be emphasized (Water Hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes and Climbing Giant Sensitive Plant, Mimosa diplotricha) including mechanical control, chemical control and biological control

The logic behind biological control of alien plants (especially those that are invasive) will then be presented, including aspects of specificity that ensure safety of introduction of biocontrol agents.  We hope to have some presentations on existing situations of such control in Burundi and then discuss the procedure for its implementation and monitoring.

This workshop will be based on short presentations with extensive discussion by participants from a range of institutions and expertise – and will culminate on some workable recommendations for the future. The workshop will be held at Chandelier Hotel, Bujumbura, from 09.00 to 17.00 on Tuesday, 3^rd May.