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I wonder why Acacia? This plant is not native to Africa, but only from Australian continent. I checked other sources, and found references to "Hardy, drought-r

by kephra 12y ago

I wonder why Acacia? This plant is not native to Africa, but only from Australian continent. I checked other sources, and found references to "Hardy, drought-resistant acacia trees now dig their roots into 330 miles of northern Senegal's Tessekere-Widu rural region. Planting began in 2008." What are the dangers of planting a foreign tree monoculture without importing the wildlife that supports them? Why didn't they use a native African tree?

BramEsposito 12y ago
Acacia is a genus, with species in both Africa and Australia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acacia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acacia.
- kephra 12y ago
  sorry /me stupid kraut trapped by Wikipedia, and 2005 plant reclassification. The German Acacia Wikipedia entry only contains the genus Acacia, while "Akazien" points to the tribe that is including all those plants that are normally known under the common name of acacia. Btw, the picture of the English wikipedia also shows that the genus Acacia is only native to Australia. I guess they are planting Senegalia and not Acacia there. Same plant, it just got renamed 10 years ago. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senegalia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senegalia
dirktheman 12y ago
What makes you think acacias aren't native to Africa? Acacia is a broad family, and while the majority is native to Australia, there are quite a few acacias native to other continents. The ancient Egyptians made clasps from this tree so it's been around for at least a couple of thousand years.
mpatobin 12y ago
Because acacia does so well in African drylands. Its also a nitrogen fixing tree which helps it grow fast as it does. The goal of reforestation in drylands is to increase shade to reduce evaporation. Once the acacia has provided enough quick shade they can (and hopefully will) plant other plants in the understory to increase diversity.
deleted 12y ago
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by kephra 12y ago

BramEsposito 12y ago

Acacia is a genus, with species in both Africa and Australia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acacia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acacia.

kephra 12y ago
sorry /me stupid kraut trapped by Wikipedia, and 2005 plant reclassification. The German Acacia Wikipedia entry only contains the genus Acacia, while "Akazien" points to the tribe that is including all those plants that are normally known under the common name of acacia. Btw, the picture of the English wikipedia also shows that the genus Acacia is only native to Australia. I guess they are planting Senegalia and not Acacia there. Same plant, it just got renamed 10 years ago. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senegalia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senegalia

dirktheman 12y ago

What makes you think acacias aren't native to Africa? Acacia is a broad family, and while the majority is native to Australia, there are quite a few acacias native to other continents. The ancient Egyptians made clasps from this tree so it's been around for at least a couple of thousand years.

mpatobin 12y ago

Because acacia does so well in African drylands. Its also a nitrogen fixing tree which helps it grow fast as it does. The goal of reforestation in drylands is to increase shade to reduce evaporation. Once the acacia has provided enough quick shade they can (and hopefully will) plant other plants in the understory to increase diversity.

deleted 12y ago

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