Economic Assessment and Community Management of Prosopis juliflora Invasion in Sweimeh Village, Jordan

Amani Al-Assaf, Maher J. Tadros, Salsabeel Al-Shishany, Stephanie Stewart, Mohammad Majdalawi, Mohammad Tabieh and Yahia A. Othman
Additional contact information
Amani Al-Assaf: Departments of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, School of Agriculture, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
Maher J. Tadros: Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Faculty of Agriculture, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan
Salsabeel Al-Shishany: Independent Researcher, Amman 11942, Jordan
Stephanie Stewart: Department of Economics, Terry College of Business, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 20009, USA
Mohammad Majdalawi: Departments of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, School of Agriculture, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
Mohammad Tabieh: Departments of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, School of Agriculture, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
Yahia A. Othman: Department of Horticulture and Crop Science, School of Agriculture, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 20, 1-18

Abstract: Invasions by invasive alien species (IAS) are recognized as one of the largest threats to earth’s ecosystem services and represent rapidly growing economic costs as they damage local ecosystems and force surrounding communities to divert resources towards IAS management and control. The study objectives were to assess the economic impacts of a Prosopis juliflora invasion in Jordan and gauge community preferences for management plans. The study was conducted in Sweimeh, Jordan Valley using a combination of focus groups and randomized interviews with 203 local households. Direct-use values for products derived from P. juliflora and direct costs owing to P. juliflora’s presence have been calculated. A binary logistic regression model was then developed to predict the households’ preferences between two policy responses: P. juliflora management or complete eradication. The results revealed the dualistic role of P. juliflora in household livelihoods: it was widely used for firewood, fodder, and charcoal offering benefits valued at JOD 2165 per household/year (JOD 1 = USD 0.71). At the same time, the invasion reduced household welfare by taking over arable lands and injuring humans and animals. Consequently, the income lost as a result of the invasion was estimated by JOD 1410.5 per household/year. As a result, two-thirds of respondents choose the option of P. juliflora invasion management. Only respondents’ monthly income and perception of P. juliflora’s impact on the prevention of soil erosion were significant predictors of respondents’ preferences for the management plans. In conclusion, more coordinated responses between policy makers, institutions, and local communities are required to mitigate the negative impact of P. juliflora invasion.

Keywords: benefit–cost analysis; Prospois juliflora; invasion management; binary logistic regression (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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