Team Vumba

1/ History

Team Vumba stands for “ The Environmental Association for Management of Vumba´s Unique Mountain Biodiversity Areas “. Quite a mouthful, but it has a big job. Team Vumba is confronting a menacing alien invasion and trying to restore the environment into the state nature intended.

2/ Objectives 

Our main objectives are: information, education & conservation:

-         encourage land-owners to understand the dynamic natural processes taking place on their properties, particularly the threats posed by invasive alien       plants, and to create and maintain an attractive landscape for themselves, while conserving the inherent riches of fauna and flora.

-         do whatever we can to clear prime views and recreational areas, in the interest of all of us who live here or visit the Vumba.

-         be advocates for environmental conservation of the natural wonders of the mountains of the Eastern Highlands.

-         work together with local communities and schools, in order to make them understand the value of the nature of the Vumba and how they can benefit      from it.  

 3/ Threats

Invasive exotic trees and shrubs are choking large expanses of indigenous forest and grassland, with devastating effect. Natural grasslands become homogenous forests of wattle and Blackwood (Acacia mearnsii, A. melanoxylon); Ginger lily (Hedychium gardnerianum) takes over the forest undergrowth and stream banks; gum trees ( Eucalyptus spp) deplete underground water; views disappear and there is an increased danger of fires. Our unique species of birds, insects, plants, butterflies and small mammals are driven out. This also affects the people of Vumba, because many of their jobs depend on the Vumba remaining an attractive tourist destination. 

Notes on a Few Problem Invaders

(i) Wattle (Acacia mearnsii)

Wattle was introduced from Australia for commercial use. Its bark is stripped and the resins are used in the tannin industry. The wood is used for poles and charcoal. The trees are fast growing and produce enormous quantities of seeds, which remain viable for many years. Germination is encouraged by fire, which makes our grasslands particularly vulnerable to invasion. Wattle, however, is relatively easy to control. The young seedlings are shallow-rooted and can be ripped out by hand. Bigger trees can be cut and will rarely re-grow. The work is labour intensive and needs to be repeated on a regular basis but the results are quite impressive. Grasslands once overgrown by wattle, such as the Chinyakwaremba area, will soon revive their natural biodiversity when cleared of invaders.

(ii) Blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon)

Another species native to Australia, Blackwood was introduced as a timber tree. It long appeared inoffensive, mixing into the forest fringes on a minor scale. Recently, however, it has become a major threat in the Vumba grasslands. It has proven to be far more difficult to eradicate than Wattle. It is nearly impossible to uproot, even as a very young plant, due to the deep tap root it develops, and it will invariably re-grow after being cut. Chemical means seem to be essential to successful eradication.

(iii) Lantana (Lantana camara)

This vigorous shrub is native to Central America. The plants are very invasive along roadsides and in more open areas and are hard to get rid of. Cutting the plant back and burning is a method often used to control Lantana. This method has proven unsuccessful as the plants will regenarate easily from the thiniest piece of root which is left in the ground. Slash and burn, followed by the use of chemicals on the re-growing stumps, is essential to control this invader.

(iv) Hedychium (Hedychium gardnerianum) ("Ginger Lily")

Often used as a very attractive garden plant, Hedychium seeds are spread by birds and monkeys. It also rapidly reproduces by vegetative means and will soon become a serious threat in the forest undergrowth, where it can displace the entire indigenous vegetation of ferns and flowering plants. It can be controlled in the early stages by removing the plants with all the tuberous roots. Once it has spread, the use of chemicals may prove essential to successful eradication. As many people wish to maintain these plants in their gardens, regular checks in the forest areas are necessary. It is very helpful to cut the finished flower-heads before they come to fruit, to limit the spread by seed.

(v) Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp) ("Gum Trees")

These Australian trees are an important resource for the timber industry. They are fast growing and need huge quantities of water. The groundwater table is affected, slowing the growth and threatening the viability of indigenous trees and plants. Large trees can be ring-barked and will slowly die back, thus limiting damage to the indigenous understorey. Small trees can be cut more easily. The use of chemicals on the stumps is essential, as they will invariably re-grow.

4/ Contact Team Vumba

For more information about Team Vumba or the conservation going on in this area contact :

- Dr. Colin Saunders, Saunders@zol.co.zw

- Bart Wursten, ndundu@zol.co.zw

5/ Photos

All photo´s taken in Vumba by Bart Wursten & Petra Ballings

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