Impacts of Climate Change and Invasive Lantana camara on Livestock Production in East Africa

Abstract

Livestock production is vital to economic and nutritional security across East Africa, supporting millions of pastoral households. However, this sector faces severe pressure from the converging threats of climate change and Lantana camara invasion. Climate change manifests through prolonged droughts, rising temperatures, and irregular rainfall, which reduce pasture growth, water availability, and animal survival. Concurrently, Lantana camara invades degraded rangelands, forming dense thickets that suppress palatable forage by over 50% and produce hepatotoxic lantadenes that can be fatal to cattle, sheep, and buffalo. These pressures operate synergistically: climate-induced vegetation stress creates invasion niches that Lantana exploits, while its toxicity exacerbates livestock vulnerability during climatic extremes. The article concludes that pastoral communities, including the Maasai, Borana, and Afar, face escalating food insecurity without integrated strategies combining climate adaptation, Lantana management, and livestock livelihood support. Urgent policy action is needed to prevent the collapse of livestock systems sustaining regional economies and cultural heritage.