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Research Article Volume 11 Issue 4
Forage potential and invasion risk of Opuntia ficus-indica and Leucaena leucocephala: strategies for livestock resilience in the municipality of Gambos, Angola
Tadeu Vasco Lucas, António Camati Chioloia, Gabriel Branco Essuvi, Vasco Gaspar Menezes, Euclides Samuel Quessongo
Received: July 17, 2026 | Published: July 28, 2026
Citation: Lucas TV, Chiloia AC, Essuvi GB, et al. Forage potential and invasion risk of Opuntia ficus-indica and Leucaena leucocephala: strategies for livestock resilience in the municipality of Gambos, Angola. MOJ Eco Environ Sci. 2026;11(4):120-124. DOI: 10.15406/mojes.2026.11.00391
Abstract
Invasive alien species represent one of the main threats to global biodiversity, although in semi-arid regions they may play an important role in supporting rural communities’ livelihoods. This study aimed to assess the potential of Opuntia ficus-indica and Leucaena leucocephala as strategic resources for animal feeding in the municipality of Gambos, Huíla Province, Angola, while analysing the associated socioeconomic benefits and ecological risks arising from their invasive nature. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining literature review, direct observation, and semi-structured interviews conducted between October 2025 and July 2026, involving 30 participants, including livestock farmers, agricultural producers, community leaders, and technicians from the agricultural, livestock, and environmental sectors. The results demonstrate that Opuntia ficus-indica constitutes an important source of water and energy for livestock during periods of water scarcity, whereas Leucaena leucocephala stands out for its high protein content and biological nitrogen fixation capacity, contributing to soil fertility improvement. In Gambos municipality, both species are widely used for livestock feeding, while Opuntia ficus-indica is also used, to a lesser extent, for human consumption through its fruits. The functional complementarity of these species strengthens animal food security and enhances community resilience in the face of recurrent droughts. However, a limited local awareness of the ecological risks associated with their high invasive potential was observed, as their uncontrolled expansion may compromise native biodiversity. It is concluded that Opuntia ficus-indica and Leucaena leucocephala represent strategic resources for agro-pastoral systems in Gambos municipality, provided that their use is accompanied by sustainable management strategies, continuous monitoring, and dispersal control measures, balancing livestock productivity with biodiversity conservation.
Keywords: semi-arid, fodder, invasive species, Gambos, resilience, livestock farming
©2026 Lucas, et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and build upon your work non-commercially.
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