Reforestation Legacy and Management Challenges of Neltuma juliflora in Cabo Verde Islands

Neltuma juliflora was introduced to Cabo Verde as part of a large-scale post-independence reforestation programme aimed at combating desertification, stabilising soils, and addressing shortages of fuelwood and fodder. Although the species initially provided important environmental and socio-economic benefits, its rapid expansion has generated ecological and management challenges linked to its dual role as both a valuable resource and a potentially invasive species. This study combines a historical documentary analysis of official reforestation policies and institutional reports with an empirical assessment of stakeholder perceptions. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered to local community members and farmers (n = 99) and to public and environmental managers (n = 20). Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) and Mann–Whitney U tests were used to compare Likert-scale responses between groups. Both groups recognised the contribution of the species to desertification control (87.9% of community respondents and 75% of managers) and its importance as a source of domestic energy (89.9% of community respondents). However, notable differences emerged. Among community respondents, 63.6% associated Neltuma with reduced soil water availability, a perception also reflected in the negative assessments of 68.4% of managers. Perceptions of soil fertility improvement differed substantially, with positive evaluations reported by 62.2% of community respondents compared with only 5% of managers. Environmental managers identified a lack of institutional coordination and insufficient financial resources (both 65%) as the main barriers to effective management and highlighted the need for further research on hydrological impacts (85%). These findings contribute to the debate on adaptive management of introduced species in Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Adaptive, spatially differentiated management is recommended, balancing sustainable use in areas of high community dependence with control measures and ecological restoration in environmentally sensitive areas.