Invasive alien species such as Lantana camara L. impact native species and soil properties, but context-specific effects in transfrontier conservation areas remain poorly understood. Understanding these effects is essential for biodiversity conservation and management. We assessed associations between L. camara presence and native woody species composition and structure, as well as soil nutrients, in protected and communal areas within the Kavango–Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA), Zimbabwe. The study hypothesised that invasion effects on vegetation are stronger in communal areas due to higher disturbance, and that soil changes are influenced by land-use intensity. We used stratified random sampling to select 60 plots across invaded and uninvaded sites. Woody vegetation was assessed for species composition and richness, stem density, canopy cover %, height, and diameter at breast height. Soil samples were analysed for nitrogen, organic carbon, phosphorus, potassium, and pH. The presence of L. camara was negatively associated with native species richness, density, height, and canopy cover %, with stronger effects in communal plots. Invaded plots had lower pH (e.g., 6.1 in Park areas) and higher levels of some soil nutrients, particularly phosphorus and organic carbon, though patterns varied by land-use type. These results suggest that anthropogenic disturbance amplifies invasion impacts. We conclude that L. camara reduces native vegetation diversity and structure in this species-rich transfrontier area. Management should prioritise control at communal edges to support woody species resilience, ecosystem services, and biodiversity, with strategies adapted to local land-use conditions.
Francis et al. (Thu,) studied this question.