Opuntia are a valuable source of forage that allows the incorporation of semiarid lands to production systems, thus increasing farm sustainability in these areas (Dubeux, 2011).
Opuntia species are used to prevent soil erosion (by providing cover) and desertification. Because they use CAM photosynthesis, they are ideal species for responding to global environmental changes such as the increase in atmospheric CO2 levels. They also protect the local fauna by surviving in very arid conditions (Reynolds et al., 2001).
However, this capacity for adaptation and rapid spread is causing problems, particularly where prickly pears are able to thrive in the absence of natural enemies and without appropriate management. They have become a noxious weed in a number of countries, threatening native plants. Among other control measures, biological control has been particularly successful in Australia and South Africa (Reynolds et al., 2001).