The Municipality of Gambos, in the province of Huíla, faces extreme socio-ecological vulnerabilities due to cyclic droughts and high-water variabilityfactors that jeopardize extensive livestock farming, the backbone of the local economy. This study analyzes the technical-scientific paradox of the invasive exotic species Opuntia ficus-indica and Leucaena leucocephala, assessing their fodder potential and the risks of native biodiversity degradation. A mixed qualitative and quantitative methodology was adopted, conducted between October 2025 and July 2026, with a purposive sample of 30 participants across five rural communities. The results reveal a strategic functional complementarity: Opuntia ensures hydration and energy via CAM metabolism, sustaining critical rainfall levels (< 400 mm), while Leucaena provides protein density (20-25% CP) and biological nitrogen fixation. Additional socioeconomic benefits were identified, such as fruit commercialization and charcoal production, alongside significant risks, including mimosine toxicity and the obstruction of transhumance routes by dense stands. It is concluded that these species are fundamental resilience tools, provided they are integrated into controlled management systems and rigorous technical monitoring.