Prosopis Juliflora

Attributes, Impact, Utilization

1st Edition - June 27, 2024
Authors: Pratiksha Patnaik, Tabassum Abbasi, S. A. Abbasi
Language: English
Paperback ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 1 2 - 8 1 9 8 2 4 - 7
eBook ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 1 2 - 8 1 9 8 2 5 - 4

Prosopis (Prosopis juliflora) is a xerophyte which, in its native habitats has been a desert plant. As long as it was confined to that habitat, P. juliflora was a great resour… Read more

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Prosopis (Prosopis juliflora) is a xerophyte which, in its native habitats has been a desert plant. As long as it was confined to that habitat, P. juliflora was a great resource, improving the region’s micrometeorology, binding its sandy soil, and providing shelter, fuel, feed, food, medicines, and cosmetics to the people of such regions. In particular, for the economically weaker inhabitants, P.juliflora was a lifeline.But when P. juliflora was indiscriminately introduced in other regions of the world in a hope to derive similar benefits from it, things began to go awry. Indeed, among the invasive species of plants which are spreading at an alarming rate in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world, P.juliflora is arguably the most hardy and resilient. It is growing so explosively that it even enters roads and homes, driving humans out of their dwellings. The resulting damage to biodiversity is enormous. This book highlights the dual role played so far by P. juliflora and itemizes the facets that make it a blessing in some contexts and a bane in other contexts.Authored by leading experts in the field, Prosopis juliflora: Attributes, Impact, Utilization is the first title of its kind to comprehensively discuss this hardy plant species. It will be an essential read for students, researchers and governmental agencies interested in plant biology, forestry, plant ecology, invasive plant species and environmental science.

Cover image
Title page
Table of Contents
Copyright
About the authors
Part 1: Prosopis: origin, genus, species, spread
Chapter 1. The five most weedy species of the genus Prosopis that are covered in this book under the generic name “prosopis”
Abstract
1.1 The five species that are generally implied when the word “prosopis” is used
1.2 The beneficial attributes of the five species
1.3 The negative impacts of the prosopis invasion and colonization
1.4 The tendency of the five species to coexist
1.5 Summary
References
Chapter 2. The interspecies similarities and the intraspecies variations in the genus Prosopis
Abstract
2.1 Prosopis: name and origin
2.2 Prosopis juliflora and other Prosopis species that are mistaken for it
2.3 Possible reasons behind interspecies similarity and intraspecies variability
References
Chapter 3. The stellar role of prosopis in its original habitat
Abstract
3.1 Providing shade
3.2 Preventing erosion
3.3 Providing wind breaks
3.4 Promoting soil improvement
3.5 Source of fuelwood
3.6 Source of timber
3.7 Source of food
3.8 Source of feed
3.9 Source of medicine
References
Chapter 4. The attributes that make prosopis powerfully invasive and colonizing
Abstract
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Wide ecological amplitude
4.3 High fertility
4.4 Long life span and rapid rate of growth
4.5 Ability to fix nitrogen
4.6 High nutrient uptake
4.7 Presence of thorns
4.8 Increase in the atmospheric CO2
4.9 Escape from natural enemies
4.10 Allelopathy
4.11 Greater resource-utilization efficiency and adaptability
4.12 Ability to resprout after being stumped, trampled, or damaged by fire
References
Further reading
Chapter 5. The prosopis spread
Abstract
5.1 Spread of prosopis: general
5.2 Prosopis in India
5.3 Prosopis spread elsewhere in Asia
5.4 Introduction of prosopis in Africa
5.5 Introduction of prosopis in the Americas
5.6 Introduction of prosopis in Australia
5.7 Introduction of prosopis in Western Europe
5.8 The shape of things to come
References
Chapter 6. Effect of climate change on the spread and the impact of prosopis
Abstract
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Forecasts on the effect of climate change on prosopis
6.3 Prosopis in sequestering carbon
References
Part 2: Adverse impacts of prosopis and attempts at its eradication/control
Chapter 7. Adverse impacts of prosopis
Abstract
7.1 Explosive and intrusive growth
7.2 Allelopathy and phytotoxicity
7.3 Harm to biodiversity
7.4 Cause of mammalian toxicity
7.5 A facilitator of disease vectors
7.6 A human health hazard
7.7 Effect on the avifauna
7.8 Depletion of water resources
7.9 Summary
References
Further reading
Chapter 8. Attempts to eradicate prosopis or atleast control it
Abstract
8.1 The eradication option: general
8.2 Utilization as a control/management strategy
8.3 Natural control of prosopis by ecological succession
8.4 Attempts to eradicate/control prosopis by mechanical, biological, chemical, and hybrid means
8.5 Control of prosopis through utilization
8.6 Which way to go?
References
Part 3: Utilization of prosopis as a strategy to control its proliferation
Chapter 9. Use of prosopis for fuelwood, timber, and a source of carbon
Abstract
9.1 A source of fuelwood
9.2 A source of timber and paper pulp
9.3 A source of pyrolysis products of fuelwood: charcoal, biochar, activated carbon, bio oil, and fuel gases
9.4 Uses of charcoal obtained from prosopis
References
Further reading
Chapter 10. Use of prosopis as food and feed
Abstract
10.1 As a source of food
10.2 As a source of feed
References
Chapter 11. Use of prosopis in eco-restoration
Abstract
11.1 The ecologically beneficial side of prosopis
11.2 The manner in which prosopis effects eco-restoration
References
Further reading
Chapter 12. Use of prosopis in bioremediation and pollution control
Abstract
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Prosopis as a bioremediator
12.3 Prosopis in pollution control
References
Further reading
Chapter 13. Prosopis as a source of medicines for humans and animals
Abstract
13.1 Use of prosopis in modern and postmodern medicinal systems
References
Further reading
Chapter 14. Prosopis as a source of biopesticides
Abstract
References
Chapter 15. Use of prosopis in making biocomposites
Abstract
References
Chapter 16. Prosopis as a source of liquid and gaseous fuels
Abstract
16.1 Biodiesel derived from prosopis
16.2 Ethanol from prosopis
16.3 As a source of fuel gas
16.4 As source of biogas
References
Chapter 17. Use of prosopis in the making of nanoparticles and their applications
Abstract
References
Chapter 18. Use of prosopis as compost/vermicompost
Abstract
18.1 Use of prosopis as compost
18.2 Vermicomposting of phytomass: general issues
18.3 The special challenge posed by prosopis
References
Chapter 19. Other emerging uses of prosopis
Abstract
19.1 A source of sodium lignosulfonate and lignin
19.2 For seed coating, palleting, and priming
19.3 As a cement additive
19.4 Applications in geotechnical and construction engineering
19.5 In corrosion inhibition
19.6 In the manufacture of supercapacitors
19.7 Other emerging uses of prosopis
References
Part 4: Prosopis management
Chapter 20. Prosopis management and the conflicts of interest associated with it
Abstract
20.1 The hurdles and the imperatives
20.2 Prosopis in the courts of law
20.3 Studies on prosopis management
References
Author Index
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Subject Index
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Pratiksha Patnaik

Pratiksha Patnaik received a 1st class Masters degree in Ecology and Environmental Science in 2006 from Pondicherry University, India. She later received her PhD there in 2018 in Environmental Technology. Dr. Patnaik is currently working as a Research Associate at the Centre for Pollution Control and Environmental Engineering in Pondicherry University.

Affiliations and expertise

Research Associate, Centre for Pollution Control and Environmental Engineering Pondicherry University, India

Tabassum Abbasi

Tabassum-Abbasi has received her BTech, MTech, and PhD degrees in instrumentation and control engineering, environmental engineering, and environmental technology, respectively – all from Pondicherry University. She too has been a class topper throughout, receiving gold medals. She has been working as Assistant Professor at the University of Petroleum & Energy Studies, Dehradun since January 2019, and has spent a year in post-doctoral research at the University of Edinburgh as a British Council Women in Science Fellow. Besides several research papers in highly cited journals, she has received three patents.

Affiliations and expertise

School of Advanced Engineering, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Bidholi, Dehradun, India

S. A. Abbasi

S. A. Abbasi has been a full university professor since 1987 after being Head-in-charge of the Water Quality & Environment Division at the Centre for Water Resources, Kozhikode, during 1979-87. He was a Visiting-cum-adjunct Professor at California State University during 1984-1987, and has been a Visiting Professor at the universities of Minnesota, Florida, Las Vegas, California−Berkeley, Malaya and Al-Ahsa. With 43 books, over 300 papers in indexed journals, 8 patents and 9000+ citations, Prof Abbasi is among the world’s foremost environmental experts. Among numerous coveted honours and awards received by him are the National Design Award in Environmental Engineering, the National Hydrology Award, the International Desalination Association’s prize, and fellowships of the National Academy of Sciences and the Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers. He has been Member, Board of Governors, IIT Roorkee, Member of the BHU Court, and has been Chairman/Member of numerous high-level committees of MNES, DST, MoWR, AlCTE, and the UGC.

Affiliations and expertise

Professor, Centre for Pollution Control and Environmental Engineering, Pondicherry University, Chinnakalapet, Puducherry, India

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Prosopis Juliflora

Attributes, Impact, Utilization

Purchase options

Empowering Progress

Institutional subscription on ScienceDirect

Pratiksha Patnaik

Tabassum Abbasi

S. A. Abbasi