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Status of Prosopis cineraria (ghaf) tree clusters in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve

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David Gallacher at Charles Darwin University
David Gallacher
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2005 Status of Prosopis cineraria (ghaf) tree clusters in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reser
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... The Ghaf tree, scientifically known as Prosopis cineraria [2], can survive in extremely dry and hot weather for hundreds of years with no artificial irrigation required. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE) particularly, the Ghaf was declared a National tree in 2008 due to its historical and national importance [3], [4]. The leaves of Ghaf trees have historically been used as food for camels, while its tender leaves are still used in the UAE to make salads and for various medicinal purposes. ...
... The leaves of Ghaf trees have historically been used as food for camels, while its tender leaves are still used in the UAE to make salads and for various medicinal purposes. Like any other natural entity in the environment, the Ghaf trees have, in the recent years, increasingly become threatened by the ever expanding human activity in the UAE as a result of urbanization and infrastructural development projects [3]. Given the arid environment in which the Ghaf trees exist, aerial surveillance systems such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) based imagery are naturally the preferred monitoring mechanism for aerial monitoring of habitats in such environments. ...
Ghaf Tree Detection from Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Imagery Using Convolutional Neural Networks
Conference Paper
  • Oct 2023
The Ghaf is a drought-resilient tree native to some parts of Asia and the Indian Subcontinent, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE). To the UAE, the Ghaf is a national tree, and it is regarded as a symbol of stability and peace due to its historical and cultural importance. Due to increased urbanization and infrastructure development in the UAE, the Ghaf is currently considered an endangered tree, requiring protection. Utilization of modern-day aerial surveillance technologies in combination with Artificial Intelligence (AI) can particularly be useful in keeping count of the Ghaf trees in a particular area, as well as continuously monitoring unauthorized use to feed animals and to monitor their health status, thereby aiding in their preservation. In this paper, we utilize one of the best Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN), YOLO-V5, based model to effectively detect Ghaf trees in images taken by cameras onboard light-weight, Unmanned Aircraft Vehicles (UAV), i.e. drones, in some areas of the UAE. We utilize a dataset of over 3200 drone captured images partitioned into data-subsets to be used for training (60%), validation (20%), and testing (20%). Four versions of YOLO-V5 CNN architecture are trained using the training data subset. The validation data subset was used to fine tune the trained models in order to realize the best Ghaf tree detection accuracy. The trained models are finally evaluated on the reserved test data subset not utilized during training. The object detection results of the Ghaf tree detection models obtained by the use of four different sub-versions of YOLO-V5 are compared quantitatively and qualitatively. YOLO-V5x model produced the highest average detection accuracy of 81.1%. In addition, YOLO-V5x can detect and locate Ghaf trees of different sizes moreover in complex natural environments and in areas with sparse distributions of Ghaf trees. The promising results presented in this work offer fundamental grounds for AI-driven UAV applications to be used for monitoring the Ghaf tree in real-time, and thus aiding in its preservation.
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... Sarvade et al. (2017) noticed that broadleaf evergreen tree species having main and lateral root propagation is efficient in water capturing because the horizontal and vertical spread of the root system covers a larger area for excess water absorption and transpiration from the waterlogged zone. P. cineraria are characterized by a long root system (20 to 60 m) and a high transpiration rate compared to other desert plants (Gallacher and Hill, 2005). The knowledge of proper planting methods, expertise and maintenance are the practical issues that need to be addressed to take full advantage of this system. ...
Potential of tree legumes in agroforestry systems and soil conservation
Chapter
Full-text available
  • Jan 2022
Agriculture is currently facing great human, societal, and environmental challenges, which require to increase its production to support world population growth while preserving the environment. Approximately 30% of the world’s land is affected by degradation, of which about 2.2 billion hectares of degraded land are considered potentially vulnerable to restoration. Moreover, 65% of Africa’s cultivable land, 30% of its grazing land, and 20% of its forests are degraded. Agroforestry can provide key goods and services by increasing soil conservation and fertility, improving microclimatic conditions, windbreaks, carbon (C) sequestration, and water conservation; preventing both waterlogging and salinity; and protecting biodiversity. In addition, it provides food, fodder, fuelwood, timber, and many other products. The integration of tree legumes into agroforestry systems can intensify the availability of nitrogen (N) in the soil and thus increase soil fertility and crop yield through N transfer from N-fixing trees to adjacent crops. It can also be considered as an appropriate solution to confront the main factors responsible for land degradation, such as soil erosion induced by water and wind, chemical changes, and physical degradation. Adequate exploration of tree legumes’ potential to fix atmospheric N and a broader application of these species become a fundamental focus of research in current scientific perspectives. The establishment of agroforestry technologies as a practical approach to degraded agroecosystem restoration and climate-smart agriculture is required in rehabilitation policies and strategies, as well as in national plans, projects, and programs. In this chapter, we discuss the potential role of tree legumes-based agroforestry in providing practical means to restore the degraded agricultural landscapes and increase the resilience capacity for the climate change impacts and ecological integrity. Agroforestry systems and their implementation can be one of the best agricultural practices and to meet the needs of the present without compromising the capacity of future generations.
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... P. juliflora is an invasive species and recognized as major threat to indigenous biodiversity (Singh et al., 2021). P. juliflora was introduced in UAE to combat desertification in the country and its present aggressive distribution could be a major threat to the native P. cineraria by means of genetic contamination (Gallacher and Hill, 2005). P. juliflora can sustain in the harsh soil and climatic conditions like P. cineraria and the diversified propagation method of P. juliflora aids the species to establish easily to new areas and helps to over crown the native flora (Dakhil et al., 2021). ...
Incorporating satellite remote sensing for improving potential habitat simulation of Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce in United Arab Emirates
Article
  • May 2022
Abstract Predicting the suitable habitat of a species is one of the adequate and enhancing approach in biodiversity conservation planning and implementation. Species habitat distribution is closely linked with environmental factors and bioclimatic variables used as prediction variables in species distribution models (SDMs). Recent application of satellite remote sensing data and the bioclimatic variables has created an advanced way to improve the SDMs performance. In this study, MaxEnt was used to predict species habitat distribution. Our objectives are to assess the application of satellite remote sensing data in predicting the potential habitat suitability of the arid plant species. We have selected Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce (Ghaf), the national tree of the UAE. We have chosen 33 environmental variables along with 90 species occurrences and for the final model simulation we have used three modeling scenarios. MaxEnt results showed that the model simulation with all key variables has substantially improved the potential habitat suitability prediction with a mean Area Under receiver operating Curve (AUC) value of 0.984, indicating a better predictive accuracy in the integration of satellite remote sensing data, edaphic variables and topographic parameters. Model results showed that the spatial proportions of the potential habitat suitability in the UAE consisted of high (2%), medium (6%) and low (9%) habitat suitability classes. The MaxEnt results revealed that precipitation of the coldest quarter (32.5%), NDVI (12.1%) and elevation (8%), had significant contribution to the potential habitat distribution of UAE Ghaf trees. Cold season precipitation is the most significant climate constraint on the habitat distribution. The most habitat suitability of Ghaf tree in the UAE was within a certain range of NDVI, LST, elevation, aspect, and precipitation patterns. This paper finding could be useful for environmental managers for implementing reforestation not only in UAE but also for the entire middle eastern regions with similar hyper arid conditions.
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... P. cineraria (L.) 2 . Its population is centered on the of India and Pakistan, but smaller populations occur in Iran, Afghanistan, and the Arabian Peninsula 3-6 , P. cineraria (L.) is an important native species to the Northeastern United Arab Emirates (UAE), locally known as Ghaf and is among few trees growing in the arid deserts of the UAE and constitute a major ecological feature and is beneficial for the growth and development of other species 7,8 . The climate of the UAE is characterized by high temperatures, high humidity, and low rainfall 9 Bedouin traditional lifestyle in UAE has been very much associated with the Prosopis trees and their products 10 . ...
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... The main and lateral root spreading of tree species is one important character for capturing water, vertical and horizontal spreading of root system covers more area for absorption and transpiration of excess water from waterlogged area. (Gallacher and Hill, 2005). Toky and Bisht (1992) reported root (main and lateral) length of some multipurpose tree species (Table 4). ...
Waterlogged wasteland treatment through agro-forestry: A review
Article
Full-text available
  • Mar 2017
India covers 147.75 mha degraded area, whereas 6.41 mha area confined to waterlogging problem in Bihar, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Kerala, Rajasthan and few other states. The transpiration principle of plants is used in bio-drainage treatment to reclaim such problematic areas sustainably. Evergreen broad leaved species recorded high transpiration rate and contribute highly in reclamation of waterlogged saline soils. Short rotation fast growing tree species like Salix, Eucalypt, Acacia, Albizia, Terminalia, Prosopis, Populus were the suitable species for such areas. Agri-silviculture, agri-horti-silviculture, silvi-pasture, multipurpose woodlots, strip plantation and boundary plantations were widely used for reclamation of saline-waterlogged conditions of India. In agri-silviculture system, Eucalypt based agrofor-estry systems are widely used for reclamation of waterlogged areas as compared to other woody plant based systems. 0.84–0.86 m total drawdown of ground water in 3 years Eucalypt tree species. The vertical and horizontal root spreading of tree species is one important character for capturing and transpiration of excess water from waterlogged area. From the present investigation, longest root system was recorded from Prosopis cineraria (20-60 m) species.
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... Culturally in the UAE, it is associated with the landscape and Bedouin traditional lifestyle (Lemons et al., 2003) while ecologically, its leaves and fruit are a food source for a broad range of wild and domesticatedspecies (Brown, 1992). The macromorphological structure of ghaf is affected by browsing, and also by the practice of coppicing, whereby foliage is cut from the tree to feed livestock (Gallacher and Hill, 2005). Little is known about the rate of successful reproduction in the species. ...
Macromorphology and recruitment of Prosopis cineraria in the United Arab Emirates
Article
Full-text available
  • Jan 2015
Recruitment frequency of Prosopis cineraria in the United Arab Emirates is poorly understood, though heavy browsing by camels is often assumed to be a limiting factor. Macromorphological characteristics were recorded at eight locations from the northern United Arab Emirates. Tree size (canopy diameter, trunk diameter, and tree height) showed conformity within locations. Height of browse line was strongly affected by camels, which removed foliage to a height of 3 meters whenever present. Recruitment by seed was not observed during the study, and observed asexual recruitment was limited to root suckers produced only within the season. Presence of suckers was unrelated to browsing but strongly affected by a shifting ground surface. Viable theories for the absence of sexual recruitment include seedling destruction by herbivores, a lack of safe sites for seedling growth and establishment, and that sexual recruitment events might naturally occur rarely, but produce many recruits in the rare successful seasons. Significant recruitment of new individuals is likely to occur only with protection from current herbivory systems.
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Always the Villain: The Wife in Emirati Folktales. A Socio-cultural and Linguistic Reading
Article
Full-text available
  • Nov 2022
Folklore plays a crucial role in the preservation of the local heritage, and it can provide valuable information regarding cultural and religious norms, language, and environment of that people. The folktale is one of the many forms of folklore and it represents the product of the individual traditional heritage that originates from a population’s collective cultural imagination and background. In the Arabian Gulf societies, the oral tradition of storytelling has been prominent for a very long time and it has somehow been preserved until fairly recent times. The folktale belongs to the Emirati intangible cultural heritage, and it constitutes a deeply rooted element related to Bedouin tribal clans and to the desertic and maritime environments which characterised the territory. The United Arab Emirates is very attentive to the conservation of their heritage, both at national and international levels. This study provides a socio-cultural and linguistic analysis of the Emirati folktale, based on a sample of three stories from Al-Ain, written in Emirati Arabic, which share a common feature: the wickedness of wives.
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Emerging Phytochemicals and Bioactive Compounds from a Desert Plant Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce and Future Prospects
Chapter
  • Sep 2019
Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce (Family Leguminosae, subfamily Mimosoideae) has a number of uses in ethnomedicine. P. cineraria has social, ethnological, traditional and remedial effects on the lives of people. P. cineraria is an important herbal plant as mentioned in the ancient literature. It is used traditionally for treatment of various ailments like leprosy, dysentery, asthma, leukoderma, dyspepsia and earache. The objective is to review the phytochemicals and the bio potential of the plant. This paper includes an overview on the studies of different herbal extracts, metabolites and major classes of metabolites which are pharmacologically active, like alkaloids and flavonoids, which have anti-tumor, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-nociceptive, estrogenic and antimicrobial activity. A comprehensive literature survey was performed on the phytochemicals present in the different parts of the plant P. cineraria and their pharmacological properties with chemical structures. This review was prepared with thorough advanced search by using key words P. cineraria (L.) Druce in Google, Google Scholar, PubMed, SciFinder, Scopus and ProQuest as well as from English language scientific journals, magazines and books. The phytochemicals discussed in the present review could be promising candidates to be utilized as bioactive compounds for direct use as drug or herbal extracts as botanical drugs.
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