Alhagi sparsifolia : an ideal phreatophyte for combating desertification and land degradation
Tariq, Akash (Chinese Academy of Sciences. Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography)
Ullah, Abd (Chinese Academy of Sciences. Xinjiang Institute of Ecology & Geography)
Sardans i Galobart, Jordi (Centre de Recerca Ecològica i d'Aplicacions Forestals)
Zeng, Fanjiang (Chinese Academy of Sciences. Institute of Ecology and Geography)
Graciano, Corina (Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Instituto de Fisiología Vegetal)
Li, Xiangyi (Chinese Academy of Science. Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography)
Wang, Weiqi (Fujian Normal University. Institute of Geography)
Ahmed, Zeeshan F. (Chinese Academy of Sciences. Xinjiang Institute of Ecology & Geography)
Ali, Sikandar (Chinese Academy of Sciences. Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography)
Zhang, Zhihao (Chinese Academy of Sciences. Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography)
Gao, Yanju (Chinese Academy of Sciences. Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography)
Peñuelas, Josep (Centre de Recerca Ecològica i d'Aplicacions Forestals)

Date:	2022
Abstract:	The upcoming launch of the post-2020 biodiversity framework entails elucidating the future priorities and strategies for conserving biodiversity on a regional and global scale. Desertification has caused significant environmental and socio-economic problems in many arid and semiarid areas of the world. Phreatophytes increase nutrient levels and water reserves in the ground below them and are essential resources for other plants and animals. Factors that can enhance or reduce the island effect of phreatophytes are worthy of research since they can contribute to the survival and growth of this group of plants. Furthermore, these plants substantially impact the whole environment and boast necessary evolutionary adaptations for sustaining islands of life in the arid landscape to prevent complete desertification. Alhagi sparsifolia is a semi-shrub legume and a typical desert phreatophyte. The main objective of this review is to disseminate research-based knowledge and improve awareness of this important plant species and provide a framework that could effectively improve regional socio-ecological environments, particularly in controlling desertification, thereby enhancing human welfare. First, we synthesized knowledge of the physiological acclimation of this species, above all in terms of water and nutrient use, the impact of salinity, and its response to different light environments and temperatures. Then, we analyzed the socio-ecological services that A. sparsifolia offers, highlighted the anthropogenic threats to its habitats, and strategies for its sustainable utilization and management. We conclude that more knowledge of how A. sparsifolia interacts with groundwater will contribute significantly to elucidating the possible effects of climate change and human activities on the sustainable use of groundwater. Protected areas must be set up, and key knowledge shared to combat desertification and improve people's welfare as a means of guaranteeing sustainable development. An integrative socio-ecological approach must be adapted to improve understanding of this valuable phreatophyte's importance and sustainable use and fulfill Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Grants:	Agencia Estatal de Investigación PID2019-110521GB-I00 Agencia Estatal de Investigación PID2020-115770RB-I00 Agència de Gestió d'Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca 2017/SGR-1005
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, i la comunicació pública de l'obra, sempre que no sigui amb finalitats comercials, i sempre que es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original. No es permet la creació d'obres derivades.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió acceptada per publicar
Subject:	Alhagi sparsifolia ; Desertification ; Abiotic stresses ; Environmental adaptation ; Conservation
Published in:	Science of the total environment, Vol. 844 (October 2022) , art. 157228, ISSN 1879-1026

DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157228

Postprint 31 p, 1.3 MB

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Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Experimental sciences > CREAF (Centre de Recerca Ecològica i d'Aplicacions Forestals)
Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles