ASPIRE Research Institute for Food Security in the Drylands

Multi-Purpose Trees for Urban and Peri-Urban Food- and Feedscaping

Objectives

There is a high biodiversity among woody plant species native to the UAE. The aim of this subtheme is to elucidate opportunities for harnessing native trees and shrubs for the creation of multi-purpose plantations in urban and peri-urban environments. Some of the many purposes that these plantations would have, is the provision of water-saving urban greenery, alleviation of urban heat islands, production of food, feed, and nutraceuticals, and the conservation of flora and fauna native to the UAE.

Group Member

• Dr. Mohammed Al Yafei, Subtheme Lead / PI
• Dr. Karthishwaran Kandhan, Co-PI
• Dr. Faisal Hayat, Post Doctoral Researcher 
• Selma Zakkariya, Research Assistant

A glimpse at our research 

Woody plants native to arid environments are sometimes difficult to propagate, as their seeds exhibit various levels of dormancy. To obtain sufficient homogeneous plant material for our research, we set up multiple attempts to germinate various native plant species, such as Ziziphus Spina-Christi, Terminalia prunioides,, Acacia ehrenbergiana, Vachellia tortilis, and Rumex vesicarius in rockwool, planting pots, and petri plates. These seedlings will now be tested for their performance under environmental stress and elevated atmospheric CO2.

As shown in the images below, woody plants native to the UAE can be attractive components of urban landscapes. Their irrigation water requirements are much lower compared to exotic species, and they are a habitat for native wildlife, too. We elucidate whether and how these plants could also make a contribution to food security, e.g. by providing food, feed, or nutraceuticals.

We collaborate with

• The foodscaping group and urban planning group to find out how native woody plants could be integrated into urban greenery and farms.
• The novel food group , the nutraceuticals group, and the consumers and diets group to develop market opportunities for food, feed, and nutraceuticals based on indigenous plants.