Halophyte Plant Diversity and Public Health

Salinity is one of the acute problems causing enormous yield loss in many regions of the world. This phenomenon is particularly pronounced in arid and semiarid regions. Halophytes can remove salt from various types of problematic soils due to their unique morphological, physiological and anatomical adaptations to these environments. Halophytes are also used for the treatment of certain diseases but scientific documentation in terms of current phytotherapic applications is deficient in this unique group of plants. Different ethnic groups around the world use medicinal halophytes according to their own beliefs and ancestor’s experiences. However, their knowledge about the use of salt tolerant medicinal plants is usually confined to their own community. There is thus a knowledge gap on halophytes which should be bridged and preserved. This book provides a comprehensive account on the distribution of halophytes, their ethnobotanical and medicinal aspects, economic importance, and chemical constituents along with scientific description. The book therefore serves as a valuable resource for professionals and researchers working in the fields of plant stress biology and ethnobotanical aspects.

Prof. Munir Ozturk (PhD, DSc.) specialises in the fields of Ecology & Environmental Sciences. He is the author of over 450 papers on ecological studies as well as biomonitoring in different habitats. Dr. Ozturk has received fellowships from Alexander von Humboldt and Japanese Society for Promotion of Science. He has worked at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with funding from the National Science Foundation, USA. He was a Consultant Fellow at the Faculty of Forestry, University Putra Malaysia and a “Distinguished Visiting Scientist” at the ICCBS, Karachi University, Pakistan. His scientific interests include Plant Eco-Physiology; Biosaline Agriculture and Crops; Medicinal/Aromatic Plants. Conservation of Plant Diversity; and Biomonitoring of Pollution.

Dr. Volkan ALTAY (PhD, DSc) is a full Professor at the Biology Department, Faculty of Science and Arts, Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, Turkiye. His fields of interest are; Plant Ecology, Vegetation Ecology, Taxonomy, Biodiversity, Biomonitoring and Pollution and Sustainable Use of Medicinal Plant Resources. He holds a proven track record of nearly 100 publications in highly reputed professional journals, has also published 5 books with Springer; nearly 50 research articles in impact factor journals, more than 40 book chapters and reviews, more than 70 international and national congress reports.

Dr. Moona Nazish (PhD) is working in the field of biodiversity. She provided the first draft information on the systematics as well as anatomy, morphology, palynology, adaptations and structural strategies of halophytes for this book. Dr. Nazish is a member of many national and international science journals/societies. She has published many research articles in national and international journals, is serving as the reviewer of many well-reputed journals. Her research interests include halophytes, medicinal plants, plant systematics, biodiversity, andpharmaceutical and nutraceutical studies.

Prof. Munir Ozturk (PhD, DSc.) specialises in the fields of Ecology & Environmental Sciences. He is the author of over 450 papers on ecological studies as well as biomonitoring in different habitats. Dr. Ozturk has received fellowships from Alexander von Humboldt and Japanese Society for Promotion of Science. He has worked at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with funding from the National Science Foundation, USA. He was a Consultant Fellow at the Faculty of Forestry, University Putra Malaysia and a “Distinguished Visiting Scientist” at the ICCBS, Karachi University, Pakistan. His scientific interests include Plant Eco-Physiology; Biosaline Agriculture and Crops; Medicinal/Aromatic Plants. Conservation of Plant Diversity; and Biomonitoring of Pollution.

Dr. Volkan ALTAY (PhD, DSc) is a full Professor at the Biology Department, Faculty of Science and Arts, Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, Turkiye. His fields of interest are; Plant Ecology, Vegetation Ecology, Taxonomy, Biodiversity, Biomonitoring and Pollution and Sustainable Use of Medicinal Plant Resources. He holds a proven track record of nearly 100 publications in highly reputed professional journals, has also published 5 books with Springer; nearly 50 research articles in impact factor journals, more than 40 book chapters and reviews, more than 70 international and national congress reports.

Dr. Moona Nazish (PhD) is working in the field of biodiversity. She provided the first draft information on the systematics as well as anatomy, morphology, palynology, adaptations and structural strategies of halophytes for this book. Dr. Nazish is a member of many national and international science journals/societies. She has published many research articles in national and international journals, is serving as the reviewer of many well-reputed journals. Her research interests include halophytes, medicinal plants, plant systematics, biodiversity, and pharmaceutical and nutraceutical studies.

Prof. Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad (PhD) is teaching at the Plant Sciences Department of Quaid-i- Azam University Islamabad. His speciality is Plant Systematics and Biodiversity, identifying wild plant resources as alternative sources for food, medicine, and biomass energy. He has published over 600 papers in impact factor journals; 25 books and 17 book chapters. He has been awarded many international and national awards including top 2% influential scientist of the World (2020) including the “Best research paper award (HEC 2011); Best book award (HEC 2013); Gold Medal by Pakistan Academy of Sciences (2011). He is member of many international and national academic bodies.

Dr. Shazia Sultana (PhD) is a young scientist in the field of biodiversity and medicinal plants (nonedible oil seeds & herbal drugs). She has published almost 235 research publications in international journals with high IF. She has also published 11 books, has received various national and international awards, selected as the young lady from Pakistan by the Institute of Post Graduate studies, USM Malaysia; Higher Education Commission and Pakistan Council for Science and Technology. Dr. Sultana is Editorial Board Member of many well reputed ISI journals and book series. Currently, she is supervising and working on number of research projects on Natural plants products, new energy/low carbon technology using biofuel and nonedible oil seeds for biodiesel production, plant biodiversity and conservation.