Coastal wetlands in Asia including Bundala Ramsar wetland in Sri Lanka are threatened by invasive Prosopis juliflora (Kalapu Andara) which is a fast growing hard tree introduced to Sri Lanka by the Forest Department to tolerate harsh salty environment in the coast. As it is widely spread, there is a potential to be used P. juliflora as a dry matter energy source' especially for industrial biomass boilers in Sri Lanka. Current study found out that overall energy performance of P. juliflora (Fuel Value index) is better than or equivalent to the conventional fuelwood species. Also, ash production as a percentage to the biomass used is also comparably lower. P. juliflora individuals with diameter greater than 10 cm at breast height are ideal as fuelwood and any individual grown to that maturity is ready to harvest as a source of fuel. It is better to sundry P. juliflora wood for 24 days to reduce moisture to increase energy performance. When compared energy properties relative to another invasive species Ipil Ipil available in the in and around BRW, P. juliflora is equally better. As community is interested in ipil ipil as a source of energy, P. juliflora also can be promoted with the intervention of relevant administering agencies to manage invasive P. juliflora in the area.

                                                                W.A.R.T.W.Bandara, Oshadhi Ranasinghe, Priyan Perera, Richard Vlosky, Anil RajKizha 

                                                                                                           Trees , Forests and People

                                                                Abstract :- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tfp.2022.100330