Sustainable Utilization of Invasive Alien Plant Species for Bioenergy and Fodder: A Narrative Review with Insights from Paper Mulberry

Abstract

Invasive alien plant species (IAPS) present environmental and socioeconomic issues throughout the Globe, but many also provide unexplored possibilities for sustainable resource use. This study examines the dual purpose of Broussonetia papyrifera (Paper Mulberry), a very invasive plant in South Asia, as a biomass source for bioenergy and as unconventional livestock feed. A narrative review approach combined current literature with contextual information from recent fieldwork under review in Pakistan. The results suggest that Paper Mulberry has desirable traits for producing briquettes and bioethanol. Its leaves are nutritionally similar to traditional forages used in small livestock systems. The review also emphasizes the implications of employing IAPS concerning the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly 7, 13, and 15. Despite the potential, there are still obstacles to technological readiness, awareness, and policy alignment. The study concludes that the sustainable use of IAPS, such as Paper Mulberry, can aid in ecological restoration, rural development, and clean energy transitions with careful planning and collaboration across sectors.