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Ecology and Management of Invasive Plants
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Ecology and Management of Invasive Plants

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Ecology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2024) | Viewed by 19027

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Congyan Wang

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
Institute of Environment and Ecology, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, No. 301, Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, 212013, China
Interests: invasion ecology; plant invasion; invasive plant species; invasive alien plants; invasiveness; invasibility; co-invasion
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Hongli Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, No. 35, Qinghua East Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
Interests: invasion ecology; wetland ecology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The ecological problems caused by invasive plants have become increasingly prominent, and the level of environmental risk caused by invasive plants will continue to increase with the rising frequency and intensity of anthropological activities. More importantly, biological invasion as a result of invasive plants has become a major cause of biodiversity loss in recent years. Therefore, further work is urgently needed to elucidate the key mechanisms underlying the successful invasion of invasive plants, assess the ecological risks of invasive plants, and identify the ecological management of invasive plants, as well as early warning signs and means of prevention.

This Special Issue will provide an in-depth analysis and comprehensive overview of the key mechanisms underlying the successful invasion of invasive plants, and offer an assessment of the ecological risk of invasive plants, the ecological management of invasive plants, and early warning signs and prevention.

Original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

(I) The key mechanisms underlying the successful invasion of invasive plants;
(II) Ecological risks of invasive plants;
(III) Ecological management of invasive plants;
(IV) Early warning and prevention of invasive plants.

Prof. Dr. Congyan Wang
Prof. Dr. Hongli Li
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Plants is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • invasion ecology
  • biological invasion
  • plant invasion
  • invasive plants
  • invasion mechanism
  • invasion management
  • early warning and prevention

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 7632 KiB  
Article
Fitness and Hard Seededness of F2 and F3 Descendants of Hybridization between Herbicide-Resistant Glycine max and G. soja
by Rong Liang, Jia-Li Liu, Xue-Qin Ji, Kenneth M. Olsen, Sheng Qiang and Xiao-Ling Song
Plants 2023, 12(21), 3671; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12213671 - 25 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1281
Abstract
The commercial cultivation of herbicide-resistant (HR) transgenic soybeans (Glycine max L. Merr.) raises great concern that transgenes may introgress into wild soybeans (Glycine soja Sieb. et Zucc.) via pollen-mediated gene flow, which could increase the ecological risks of transgenic weed populations [...] Read more.
The commercial cultivation of herbicide-resistant (HR) transgenic soybeans (Glycine max L. Merr.) raises great concern that transgenes may introgress into wild soybeans (Glycine soja Sieb. et Zucc.) via pollen-mediated gene flow, which could increase the ecological risks of transgenic weed populations and threaten the genetic diversity of wild soybean. To assess the fitness of hybrids derived from transgenic HR soybean and wild soybean, the F2 and F3 descendants of crosses of the HR soybean line T14R1251-70 and two wild soybeans (LNTL and JLBC, which were collected from LiaoNing TieLing and JiLin BaiCheng, respectively), were planted along with their parents in wasteland or farmland soil, with or without weed competition. The fitness of F2 and F3 was significantly increased compared to the wild soybeans under all test conditions, and they also showed a greater competitive ability against weeds. Seeds produced by F2 and F3 were superficially similar to wild soybeans in having a hard seed coat; however, closer morphological examination revealed that the hard-seededness was lower due to the seed coat structure, specifically the presence of thicker hourglass cells in seed coat layers and lower Ca content in palisade epidermis. Hybrid descendants containing the cp4-epsps HR allele were able to complete their life cycle and produce a large number of seeds in the test conditions, which suggests that they would be able to survive in the soil beyond a single growing season, germinate, and grow under suitable conditions. Our findings indicate that the hybrid descendants of HR soybean and wild soybean may pose potential ecological risks in regions of soybean cultivation where wild soybean occurs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology and Management of Invasive Plants)
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13 pages, 1239 KiB  
Article
Topsoil and Vegetation Dynamics 14 Years after Eucalyptus grandis Removal in Eastern Cape Province of South Africa
by Kuhle Mthethwa and Sheunesu Ruwanza
Plants 2023, 12(17), 3047; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12173047 - 24 Aug 2023
Viewed by 1014
Abstract
A great deal of effort has been made to clear invasive alien plants in South Africa, yet it remains unclear if the clearing efforts are yielding positive soil and vegetation recovery trajectories. A few short-term studies have been conducted to monitor soil and [...] Read more.
A great deal of effort has been made to clear invasive alien plants in South Africa, yet it remains unclear if the clearing efforts are yielding positive soil and vegetation recovery trajectories. A few short-term studies have been conducted to monitor soil and vegetation recovery after alien plant removal in South Africa, but convincing, long-term monitoring studies are scarce yet needed. We investigated topsoil and vegetation recovery following Eucalyptus grandis removal 14 years ago by Working for Water in Makhanda, Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The detailed topsoil and vegetation surveys were conducted on forty 10 m × 10 m plots that were in paired cleared and natural sites. The results show no significant differences for the measured soil pH, total N, total C, K, Ca, and Na between the cleared and natural sites, an indication that the two sites are becoming similar. Similarly, the gravimetric soil moisture content shows no significant differences between the two sites, although monthly variations are observed. The topsoils in the cleared sites are hydrophobic as compared to those in the natural sites, which are wettable. We observed no significant vegetation diversity differences between the two sites, with native woody species, such as Crassula pellucida and Helichrysum petiolare, frequently occurring in the cleared sites. We recorded low reinvasion by E. grandis and other secondary invaders like Acacia mearnsii and Rubus cuneifolius in the cleared sites. Based on these results, we conclude that 14 years after E. grandis clearing, both topsoil and vegetation recovery are following a positive trajectory towards the natural sites. However, both reinvasion and secondary invasion have the potential to slow down soil and native vegetation recovery. Recommendations such as timeous follow-up clearing and incorporating restoration monitoring in the WfW clearing programme are discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology and Management of Invasive Plants)
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16 pages, 2254 KiB  
Article
Heavy Metal Contamination Alters the Co-Decomposition of Leaves of the Invasive Tree Rhus typhina L. and the Native Tree Koelreuteria paniculata Laxm
by Zhelun Xu, Shanshan Zhong, Youli Yu, Yue Li, Chuang Li, Zhongyi Xu, Jun Liu, Congyan Wang and Daolin Du
Plants 2023, 12(13), 2523; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12132523 - 1 Jul 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1132
Abstract
Invasive and native plants can coexist in the same habitat; however, the decomposition process may be altered by the mixing of invasive and native leaves. Heavy metal contamination may further alter the co-decomposition of both leaf types. This study evaluated the effects of [...] Read more.
Invasive and native plants can coexist in the same habitat; however, the decomposition process may be altered by the mixing of invasive and native leaves. Heavy metal contamination may further alter the co-decomposition of both leaf types. This study evaluated the effects of two concentrations (35 mg·L−1 and 70 mg·L−1) and three types (Pb, Cu, and combined Pb + Cu) of heavy metal contamination on the co-decomposition of leaves of the invasive tree Rhus typhina L. and the native tree Koelreuteria paniculata Laxm, as well as the mixed effect intensity of the co-decomposition of the mixed leaves. A polyethylene litterbag experiment was performed over six months. The decomposition coefficient of the two trees, mixed effect intensity of the co-decomposition, soil pH and enzymatic activities, soil bacterial alpha diversity, and soil bacterial community structure were determined. A high concentration of Pb and combined Pb + Cu significantly reduced the decomposition rate of R. typhina leaves. A high concentration of Pb or Cu significantly reduced the decomposition rate of the mixed leaves. In general, R. typhina leaves decomposed faster than K. paniculata leaves did. There were synergistic effects observed for the co-decomposition of the mixed leaves treated with combined Pb + Cu, regardless of concentration, but there were antagonistic effects observed for the co-decomposition of the mixed leaves treated with either Pb or Cu, regardless of concentration. A high concentration of Pb or Cu may increase antagonistic effects regarding the co-decomposition of mixed-leaf groups. Thus, heavy metal contamination can significantly affect the intensity of the mixed effect on the co-decomposition of heterogeneous groups of leaves. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology and Management of Invasive Plants)
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0 pages, 39903 KiB  
Article
Invasive Trends of Spartina alterniflora in the Southeastern Coast of China and Potential Distributional Impacts on Mangrove Forests
by Jiaying Zheng, Haiyan Wei, Ruidun Chen, Jiamin Liu, Lukun Wang and Wei Gu
Plants 2023, 12(10), 1923; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12101923 - 9 May 2023
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2093
Abstract
Mangrove forests are one of the most productive and seriously threatened ecosystems in the world. The widespread invasion of Spartina alterniflora has seriously imperiled the security of mangroves as well as coastal mudflat ecosystems. Based on a model evaluation index, we selected RF, [...] Read more.
Mangrove forests are one of the most productive and seriously threatened ecosystems in the world. The widespread invasion of Spartina alterniflora has seriously imperiled the security of mangroves as well as coastal mudflat ecosystems. Based on a model evaluation index, we selected RF, GBM, and GLM as a predictive model for building a high-precision ensemble model. We used the species occurrence records combined with bioclimate, sea–land topography, and marine environmental factors to predict the potentially suitable habitats of mangrove forests and the potentially suitable invasive habitats of S. alterniflora in the southeastern coast of China. We then applied the invasion risk index (IRI) to assess the risk that S. alterniflora would invade mangrove forests. The results show that the suitable habitats for mangrove forests are mainly distributed along the coastal provinces of Guangdong, Hainan, and the eastern coast of Guangxi. The suitable invasive habitats for S. alterniflora are mainly distributed along the coast of Zhejiang, Fujian, and relatively less in the southern provinces. The high-risk areas for S. alterniflora invasion of mangrove forests are concentrated in Zhejiang and Fujian. Bioclimate variables are the most important variables affecting the survival and distribution of mangrove forests and S. alterniflora. Among them, temperature is the most important environmental variable determining the large-scale distribution of mangrove forests. Meanwhile, S. alterniflora is more sensitive to precipitation than temperature. Our results can provide scientific insights and references for mangrove forest conservation and control of S. alterniflora. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology and Management of Invasive Plants)
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20 pages, 2768 KiB  
Article
New Data on Native and Alien Vascular Flora of Sicily (Italy): New Findings and Updates
by Salvatore Cambria, Dario Azzaro, Orazio Caldarella, Michele Aleo, Giuseppe Bazan, Riccardo Guarino, Giancarlo Torre, Antonia Egidia Cristaudo, Vincenzo Ilardi, Alfonso La Rosa, Valentina Lucia Astrid Laface, Fabio Luchino, Francesco Mascia, Pietro Minissale, Saverio Sciandrello, Luca Tosetto and Gianmarco Tavilla
Plants 2023, 12(9), 1743; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12091743 - 23 Apr 2023
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2473
Abstract
In this paper, based on fieldwork and herbaria surveys, new data concerning the presence of 32 native and alien vascular species for Sicily (Italy) are provided. Among the native species, the occurrence of the following taxa is reported for the first time or [...] Read more.
In this paper, based on fieldwork and herbaria surveys, new data concerning the presence of 32 native and alien vascular species for Sicily (Italy) are provided. Among the native species, the occurrence of the following taxa is reported for the first time or confirmed after many decades of non-observation: Aira multiculmis, Arum maculatum, Carex flacca subsp. flacca, Mentha longifolia, Oxybasis chenopodioides, Najas minor and Xiphion junceum. Furthermore, we document the presence of three native species (Cornus mas, Juncus foliosus and Limonium avei) that, despite being repeatedly observed in Sicily and reported in the literature, are inexplicably omitted by the most recent authoritative checklists regarding the flora of Italy. Finally, fifteen alien species new to Sicily (including one new to Europe, i.e., Pyrus betulifolia) are reported and seven poorly documented allochthonous taxa are confirmed for the island, and for two of them, a status change is proposed. These new or confirmed records allow us to better define the European and national distribution of the targeted taxa and offer new insights on the native and alien flora of Sicily. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology and Management of Invasive Plants)
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14 pages, 721 KiB  
Article
Chemical Management of Senecio madagascariensis (Fireweed)
by Kusinara Wijayabandara, Shane Campbell, Joseph Vitelli, Sundaravelpandian Kalaipandian and Steve Adkins
Plants 2023, 12(6), 1332; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12061332 - 15 Mar 2023
Viewed by 1480
Abstract
Fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis Poir.) is a herbaceous weed-producing pyrrolizidine alkaloid that is poisonous to livestock. To investigate the efficacy of chemical management on fireweed and its soil seed bank density, a field experiment was conducted in Beechmont, Queensland, in 2018 within a [...] Read more.
Fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis Poir.) is a herbaceous weed-producing pyrrolizidine alkaloid that is poisonous to livestock. To investigate the efficacy of chemical management on fireweed and its soil seed bank density, a field experiment was conducted in Beechmont, Queensland, in 2018 within a pasture community. A total of four herbicides (bromoxynil, fluroxypyr/aminopyralid, metsulfuron-methyl and triclopyr/picloram/aminopyralid) were applied either singularly or repeated after 3 months to a mix-aged population of fireweed. The initial fireweed plant density at the field site was high (10 to 18 plants m−2). However, after the first herbicide application, the fireweed plant density declined significantly (to ca. 0 to 4 plants m−2), with further reductions following the second treatment. Prior to herbicide application, fireweed seeds in both the upper (0 to 2 cm) and lower (2 to 10 cm) soil seed bank layers averaged 8804 and 3593 seeds m−2, respectively. Post-herbicide application, the seed density was significantly reduced in both the upper (970 seeds m−2) and lower (689 seeds m−2) seed bank layers. Based on the prevailing environmental conditions and nil grazing strategy of the current study, a single application of either fluroxypyr/aminopyralid, metsulfuron-methyl or triclopyr/picloram/aminopyralid would be sufficient to achieve effective control, whilst a second follow-up application is required with bromoxynil. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology and Management of Invasive Plants)
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16 pages, 3316 KiB  
Article
Phenology and Diversity of Weeds in the Agriculture and Horticulture Cropping Systems of Indian Western Himalayas: Understanding Implications for Agro-Ecosystems
by Shiekh Marifatul Haq, Fayaz A. Lone, Manoj Kumar, Eduardo Soares Calixto, Muhammad Waheed, Ryan Casini, Eman A. Mahmoud and Hosam O. Elansary
Plants 2023, 12(6), 1222; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12061222 - 8 Mar 2023
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2696
Abstract
Weeds are a major threat to agriculture and horticulture cropping systems that reduce yield. Weeds have a better ability to compete for resources compared to the main crops of various agro-ecosystems and act as a major impediment in reducing overall yield. They often [...] Read more.
Weeds are a major threat to agriculture and horticulture cropping systems that reduce yield. Weeds have a better ability to compete for resources compared to the main crops of various agro-ecosystems and act as a major impediment in reducing overall yield. They often act as energy drains in the managed agroecosystems. We studied weed infestation for five different agro-ecosystems in the part of Indian Western Himalayas represented by paddy, maize, mustard, apple and vegetable orchards. Systematic random sampling was done to record flowering phenology and diversity of weeds during the assessment period 2015–2020. We recorded 59 weed species, taxonomically distributed among 50 genera in 24 families. The Asteraceae family has the most species (15% species), followed by Poaceae (14% species), and Brassicaceae (12% species). The Therophytes were the dominant life form followed by Hemicryptophytes. The majority of the weeds were shown to be at their most blooming in the summer (predominantly from June to July). The Shannon index based diversity of weeds ranged from 2.307–3.325 for the different agro-ecosystems. The highest number of weeds was in the horticulture systems (apple > vegetable) followed by agriculture fields (maize > paddy > mustard). Agriculture and horticulture cropping systems were distinguished using indicator species analysis, which was supported by high and significant indicator values for a number of species. Persicaria hydropiper, Cynodon dactylon, Poa annua, Stellaria media, and Rorippa palustris had the highest indicator value in agriculture cropping systems, while Trifolium repens, Phleum pratense, and Trifolium pratense had the highest indicator value in horticulture cropping systems. We found that eleven weed species were unique to apple gardens followed by nine in maize, four in vegetables, two in mustard and one in paddy fields. Spatial turnover (βsim) and nestedness-resultant components (βsne) of species dissimilarity revealed dissimilarity lower than 50% among the five cropping systems. The study is expected to assist in formulating an appropriate management strategy for the control of weed infestation in the study region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology and Management of Invasive Plants)
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12 pages, 316 KiB  
Review
The Invasive Ailanthus altissima: A Biology, Ecology, and Control Review
by Jordi Soler and Jordi Izquierdo
Plants 2024, 13(7), 931; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13070931 - 23 Mar 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1298
Abstract
Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle) is a tree native to China which has invaded disturbed areas in many regions worldwide. Its presence endangers natural ecosystems by displacing native species, modifying habitats, changing community structures, and affecting ecosystem processes. Its invasive [...] Read more.
Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle) is a tree native to China which has invaded disturbed areas in many regions worldwide. Its presence endangers natural ecosystems by displacing native species, modifying habitats, changing community structures, and affecting ecosystem processes. Its invasive nature is enhanced by its high ability to reproduce both vegetatively through root regrowth and sexually through seeds. Seeds, which are wind dispersed, are the main mechanism by which this species reaches new habitats. When they germinate and develop the root system, roots emit new shoots that contribute to a rapid increase in the tree density and the subsequent expansion of the population nearby. The contradictory results about the ecological requirements for seeds to germinate and their degree of dormancy and longevity indicate the complexity and difficulty of understanding the mechanisms that govern the biology and adaptability of this plant. The management of this weed aims at its eradication, with programs based on herbicide applications carried out by injecting the active ingredient directly to the trunk. But, not many active ingredients have shown total control, so new ones should be tested in order to increase the range of available herbicides. During the last few decades, some biological agents have been identified, but their efficacy in controlling the tree and their safety for the local flora have not yet been determined. A correct management strategy should take into account all these aspects in order to contain the expansion of this species and, ultimately, allow its eradication. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology and Management of Invasive Plants)
14 pages, 7186 KiB  
Review
Ecology, Biology, Environmental Impacts, and Management of an Agro-Environmental Weed Ageratum conyzoides
by Amarpreet Kaur, Shalinder Kaur, Harminder Pal Singh, Avishek Datta, Bhagirath Singh Chauhan, Hayat Ullah, Ravinder Kumar Kohli and Daizy Rani Batish
Plants 2023, 12(12), 2329; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12122329 - 15 Jun 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3713
Abstract
Ageratum conyzoides L. (Billy goat weed; Asteraceae) is an annual herbaceous plant of American origin with a pantropical distribution. The plant has unique biological attributes and a raft of miscellaneous chemical compounds that render it a pharmacologically important herb. Despite its high medicinal [...] Read more.
Ageratum conyzoides L. (Billy goat weed; Asteraceae) is an annual herbaceous plant of American origin with a pantropical distribution. The plant has unique biological attributes and a raft of miscellaneous chemical compounds that render it a pharmacologically important herb. Despite its high medicinal value, the constant spread of the weed is noticeable and alarming. In many countries, the weed has severely invaded the natural, urban, and agroecosystems, thus presenting management challenges to natural resource professionals and farmers. Its interference with agricultural crops, grassland forbs, forest ground flora, and its ability to replace native plant species are of serious concern. Therefore, it is pertinent to monitor its continuous spread, its entry into new geographic regions, the extent of its impact, and the associated evolutionary changes. While management strategies should be improvised to control its spread and reduce its adverse impacts, the possible utilization of this noxious weed for pharmacological and agronomic purposes should also be explored. The objective of this review is to provide a detailed account of the global distribution, biological activities, ecological and environmental impacts, and strategies for the management of the agro-environmental weed A. conyzoides. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology and Management of Invasive Plants)
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