Search Results (1,123)

The impacts of climate change on Mediterranean weed flora were investigated to inform future weed management strategies. Projections indicate that rising temperatures and increased atmospheric CO₂ concentrations are likely to favor ruderal species characterized by rapid phenological development and high dispersal capacity. Enhanced abiotic stressors—such as elevated temperatures, water scarcity, and increased UV-B radiation—are expected to affect crops more severely than weeds, given the latter’s greater evolutionary potential to develop stress-tolerant biotypes. Moreover, the increased frequency and intensity of extreme events (e.g., drought, flooding, and soil salinization) may reduce weed community diversity, potentially leading to dominance by a limited number of highly competitive species and consequently intensifying reliance on chemical weed control. Simplification of weed communities may also increase vulnerability to the introduction and establishment of alien species, particularly those originating from hot and arid regions, some of which may be parasitic, toxic, or allergenic. Climate change-induced phenological mismatches between flowering plants and pollinators are likely to favor wind-pollinated weed species, further compromising the aesthetic and ecological quality of agricultural landscapes. Additionally, increased production of wind-dispersed allergenic pollen, together with the anticipated rise in herbicide applications, may pose significant risks to human health. An effective agronomic strategy to address future weed scenarios should include the genetic improvement in crops to enhance adaptive plasticity, exploiting germplasm from ancestral lines and related wild species. Full article

Dactylis glomerata is a globally important cool-season forage grass with high ecological and economic value. During field surveys conducted in three counties of the Ili region of Xinjiang, Zhaosu County, Tekes County, and Xinyuan County, a previously unreported root rot disease was observed on wild orchardgrass, with disease incidence ranging from 20% to 72%. The most severe symptoms were recorded in Zhaosu County. The pathogen was isolated and identified as Bipolaris sorokiniana based on morphological characteristics and multilocus phylogenetic analyses of ITS, GAPDH, and TEF gene sequences. The results of biological characteristics showed that the optimal conditions for mycelial growth were 25 °C, pH 7, continuous light for 24 h, potato sucrose agar (PSA) as the culture medium, soluble starch as the optimal carbon source, and peptone as the optimal nitrogen source. In vitro fungicide sensitivity assays indicated that all nine tested fungicides significantly inhibited mycelial growth of B. sorokiniana. Among them, difenoconazole exhibited the highest inhibitory activity, with an EC₅₀ value of 0.0706 mg·L⁻¹, followed by tebuconazole (EC₅₀ = 0.3606 mg·L⁻¹) and tetramycin (EC₅₀ = 0.6815 mg·L⁻¹). These findings provide a scientific basis for further studies on disease epidemiology, pathogenic mechanisms, and integrated management of this disease. Full article

Prickly cucumber (Echinocystis lobata), originating from eastern North America, exhibits a range of adaptations that enable it to effectively colonize temperate and humid forest environments, among others in Europe. This study examined the allelopathic effects of E. lobata as a factor influencing its competitive interactions with other plant species. Laboratory bioassays were conducted to evaluate the effects of aqueous extracts (2.5%, 5%, and 7.5%) obtained from different organs of E. lobata on the germination of grains or seeds and the early growth of seedlings of Festuca arundinacea Schreb. (monocotyledon) and Raphanus sativus L. var. sativus ‘China Rose’ (dicotyledon). Germination percentage, as well as root and shoot growth parameters, were analyzed. In addition, biochemical analyses of E. lobata organs (leaves, stalks, fruits) used in the experiment were performed. Analysis using a combined chromatographic and mass spectrometric technique identified 21 compounds, including secondary metabolites potentially associated with allelopathic activity. Petri dish assays revealed significant inhibition of the germination of grains and seeds and the growth of seedlings of both tested species, depending on the E. lobata organ and extract concentration. The strongest inhibitory effects were generally observed at concentrations of 5% and 7.5%. In conclusion, the biochemical analyses confirmed the clear primary allelopathic potential of E. lobata, which presumably may enhance its competitive ability. Full article

Wheat common bunt, caused by Tilletia foetida Liro, is a devastating disease in wheat production. In this study, the antagonistic endophytic bacteria 29-Y2 were screened based on the germination rate of teliospore and the control effect of wheat common bunt. During primary screening, 29-Y2 had the best performance, with a 96.73% inhibition on TFL spore germination. In the deep screening, the control effect of 29-Y2 on wheat common bunt was 66.12% in pots. Based on morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics and molecular biological identification, the antagonist 29-Y2 was identified as Paenibacillus polymyxa. The antagonist 29-Y2 promoted the germination rate of wheat seeds and the growth of wheat seedlings at a solution dilution of 10⁻⁵ cfu/mL. In different field trials, the antagonists 29-Y2 both had better control efficiencies of 62.31% and 67.62% for wheat common bunt. In order to further promote the inhibition activities of 29-Y2, the optimal culture condition was 11.1 g/L of glucose, 20 g/L of yeast extract powder, 3.8 g/L of soybean pepyone and 10 g/L of NaCl based on the response surface methodology; the liquid loading volume was 15 mL, of which the inoculant amount accounted for 2%, the pH was 6.8, the temperature was 30 °C and the rotation speed was 186 r/min for 26 h. When the fermentation broth obtained under these cultivation conditions was diluted 10,000 times, the inhibition rate of TFL teliospore germination could reach 80.32%. The fermentation broth control effect in pots improved from 57.77% to 84.17%. It was a promising endophytic bacterium for the prevention and control of wheat common bunt. Full article

Boule is the ancestral member of the Deleted in Azoospermia (DAZ) family and is pivotal for gametogenesis and male fertility in most animals. However, there is a dearth of information on molluscan boule. Here, we identified a counterpart (Pcbol) from the genome of Pomacea canaliculata, which has emerged as a cosmopolitan alien species and notorious pest that causes devastating damage to aquatic biodiversity, freshwater ecosystems and crop production in invaded ranges. This study aimed to investigate the biological roles of Pcbol in male reproduction and to decipher the molecular mechanisms underpinning its modulation via dsRNA-delivered RNA interference (RNAi). The bioinformatic analysis showed that the Pcbol genomic sequence is 12,934 nt in length, harboring an open reading frame of 294 nt that encodes 97 aa residues, with an RRM domain evolutionarily conserved among molluscan orthologues. Spatiotemporal expression profiling indicated the predominant abundance of Pcbol in adult males and testis tissues. dsPcbol, injected at a dose of 4 μg/per snail for 5 days, yielded optimal silencing at both transcript and translation levels of Pcbol, as revealed by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. Immunofluorescence echoed a pronounced reduction in Pcbol signal intensity following RNAi. In addition to the arrested reproductive gland phenotype, the number of sperm cells substantially dwindled upon dsPcbol treatment relative to the dsGFP control. In biochemical and fecundity assays, Pcbol depletion triggered a significant decrease in Te/SP/Arg content and suppressed the number of deposited eggs and hatchability. Furthermore, spermatogenic genes like CDC25/TSSK1/SPATA17/DDX4/Dmrt2/Sox2/Kelch10/SPO11 displayed considerable downregulation post Pcbol silencing, with molecular docking predicting a strong affinity between CDC25 and Pcbol. These molecular modules may interact with Pcbol to mediate knockdown effects on spermatogenesis dysfunction. Collectively, our findings not only confirmed that boule was indispensable for spermatogenesis and male fertility in a mollusk, but also highlighted the Pcbol-based male sterile technique (MST), which can be incorporated into precision pest management (PPM) strategies for sustainable control of P. canaliculata. Full article

The protection of landscape and biological diversity on small Mediterranean islands represents a significant challenge in the context of intensive anthropogenic pressure and land-use change. The aim of this study was to determine the composition of ornamental flora in private gardens on the island of Koločep (IPA, Natura 2000 site), the smallest inhabited island in the Croatian part of the Adriatic, with special emphasis on invasive (IAS) and potentially invasive (PIAS) plant species, and to analyse their relationship with landscape changes and property types. A total of 161 private gardens were analysed, representing all private gardens on the island. In total, 2095 plant records corresponded to 255 unique horticultural taxa from 82 families. Allochthonous species dominate in the gardens (73%). Private gardens represent the primary pathway for the introduction of IAS and PIAS taxa on the island. The taxa with the highest invasion intensity were Ailanthus altissima and Carpobrotus edulis, while among PIAS species, high invasive potential was observed for Mirabilis jalapa and Diospyros virginiana. The study highlights the need for systematic monitoring of ornamental flora and landscape transformation, and the promotion of horticultural practices focused on autochthonous species in gardens, in order to preserve island biological and landscape diversity. Full article

Ports and recreational marinas are established hotspots for the introduction and secondary spread of non-indigenous species (NIS), mainly via vessel transport and biofouling on artificial substrates. In the AlienPorts project, we surveyed fouling and associated macrobenthic assemblages in four major Greek marinas across distinct marine regions—Rhodes (Levantine), Heraklion and Piraeus–Zea (Aegean), and Patra (Ionian)—from 2021 to 2022, applying two complementary protocols: (i) photoquadrat surveys and (ii) scraped assemblage sampling. The photoquadrats recorded twelve NIS and seven cryptogenic species, which were dominated by sessile fouling taxa, especially ascidians. The scraped samples revealed 106 polychaete and amphipod species, including 25 taxa (23 NIS, two cryptogenic). Six of the polychaetes are new NIS for the Mediterranean, and thirteen of the taxa are newly recorded as NIS in Greek waters. Heraklion had the highest NIS richness (18 NIS + two cryptogenic), while the other marinas hosted approximately ten NIS/cryptogenic taxa. In contrast, NIS often dominated the population densities, with Zea being the most impacted based on the NIS to native species ratios for both diversity and abundance. The two methods detected largely distinct biodiversity components and shared only one NIS, underscoring a strong complementarity. The multivariate analyses confirmed significant differences among marinas (ANOSIM, p < 0.01). These results support integrated, multi-method monitoring to enhance the early detection and impact assessment under MSFD Descriptor 2. Full article

Pomacea canaliculata, as a significant invasive alien species, poses severe threats to agricultural development. Currently, chemical applications demonstrate notable efficacy in controlling this pest. However, metaldehyde exhibits overly singular toxicity towards P. canaliculata; niclosamide sulfate is not a molluscicide; and fentin acetate is a fungicide. Currently, these findings fail to elucidate the physiological and biochemical effects of the compounds after they enter the P. canaliculata’s body. In this study, we evaluated the toxicity of metaldehyde (ME), niclosamide sulfate (NS), and fentin acetate (FA) against P. canaliculata and analyzed the morphological and physiological changes in response to chemical stress. The results indicated that three chemicals exhibited potent molluscicidal activity, especially in the NS treatment group. After 12 h exposure to LC₅₀ concentrations (48 h LC₅₀), the surface area of livers was reduced significantly by 12.1%, 13.9%, and 2.8% compared to the control group, while the kidneys expanded significantly by 6.4%, 3.2%, and 16.7%, respectively. The heart showed marked enlargement by 152.1% and 44.2% under niclosamide sulfate and metaldehyde treatments. The pulmonary sac significantly contracted by 23.6% under niclosamide sulfate stress but expanded by 6.1% under fentin acetate exposure. The stomach enlarged significantly after niclosamide sulfate treatment, whereas it shrank by 2.1% and 5.7% under metaldehyde and fentin acetate treatments, respectively. Metabolomic analysis of liver tissues revealed 553, 99, and 585 differential metabolites compared to the control group, respectively. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that the metabolism pathway, lysine degradation, and bile secretion are likely related to the response to chemical stress in P. canaliculata. Further examination showed a significant decrease in total protein content and the activities of malondialdehyde (MDA), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) under chemical stress. These findings enhance our understanding of the targeted mechanisms of molluscicides against P. canaliculata. Metaldehyde may exert neurotoxic effects on the P. canaliculata, while niclosamide sulfate may interfere with its respiratory system. Additionally, both chemicals affect metabolic pathways in the snail’s liver, including lipid metabolism and metabolic pathways associated with energy metabolism. These findings provide valuable insights for designing a novel snail control agent and formulating scientific management strategy. Full article

Cassiopea andromeda is an invasive alien jellyfish that is increasingly reported across the Mediterranean Sea, yet its invasion dynamics and ecological implications remain poorly understood. This study provides an updated assessment of its spatial and temporal distribution, evaluates its potential impacts on ecosystem services and biodiversity, and explores management options through the 8Rs framework. An aggregated dataset of georeferenced records (1886–2025) was compiled from scientific literature and citizen-science platforms. Spatio–temporal analyses—including kernel density, key spatial distribution characteristics, spatial autocorrelation, and local hotspot detection—were applied to identify invasion phases, aggregation patterns, and directional dispersion. Results reveal two distinct invasion stages: a century-long arrival phase confined to the Levantine Basin, followed by an accelerated expansion since 2008, with a persistent hotspot in the eastern Mediterranean Sea and a westward dispersal trajectory. Evidence of ecological impacts within the Mediterranean Sea remains limited, however studies from other regions indicate both potential benefits and localized negative interactions with marine organisms. Application of the 8Rs model highlights implemented, feasible and challenging coordinated basin-wide strategies to support adaptive management of this alien resource. Full article

Plastic and microplastic (MP) pollution, along with alien species invasion, are of great concern for natural habitat preservation and human health, and are two important and concomitant likely causes for global biodiversity loss. In the present study, a Seabin, a device for buoyant waste collection in calm waters, was used to also characterize the waste collected in northernmost side of Lake Garda (Italy) in a period of very low anthropogenic pressure, the Winter season of 2024–2025. During the survey, 92.6 g of plastic was collected, i.e., a total of 540 pieces. About 6.9 mg of plastic per m³ of water was found, corresponding to about 0.04 plastic items per m³ and approximately 13 pieces of microplastics per day. Fourier-transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy identification showed that the plastic was composed mainly of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS). Microorganisms (Diatoms, Bacillariophyta) and microcrack formation with deposits of inorganic matter (mainly Si, Al, O, Ca) were also evidenced by SEM/EDX in all the observed aged MP. Qualitative evaluation of the captured biota highlighted the presence of at least five alien species, including invasive Dikerogammarus villosus. This study describes an easy and cost-effective novel methodology for simultaneously monitoring plastic waste and alien species presence in calm waters, which acts also as a mitigation tool for plastic pollution. The results could be of interest not only to policymakers and scientists, but also for public health and for environmental monitoring. Full article

Global high-mountain ecosystems are increasingly subjected to intensified anthropogenic disturbances, which facilitate the spread of invasive alien plants and threaten agricultural sustainability and ecological security. Using Laojun Mountain in Yunnan as the study area, this research investigates the relationship between the distribution patterns of invasive plants and land-use changes, based on data from 38 transect surveys conducted in 2023 and 30-m-resolution land-use data spanning 2003–2023. The analysis incorporates a random forest model and a land-use transition matrix. The key findings are as follows: (1) Variable importance analysis revealed elevation as the most critical factor influencing invasion occurrence (mean decrease in Gini index: 8.0), followed by slope, aspect, and land-use type. (2) Cultivated land exhibited the highest probability of invasion, with high-risk areas (>0.8) concentrated in agricultural zones in the central-southern and northeastern regions. (3) From 2003 to 2023, cultivated land increased by a net area of 20.85 km², primarily due to conversion from forests (19.57 km²) and grasslands, while grassland area decreased by 24.70 km². This study concludes that agricultural expansion has intensified habitat fragmentation and anthropogenic disturbances, creating favorable conditions for invasive plant establishment. It is recommended that invasive species monitoring and ecological restoration efforts be strengthened in agroforestry transition zones to enhance landscape resilience against biological invasions. Full article

Invasive alien plants (IAPs) pose a severe and escalating threat to biodiversity and ecosystem services in China. However, a systematic nationwide assessment that identifies invasion hotspots, quantifies their overlap with protected area networks, and pinpoints critical conservation gaps is still lacking. This hinders the development of spatially targeted management strategies. To address this, we developed an integrated analytical framework coupling the Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) model with the InVEST habitat quality model. Using a high-resolution, county-level distribution database of 293 IAPs, we mapped potential species richness and habitat degradation across China. The geo-detector model was further employed to identify the primary environmental factors and their interactions. Spatial overlay analysis was conducted to delineate core invasion habitats (areas of high invasion suitability and high degradation) and assess their coverage within China’s national nature reserves. Nighttime light intensity (DMSP, 34.39%), annual precipitation (Bio12, 14.16%), and mean diurnal range (Bio2, 11.82%) were the factors with the highest contribution in the model, highlighting the statistical interaction between anthropogenic pressure and climatic conditions. The core invasion habitat spanned 20.10 × 10⁴ km², predominantly (66.04%) concentrated in high-intensity human disturbance zones. Notably, only 11.18% of this core habitat falls within existing national nature reserves, revealing a vast conservation gap of 17.85 × 10⁴ km². Our results indicate a profound spatial mismatch between invasion hotspots and the current protected area network in China. We prioritize southeastern coastal urban agglomerations-characterized by high anthropogenic pressure (DMSP), high precipitation (Bio12), and low diurnal temperature range (Bio2)-for immediate monitoring and intervention. This integrated assessment provides a national-scale, spatially explicit prediction of invasion risk for 293 plant species in China, and offers an evidence-based decision-support tool for optimizing invasive species management and biodiversity conservation. Full article

Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) have emerged as pervasive contaminants across diverse environments—including soil, water, and the atmosphere—posing substantial risks to resident organisms. Concurrently, alien plant invasion represents a significant driver of environmental change, introducing considerable ecological risks to terrestrial ecosystems. Synthesizing evidence from 26 original research articles, this review examines the bidirectional interactions between micro(nano)plastics (MNPs) and terrestrial invasive plants. A growing body of evidence indicates that MNPs alter the growth and performance of both invasive and native plants. In most documented cases, MNPs appear to enhance the competitive ability of invasive plants, thereby elevating their invasion potential. However, counterexamples exist wherein MNPs strengthen the competitiveness of native plants, consequently mitigating invasion risk. These divergent outcomes are likely attributable to a suite of influencing factors, notably the characteristics of the MNPs (e.g., type, size, concentration), the specific invasive and native plant species involved, and variations in experimental conditions. Key mechanistic pathways involve MNPs-induced disturbances in soil microecology—particularly nutrient dynamics and rhizosphere microbiomes—and allelopathic interactions. Conversely, invasive plants may adsorb/absorb MNPs and subsequently modify their environmental fate and behaviors (e.g., degradation, transport). Finally, we delineate critical knowledge gaps and propose prioritized directions for future research. This review advances our understanding of the ecological risks associated with plant invasions in an era of pervasive MNP pollution and offers a scientific foundation for developing informed management strategies. Full article

This study evaluates the ecological impact of Robinia pseudoacacia L. (black locust) invasion on native chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) groves on Mount Amiata (Central Italy), focusing on both plant and macrofungal community dynamics. Surveys were conducted over a three-year period (2022–2024) across 16 plots to assess shifts in taxonomic alpha diversity, species richness, and trophic guild structure. Our results demonstrate that while R. pseudoacacia stands exhibit a higher Shannon–Wiener index for plants, native chestnut groves host significantly greater species richness and higher taxonomic distinctiveness across both biological groups. A major shift in fungal functional structure was observed with chestnut-dominated plots characterized by a predominance of ectomycorrhizal species (58.3%), whereas invaded stands were heavily dominated by saprotrophic fungi (73.4%). Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS) further confirmed a clear separation in community composition between the two forest types, indicating that R. pseudoacacia invasion leads to a homogenization of the forest biota and a potential decline in ecosystem health, as evidenced by the sharp reduction in mycorrhizal diversity. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring macrofungal communities as sensitive bioindicators of the ecological degradation caused by invasive woody species. Full article