Search Results (3,054)

Rising global temperatures, increasing frequency and intensity of extreme climatic events, with associated growth of agricultural land use and urban expansion, represent critical drivers of biodiversity loss. Within this framework, urban areas are particularly vulnerable due to environmental stressors such as the heat-island phenomenon, soil sealing and depletion, and the accumulation of heavy metals and other pollutants. Recent sustainability-oriented urban policies recognize the strategic role of green infrastructures in mitigating these impacts by delivering essential ecosystem services, including phytoremediation. Here, the focus on herbaceous plants allows the selection of species with short life cycles and high colonization rates in marginal or disturbed urban habitats (e.g., roadside verges, compacted soils, and limited-volume planting areas). Therefore, the present review systematically examines herbaceous plant species with documented phytoremediation capabilities, focusing on Mediterranean native taxa evaluated under urban or peri-urban conditions. A total of 29 species met the selection criteria: taxonomically, Asteraceae represented the most frequent family (35%), followed by Fabaceae (21%), Brassicaceae, and Poaceae (each accounting for 10%). From a functional-trait perspective, hemicryptophytes dominated the dataset (66%), followed by therophytes (31%). Of the selected taxa, 55% primarily exhibited phytoextraction, 14% showed phytostabilization, and 31% demonstrated dual functionality, through combined extraction and stabilization pathways. These traits, combined with ecological adaptability to Mediterranean climatic regimes, support their application in Mediterranean urban environments. Full article

Background/Objectives: The convergence of traditional medicinal practices in Brazil’s vast biodiversity has fueled pharmaceutical interest in advancing plant-derived formulation. Copaiba (Copaifera spp.) and andiroba (Carapa guianensis) are central to both the economic landscape and healing traditions of the Amazon rainforest. Derivatives from these species have diverse applications, with their oils representing important raw materials for therapeutic use. However, the poor aqueous solubility of oils remains a major barrier to developing formulations with optimal bioavailability. Nanotechnology offers a strategic approach to address this limitation, as nanosystems improve stability, solubility, and biological performance. Methods: This narrative review compiles and analyzes contemporary literature on the chemical composition, physicochemical properties, and pharmacological activities of copaiba and andiroba oils, with emphasis on studies involving nanoformulations, aiming to overcome the solubility limitations of these oils. Results: Evidence from the literature indicates that nanoencapsulation enhances the anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and wound-healing activity of the oils’ main constituents, such as beta-caryophyllene and limonoids. However, inconsistencies in reported chemical composition and physicochemical properties across studies highlight the lack of standardized characterization and extraction methods, potentially hindering the development of reproducible nanosystems. Conclusions: Nanoencapsulation represents a promising strategy to improve the therapeutic potential of Amazonian oils. Nevertheless, further efforts are required to standardize methodologies and expand clinical studies to confirm the efficacy and safety of nanosystems derived from these natural products. Full article

The growing demand for renewable energy, together with the need to mitigate climate change and promote more sustainable agriculture systems, has stimulated interest in energy crops. In this context, invasive alien plant species (IAPS), which have progressively colonized abandoned farmland, degraded ecosystems, and marginal areas, represent a key bioresource. IAPS have a dual nature combining high ecological invasiveness and fast growing rate with notable energetic potential. These aspects have generated a still ongoing debate among farm managers, ecologists, and policymakers regarding their role within the future bioeconomy. The present study provides a review of the IAPS black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) on its real benefits as a source of bioenergy, ecological impact, and the management strategies adopted. We examine the trade-offs between containment efforts and use for renewable bioenergy production, particularly in marginal areas where few alternatives exist. This review highlights the need for stratified site-specific approaches that balance biodiversity conservation with bioresource exploitation. Finally, this study also contributes to the ongoing discussion on whether IAPS should be regarded primarily as a management challenge or a multifunctional bioresource, as in the production of bioenergy. Full article

The utilization of unconventional feed resources offers a sustainable strategy to mitigate feed shortages particularly in tropical and subtropical regions where access to conventional feeds is often limited. Among these, water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is one of the world’s most aggressive aquatic weeds, which has drawn attention due to its dual role as a problematic invasive species and a potential livestock feed. This plant reduces water quality, contributes to biodiversity loss and causes economic damage in farming systems. At the same time, its high capacity for nutrient absorption makes it a viable source of protein and energy for ruminants when properly harvested and processed into forms such as hay, dried leaves, and silage. However, its utilization requires caution, as the plant can accumulate toxins and heavy metals from polluted water, which may harm animal health if unprocessed. This review focuses on the potential of water hyacinth to improve ruminant growth performance, nutrient digestibility and rumen fermentation. Including water hyacinth in ruminant diet safely can possibly improve animal productivity, contribute to sustainable weed management and also provide a practical strategy to alleviate feed shortage in dry seasons, thereby encouraging resilience and sustainable ruminant production. Full article

Grazing is widely used to manage grasslands, but its effects on plant diversity and community composition are context-dependent. In the Canary Islands, pastures are limited and fragmented but represent some of the most species-rich plant communities. This study evaluates the effects of grazing abandonment and grazing intensity on plant diversity and composition in the mountain pastures of Gran Canaria under wildfire prevention management. Vegetation was surveyed in 11 paired grazed and ungrazed plots across an environmental gradient over two years. Grazing intensity was quantified using livestock GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) tracking, distinguishing low- and high-intensity regimes. A total of 112 plant species were recorded, mostly typical of pasture communities. Species richness remained stable across treatments, grazing intensities, and years (2023–2024), indicating strong short-term resistance. However, species composition varied along the grazing intensity gradient: high-intensity grazing produced more homogeneous communities dominated by grazing-tolerant species, while low-intensity grazing maintained greater variability. Grazing abandonment showed no clear compositional shifts, suggesting delayed responses. Environmental factors such as soil, moisture, temperature, and coastal influence also structured species distributions. Overall, grazing intensity is the main driver of plant community structure, highlighting its importance for biodiversity conservation, wildfire risk reduction, and maintaining traditional pastoral practices. Full article

Early-spring ephemeral plants act as pioneer species on stabilized dunes in cold arid deserts; they are capable of rapid growth under extreme drought and low-temperature conditions while sustaining dune ecosystem functions. These species are highly sensitive to climate change, yet their spatiotemporal dynamics and the mechanisms by which climatic factors regulate their growth remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the Gurbantunggut Desert, China, using long-term NDVI time series to extract phenological traits associated with their life cycle and developed a remote-sensing-based analytical framework to quantify the distribution patterns of early-spring ephemeral plants and their environmental drivers. We combined random forest (RF), structural equation modeling (SEM), and convolutional neural networks (CNN) to assess the relative importance and pathways of key climatic drivers and to predict future distribution changes. Our results indicate that: (1) the life cycle extraction method achieved a classification accuracy exceeding 80%, and from 2001 to 2022, the overall distribution of early-spring ephemeral plants exhibited an increasing trend; (2) snowend, snowday, and precipitation during the driest quarter were the primary drivers of ephemeral plant distribution, collectively explaining over 60% of the observed variation, and structural equation modeling further revealed that snow and precipitation had significant positive effects on their distribution; and (3) under future climate scenarios, Medium-NDVI areas are projected to expand northward and westward, with the potential emergence of new suitable habitats in northern localities by mid-century. Climate warming may facilitate the dispersal and latitudinal migration of early-spring ephemeral plants. Based on these findings, biodiversity conservation efforts should prioritize ecologically sensitive transitional zones and promote species migration and establishment under climate change through the construction of ecological corridors. Full article

Urbanisation has led to dramatic alterations in pre-existing natural environments, resulting in several subsequent phenomena, such as the disappearance of habitats suitable for many plant and animal species and the concurrent arrival of generalist and non-native species, contributing to environmental homogenisation. Towns and cities serve as crossroads for transport, people, and animals, making them susceptible to colonisation by many types of plant species, dispersed either intentionally or unintentionally by these biotic vectors. Abiotic vectors, such as wind and water, also influence the composition of vegetation assemblages. Urban spontaneous vegetation occurs in (1) undisturbed areas, including brownfield sites, commons, and marginal lots, and (2) disturbed sites, such as green areas, parks, lawns (not subject to weeding), ancient monuments and walls, peripheral and industrial areas, and railways. When disturbance occurs, vegetation remains at early successional stages. Within this framework, with the aim of comparing existing contradictions and identifying knowledge gaps, we reviewed the literature on the characteristics of spontaneous plants and vegetation in urban areas, the different habitats in which they grow, the ecosystem services they provide, and management strategies, considering human perception. Our results highlight that studies on spontaneous plants are well-developed in terms of botany and ecology; however, some gaps remain, particularly regarding their integration into urban design and maintenance practices. Concerning public perception and acceptance, cultural and geographical differences emerged that deserve further investigation. In conclusion, spontaneous plants can represent a valuable heritage for cities, helping to address the challenges posed by the climate crisis. Full article

This study investigates the volatile composition of twelve medicinal plant species belonging to the Lamiaceae family, which are widely recognized for their diverse biological activities, including antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Despite extensive studies on essential oils, comparative analyses using solvent-free techniques under different microclimatic conditions remain limited. This study investigates the volatile compounds in twelve medicinal plants from the Lamiaceae family using headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS). Lamiaceae plants are recognized for their diverse medicinal properties, including antioxidative, antibacterial, and antifungal effects. A total of 74 volatile compounds were identified, encompassing terpenes, alcohols, esters, aldehydes, and ketones. Notably, Lavandula spica L. exhibited the highest number of unique volatiles (28), while Melissa officinalis L. had the fewest (16). Key compounds included Citral (65.48%) in Melissa officinalis L., Menthol (33.37%) and Menthyl acetate (30.53%) in Mentha piperita L., Carvone (45.86%) in Mentha spicata L., and Eucalyptol (54.71%) in Origanum syriacum L. Plants from Adana Botanic Park were rich in terpenes and ketones, whereas those from Osmaniye contained higher levels of alcohols, aldehydes, and esters. The findings emphasize the impact of geographic location on volatile profiles and suggest avenues for further research into medicinal efficacy and optimal dosage. This study supports the sustainable use of plant biodiversity (SDG 15) and highlights the importance of bioactive compounds for human health and well-being (SDG 3). Full article

Tropical forest restoration has increased in the past decades, with possible advancements given the UN declaration of the “Decade of Ecosystem Restoration”. However, robust assessments to compare ecosystem functions among restored forest stages are essential. We evaluated 13 actively restored forest stands ranging from 3 to 21 years of age and compared measures of forest biodiversity, structure, and ecosystem function to four 70+ year old “reference” stands that serve as restoration “targets” in the study region of the Premontane wet forest of Costa Rica. The restored stands were planted with an average of 13 tree species on abandoned pastures that were fallow for at least two years. Sixteen tree-stand attributes and six ecosystem function estimates were assessed, including: annual biomass (C) accumulation, N-fixation potential, threatened species conservation, and the provision of avian frugivore forage, insect habitat, and insect pollination. Using Principal Component Analysis, linear modeling, and Mahalanobis distance analyses, we learned that planting a diversity of tree species sets the stage for forest recovery at early restoration ages, with an inflection point at 15 years towards older reference forest characteristics and functions. Given that all restoration ages provided tree diversity and some level of ecosystem functions, the value of all restored stands in the landscape is notable. The assessment methods are easily employed, thereby providing an accessible tool to restoration practitioners. Full article

The progressive degradation of natural habitats, driven by anthropogenic pressures and climate change, constitutes one of the most serious threats to biodiversity. Peatland ecosystems, along with the valuable plant species associated with them, are particularly vulnerable to these processes. Salix lapponum, a glacial relict species, is undergoing a drastic decline in both its range and population size across Poland and Europe. This emphasizes the need for the implementation of conservation measures, including species translocation, as well as the development of effective methods for monitoring plant condition following introduction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of selected physiological indicators for the rapid and reliable assessment of plant condition in active conservation efforts. The experimental material consisted of S. lapponum plantlets derived from tissue culture, which were introduced into five experimental sites in eastern Poland, differing in habitat conditions. Over two growing seasons, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (F₀, F_m, F_v/F_m), the content of photosynthetic pigments and anthocyanins, relative water content, guaiacol peroxidase activity, and the presence of reactive oxygen species were analyzed. The results revealed clear seasonal variability in most of the studied physiological parameters, as well as their differentiation across habitat conditions. The highest sensitivity to environmental changes was observed for indicators related to photosynthetic performance (F_v/F_m), tissue hydration status (RWC), and enzymatic activity. Declines in photosystem II efficiency at the beginning of the growing season, reflected in F_v/F_m values decreasing to 0.47–0.49 indicate transient stress conditions in plants. Simultaneously, variation in relative water content (52–90%) and peroxidase activity reflects differences in water availability and the intensity of environmental stress across habitats. The findings confirm that selected physiological indicators can serve as effective tools for the early monitoring of plant condition and for assessing the success of S. lapponum translocation. Full article

Network approaches are commonly used to study mutualistic interactions between frugivorous birds and plants at the community level. However, most fruit–bird networks aggregate individual data and rely on species-level traits, often overlooking intraspecific variation. Here, we downscale a fruit–bird network to the individual level to evaluate intraspecific diet variation and individual specialization in the four main frugivorous passerine species of an island community. Fruit consumption was identified from fecal samples collected from mist-netted birds and individuals’ diets were modeled with a Bayesian approach. Intraspecific diet variation was quantified using the E and NODF indices, individual specialization using the Psi index, and clustering of individuals sharing fruit resources using the Cws index. We detected low intraspecific diet variation and individuals’ diets were not nested. Individual specialization was mainly related to recapture of individuals and weakly related to phenotypic traits. Clustering mainly involved heterospecific individuals whose diets matched plant fruiting phenology during the capture period. Accordingly, future community-level studies addressing the role of mutualistic interactions in biodiversity maintenance may benefit from integrating network approaches with complementary information on interindividual and interspecific competition. Full article

Plant–animal interactions have shaped much of Earth’s biodiversity. Their structure probably results from a combination of neutrality and constraints imposed by species’ traits, such as phenotypes, phenologies, and spatial distributions, which may affect their stability and coevolutionary processes. Understanding how biological communities are structured remains a major challenge in ecology. To explore this, a hummingbird–plant interaction network from a tropical dry forest in Mexico was surveyed monthly over two years to identify the main drivers of species interactions and network structure. By combining data on morphology, phenology, and the abundance of flowers and hummingbirds, we examined whether biological constraints or neutral processes better explain interaction frequencies and how these factors influence network metrics. Our results indicate that a biological constraint—species phenology—is the most important predictor of plant–hummingbird interaction frequencies. Conversely, null models incorporating abundance best projected most network parameters, suggesting that a neutral process is crucial for predicting these metrics. Interaction networks serve as valuable tools for studying ecological processes. Because previous studies have reported contrasting results regarding the drivers of hummingbird–plant interactions, further comparative studies across ecosystems are still needed to evaluate the generality of these mechanisms. Full article

Invasive alien plants seriously threaten native plant biodiversity and agricultural production. The development of environmentally friendly agriculture requires sustainable weed control techniques to manage these invasive alien weeds. This study evaluated the allelopathic effects of ethanol extract from Artemisia frigida against five invasive alien plants (Ageratum conyzoides, Bidens pilosa, Ipomoea purpurea, Eclipta prostrata, and Amaranthus retroflexus). The main components in the extract were identified using high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and we assessed their allelopathic effects on seed germination of the five species. The results showed that the ethanol extract of A. frigida completely inhibited seed germination of all five invasive plants at 5 g·L⁻¹. Thirteen components were identified, among which 4-ethyloctanoic acid, cis-jasmone, and p-anisic acid exhibited significant inhibitory effects. Notably, 4-ethyloctanoic acid demonstrated broad-spectrum herbicidal activity. At 50 mg·L⁻¹, it completely inhibited B. pilosa growth and had the strongest inhibitory effects on A. conyzoides and E. prostrata. This compound disrupted redox homeostasis and induced oxidative stress by modulating antioxidant enzyme activities, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT). These findings indicate that 4-ethyloctanoic acid is the main allelochemical with herbicidal potential in A. frigida, providing a theoretical basis for developing novel herbicides and environmentally friendly control techniques for invasive alien plants. Full article

In northeast British Columbia (BC), Canada, industrial forestry is gradually converting 10+ M ha of broadleaf–conifer (mixedwood) boreal forest to conifer plantations. This is due in part to governmental free-to-grow (FTG) regulations, which specify a minimum competition-free radius around conifer crop trees. FTG implementation is a poor investment; it reduces stand biodiversity and productivity and infringes on Indigenous Treaty Rights. Trials were established on three geographically separated boreal sites with no stand management (brushing) since planting. The goal was to determine the effect of FTG criteria on conifer growth in mixedwoods compared to growth of pure conifer stands using the BC Government growth model TIPSY (Table Interpolation Program of Stand Yield) projections. At trial establishment, less than a third of trees were FTG. The number of FTG trees increased at the last measurement but only reached 50 percent on one site. After a decade, conifer DBH (diameter at breast height) growth and stand productivity met or exceeded the model projection regardless of the initial FTG status. The DBH relative growth rate (RGR) indicated that spruce DBH growth was not impacted by competitors. These observations suggest that brushing on similar sites to meet timber objectives is likely unnecessary. Maintaining mixedwood stands supports greater biodiversity and carbon storage, and this approach better aligns with an Indigenous world view and Treaty Rights. There is an opportunity in northeast BC to shift forest management from conifer-based performance metrics to prioritizing ecological resilience and long-term forest health and productivity. Full article

Plant diversity is a key indicator of ecosystem structure, function, and restoration status, yet its rapid assessment remains challenging in sandy ecosystems where vegetation is sparse, spatially heterogeneous, and strongly affected by exposed soil backgrounds. In such environments, conventional greenness-based spectral indices may not adequately capture species-level variation because plant communities are controlled not only by photosynthetic biomass but also by soil moisture, micro-topography, and dune-related habitat heterogeneity. This study evaluated the potential of Sentinel-2-derived spectral indices for estimating plant α-diversity in the Hunshandak Sandland, northern China. Based on field observations from 888 plots collected during 2017–2024, four α-diversity metrics—species richness, Shannon–Wiener index, Simpson index, and Pielou evenness index—were calculated and compared with 21 spectral indices using correlation analysis, partial least squares regression (PLSR), and random forest (RF) models. The results showed that model performance varied substantially among diversity metrics. Species richness was estimated with the highest accuracy, whereas Shannon–Wiener, Simpson, and Pielou indices showed weaker predictability, indicating that remotely sensed spectral indices were more sensitive to species number than to abundance distribution and evenness. Moisture- and soil-background-sensitive indices, including the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI), Modified Normalized Difference Water Index (MNDWI), Bare Soil Index (BSI/BRI), and Chlorophyll Absorption Ratio Index (CARI), showed relatively stable relationships with plant diversity across different vegetation gradients. Although the overall explanatory power was moderate rather than high, the results demonstrate the practical value of Sentinel-2 spectral indices for regional screening of plant diversity patterns in sandy ecosystems. This study provides empirical evidence for biodiversity monitoring and ecological restoration assessment in semi-arid sandy landscapes and highlights the need to integrate environmental covariates, multi-source remote sensing, and phenological information in future studies. Full article