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Biology
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Biology, Ecology and Management of Invasive Alien Plants
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Biology, Ecology and Management of Invasive Alien Plants

A special issue of Biology (ISSN 2079-7737). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2024 | Viewed by 5773

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Guoqi Chen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Modern Production Technology of Grain Crops, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
Interests: alien invasive plants; field weed; plant protection; agronomy; crop cultivation; herbicide
Prof. Dr. Jiang Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation, Taizhou University, Taizhou 318000, China
Interests: plant ecology; invasive plants; biodiversity and ecosystem functions; interspecific interaction

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Invasive alien plants are considered to be one of the major drivers of biodiversity loss, thereby altering ecosystem services and socioeconomic conditions through different mechanisms. Many studies have explored the physiological, ecological and molecular mechanisms that lead to the invasion successes of alien plants, with distribution trends of various invasive plants under different scenarios including global climate changes, the resistance of native plant communities to plant invasions, the ecological and economic influences of alien plant invasions, management strategies against invasive plants for different habitats, and the utilization of invasive plants. Unfortunately, the expansion of invasive alien plants remains a severe issue all over the world. Highly effective management strategies including ecological, biological, chemical and agricultural control methods against principal and serious invasive plants are still inadequate. This Special Issue is designed to highlight the recent research progress on the biology, ecology and management of invasive alien plants. Scientists are invited to submit their original research and review articles to this Special Issue.

Dr. Guoqi Chen
Prof. Dr. Jiang Wang
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. Biology is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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

  • changes in the composition and distribution of alien plants
  • invasive mechanism
  • invasiveness
  • invasibility
  • invasive population
  • invasive plant interactions with other organisms
  • impacts on environment, ecosystem services and human health
  • chemical control
  • management of invasive plants
  • utilization of invasive plants

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

25 pages, 5671 KiB  
Article
Impacts of Invasive Plants on Native Vegetation Communities in Wetland and Stream Mitigation
by Douglas A. DeBerry and Dakota M. Hunter
Biology 2024, 13(4), 275; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13040275 - 18 Apr 2024
Viewed by 243
Abstract
We sampled vegetation communities across plant invasion gradients at multiple wetland and stream mitigation sites in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont physiographic provinces of Virginia, USA. Impacts of invasion were evaluated by tracking changes in species composition and native vegetation community properties along [...] Read more.
We sampled vegetation communities across plant invasion gradients at multiple wetland and stream mitigation sites in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont physiographic provinces of Virginia, USA. Impacts of invasion were evaluated by tracking changes in species composition and native vegetation community properties along the abundance gradients of multiple plant invaders. We found that native species richness, diversity, and floristic quality were consistently highest at moderate levels of invasion (ca. 5–10% relative abundance of invader), regardless of the identity of the invasive species or the type of mitigation (wetland or stream). Likewise, native species composition was similar between uninvaded and moderately invaded areas, and only diminished when invaders were present at higher abundance values. Currently, low thresholds for invasive species performance standards (e.g., below 5% relative abundance of invader) compel mitigation managers to use non-selective control methods such as herbicides to reduce invasive plant cover. Our results suggest that this could cause indiscriminate mortality of desirable native species at much higher levels of richness, diversity, and floristic quality than previously thought. From our data, we recommend an invasive species performance standard of 10% relative invader(s) abundance on wetland and stream mitigation sites, in combination with vigilant invasive plant mapping strategies. Based on our results, this slightly higher standard would strike a balance between proactive management and unnecessary loss of plant community functions at the hands of compulsory invasive species management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biology, Ecology and Management of Invasive Alien Plants)
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11 pages, 1245 KiB  
Article
Effects of Different Degrees of Xanthium spinosum Invasion on the Invasibility of Plant Communities in the Yili Grassland of Northwest China
by Yongkang Xiao, Jianxiao He, Tayierjiang Aishan, Xiaoqing Sui, Yifan Zhou and Amanula Yimingniyazi
Biology 2024, 13(1), 14; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13010014 - 26 Dec 2023
Viewed by 988
Abstract
Studying the effects of different degrees of exotic plant invasion on native plants’ community structure and plant diversity is essential for evaluating the harm caused to ecosystems by plant invasion. In this study, we investigated the effects of Xanthium spinosum, a widespread [...] Read more.
Studying the effects of different degrees of exotic plant invasion on native plants’ community structure and plant diversity is essential for evaluating the harm caused to ecosystems by plant invasion. In this study, we investigated the effects of Xanthium spinosum, a widespread invasive species, on plant community species diversity and community stability in the Ili River Valley area of Xinjiang, China, under three invasion levels (no invasion and low, moderate, and heavy invasion), and the competitive advantage index, invasion intensity, and contribution of plant community species diversity to community stability and invasibility were determined for the prickly fungus under different degrees of invasion. The results show that there were significant differences (p < 0.05) in the species diversity and community stability of plant communities caused by different degrees of invasion of X. spinosum. The species diversity and stability of plant communities were negatively correlated with the community invasibility, competitive advantage, and invasion intensity of X. spinosum (p < 0.05); therefore, the competitive advantage and invasion intensity of X. spinosum increase with the increase of its invasion degree. On the contrary, community species diversity and stability decreased with the increase of its invasion degree, ultimately leading to differences in community invasibility under different invasion degrees. The Shannon–Wiener and Simpson’s indices were the greatest contributors to community stability and invasibility, respectively. Moderate and heavy levels of invasion by X. spinosum reduced the diversity and stability of local plant communities, increased the invasibility of communities, and substantially affected the structures of plant communities. Therefore, the continued invasion by X. spinosum will have an immeasurable impact on the fragile ecosystems and diversity of indigenous species in Xinjiang. We recommend that this invasive species be controlled and eradicated at the early stages of invasion to prevent further harm. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biology, Ecology and Management of Invasive Alien Plants)
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14 pages, 796 KiB  
Article
Effects of Datura stramonium L. Invasion into Different Habitats on Native Plant Functional Traits and Soil Carbon, Nitrogen and Phosphorus Stoichiometric Characteristics
by Juan Lv, Haitao Wang, Na Chang, Huaiyue Li and Cong Shi
Biology 2023, 12(12), 1497; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12121497 - 06 Dec 2023
Viewed by 956
Abstract
Datura stramonium is an invasive herb of the family Solanaceae from Mexico and has been invading seriously in China. The effects of invasive plants on the functional traits of native plants and the stoichiometric characteristics of soil carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus in different [...] Read more.
Datura stramonium is an invasive herb of the family Solanaceae from Mexico and has been invading seriously in China. The effects of invasive plants on the functional traits of native plants and the stoichiometric characteristics of soil carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus in different habitats were explored by taking the invasive plant D. stramonium and coexisting native plants as the research object. The species, quantity and height of plants in sample plots in farmland, wasteland and roadside habitats were investigated and the specific leaf area (SLA), leaf carbon content (C), nitrogen content (N), carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C:N), construction cost (CCmass) and stoichiometric characteristics of soil carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) were analyzed. The results showed that compared with the noninvaded area, the species and quantity of native plants decreased in the invaded area, and SLA and leaf N showed a decreasing trend. The plant height of native plants in the invaded area of the farmland and wasteland decreased by 23.19% and 15.26%, respectively, while the height of native plants along the roadside increased by 95.91%. The leaf C:N ratio of native plants in the invaded area along the roadside significantly increased by 54.07%. The plant height and leaf N of D. stramonium in the three habitats were higher than those of the native plants. The soil N in the invaded area of the three habitats increased, with the soil N in the farmland increasing by 21.05%, in the wasteland increasing by 9.82% and along the roadside significantly increasing by 46.85%. The soil carbon-to-phosphorus ratio (C:P) in the three habitats showed an increasing trend. The soil C:P ratio in the farmland increased by 62.45%, in the wasteland it increased by 11.91% and along the roadside it significantly increased by 71.14%. These results showed that invasion by D. stramonium has a great effect on the local ecosystem, and it has a high ability to capture resources. D. stramonium can improve its own competitiveness by enhancing invasiveness by changing the functional traits of native plants and the stoichiometric characteristics of soil C, N and P, which may be the reason for its invasive success. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biology, Ecology and Management of Invasive Alien Plants)
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15 pages, 4160 KiB  
Article
Competitive Advantage of Broussonetia papyrifera Growing in a Native Area as Suggested by Structural Diversity
by Yanrong Zhou and Guangfu Zhang
Biology 2023, 12(11), 1410; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12111410 - 09 Nov 2023
Viewed by 808
Abstract
Paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) is currently an invasive species on several continents. However, little is known about whether paper mulberry has a competitive advantage over its surrounding trees in its native distribution range, subtropical regions of China. Here, we determined the [...] Read more.
Paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) is currently an invasive species on several continents. However, little is known about whether paper mulberry has a competitive advantage over its surrounding trees in its native distribution range, subtropical regions of China. Here, we determined the relative intraspecific and interspecific competitive capacity of paper mulberry in three subtropical deciduous broad-leaved forests using the indices of structural diversity including the mixing index, the tree–tree interval index, and the diameter/height differentiation index. It was found that more than 80% of mingling index values were not greater than 0.25, suggesting a stronger competitiveness of paper mulberry relative to other tree species. The tree–tree interval index values ranged between 1 m and 2 m, suggesting a strong competition between paper mulberry and its neighbors. Moreover, more than 60% of the height differentiation index and diameter differentiation index values were positive, suggesting that the reference paper mulberry had a slight competitive advantage over neighboring trees in both the horizontal and vertical planes. These collectively suggest a competitive advantage over other tree species in the native distribution range, which may play a significant role in the ecological invasion of paper mulberry. Our findings not only help to reveal the invasion mechanism of paper mulberry, but also provide an important reference for the management and utilization of paper mulberry in invaded areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biology, Ecology and Management of Invasive Alien Plants)
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12 pages, 2204 KiB  
Article
Spatial Patterns of Frangula alnus (Rosales: Rhamnaceae): Implications for Invasive Plant Management
by Jennifer Greenleaf, Roghaiyeh Karimzadeh and Yong-Lak Park
Biology 2023, 12(11), 1393; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12111393 - 01 Nov 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 914
Abstract
Glossy buckthorn (Frangula alnus) (Rosales: Rhamnaceae) is an invasive shrub from Europe that has been invading North America for over a century and threatening native vegetation in open and disturbed habitats. The treatment of F. alnus is currently restricted to the [...] Read more.
Glossy buckthorn (Frangula alnus) (Rosales: Rhamnaceae) is an invasive shrub from Europe that has been invading North America for over a century and threatening native vegetation in open and disturbed habitats. The treatment of F. alnus is currently restricted to the roadside, suggesting any individual F. alnus residing within the forest would be left unmanaged and would continue to spread in the area. This research was conducted to determine the spatial patterns and relationship of F. alnus with forest roads. The presence and density of F. alnus at 1412 sample points were recorded on four sites in the Allegheny National Forest, Pennsylvania, USA. Buffer analyses were conducted along roads to determine the relationship between F. alnus density and proximity to forest roads. Geostatistics and spatial analysis by distance indices (SADIE) were used to characterize the spatial pattern of F. alnus. Results of this study showed that F. alnus was spatially aggregated and resided beyond forest roads. Both the density and presence of F. alnus decreased as the distance from the forest road increased. These results imply the potential for precision management of F. alnus by locating and managing only where F. alnus presents. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biology, Ecology and Management of Invasive Alien Plants)
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12 pages, 1385 KiB  
Article
Effects of Clipping an Invasive Plant Species on the Growth of Planted Plants of Two Co-Occurring Species in a Greenhouse Study
by Xiaoqi Ye, Jinliu Meng, Ruixiang Ma and Ming Wu
Biology 2023, 12(10), 1282; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12101282 - 26 Sep 2023
Viewed by 813
Abstract
The restoration of native plants in invaded habitats is constrained with the presence of highly competitive exotic species. Aboveground removal, such as clipping or mowing, of invasive plants is required for successful restoration. The effects of clipping an invasive plant species, Solidago canadensis [...] Read more.
The restoration of native plants in invaded habitats is constrained with the presence of highly competitive exotic species. Aboveground removal, such as clipping or mowing, of invasive plants is required for successful restoration. The effects of clipping an invasive plant species, Solidago canadensis, grown at five densities (1–5 plants per pot), and planting two co-occurring and competitive species, Sesbania cannabina and Imperata cylindrica, on the growth of both the invasive species and the co-occurring species were investigated in a greenhouse experiment. The established S. canadensis suppressed the growth of planted seedlings with 47.8–94.4% reduction in biomass, with stronger effects at higher densities; clipping significantly reduced 97.5–97.4% of biomass of S. canadensis and ameliorated the suppression effects (with only 8.7–52.7% reduction in biomass of the co-occurring plants), irrespective of density. Both the aboveground and belowground part of S. canadensis contributed to its suppression effects on planted co-occurring species. Seed sowing of co-occurring species reduced the belowground growth, but not the underground growth of S. canadensis. S. cannabina appeared to be more effective at reducing the growth of S. canadensis than I. cylindrica. Therefore, clipping together with planting competitive species that can overcome the belowground priority effects of S. canadensis could be a promising strategy for controlling S. canadensis invasion and restoring native plant communities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biology, Ecology and Management of Invasive Alien Plants)
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