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Emerging Alien Species and Their Invasion Processes

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A special issue of Diversity (ISSN 1424-2818). This special issue belongs to the section "Biodiversity Loss & Dynamics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2024 | Viewed by 6689

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Thabiso Michael Mokotjomela

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Guest Editor

South Africa National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), Free State National Botanical Gardens, P.O. Box 29036, Danhof, Bloemfontein 9310, South Africa
Interests: biological invasions; conservation ecology; environmental sustainability research; exotic plants; protected area biodiversity management; South African biodiversity economic sector

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Invasions of alien species into ecosystems can have important ecological and economic consequences. Some estimates suggest that invasive species are the second greatest threat to biological diversity worldwide and cost billions of dollars economically. Although invasion processes and the intentional or unintentional anthropogenically supported establishment of biota in a new ecosystem have occurred for centuries, the relevance of invasion processes is still increasing, with the rapidly evolving functional connectivity, due to globalisation. Therefore, the numbers of alien species are increasing at an alarming rate globally.

Current trends suggest that predictive models can help the development of management strategies that match the rate change in the spread and associated impacts. Additionally, ecological approaches can provide helpful information on the relationship between alien invasions and biological responses; comparative research between invaders and closely related native species can reveal functional traits involved in the invasion success.

In this Special Issue, we invite the submission of contributions that address the emerging alien species’ issues in various ecosystems from natural resources conservation, social dimensions, management and control, including specific interactions, adaptation, patterns of introduction and expansion, responses of natural systems and their functions, and services, etc. Studies presenting case studies at different spatial scales—national regional, continental and global— are most appreciated if they are supported by reliable data sets and are underpinned by accurate scientific protocols.

Dr. Thabiso Michael Mokotjomela
Guest Editor

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. Diversity 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 2600 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

invasive species
ecological restoration
biodiversity conservation
ecosystem services
biological invasions
invasive species impacts
invasion resistance
community stability

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 1747 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Low Resource Competition, Availability of Nutrients and Water Level Fluctuations Facilitate Invasions of Australian Swamp Stonecrop (Crassula helmsii)

by Hein H. van Kleef, Janneke M. M. van der Loop and Laura S. van Veenhuisen

Diversity 2024, 16(3), 172; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16030172 - 07 Mar 2024

Viewed by 734

Abstract

Australian swamp stonecrop (Crassula helmsii (Kirk) Cockayne) is invasive in Western Europe. Its small size and high potential for regeneration make it difficult to eliminate. Short-term experiments have demonstrated that the growth of C. helmsii depends on nutrient availability and resource competition. In order to confirm those mechanisms in the field, we studied the abundance of C. helmsii in Northern Europe over a longer period of time in relation to nutrient availability and co-occurring plant communities and plant species. C. helmsii impacted native species mainly by limiting their abundance. The native plant species present indicated that previous or periodic elevated nutrient availability were likely responsible for the proliferation of C. helmsii. When growing in submerged conditions, the dominance of C. helmsii depended on a high availability of CO₂. A series of exceptionally dry summers allowed C. helmsii to increase in cover due to weakened biotic resistance and a loss of carbon limitation. Only Littorella uniflora (L.) Asch. and Juncus effusus L. were able to remain dominant and continue to provide biotic resistance. Based on our findings, minimizing nutrient (C and N) availability and optimizing hydrology provides native species with stable growth conditions. This optimizes resource competition and may prevent the proliferation of C. helmsii. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Alien Species and Their Invasion Processes)

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15 pages, 4750 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Potential of Foraging Chacma Baboons (Papio ursinus) to Disperse Seeds of Alien and Invasive Plant Species in the Amathole Forest in Hogsback in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

by Lwandiso Pamla, Loyd R. Vukeya and Thabiso M. Mokotjomela

Diversity 2024, 16(3), 168; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16030168 - 06 Mar 2024

Viewed by 1089

Abstract

The invasion of alien and invasive plants into the threatened Amathole Forest in Hogsback, Eastern Cape Province (South Africa) is an emerging priority conservation issue. The objective of this pilot study was to document and compare the foraging visits of two chacma baboon (Papio ursinus) troops in their natural and human habitats and their foraging behavioural activities to understand their potential to disperse ingested alien seeds in Hogsback. We also estimated the number of seeds per faecal sample collected from the foraging trails of the two troops of baboons, and determined potential dispersal distances using allometric equations. Since the focal troops used preferred sleeping and foraging sites, we predicted that these sites would have a high concentration of propagules. We applied the normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) to discern possible vegetation cover changes. Overall, the two chacma baboon troops showed a similar number of daily foraging visits, although they preferred to forage more in human-modified than natural habitats. Their feeding and moving activities were significantly greater than other activities recorded during the study. There were significant differences in the numbers of seeds of six different fruiting plant species: 82.2 ± 13.3% (n = 284) for Acacia mearnsii; 78.9 ± 12.1% (n = 231) for Pinus patula, and 64.0 ± 20.0% (n = 108) for Solanum mauritianum. The two baboon troops could transport about 445 536 seeds from the six focal fruiting plant species considered in this study. Baboons’ seed dispersal distances were long at > 5 km per daily foraging activity. The NVDI vegetation cover analysis (i.e., 1978–2023) shows that the dense vegetation cover expanded by 80.9 ha, while the moderate and sparse vegetation cover collectively decreased by 10.3 ha. Although the seed dispersal pattern was neither clumped nor displayed any recognisable pattern, against our prediction, the number of faecal samples containing alien seeds and the observed foraging movement patterns suggest that chacma baboons disperse alien plant seeds that may establish and facilitate the deterioration of the natural forest. Further quantitative studies investigating the diversity of the plant species dispersed, their germination rates after ingestion by baboons, and their seasonal patterns are required to understand the baboon seed dispersal systems in the Amathole forests of Hogsback. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Alien Species and Their Invasion Processes)

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12 pages, 953 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Efficacy of Giant River Prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii in Controlling the Invasive Snail Pomacea canaliculata: Implications for Ecological Farming

by Yingying Wang, Yixiang Zhang, He Lv and Qiang Sheng

Diversity 2023, 15(9), 1001; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15091001 - 07 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1154

Abstract

The invasive golden apple snail Pomacea canaliculata has a strong reproductive capacity and has rapidly spread in Asian countries. Current control methods include physical, chemical, and biological approaches, but there has been limited research on the control of P. canaliculata in its different life stages. This study assessed the effectiveness of using giant river prawns Macrobrachium rosenbergii in controlling juveniles of P. canaliculata through a controlled indoor experiment. The density, size, and dispersal range of recently hatched juvenile snails were significantly lower among those kept with prawns than those kept without prawns, indicating a control effect of M. rosenbergii at least on P. canaliculata juveniles. Furthermore, the study speculates on the potential application of M. rosenbergii in the context of a rice–prawn symbiotic system of ecological farming to control invasive P. canaliculata. In terms of effectiveness and safety, its application might lead to a win-win situation for both rice-farm profits and the ecological benefits of invasive species control. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Alien Species and Their Invasion Processes)

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15 pages, 3499 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Invasibility of Common Plant Community Types of the Middle Urals

by Denis V. Veselkin, Natalya V. Zolotareva, Denis I. Dubrovin, Elena N. Podgaevskaya, Liliya A. Pustovalova and Anastasia A. Korzhinevskaya

Diversity 2023, 15(9), 955; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15090955 - 24 Aug 2023

Viewed by 728

Abstract

This paper specifies the invasibility of common plant community types in the natural habitats of the Middle Urals. Invasibility was defined as the vulnerability of a community to alien plant species invasions, regardless of the conditions in which the community existed. We analyzed 749 vegetation relevés made in natural bogs, floodplains, rocky grasslands, meadows, and forest communities. We surveyed urban and non-urban habitats (30–40 km from the city). Invasibility was calculated in two different ways based on two parameters: the number and proportion of alien species in the relevé. These invasibility parameters are widely applicable and comparable, scale-independent, measurable, and reliable, based on data that do not require the destruction of ecosystems or biota and are based on available data. Based on the invasibility degree, we identified three community-type groups with two subgroups in one group. In ascending order of invasibility degree, the community types were arranged as follows: (1) bogs with and without trees; (2a) coniferous forests; grass communities in floodplains; (2b) deciduous forests, coniferous plantations, floodplain communities with woody plants; and (3) dry meadows and rocky grasslands. Obtained results of the assessment of different plant community invasibility may be used to understand patterns of alien plant distribution in local habitats and the reasons for the different vulnerability of communities to plant invasions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Alien Species and Their Invasion Processes)

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13 pages, 2559 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Alien Freshwater Turtles in Greece: Citizen Science Reveals the Hydra-Headed Issue of the Pet Turtle Trade

by Konstantinos Kalaentzis, Christos Kazilas, Ilias Strachinis, Elias Tzoras and Petros Lymberakis

Diversity 2023, 15(5), 691; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15050691 - 20 May 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1558

Abstract

Citizen science is emerging as a powerful tool for the early detection of biological invasions. The exotic pet trade has been deemed as the most significant cause of establishment for reptiles, and among them, turtles have the highest number of introduction events. In Europe, at least 13 species of alien freshwater turtles have been recorded in the wild. In Greece, only two species of alien turtles have been reported, namely the American pond slider Trachemys scripta and the Florida cooter Pseudemys floridana. In this study, we provide an updated checklist of the alien freshwater turtles recorded in Greece, using citizen science, personal observations, and literature. Our results provide the first records for the country of five species, namely the Florida red-bellied cooter Pseudemys nelsoni, the Eastern river cooter Pseudemys concinna, the Chinese stripe-necked turtle Mauremys sinensis, the Chinese soft-shelled turtle Pelodiscus sinensis, and the Common snapping turtle Chelydra serpentina and new localities for T. scripta. Similar to the myth of the Lernaean Hydra (i.e., for every head chopped off, more would regrow), the pet turtle trade has been proven to have multiple heads. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Alien Species and Their Invasion Processes)

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Review

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15 pages, 1538 KiB

Open AccessReview

Ecological Traits and Socio-Economic Impacts of the Alien Invader Weed Parthenium hysterophorus L. in South Africa’s Rangeland Ecosystems: A Review

by Makuété A. P. Tiawoun, Pieter W. Malan, Moleseng C. Moshobane, Luambo J. Ramarumo, Alvino A. Comole and Kubendran K. Naidoo

Diversity 2024, 16(4), 205; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16040205 - 28 Mar 2024

Viewed by 805

Abstract

Parthenium hysterophorus L. (Asteraceae), commonly known as famine weed in South Africa, is one of the most invasive weeds worldwide, accountable for losses to biodiversity, agriculture, the economy, and the health of livestock and human beings. The spread of this weed is not easy to manage or reverse. With globalization, trade, and human movement, it will continue to spread, allowing its range to expand into new areas. This weed has serious adverse effects on rangeland and agricultural crop production. Because of its unique characteristics, its invasiveness and competitive success rates are attributed to its high reproductive ability, fast growth rate, tolerance to environmental stresses, climate change adaptability, allelopathic potential, and unpalatability to animals. Parthenium hysterophorus dominates diverse habitats by spreading quickly as a contaminant of grain and other crop products and through farm machinery. It is widely distributed and has become problematic in various countries, including South Africa. It has successfully invaded several provinces in the country since its introduction in 1880. Since plant invasions are not universal, this study aimed to review research that has been conducted on the aggressive weed P. hysterophorus to understand the ecological characteristics that enable its successful establishment, the economic costs associated with its detrimental impacts, and to briefly assess knowledge gaps to improve its management strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Alien Species and Their Invasion Processes)

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