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Biodiversity Management and Conservation: Exploring the Dynamics of Alien and...
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Biodiversity Management and Conservation: Exploring the Dynamics of Alien and Native Plant Species

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2025) | Viewed by 10321

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Carmelo Maria Musarella

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Guest Editor
Department of Agraria, Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria, 89124 Reggio Calabria, RC, Italy
Interests: botany; flora; vegetation; habitat; landscape; forests; botanical garden; parks; green cities; mangrove; Quercus; Pinus; Juniperus; Dominican Republic; Cuba
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Ricardo Quinto Canas

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
Interests: botany; vegetation; plant communities; plant ecology; conservation biology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Ana Cano-Ortíz

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Didactics of Experimental, Social and Mathematical Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Interests: agroecosystem; bioindicators; edaphology; alien species; sustainable management; phytocenosis; plant community
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Catarina Isabel Rodrigues Meireles

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
MED-Institute of Mediterranean Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Évora, Évora, Portugal
Interests: ecological restoration; nature-based solutions for agricultural lands
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue invites the exploration of the intricate tapestry of biodiversity, focusing on the interaction between alien and native species. Between unending novelties and challenges, this new Special Issue delves into dynamic relationships, shedding light on the ecological, evolutionary, and phytosociological implications of these interactions. By analyzing both positive contributions and potential critical issues, this Special Issue aims to deepen our understanding of how these species shape and challenge existing ecosystems.

Dr. Carmelo Maria Musarella
Dr. Ricardo Quinto Canas
Dr. Ana Cano-Ortíz
Dr. Catarina Isabel Rodrigues Meireles
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

  • flora
  • vegetation
  • phytochemical
  • management strategies
  • invasive alien species (IAS)
  • plant diversity
  • species distribution models (SDMs)

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

23 pages, 3891 KiB  
Article
Biodiversity Dynamics in a Ramsar Wetland: Assessing How Climate and Hydrology Shape the Distribution of Dominant Native and Alien Macrophytes
by Fabio A. Labra and Eduardo Jaramillo
Plants 2025, 14(7), 1116; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14071116 - 3 Apr 2025
Viewed by 452
Abstract
Coastal wetlands provide critical ecological services but are threatened by the human, climatic, and hydrological changes impacting these ecosystems. Several key ecosystem services and functions rely on aquatic macrophyte plant species. We integrate 10 years of seasonal monitoring data (2014–2024) and climatic and [...] Read more.
Coastal wetlands provide critical ecological services but are threatened by the human, climatic, and hydrological changes impacting these ecosystems. Several key ecosystem services and functions rely on aquatic macrophyte plant species. We integrate 10 years of seasonal monitoring data (2014–2024) and climatic and hydrological datasets to assess how environmental variability influences two dominant aquatic macrophytes—the invasive and non-indigenous Elodea densa Planch. Casp. (Hydrocharitaceae) and the native Schoenoplectus californicus (C.A.Mey.) Soják—in Chile’s first Ramsar site, Carlos Anwandter, and a Nature Sanctuary. We modeled suitable habitat areas using MaxEnt software with Landsat 8 spectral bands and indices as predictive layers. We found significant recent decreases in temperature, river flow, and water level, with a nonsignificant shift in precipitation. We also observed marked spatial and temporal fluctuations in areas with suitable habitat areas for both macrophytes. Stepwise regression analyses indicated that Elodea densa expanded with increasing temperature over time but declined with water level variability. Schoenoplectus californicus showed contrasting effects, declining with rising temperature and water levels but expanding with higher precipitation. These findings emphasize the complexity of coastal wetland ecosystems under environmental stress and climate change and the need for further research for the conservation and management of coastal wetlands along migratory flyways such as the Southeastern Pacific Flyway. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity Management and Conservation: Exploring the Dynamics of Alien and Native Plant Species)
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15 pages, 2964 KiB  
Article
Do Faster-Growing Holoparasitic Plant Species Exhibit Broader Niches and Wider Global Distributions?
by Quanzhong Zhang and Jinming Hu
Plants 2025, 14(6), 831; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14060831 - 7 Mar 2025
Viewed by 467
Abstract
Parasitic organisms, as an important component of ecosystems, have long been a focal point in ecological research, particularly concerning the relationship between their growth characteristics, ecological niche, and distribution patterns. This study selects the holoparasitic plant species Cuscuta campestris Yunck., Cuscuta australis R.Br., [...] Read more.
Parasitic organisms, as an important component of ecosystems, have long been a focal point in ecological research, particularly concerning the relationship between their growth characteristics, ecological niche, and distribution patterns. This study selects the holoparasitic plant species Cuscuta campestris Yunck., Cuscuta australis R.Br., and Cuscuta chinensis Lam. from the Cuscuta subgenus Grammica as model species to explore the relationship between the growth rate, ecological niche breadth, and global distribution patterns of parasitic plants. Through greenhouse experiments and data analysis, the main findings of this study indicate a strong positive correlation between the growth rate, ecological niche breadth, number of global occurrence points, and global distribution area for C. campestris, C. australis, and C. chinensis. The significant correlation between growth rate and ecological niche breadth suggests that the intrinsic growth characteristics of parasitic plants may significantly influence their realized ecological niche. Furthermore, the experimental results show that when C. campestris, C. australis, and C. chinensis parasitize non-native hosts from the Americas, they produce greater biomass than when parasitizing native hosts from China. In conclusion, this study provides new support for ecological theories regarding species adaptability, distribution patterns, and environmental influences, and offers directions for future research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity Management and Conservation: Exploring the Dynamics of Alien and Native Plant Species)
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19 pages, 3815 KiB  
Article
Seed Traits and Germination of Invasive Plant Solanum rostratum (Solanaceae) in the Arid Zone of Northern China Indicate Invasion Patterns
by Hailun Yu, Runxia Zhang, Wenda Huang, Wei Liu, Jin Zhan, Ruixiong Wang, Xueyong Zhao and Qi Feng
Plants 2024, 13(23), 3287; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13233287 - 22 Nov 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 980
Abstract
The ability of seeds to germinate under a wide range of environmental conditions is an important characteristic of invasive alien plant species. Solanum rostratum Dunal, has been widely distributed in the Northeast and Northwest of China and is causing huge damage to the [...] Read more.
The ability of seeds to germinate under a wide range of environmental conditions is an important characteristic of invasive alien plant species. Solanum rostratum Dunal, has been widely distributed in the Northeast and Northwest of China and is causing huge damage to the local agricultural production. Studies on seed germination and response among populations to environmental stress may assist in revealing the adaptability of invasive plants and how they cope with climate change. In this study, we collected seeds from five invasive plant populations of S. rostratum, with intervals of over 3000 km between them, distributed in different habitats and climate zones. We measured the differences in seed traits between populations and studied the trends in germination responses of S. rostratum seeds under diverse abiotic stress conditions. The weight and size of S. rostratum seeds distributed in Northeast China were significantly greater than those distributed in Northwest China; for the response of S. rostratum seed germination to environmental factors, seeds from arid and extremely arid areas of Northwest China had greater tolerance to high temperatures and osmotic stress, while seeds from semi-arid areas of Northeast China were more sensitive to low temperatures and high salt stress. Overall, the germination of S. rostratum seeds responded differently to various environmental stress factors, reflecting the ability of S. rostratum to occupy germination sites under low resource competition. Given the rapid changes in the global climate, our findings provide new insights into the seed adaptation strategies of alien plants during the invasion process and the mechanisms involved. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity Management and Conservation: Exploring the Dynamics of Alien and Native Plant Species)
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13 pages, 2125 KiB  
Article
An Investigation of the Magnitude of the Role of Different Plant Species in Grassland Communities on Species Diversity, China
by Miaomiao Li, Mao Ye, Yinjuan Li, Guoyan Zeng, Weilong Chen, Xiaoting Pan, Qingzhi He and Xi Zhang
Plants 2024, 13(11), 1567; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13111567 - 6 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 960
Abstract
In this study, we selected four grassland plots in Altai forest area and used the field survey method of “two-valued occurrence” to obtain the occurrence data of each plant species in the plots so as to calculate the species diversity index value of [...] Read more.
In this study, we selected four grassland plots in Altai forest area and used the field survey method of “two-valued occurrence” to obtain the occurrence data of each plant species in the plots so as to calculate the species diversity index value of the community as a whole and the species diversity index value of each plant species not present in the community and to make use of the difference between these two diversity indices to determine the role of each plant species in the overall species diversity of the community. The difference between these two diversity indices was used to investigate the role of each plant species in the overall species diversity of the community. The results show the following: (1) In the grassland of the Altai forest area in Xinjiang, Asteraceae, Poaceae, Fabaceae, Polygonaceae, and Rosaceae are the dominant families, among which the genera Puccinellia Parl, Taraxacum, Pharbitis, Lactuca, Geranium, and Alchemilla are the dominant genera. (2) The plant species with the greatest contribution to species diversity in the four grassland samples was not the first dominant species of the community, but rather the plant species whose dominance was in the second to sixth position. (3) The first dominant species was overwhelmingly dominant in the four sample plots, and it served to increase the overall diversity of the community. (4) The overall trend in the size of the role of species in diversity is unimodal, i.e., logarithmically increasing to a maximum as species dominance decreases and then exponentially or linearly decreasing and eventually converging to zero. The synthesis showed that it was not the first dominant species that played the largest role in species diversity in the different grassland communities and that the overwhelmingly dominant species reduced the species diversity of the community. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity Management and Conservation: Exploring the Dynamics of Alien and Native Plant Species)
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17 pages, 10223 KiB  
Article
Conservation of the Rare and Endangered Vascular Plants in the Mining and Tourism Area: Khibiny Mountains, Murmansk Region, Russia
by Eugene A. Borovichev, Mikhail N. Kozhin, Natalia E. Koroleva, Olga V. Petrova, Diana R. Akhmerova and Maria V. Shulina
Plants 2024, 13(9), 1180; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13091180 - 23 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1916
Abstract
The Khibiny Mountains (hereafter called Khibiny Mts.) are one of the most urbanized and industrialized regions in the Russian Arctic. There are combined a developed mining complex, elaborate infrastructure, a well-known tourist resort, and a large population, all amidst an exceptionally rich biodiversity [...] Read more.
The Khibiny Mountains (hereafter called Khibiny Mts.) are one of the most urbanized and industrialized regions in the Russian Arctic. There are combined a developed mining complex, elaborate infrastructure, a well-known tourist resort, and a large population, all amidst an exceptionally rich biodiversity of plants. In this study, we analyzed the current knowledge of the spatial distribution of rare and endangered vascular plants and vegetation and the impacts of human activities on these ecosystems. Approximately 28% of the protected vascular plant species in the Murmansk Region were registered within the confines of the Khibiny Mts. In particular, although only a handful of protected species had a widespread presence, most rare species were confined to the southern reaches of the mountain range, with only a select few extending into other parts. Papaver lapponicum was the only species that thrived across the entire territory, including industrial areas. The studied territory contained nine specially protected areas spanning 123,220 hectares. Nature monuments adjacent to mining sites and urban centers play an important role in preserving regional biodiversity. However, the expansion of the mining industry, alongside deforestation and wildfires, poses considerable threats to the biodiversity of the Khibiny Mts. A comprehensive biodiversity conservation strategy implemented in this region balances the local and expansive territorial protection of rare species and habitats, ensuring environmental preservation while facilitating social and economic progress, a noteworthy example of environmental protection in the Arctic. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity Management and Conservation: Exploring the Dynamics of Alien and Native Plant Species)
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44 pages, 1432 KiB  
Article
New Alien Plant Taxa for Italy and Europe: An Update
by Carmelo Maria Musarella, Valentina Lucia Astrid Laface, Claudia Angiolini, Gianluigi Bacchetta, Enrico Bajona, Enrico Banfi, Giulio Barone, Nello Biscotti, Daniele Bonsanto, Giacomo Calvia, Salvatore Cambria, Alberto Capuano, Giuseppe Caruso, Alessandro Crisafulli, Emanuele Del Guacchio, Emilio Di Gristina, Gianniantonio Domina, Emanuele Fanfarillo, Simonetta Fascetti, Tiberio Fiaschi, Gabriele Galasso, Francesco Mascia, Giuliana Mazzacuva, Giacomo Mei, Pietro Minissale, Riccardo Motti, Enrico Vito Perrino, Rosa Maria Picone, Lorenzo Pinzani, Lina Podda, Giovanna Potenza, Leonardo Rosati, Adriano Stinca, Gianmarco Tavilla, Clizia Villano, Robert Philipp Wagensommer and Giovanni Spampinatoadd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
Plants 2024, 13(5), 620; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13050620 - 24 Feb 2024
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4524
Abstract
Despite the wide amount of scientific contributions published on alien plant species, their diffusion dynamics, and their interactions with native taxa, it is increasingly difficult to slow down their spreading and their negative impact on habitats. Last recent years, in fact, a sharp [...] Read more.
Despite the wide amount of scientific contributions published on alien plant species, their diffusion dynamics, and their interactions with native taxa, it is increasingly difficult to slow down their spreading and their negative impact on habitats. Last recent years, in fact, a sharp rise in the number of new alien plant taxa introduced in Italy and Europe has been recorded. The aim of this work is to investigate most of the Italian territory in order to verify whether this alarming trend is still underway. Specimen collections and/or observations of alien plants have been performed in as many as 12 Italian regions. All the collected specimens are stored in public or private herbaria. Taxa have been identified according to the literature from the countries of origin of the investigated taxa, while the nomenclature followed the current international references. Updates on 106 taxa are reported. In particular, among 117 new records, 89 are first records, 27 are changes to status and there is 1 extinction. Seven new taxa for Italian alien flora are reported, two of which are new to Europe. The administrative regions with the highest number of records are Calabria (48), Sardegna (17) and Sicilia (15). Five of the surveyed taxa, for the first time, have been considered invasive aliens to Italian territory. The unfrequent amount of original results provided by this work, over the simple importance of data itself, proves how floristic investigation, still today, represents one of the most effective tools in broadening the current knowledge about alien taxa and their dynamics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity Management and Conservation: Exploring the Dynamics of Alien and Native Plant Species)
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