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Plant Invasions and Their Interactions with the Environment

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 August 2026 | Viewed by 8506

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Junmin Li

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Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation, Taizhou University, Taizhou 318000, China
Interests: biological invasions; evolution; rapid adaptation; soil feedback; climate change
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Prof. Dr. Daolin Du

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Institute of Environment and Ecology, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
Interests: microbial ecology; microbial response or effect; microbial interaction; structure and function of microbial communities; plant-microbial interaction; microorganism diversity and function; rhizosphere; endophyte; pollution microbiology; sulfur cycle; carbon cycle microorganism; sediment microbiology
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Prof. Dr. Dalva Maria da Silva Matos

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Departamento de Hidrobiologia, UFSCar, São Carlos, SP, Brasil
Interests: plant ecology; plant conservation; plant invasion
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the context of global environmental change, biological invasions have emerged as a critical challenge that threatens socio-economic development, ecological security, and environmental sustainability. Contemporary research reveals complex two-way interaction mechanisms between biological invasions and global environmental change. In particular, biological invasions may not only passively respond to the impacts of global change but also actively drive environmental change through cascading effects, especially in ecologically fragile areas under increasing double pressure from climate change and invasive species.

The intertwined dynamics behind environmental drivers and biological responses are fundamentally reshaping ecosystem trajectories. Synergistic interactions between abiotic and biotic factors—such as sustained temperature increases, increased water scarcity, increased herbivory pressure, and increased microplastic pollution—often amplify ecological impacts through positive feedback loops. This multidimensional convergence of environmental stressors not only disrupts ecosystem homeostasis but also poses a serious threat to biodiversity conservation, potentially triggering the irreversible degradation of key ecosystem services. An in-depth understanding of these complex interaction mechanisms has important scientific implications for the construction of ecological security frameworks and the development of adaptive management strategies. However, we still lack a predictive understanding of successful plant invasions and their interactions with the abiotic and biotic environment.

This Special Issue will include selected papers reporting on successful plant invasions and their interactions with the abiotic and biotic environment. We welcome conceptual or empirical papers focusing on any taxa on any spatial scale (from local to global).

Prof. Dr. Junmin Li
Prof. Dr. Daolin Du
Prof. Dr. Dalva Maria da Silva Matos
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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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

invasive plants
native plants
interactive effect
adaptive evolution
allelopathy
interspecific competition
abiotic stress
biotic factors
global climate change
warming
microplastic
emerging pollutants
extreme weather

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 1093 KB

Open AccessArticle

Responses of Invasive Plants from Different Families to Warming and Drought

by Yu Zhang, Yu Tian and Xiaochen Zhao

Plants 2026, 15(7), 1018; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15071018 - 26 Mar 2026

Viewed by 501

Abstract

Climate warming and drought often co-occur to form warm–dry climate patterns. However, systematic comparative studies of the responses of invasive plants from different families to their combined effects remain limited. We conducted a greenhouse experiment to investigate the interactive effects of warm (normal vs. warming) and drought (well-watered vs. drought) conditions on the growth, root traits, and competitive performance of 11 invasive plant species from three families (Amaranthaceae, Poaceae, and Asteraceae) growing in competition with native communities. Our results showed that warming did not significantly increase the total biomass of all invasive species combined but significantly promoted biomass accumulation in Poaceae and Asteraceae. Drought consistently reduced the biomass across all invasive species. Notably, a marginally significant interaction effect of warm and drought conditions on the biomass proportion of Amaranthaceae was detected. Specifically, under normal conditions, drought increased the biomass proportion of Amaranthaceae species, whereas under the warming treatment, drought decreased it. Furthermore, root traits of invasive species exhibited clear family level differentiation. Poaceae adopted an expansion strategy by increasing root length and root surface area under warming treatment, Amaranthaceae exhibited a contraction strategy by reducing root investment under drought treatment, and Asteraceae displayed an efficient strategy with increased specific root length under drought treatment. Except for the biomass proportion of Amaranthaceae, no significant interactive effects were found for most other parameters, indicating that the combined effects of warming and drought were primarily additive. Our results revealed that warm, dry climates influence invasive plants in a taxon-specific manner, with different families employing distinct root trait adjustment strategies in response to environmental stress. These findings highlight the importance of family level comparative studies for predicting invasion dynamics and developing targeted management strategies for future climate scenarios. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Invasions and Their Interactions with the Environment)

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19 pages, 5694 KB

Open AccessArticle

Cultural Methods for the Control of the Invasive Japanese Stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum) in Stream Restoration

by Robert A. Sullivan and Douglas A. DeBerry

Plants 2026, 15(3), 477; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15030477 - 3 Feb 2026

Viewed by 575

Abstract

Microstegium vimineum (Japanese stiltgrass) is one of the most invasive plant species in the eastern United States, posing a consistent problem to practitioners working in stream restoration and often necessitating treatment using non-selective herbicides to reduce invasion. Herbicide use frequently results in collateral damage to desirable native species and can lead to reinvasion after treatment. This study evaluated alternatives to herbicide referred to collectively as cultural controls, the use of which draws conceptually from the interaction of stress and disturbance in plant communities that predicts reduced invasion and increased competitive success of native species with higher levels of environmental stress. We tested several preventative cultural approaches, including (intended stressor in parentheses): (1) canopy shade (light limitation), (2) sawdust soil amendments (short-term nitrogen limitation), (3) wood mulch soil amendments (longer-term nitrogen limitation), and (4) double seeding rates (native species competition), as well as a combination of these treatments. Over a two-year field study within a restored stream corridor, we found that high carbon: nitrogen ratio soil amendments such as sawdust were the most effective at attenuating M. vimineum invasion and that shade promoted native species competition with this invader. Our results suggest a set of best practices that stream restoration practitioners could consider during the design and construction phases of a stream restoration project, particularly on sites with increased risk of M. vimineum incursion. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Invasions and Their Interactions with the Environment)

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18 pages, 2920 KB

Open AccessArticle

Volatile Organic Compound Emissions in the Invasive Legume Cytisus scoparius: Linking Plant Phenology, Arthropod Communities, and Environmental Factors

by Evans Effah, Paul G. Peterson, D. Paul Barrett and Andrea Clavijo McCormick

Plants 2026, 15(1), 95; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15010095 - 28 Dec 2025

Viewed by 1205

Abstract

Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius; Fabaceae) is an invasive nitrogen-fixing shrub widespread in New Zealand, where it impacts forestry, pasturelands, and native ecosystems. Although several biological control agents have been released, Scotch broom continues to expand in regions such as the North Island’s Central Plateau. Scotch broom affects the germination and growth of other plants and modifies arthropod communities (including pollinators, herbivores, and predators) within its invaded range. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) play a key role in mediating plant–plant and plant–arthropod interactions, potentially contributing to this invasive plant’s ecological success. However, Scotch broom’s VOC emissions in its invaded ranges remain poorly understood. We examined VOC emissions from flowering and non-flowering Scotch broom plants in the Central Plateau and assessed links with biotic and abiotic factors. Our aims were to (1) characterise differences in VOCs between phenological stages; (2) explore shifts in arthropod community composition; and (3) evaluate correlations between VOC emissions, arthropod groups and environmental variables. Flowering plants had higher diversity and abundance of VOCs, with blends dominated by monoterpenes, aromatics, and fatty acid esters, whereas non-flowering plants were characterised by green leaf volatiles (GLVs). Flowering stages supported Hemiptera and Thysanoptera (herbivores), which were positively correlated with fatty acid esters. In contrast, GLVs correlated with Araneae (predators) abundance. Temperature was the strongest predictor of VOC emission patterns, showing significant correlation with most compound classes. These results advance understanding of Scotch broom invasion ecology and highlight the need to further explore individual compounds potentially influencing arthropod composition to inform both native arthropods conservation and future biocontrol strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Invasions and Their Interactions with the Environment)

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16 pages, 1137 KB

Open AccessArticle

Functional Traits of Native Plant Species That Inhibit the Seedling Growth of the Exotic Invader Solidago canadensis

by Ruixiang Ma, Jili Liang, Keyi Zuo, Ming Wu and Xiaoqi Ye

Plants 2025, 14(17), 2806; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14172806 - 8 Sep 2025

Viewed by 1294

Abstract

Rising biological invasions continue to threaten biodiversity conservation worldwide. To protect native ecosystems and biodiversity, improve resilience against invasions, and lower ecological management costs, it is crucial to identify native plant species that can endure the competitive pressures from invasive plants. This greenhouse study examined the competition between Solidago canadensis and 32 native plant species to identify key functional traits of these native plant species that influence their competitive effects on and responses to S. canadensis. The results indicated that S. canadensis seedlings were unable to suppress the growth of most of the native species studied, while most native species could significantly suppress growth of S. canadensis, reducing its biomass by 12–92%. The suppression effects by native plants were closely related to their root functional traits. Specifically, annuals with higher root–shoot ratio, specific root lengths, stem biomass, plant height by day 10, and smaller number of root tips showed stronger inhibition of S. canadensis. On the other hand, perennials with smaller average root diameter, or greater root biomass and plant heights by day 60, were also more inhibitory towards S. canadensis. This study concluded that the competitive effect of seedlings of S. canadensis have weaker competitive impacts compared to most the studied native plants. Root traits are essential in the competition between native plants and S. canadensis, potentially aiding in the identification of native plant species with high resistance to invasion. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Invasions and Their Interactions with the Environment)

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18 pages, 4116 KB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Habitat Suitability for the Invasive Vine Sicyos angulatus Under Current and Future Climate Change Scenarios

by Cui Xiao, Ji Ye, Haibo Zhang, Yonghui Qin, Ruihuan Yan, Guanghao Xu and Haili Zhou

Plants 2025, 14(17), 2745; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14172745 - 2 Sep 2025

Viewed by 1403

Abstract

Sicyos angulatus L. is a rapidly spreading invasive alien vine that threatens natural and agricultural ecosystems globally. We collected occurrence data from 4886 sites and applied the maximum entropy (MaxEnt) model to assess current and future habitat suitability for S. angulatus. Future climate conditions were represented by low and high greenhouse gas concentrations under representative concentration pathways (i.e., RCP2.6 and RCP8.5, respectively). The MaxEnt model accurately predicted the distribution of S. angulatus, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve in the receiver operating characteristic test reached 0.921. Among the 19 climatic variables investigated, the best predictors for the distribution of S. angulatus were the precipitation in the driest month (with a contribution of 37.4%), annual precipitation (26.8%), average annual temperature (18.1%), and temperature seasonality (14.9%). Currently, the most suitable areas cover the central and eastern United States, parts of southern Europe, most Japanese islands, the majority of the Korean Peninsula, and eastern China, with a total area of 180.3 × 10⁴ km² (1.2% of the Earth’s land area). During the 2050s and 2090s under RCP2.6 and RCP8.5, the most suitable regions worldwide are projected to expand by factors of 1.0 and 2.2, respectively. In particular, suitable areas might expand to higher-latitude regions and encompass previously unsuitable areas, such as Liaoning Province in Northeast China. These findings may aid in the surveillance and management of S. angulatus’ invasion globally. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Invasions and Their Interactions with the Environment)

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12 pages, 623 KB

Open AccessArticle

Antagonistic Interaction Between Microplastics and Herbivory on the Growth of Native and Invasive Plants

by Jeffrey Okundi, Ling Yuan, Guanlin Li, Daolin Du and Junmin Li

Plants 2025, 14(17), 2692; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14172692 - 28 Aug 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1112

Abstract

Microplastic pollution and herbivory are increasingly recognized as significant stressors in terrestrial ecosystems, yet their interactive effects on native and invasive plants remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the individual and combined effects of polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPs) and herbivory by Helicoverpa armigera on the growth and functional traits of twelve plant species (six invasive and six native). Exposure to PE-MPs significantly reduced biomass accumulation, with larger reductions in shoot, root, and total biomass for native plants than for invasive ones. Herbivory also significantly reduced biomass accumulation. When combined, PE-MPs and herbivory produced antagonistic effects on shoot, root, and total biomass. No significant three-way interaction was found among PE-MPs, herbivory, and plant status. Both PE-MPs and herbivory significantly reduced the root mass fraction and root-to-shoot ratio (RSR) while increasing the shoot mass fraction, with the PE-MP-induced reduction in RSR being stronger in native plants. Our findings suggest that multiple anthropogenic stressors can act as ecological filters, reshaping plant competitive dynamics and accelerating community shifts toward stress-tolerant species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Invasions and Their Interactions with the Environment)

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12 pages, 665 KB

Open AccessArticle

Priority Effects Favor Invasive Bidens frondosa over Its Native Congener Bidens biternata, While Late Arrival Incurs Higher Costs

by Chunqiang Wei, Saichun Tang, Xiangqin Li, Yumei Pan and Longwu Zhou

Plants 2025, 14(16), 2515; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14162515 - 13 Aug 2025

Viewed by 937

Abstract

Priority effects—the phenomenon where early-arriving species influence the establishment, growth, and reproduction of later-arriving species during community assembly—play a critical role in determining the invasion success of exotic species. However, how priority effects are influenced by nitrogen (N) availability remains understudied. The invasive species Bidens frondosa has rapidly expanded its range in China over the past few years. Yet it remains unclear how priority effects in B. frondosa versus native species may mediate invasion success, as well as how nutrient levels may alter these effects. Addressing these questions is essential for understanding the mechanisms driving B. frondosa invasion and for developing effective management strategies. In a greenhouse experiment, we manipulated the planting order of B. frondosa and its native congener B. biternata, then measured the growth and competitiveness of B. frondosa and B. biternata in both control and N addition treatments. Planting order greatly impacted the growth and competitiveness of both B. frondosa and B. biternata. Early arrival had more positive effects on B. frondosa than B. biternata, while late arrival more strongly inhibited B. frondosa than B. biternata. For B. frondosa, priority effects lessened with nitrogen addition, but the opposite occurred for B. biternata. Thus, priority effects may favor B. frondosa invasion, while late arrival, particularly under nitrogen addition, may curb its spread. As such, sowing early-germinating native species represents a useful management strategy for controlling B. frondosa invasions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Invasions and Their Interactions with the Environment)

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36 pages, 1395 KB

Open AccessReview

Invasive Plants as Accumulators of Heavy Metals and Potentially Toxic Elements: A Review with Implications for Remediation

by Zorana Miletić, Miroslava Mitrović, Dimitrije Sekulić, Snežana Jarić, Natalija Radulović, Milica Jonjev and Pavle Pavlović

Plants 2026, 15(7), 1078; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15071078 - 1 Apr 2026

Viewed by 664

Abstract

Invasive plant species frequently dominate contaminated ecosystems and are increasingly reported as accumulators of heavy metals and potentially toxic elements (PTEs). While this phenomenon is widely documented, its functional implications for contaminant dynamics and remediation-oriented management remain insufficiently synthesized. This review provides a comprehensive assessment of heavy metal and PTE accumulation in invasive plants across terrestrial and aquatic environments, with emphasis on tissue-specific partitioning, environmental context, and species-level variability. Based on field surveys, controlled experiments, and biomonitoring studies, we synthesize evidence for the accumulation of key elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in the roots and above-ground tissues of terrestrial and aquatic invasive plants. The available literature reveals consistent patterns of root-dominated sequestration in many terrestrial invaders, contrasted with enhanced shoot accumulation in fast-growing aquatic species. These patterns underpin divergent functional roles, ranging from contaminant stabilization in soils and sediments to conditional phytoextraction under managed harvesting. Rather than promoting invasive plants as remediation tools, this review frames them as unavoidable functional components of contaminated landscapes. We critically evaluate their advantages, limitations, and ecological risks, identify key research gaps, and propose a context-aware framework for interpreting invasive plant–PTE interactions in environmental management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Invasions and Their Interactions with the Environment)

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