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Plants
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Plants for Biodiversity and Sustainable Cities
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Plants for Biodiversity and Sustainable Cities

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025 | Viewed by 3411

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Nélida R. Villaseñor

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Forestry Sciences and Nature Conservation, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8820808, Chile
Interests: biodiversity conservation; urban ecology and landscape ecology
Prof. Dr. Javier A. Figueroa

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Facultad de Ingeniería y Arquitectura, Universidad Central de Chile, Avenida Santa Isabel 1186, Santiago, Chile
Interests: urban biodiversity; urban landscape; urban plants

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Plants are essential for biodiversity conservation and sustainability in urban landscapes. This Special Issue aims to publish research that contributes to understanding the benefits of plants in cities, towns, and urban regions, collecting a body of evidence that will aid in promoting biodiverse, healthier, and more resilient urban ecosystems.

Authors from different regions are welcome to submit their research.

Some examples of relevant topics include the following:

-The protection of remnants of native vegetation and the promotion of native plants in landscaping and urban greening projects to aid restoration, conservation, and/or sustainability efforts.

-Plant cover and diversity to increase green space resilience, the provision of ecosystem services, and/or the improvement in habitat conditions for wildlife in urban landscapes.

-Plant–animal interactions in urban landscapes (e.g., pollination, seed dispersal, herbivory, nesting sites, etc.).

-Ecosystem services provided by plants, such as improved air quality (e.g., release of oxygen and absorption of pollutants such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter), urban temperature regulation (e.g., shade provision and cooling through evapotranspiration), mitigation of urban heat islands, and management of stormwater runoff.

-Nature-based solutions focused on forests, greenspace, parks, green roofs, and/or wetlands in towns, cities, or urban regions to address societal challenges, simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits.

Dr. Nélida R. Villaseñor
Prof. Dr. Javier A. Figueroa
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

  • greenspace
  • ecosystem services
  • nature-based solutions
  • plant cover
  • plant diversity
  • plant–animal interactions
  • urban biodiversity
  • urban ecology
  • urban sustainability
  • wildlife

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 1942 KB  
Article
Evaluating the Vitality of Introduced Woody Plant Species in the Donetsk–Makeyevka Urban Agglomeration
by Vladimir Kornienko, Inna Pirko, Besarion Meskhi, Anastasiya Olshevskaya, Victoriya Shevchenko, Mary Odabashyan, Svetlana Teplyakova, Anna Vershinina and Arina Eroshenko
Plants 2025, 14(20), 3160; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14203160 - 14 Oct 2025
Viewed by 331
Abstract
Introduced species of trees and shrubs used in landscaping of cities in the steppe zone are exposed to the combined negative impact of the ever-increasing load of various anthropogenic factors and unfavorable zonal natural and climatic conditions. In this regard, the assessment of [...] Read more.
Introduced species of trees and shrubs used in landscaping of cities in the steppe zone are exposed to the combined negative impact of the ever-increasing load of various anthropogenic factors and unfavorable zonal natural and climatic conditions. In this regard, the assessment of the degree of plant resistance to unfavorable factors in the urban ecosystems of the steppe zone is a necessary condition for rationalizing the selection of the assortment and improving the condition of green spaces. This paper presents the results of the analysis of the vital state of 5509 representatives of 78 introduced species of trees and shrubs growing along the road and transport network in the territory with increased anthropogenic pressure. The age structure of plantings, as well as a number of biological and ecological characteristics of the species composition, are analyzed. The variation in the level of vitality in groups united by individual characteristics—taxonomic affiliation, geographical origin, morphobiological characteristics (habitus), growth rate and age of plants—is shown, and groups with the highest level of vitality are identified. As a result, a number of criteria are selected that can serve as indirect markers of plant adaptability to the ecological conditions of steppe zone cities when forming an assortment for landscaping. Using the examples of the features “plant height” and “plant age”, the species-specific reaction of plants is shown, expressed in the limitation of growth and development, as well as the reduction of life expectancy under conditions of increased anthropogenic and climatic loads. The data obtained can be used to adjust the species composition of urban trees and shrubs, optimize their ratio and spatial and functional placement, and thereby optimize the operational characteristics of green spaces and increase the duration of their use. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plants for Biodiversity and Sustainable Cities)
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19 pages, 2662 KB  
Article
Native Plants Can Strengthen Urban Green Infrastructure: An Experimental Case Study in the Mediterranean-Type Region of Central Chile
by Javier A. Figueroa, Rosa Chandía-Jaure, Andrés Cataldo-Cunich, Sergio Cárdenas Muñoz and Francisca Fernández Cano
Plants 2025, 14(19), 3025; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14193025 - 30 Sep 2025
Viewed by 415
Abstract
In Santiago, Chile, urban plants are highly vulnerable to drought or climate change. We hypothesize that would find high growth and survival rates in conditions of water scarcity among native species of central Chile. The goal was to determine the effect of the [...] Read more.
In Santiago, Chile, urban plants are highly vulnerable to drought or climate change. We hypothesize that would find high growth and survival rates in conditions of water scarcity among native species of central Chile. The goal was to determine the effect of the year season and an irrigation gradient on the survival and growth of native plant, in order to evaluate potential plant for use in urban green areas of central Chile. Four plots of 20 m2 were located in the Santiago center. In June 2024 twelve species were planted and from November 2024 to March 2025 were irrigated with 13.3, 10.1, 1.7 and 1.4 L/m2/day. The GLM and Kaplan–Meier survival analyses were used. Shoot growth rate was highly variable among species, among irrigation treatments applied, and among year seasons. Eight species showed water-related growth and shoot growth during the winter was very small and higher in spring. Two species showed evidence of water-related survival; in the other 10 species, no significant differences were found between irrigation treatments. Winter was the season with the highest survival rates for eleven species. In conclusion, the results suggest that native plants can achieve high survival rates with limited irrigation. This highlights their potential for use in the urban area in Mediterranean-type climates where rainfall is expected to be low due to climate change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plants for Biodiversity and Sustainable Cities)
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20 pages, 4381 KB  
Article
Silvicultural and Ecological Characteristics of Populus bolleana Lauche as a Key Introduced Species in the Urban Dendroflora of Industrial Cities
by Vladimir Kornienko, Valeriya Reuckaya, Alyona Shkirenko, Besarion Meskhi, Anastasiya Olshevskaya, Mary Odabashyan, Victoria Shevchenko and Svetlana Teplyakova
Plants 2025, 14(13), 2052; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14132052 - 4 Jul 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 557
Abstract
In this work, we evaluated the silvicultural and ecological parameters of Populus bolleana Lauche trees growing in conditions of anthropogenic pollution, using the example of one of the largest megacities of the Donetsk ridge, the city of Donetsk. The objectives of this study [...] Read more.
In this work, we evaluated the silvicultural and ecological parameters of Populus bolleana Lauche trees growing in conditions of anthropogenic pollution, using the example of one of the largest megacities of the Donetsk ridge, the city of Donetsk. The objectives of this study included determining the level of anthropogenic load of the territory; conducting dendrological studies to assess morphometric and allometric parameters, age structure, and condition of P. bolleana stands under the influence of environmental factors; as well as completing biomechanical studies to assess and predict the mechanical stability of stands. A total of 1109 plants growing in areas with increased anthropogenic load and in the control areas were studied. The model territories of the study were located in the city of Donetsk on Fallen Communards Avenue (length of field routes: 2.6 km) and Ilyicha Avenue (length of field routes: 9.7 km). Control plantings grew on the territory of the Donetsk botanical garden and residential (dormitory) districts of the city. The age structure of P. bolleana plantations remained uniform throughout the city for 50–55 years due to the fact that the landscaping was under a single state program. In the steppe zone in the south of the East European Plain, with a high level of anthropogenic load and severe natural climatic factors, the critical age of P. bolleana (55 years) was determined. The condition of plantations and their morphometric indices correlate with the level of anthropogenic load of the city (H, Dbase, DBH). Under control conditions, the plants are in good condition with signs of weakening (2 points). Under conditions of increased anthropogenic load, the plants are in a severely weakened condition (3 points). A total of 25% of the plants in the sample are in critical condition (4–5 points). The main damages to the crowns and trunks of plants include core rot, mechanical damage to bark and tissues, the development of core rot through the affected skeletal branch, crown thinning, and drying. P. bolleana trees are valued for their crown area and ability to retain dust particles from the air. The analysis of experimentally obtained data on the crown area showed that in the initial phases of ontogenesis, the average deviation in the crown area of plants does not depend on the place of growth. Due to artificial narrowing and sanitary pruning of the crown, as well as skeletal branches dying along the busiest highways, the values do not exceed 22–23 m2 on average, with an allometric coefficient of 0.35–0.37. When comparing this coefficient in the control areas, the crown area in areas with a high level of anthropogenic load is 36 ± 11% lower. For trees growing under the conditions of the anthropogenic load of an industrial city and having reached the critical age, mechanical resistance varied depending on the study area and load level. At sites with a high level of pollution of the territory, a significant decrease in indicators was revealed in comparison with the control (mcr—71%, EI—75%, RRB—43%). Having analyzed all the obtained data, we can conclude that, until the age of 50–55 years, P. bolleana retains good viability, mechanical resistance, and general allometric ratios, upon which the stability of the whole plant depends. Even with modern approaches and tendencies toward landscaping with exotic introductions, it is necessary to keep P. bolleana as the main species in dendrobanocenoses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plants for Biodiversity and Sustainable Cities)
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17 pages, 7004 KB  
Article
Solar Radiation Drives the Plant Species Distribution in Urban Built-Up Areas
by Heyi Wei, Bo Huang, Mingshu Wang and Xuejun Liu
Plants 2025, 14(4), 539; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14040539 - 10 Feb 2025
Viewed by 1447
Abstract
Urban areas serve as critical habitats for numerous plant species. Existing studies suggest that, due to human-mediated introductions, urban environments often harbor a greater variety of plant species compared to suburban areas, potentially becoming focal points for biodiversity. Consequently, investigating the driving forces [...] Read more.
Urban areas serve as critical habitats for numerous plant species. Existing studies suggest that, due to human-mediated introductions, urban environments often harbor a greater variety of plant species compared to suburban areas, potentially becoming focal points for biodiversity. Consequently, investigating the driving forces and complex mechanisms by which urban environmental factors influence plant species distribution is essential for establishing the theoretical foundation for urban biodiversity conservation and future urban planning and management. Solar radiation, among these factors, is a critical determinant of plant growth, development, and reproduction. However, there is a notable lack of research on how this factor affects the distribution of urban plant species and influences species’ richness and composition within plant communities. We present for the first time an analysis of how solar radiation drives the spatial distribution of plant species within the built-up areas of Nanchang City, China. Based on three years of monitoring and survey data from experimental sites, this study employs three evaluation models—Species Richness Index (R), Simpson’s Diversity Index (D), and Shannon–Wiener Index (H)—to analyze and validate the survey results. Additionally, MATLAB and ArcGIS Pro software are utilized for the numerical simulation and visualization of spatial data. Our study shows that areas with low solar radiation exhibit higher plant species richness, while plots with high plant diversity are primarily concentrated in regions with strong solar radiation. Moreover, the Diversity Index D proves to be more sensitive than the Shannon–Wiener Index (H) in evaluating the spatial distribution of plant species, making it a more suitable metric for studying urban plant diversity in our study area. Among the 18 plant species analyzed, Mulberry and Dandelion are predominantly dispersed by birds and wind, showing no significant correlation with solar radiation. This finding indicates that the spatial distribution of urban plant species is influenced by multiple interacting factors beyond solar radiation, highlighting the critical need for long-term observation, monitoring, and analysis. This study also suggests that shaded urban areas may serve as hubs of high species richness, while regions with relatively strong solar radiation can sustain greater plant diversity. These findings underscore the practical significance of this research, offering essential insights to guide urban planning and management strategies. Additionally, this study offers valuable insights for the future predictions of plant species distribution and potential areas of high plant diversity in various urban settings by integrating computational models, building data, Digital Elevation Models (DEMs), and land cover data. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plants for Biodiversity and Sustainable Cities)
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