Special Issue "Biodiversity in Terrestrial Ecosystems"

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainability, Biodiversity and Conservation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2021.

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Susana Santos
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Slagelse, Denmark
Interests: applied microbiology; microbial ecology; environmental science; soil biodiversity; microeukaryotes; nematodes; biological control of plant pests; DNA/RNA sequencing; metabarcoding; functional biodiversity

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is focused on biodiversity in terrestrial ecosystems. Biodiversity is pivotal for ecosystem health and sustainability, and supports most of our development, from raw materials to food production. However, terrestrial ecosystems are under unprecedented stress, posed by habitat loss, fragmentation, and land-use changes due to anthropogenic disturbance and climate change. Previous research indicates that terrestrial ecosystems are highly sensitive to temperature change and suggests that, without major reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere, terrestrial ecosystems worldwide are at risk of major transformations. This can lead to knock-on effects for local, regional, and global biogeochemical cycles. The lack of data on species-rich organisms remains a major problem in addressing the challenge of global biodiversity loss. Fortunately, environmental DNA and metabarcoding are important tools used for cross-taxon biodiversity monitoring, aiding the understanding of species ecological roles and the mechanisms through which they influence ecosystem functions.

We welcome submissions in all areas related to terrestrial biodiversity dealing with theoretical aspects, new research methods, observation data analysis, and predictive modeling, but we particularly encourage submissions on the following topics:

  • Phylogenetic and/or functional abundance and diversity of terrestrial ecosystems
  • Interactions of organisms with biotic and abiotic components
  • Above-belowground interactions
  • Additive or synergistic effects of land-use change and biodiversity loss on terrestrial ecosystem functions
  • Monitoring of biodiversity, ecosystem processes and environmental drivers by experimental manipulation of selected drivers
  • Host-pathogen interactions
  • Predator–prey interactions
  • Effects of biogeography on community diversity
  • Effects of climate change on community diversity and species distributions

Dr. Susana Santos
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 papers will be 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. Sustainability 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 1900 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

  • biodiversity
  • macro- and microorganisms
  • anthropogenic disturbance
  • climate change
  • land-use change
  • ecosystem services and functions
  • bacteria
  • protists
  • virus
  • fungi
  • insects
  • arthropods
  • vertebrates
  • invertebrates
  • plants
  • terrestrial vegetation
  • crops

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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Article
The Ecological Status of Juniperus foetidissima Forest Stands in the Mt. Oiti-Natura 2000 Site in Greece
Sustainability 2021, 13(6), 3544; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13063544 - 23 Mar 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 514
Abstract
Junipers face multiple threats induced both by climate and land use changes, impacting their expansion and reproductive dynamics. The aim of this work is to evaluate the ecological status of Juniperus foetidissima Willd. forest stands in the protected Natura 2000 site of Mt. [...] Read more.
Junipers face multiple threats induced both by climate and land use changes, impacting their expansion and reproductive dynamics. The aim of this work is to evaluate the ecological status of Juniperus foetidissima Willd. forest stands in the protected Natura 2000 site of Mt. Oiti in Greece. The study of the ecological status is important for designing and implementing active management and conservation actions for the species’ protection. Tree size characteristics (height, breast height diameter), age, reproductive dynamics, seed production and viability, tree density, sex, and habitat expansion were examined. The data analysis revealed a generally good ecological status of the habitat with high plant diversity. However, at the different juniper stands, subpopulations present high variability and face different problems, such as poor tree density, reduced numbers of juvenile trees or poor seed production, inadequate male:female ratios, a small number of female trees, reduced numbers of seeds with viable embryos, competition with other woody species, grazing, and illegal logging. From the results, the need for site-specific active management and interventions is demonstrated in order to preserve or achieve the good status of the habitat at all stands in the region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity in Terrestrial Ecosystems)
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Article
Diversity of Medicinal Plants among Different Tree Canopies
Sustainability 2021, 13(5), 2640; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13052640 - 02 Mar 2021
Viewed by 563
Abstract
The moist temperate forests in Northern Pakistan are home to a variety of flora and fauna that are pivotal in sustaining the livelihoods of the local communities. In these forests, distribution and richness of vegetation, especially that of medicinal plants, is rarely reported. [...] Read more.
The moist temperate forests in Northern Pakistan are home to a variety of flora and fauna that are pivotal in sustaining the livelihoods of the local communities. In these forests, distribution and richness of vegetation, especially that of medicinal plants, is rarely reported. In this study, we carried out a vegetation survey in District Balakot, located in Northeastern Pakistan, to characterize the diversity of medicinal plants under different canopies of coniferous forest. The experimental site was divided into three major categories (viz., closed canopy, open spaces, and partial tree cover). A sampling plot of 100 m2 was established on each site to measure species diversity, dominance, and evenness. To observe richness and abundance, the rarefaction and rank abundance curves were plotted. Results revealed that a total of 45 species representing 34 families were available in the study site. Medicinal plants were the most abundant (45%) followed by edible plants (26%). Tree canopy cover affected the overall growth of medicinal plants on the basis of abundance and richness. The site with partial canopy exhibited the highest diversity, dominance, and abundance compared to open spaces and closed canopy. These findings are instrumental in identifying the wealth of the medicinal floral diversity in the northeastern temperate forest of Balakot and the opportunity to sustain the livelihoods of local communities with the help of public/private partnership. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity in Terrestrial Ecosystems)
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Article
Increased Likelihood of High Nitrous Oxide (N2O) Exchange in Soils at Reduced Microbial Diversity
Sustainability 2021, 13(4), 1685; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13041685 - 04 Feb 2021
Viewed by 557
Abstract
Rare soil organisms are normally considered of less importance for ecosystem functioning. We present results that oppose this view. In otherwise well-aerated soils, anaerobic/microaerophilic production or consumption of the trace gas N2O occurs in small soil volumes, when intense decomposition activity [...] Read more.
Rare soil organisms are normally considered of less importance for ecosystem functioning. We present results that oppose this view. In otherwise well-aerated soils, anaerobic/microaerophilic production or consumption of the trace gas N2O occurs in small soil volumes, when intense decomposition activity at the site leads to local oxygen depletion. At such patch scales, the control of microbial growth and oxygen consumption may depend on the specific organisms present. We assessed N2O turnover in an experiment, where soil dilution from 10−2 over 10−4 to 10−6 followed by microbial regrowth resulted in similar microbial biomass and respiration but reduced diversity. We found an increasing number of very high N2O turnover rates when soil dilution increased from 10−2 over 10−4 to 10−6, as revealed from a significantly increased skewness of the frequency distribution of N2O turnover levels. N2O turnover also tended to increase (p = 0.08) by 20–30% when soil was diluted from 10−2 to 10−6. This suggests that rare soil organisms regulate the local activity of fast-growing microorganisms and thus reduce the probability that anoxic/microaerophilic soil volumes develop. Future studies may reveal which less abundant organisms prevent development of anoxic/microaerophilic conditions in well-aerated soils. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity in Terrestrial Ecosystems)
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Review

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Review
Soil Arthropods in the Douro Demarcated Region Vineyards: General Characteristics and Ecosystem Services Provided
Sustainability 2021, 13(14), 7837; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13147837 - 13 Jul 2021
Viewed by 479
Abstract
Viticulture is one of the oldest and most profitable forms of agriculture; it is also one of the most intensive farming systems. As intensive cultivation threatens the environment, there is increasing interest in the concept of sustainability within the wine industry, as well [...] Read more.
Viticulture is one of the oldest and most profitable forms of agriculture; it is also one of the most intensive farming systems. As intensive cultivation threatens the environment, there is increasing interest in the concept of sustainability within the wine industry, as well as new business opportunities, as customers begin to pay more attention to environmental and sustainability issues. Recognizing the key role of soil quality in environmentally and economically sustainable viticulture makes it essential to understand better soil arthropod communities, given their crucial functions in maintaining soil quality and health. The ‘Douro Demarcated Region’ (DDR) in northern Portugal offers good potential, in regards to biodiversity, due to its significant areas of non-crop habitats. This work aims to compile information on soil arthropod communities (both soil surface and soil-living) collected in the DDR vineyard agroecosystems. A description of the ecosystem services provided by them, as a basis for the development and implementation of sustainable viticulture systems, is also an objective of this work. An important set of soil arthropods necessary for the delivery of vital ecosystem services for viticulture, with particular reference to supporting and regulating services, occurred in this ecosystem. Eight classes were chiefly represented in a sample of about 167,000 arthropod specimens: Arachnida, Chilopoda, Diplopoda, Entognatha, Insecta, Malacostraca, Pauropoda, and Symphyla. The most representative were Entognatha and Insecta in soil-surface arthropods, and Arachnida and Entognatha in soil-living arthropods. The presence of recognized groups as bioindicators in agroecosystems, such as soil quality indicators, is also revealed. This knowledge is expected to contribute to a more efficient and sustainable management of the viticultural ecosystem. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity in Terrestrial Ecosystems)
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