Search Results (315)

Land abandonment and recurrent wildfires are major drivers of landscape transformation in Mediterranean Europe, creating favorable conditions for the spread of non-native invasive woody species. Among these, Australian wattles (genus Acacia) are particularly widespread and problematic in Portugal. This work analyzed the spatiotemporal dynamics of Acacia spp. in two municipalities of central Portugal (Sertã and Pedrógão-Grande) by combining multitemporal photointerpretation of aerial imagery (2004–2021), generalized additive models (GAMs), and local perception surveys. Results reveal a 417% increase in occupied area over the last two decades. Modeling outcomes indicate a temporal shift in invasion drivers: from an establishment phase (2004–2010), mainly constrained by altitude and proximity to primary introduction sites, to a disturbance-driven expansion phase (2010–2021), influenced by fire recurrence, slope, and land-use context. Spatial clustering persisted throughout, underscoring the role of founder populations. Surveys confirmed high public awareness of Acacia invasiveness and identified abandonment and wildfire as the main perceived triggers of spread. By integrating ecological and social dimensions, this study provides a socioecological perspective on Acacia spp. expansion in Mediterranean rural landscapes and highlights the urgent need for integrated, landscape-scale management strategies. Full article

Acacia melanoxylon R.Br. demonstrates strong biological nitrogen–fixation capacity and favourable economic returns, making it a promising candidate for the development of subtropical forestry in South Asia. It is a fast–growing leguminous tree species widely promoted for cultivation in China, and it is also one of the ideal tree species for improving soil fertility in forest lands. What are the synergistic mechanisms between A. melanoxylon-Eucalyptus stands and pure Eucalyptus spp.? Current theories regarding A. melanoxylon–Eucalyptus systems remain relatively fragmented due to the lack of effective silvicultural measures, resistance studies, and comprehensive ecological–economic benefit evaluations. The absence of an integrated analytical framework for holistic research on A. melanoxylon–Eucalyptus systems makes it difficult to summarise and comprehensively analyse their growth and development, thereby limiting the optimisation and widespread application of their models. This study employed CiteSpace bibliometric analysis and qualitative methods to explore ideal tree species combination patterns, elucidate their intrinsic eco–economic synergistic mechanisms, and reasonably reveal their collaborative potential. This study systematically reviewed silvicultural management, stress physiology, ecological security, and economic policy using the Chinese and English literature published from 2010 to 2025. The narrative synthesis results indicated that strip intercropping (7:3) is widely documented as an effective model for creating vertical niche complementarity, whereby canopy light and thermal utilisation by A. melanoxylon species improve subsoil nutrient cycling by enhancing stand structure. A conceptual full–cycle economic assessment framework was proposed to measure carbon sequestration and timber premiums. Correspondingly, this conversion of implicit ecological services into explicit market values acted as a critical tool for decision–making in assessing benefit. A three–dimensional “cultivation strategy–physiological ecology–value assessment” assessment framework was established. This framework demonstrated how to move from wanting to maximise the output of an individual component to maximising the value of the whole system. It theorised and provided guidance on resolving the complementary conflict between “ecology–economy” in the management of sustainable multifunctional plantations. Full article

The increasing challenges posed by climate change demand holistic approaches to mitigate ecosystem degradation. In Mediterranean-type regions—biodiversity hotspots facing intensified droughts, fires, and biological invasions—such strategies are particularly relevant. Among invasive species, Acacia longifolia produces substantial woody and leafy biomass when removed, offering an opportunity for reuse as soil-improving material after adequate processing. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of invasive A. longifolia Green-waste compost (Gwc) as a soil amendment to promote soil recovery and native plant establishment after fire. A field experiment was carried out in a Mediterranean ecosystem using Arbutus unedo, Pinus pinea, and Quercus suber planted in control and soils treated with Gwc. Rhizospheric soils were sampled one year after plantation, in Spring and Autumn, to assess physicochemical parameters and microbial community composition (using composite samples) through Next-Generation Sequencing. Our study showed that Gwc-treated soils exhibited higher moisture content and nutrient availability, which translated into improved plant growth and increased microbial richness and diversity when compared with control soils. Together, these results demonstrate that A. longifolia Gwc enhances soil quality, supports increased plant fitness, and promotes a more diverse microbiome, ultimately contributing to faster ecosystem recovery. Transforming invasive biomass into a valuable resource could offer a sustainable, win–win solution for ecological rehabilitation in fire-affected Mediterranean environments, enhancing soil and ecosystem functioning. Full article

Active restoration structures such as microtopographic water-harvesting designs are widely implemented in dryland ecosystems to improve soil moisture, reduce erosion, and promote vegetation recovery. We assessed the combined effects of planted species identity, planting diversity (mono-, bi- and multi-species mixtures), and micro-catchment (half-moon) structures on seedling performance and spontaneous natural regeneration in a hyper-arid restoration pilot site in Sharaan National Park, northwest Saudi Arabia. Thirteen native plant species, of which four—Ochradenus baccatus, Haloxylon persicum, Haloxylon salicornicum, and Acacia gerrardii—formed the dominant planted treatments, were established in 18 half-moons and monitored for survival, growth, and natural recruitment. Seedling survival after 20 months differed significantly among planting treatments, increasing from 58% in mono-plantings to 69% in bi-plantings and 82% in multi-plantings (binomial GLMM, p < 0.001), indicating a positive effect of planting diversity on establishment. Growth traits (height, collar diameter, and crown dimensions) were synthesized into an Overall Growth Index (OGI) and an entropy-weighted OGI (EW-OGI). Mixed-effects models revealed strong species effects on both indices (F_12,369 ≈ 7.2, p < 0.001), with O. baccatus and H. persicum outperforming other taxa and cluster analysis separating “fast expanders”, “moderate growers”, and “decliners”. Trait-based modeling showed that lateral crown expansion was the main driver of overall performance, whereas stem thickening and fruit production contributed little. Between 2022 and 2024, half-moon soils exhibited reduced electrical conductivity and exchangeable Na, higher organic carbon, and doubled available P, consistent with emerging positive soil–plant feedbacks. Spontaneous recruits were dominated by perennials (≈67% of richness), with perennial dominance increasing from mono- to multi-plantings, although Shannon diversity differences among treatments were small and non-significant. The correlation between OGI and spontaneous richness was positive but weak (r = 0.29, p = 0.25), yet plots dominated by O. baccatus hosted nearly two additional spontaneous species relative to other plantings, highlighting its strong facilitative role. Overall, our results show that half-moon micro-catchments, especially when combined with functionally diverse native plantings, can simultaneously improve soil properties and promote biotic facilitation, fostering a transition from active intervention to passive, self-sustaining restoration in hyper-arid environments. Full article

The nitrogen (N) uptake preferences of mature tropical trees remain poorly understood, largely because traditional hydroponic methods fail to adequately simulate field conditions. To address this, we applied an in situ whole-tree paired ¹⁵N labeling experiment to quantify N acquisition strategies in three common species of tropical plantations in southern China: Hevea brasiliensis, Pinus caribaea, and Acacia mangium. The in situ whole-tree paired ¹⁵N labeling experiment revealed distinct species-specific nitrogen uptake strategies: Hevea brasiliensis preferentially absorbed nitrate (contributing 76% to total N uptake), Pinus caribaea relied more heavily on ammonium (61%), while Acacia mangium exhibited no strong preference for either N form but demonstrated the highest N uptake rate. These findings indicate the significant role of mycorrhizal type and biological nitrogen fixation in shaping N uptake patterns. Importantly, even when accounting for the dilution by the soil nitrogen pool, nitrate still contributed 42–99% of the total nitrogen uptake across the three tree species. All three species showed a substantial capacity for nitrate assimilation, challenging the conventional view of ammonium dominance in tropical trees and providing a mechanistic basis for refining nitrogen management practices in plantation forestry. Full article

Surveys conducted in a nursery located in eastern Sicily, southern Italy, revealed the presence of plants of Vachellia nilotica (syn. Acacia arabica), V. farnesiana (syn. A. farnesiana) and Pithecellobium dulce showing symptoms of trunk and branch canker, shoot dieback and general decline. Laboratory fungal isolation from wood tissues showed high percentage of Diaporthe-like (60–62%) and Botryosphaeriaceae-like fungi (21–85%) constantly associated with the diseased samples. Subsequent molecular characterization of recovered isolates was based on sequencing of the complete internally transcribed spacer region (ITS), the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1) and the beta-tubulin (tub2) regions, followed by multi-locus phylogenetic analyses. The isolates collected from symptomatic tissues were phylogenetically characterized as Diaporthe foeniculina and Neofusicoccum parvum. Pathogenicity tests were conducted on Acacia and P. dulce plants and results showed that both species were pathogenic, being able to induce necrotic lesions on the stem. To our knowledge this is the first report worldwide of D. foeniculina and N. parvum infecting A. arabica, A. farnesiana and P. dulce. Full article

Pruning is a regular and essential urban tree maintenance practice aimed at sustaining overall health, ecosystem services, and public safety. However, knowledge of post-pruning recovery dynamics remains limited, which in turn hinders accurate assessments of growth and ecological functions. To address this, we examined recovery dynamics of Acacia auriculiformis, a common urban species. Tree height and crown radius were recorded monthly for 12 months after pruning. Trees were classified into two size groups based on diameter at breast height (DBH, trunk diameter measured at 1.3 m above ground): medium (DBH < 45 cm) and large (DBH ≥ 45 cm). A generalized linear mixed model (GLMM), appropriate for repeated measures and non-normal data, was fitted using a Tweedie distribution and a log-link function to model the recovery pattern. Results showed continuous growth over time, with medium-sized trees presenting significantly higher crown radius growth than large trees (p = 0.006), while height growth did not differ (p = 0.788). The best model for height included time (AIC = −846.4), whereas crown recovery was best modelled by time and size class (AIC = −1586.6). These findings demonstrate that, in this study, medium-sized A. auriculiformis generally recover faster, especially in crown expansion. This exploratory study suggests that tree size may influence post-pruning recovery and can provide a reference for subsequent differentiated management studies. The morphological modeling further provides preliminary quantitative evidence for annual recovery dynamics in urban A. auriculiformis. Full article

Invasive species can profoundly alter ecosystems through mechanisms such as allelopathy. This study evaluates the allelopathic effects of Acacia dealbata and Hakea decurrens subsp. physocarpa on two dominant Mediterranean native species, Cistus ladanifer and Lavandula stoechas. Germination bioassays using aqueous extracts (1:10 w/v) at concentrations of 1, 1/2, and 1/4 of leaves collected in March and September were used to evaluate germination, hypocotyl emergence, and root development compared to control values (water) and between treatments. The phenolic composition of the solutions used was also analyzed. Significant inhibitory effects were observed across all parameters, especially at high concentrations, with responses modulated by the invasive species, the native target, and seasonal variation. A. dealbata showed stronger phytotoxicity in March, while H. decurrens subsp. physocarpa was more active in September. Phytochemical analysis revealed a higher load of phenolic compounds in A. dealbata, which may be related to the greater allelopathic activity of this species. These findings confirm the allelopathic potential of both invasive species and their ability to interfere with the establishment of native plants while facilitating their own, potentially impacting the colonization success of invasive species and altering vegetation succession in Mediterranean ecosystems. Full article

The standard methods for determining the basic chemical composition of wood are well-established, but include processes that demand a great deal of time and diverse chemical reagents. TGA and DTG analyses, in contrast, offer precise results in less time. This study was designed to identify the primary components and results of the proximal analysis of wood from three species –Acacia farnesiana, A. pennatula and Albizia plurijuga—using TGA with deconvolution of the DTG curve and a chemical method. Higher heating value (HHV) was determined using a bomb calorimeter and mathematical models. Elemental organic and inorganic analyses were conducted. No statistically significant differences appeared in the results of the TGA-DTG and chemical methods for the wood in terms of cellulose, lignin, and volatile material content. Results were especially accurate in the samples of A. pennatula and A. plurijuga for hemicelluloses, extractives, and moisture. Regarding HHV, the wood of A. plurijuga showed no statistically significant differences between the bomb calorimeter test, calculations as a function of chemical composition, or the proximal analysis. Elemental organic results were C = 43.76–46.65%; H = 6.70–6.95%; O = 46.06–48.95%; N = 0.21–0.42%; and S = 0.06–0.11%. For the inorganic fraction we identified 18 elements in the ash. We conclude that the TGA-DTG method made it possible to obtain results in a short time with no need for the numerous reagents that chemical processes require. Findings suggest that in the absence of a bomb calorimeter, the best model for calculating HHV is proximal analysis. Full article

The study evaluated the effects of including condensed tannins (CT) from Acacia mearnsii bark in the drinking water of broilers on performance, intestinal health, and meat quality. A total of 240 male Cobb 500 chickens were distributed into three treatments: negative control (NC, without tannin), NC + 500 g/m³ of condensed tannin (CT50), and NC + 700 g/m³ of tannin (CT70), with the doses defined based on a pilot study. The experiment showed that CT50 presented better initial performance (d1–21), with greater weight gain and better productive efficiency index (PEI). But when evaluating the initial and growth phases simultaneously (d1–35), we found that birds from CT50 had better feed conversion and PEI compared to NC. When considering the total experimental period (d1–42), there was no effect of the treatment on performance. In the intestine and meat, lower levels of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation were observed in CT50 and CT70 compared to NC, combined with higher levels of non-protein thiols. The CT70 treatment favored meat quality, reducing saturated fatty acids and increasing the concentration of unsaturated fatty acids, ω6, and the UFA/SFA ratio. There were no significant changes in the depth of the intestinal crypts, but the greater height of villi and number of enterocytes in the groups that consumed tannins are indicative of improved intestinal health. The thickness of the intestinal wall was lower in the chickens that consumed the condensed tannin compared to the NC. Lower concentrations of total proteins, albumin, and globulin in the serum were observed in the CT70 when compared to the NC. It is concluded that the use of tannins in the drinking water can be a viable strategy to improve the performance in the initial phase (d1–21) and meat quality of chickens. Full article

Ruminant production in the Chaco region relies on pastures and native forest foliage, whose nutritional value is poorly characterized and may be influenced by tannins. This study evaluated the in situ digestibility and in vitro ruminal fermentation of foliage from Prosopis affinis (PA), Prosopis nigra (PN), Acacia polyphylla (AP), Phyllostylon rhamnoides (PR), and Tabebuia nodosa (TN), incubated with or without polyethylene glycol (PEG) to assess the effects of tannin on gas production and nitrogen (N) compounds degradability. Foliage contained ≥17% crude protein (CP) and ≥40% fiber-bound N. Tannin concentration was >4% dry matter (DM) in PN and PA and <1% DM in PR, AP, and TN. In situ digestibility was ≤51% in all species except PR (73%; p < 0.05). Gas production was higher in PA, PR, and TN (p < 0.05), with no PEG effect. Methane production was not affected by tree species or PEG (p ≤ 0.277). Both species and PEG affected the effective N compounds degradability (END), with PEG increasing it in PN and AP (p < 0.05). Although foliage is high in CP, its digestibility is low; N is largely fiber-bound, and tannins may further limit END, factors to consider when including them in ruminant diets. Full article

Domestic demand for honey in Kenya consistently exceeds national production, resulting in periodic reliance on imports. Kenyan honey is typically branded and marketed according to its geographical origin, whereas information regarding botanical origin is rarely communicated. This study was undertaken in two phases: a systematic review of the literature on honey varieties in Kenya—with an emphasis on legislation, production, and processing—and an online survey assessing front-of-pack (FoP) labeling descriptions. Legislatively, Kenyan honey varieties are categorized based on (i) the bee species producing the honey (honeybee or stingless bee), (ii) the intended use (direct human consumption or industrial application), and (iii) the presence of added flavoring agents. The results from the FoP labeling survey indicated that all domestic honey samples (n = 24) failed to comply with labeling requirements, instead emphasizing descriptors such as “natural” and “pure.” Only 40% of imported honey brands (n = 10) declared the botanical origin and processing method. Mellisopalynological studies showed that honey produced in the Acacia woodlands of Baringo, West Pokot, and Kitui can legitimately be marketed as Acacia honey. In contrast, honey from the Eastern Mau forest can be characterized as monofloral Eucalyptus, Croton, Albizia, or Cordia spp. honeys, with numerous bifloral and multifloral combinations. Sisal and mangrove honeys were also identifiable in landscapes dominated by these plant species. The lack of legislative classification for Kenyan monofloral honeys appears to contribute to widespread non-compliance in industry labeling practices. Although Kenyan honey remains competitive, inadequate product differentiation and weak labeling hinder access to niche domestic and international markets. To strengthen competitiveness, Kenyan honey legislation should incorporate provisions for characterizing monofloral honey types, processing standards, and mellisopalynological authentication. Such measures will enhance producer awareness, promote adoption of good processing practices, strengthen compliance with trade regulations, and support the development of a robust national honey value chain. Full article

Understory vegetation diversity is the key indicator of ecological outcomes in the close-to-nature transformation of plantations, with its composition revealing successional dynamics and ecosystem functionality. In response to China’s “Green and Beautiful Guangdong” Initiative, enhancing the ecological quality of plantations has been established as a critical objective for sustainable forest management. This study assessed the understory vegetation in four representative transformed plantations in Guangdong Province, China, using Multi-Response Permutation Procedure (MRPP), Indicator Species Analysis (ISA), Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA), and Redundancy Analysis (RDA). The results showed that: (1) Species richness was highest in the Eucalyptus L’Hér plantation (102 species), followed by Pinus massoniana Lamb (94), Acacia mangium Willd (92), and Litchi chinensis Soon plantations (85). (2) MRPP analysis revealed significant differences in species composition among plantation types (A = 0.149, p < 0.001). ISA identified 5, 7, 3, and 5 indicator species for each type, respectively, predominantly light-demanding pioneers such as Dicranopteris dichotoma (Thunb.) Bernh and Microstegium vagans (Nees ex Steud.) A. Camus. (3) DCA ordination showed clear compositional segregation among the understory communities of Eucalyptus, Pinus massoniana, and Acacia mangium plantations, whereas the Litchi chinensis plantation exhibited substantial overlap with others. RDA further demonstrated a significant negative correlation between mean diameter at breast height (DBH) and understory diversity (p < 0.01) across all plantations except Litchi chinensis. These findings offer a quantitative basis for tailored management strategies. We recommend structural adjustments through target-tree thinning to optimize light availability by regulating DBH, combined with interplanting native understory species. This integrated approach can enhance structural heterogeneity and promote more effective and sustainable plantation restoration. Full article

The increasing emphasis on environmental sustainability has placed biomass as a versatile and renewable resource, while the management and disposal of forest byproducts remain a significant challenge. This study explores the valorization of forest biomass residues derived from Pinus pinaster, Pinus pinea, and the invasive species Acacia dealbata, with a focus on their potential application as bioadsorbents. A comprehensive physicochemical characterization was conducted for different biomass fractions (leaves, needles, and branches of varying diameters). Leaves and needles contained higher amounts of extractives (from 7.7% in acacia leaves to 18.8% in maritime pine needles) and ash (3.4 and 4.2% in acacia leaves and stone pine needles, respectively), whereas branches contained more holocellulose (from 59.6% in P. pinea small branches to 79.2% in P. pinaster large branches). ATR-FTIR and pHpzc analyses indicated compositional and surface charge differences, with higher pHpzc values in A. dealbata relative to Pinus. TG analysis showed that acacia large branches degraded at a lower temperature (320 °C) compared to Pinus species (440–450 °C). Overall, the findings highlight the suitability of these underutilized forest byproducts as bioadsorbents, contributing to the advancement of circular economy practices. Full article

In Africa, the folkloric practices involving plant-based remedies play a crucial role in livestock farming, often attributed to the limited access to modern veterinary services. The use of Acacia species (including those reclassified as Vachellia species) in ethnoveterinary medicine has garnered increasing interest due to their high protein content and medicinal (including anti-parasitic) properties, offering a sustainable source of fodder particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. However, scientific assessment of their efficacy and safety remains limited. This systematic review examines the ethnoveterinary uses, biological efficacy and safety of Acacia species across Africa. A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus, yielding 519 relevant studies published between 2001 and 2024. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 43 eligible studies were analyzed based on their relevance, geographical location and livestock disease applications. Plants of the World online database was used to validate the names of the species and authority. Ethiopia had the highest usage of Acacia species (25%), then Nigeria (20%) followed by both South Africa (15%) and Namibia (15%). Vachellia nilotica (Acacia nilotica) was the most frequently cited species (26.3%), followed by Vachellia karroo (Acacia karroo) (15.8%). Ethnobotanical records indicate that the different Acacia species have been traditionally used to treat conditions such as diarrhea, wound infections and complications such as retained placenta. Pharmacological studies corroborate the therapeutic benefits of Acacia species with evidence of their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anthelmintic effects, though some toxicity concerns exist at high dosages. The systematic review revealed the efficacy and safety (to some extent) of Acacia species in livestock disease management, emphasizing their potential integration into veterinary medicine. However, the dearth of in vivo studies underscores the need for pre-clinical and clinical trials to establish safe and effective dosages for use in livestock. Full article