Search Results (137)

Crayfish often become invasive when introduced to new waters. From the late 19th to the late 20th century, the commercial import of North American species (e.g., Faxonius limosus, Pacifastacus leniusculus, Procambarus clarkii) into Europe for food, ornamental aquaculture, and restocking native crayfish populations after crayfish plague succeeded due to their adaptability, high reproductive rates, and resilience. Extensive baited-trap monitoring of Piedmont lakes carried in 2025 confirmed the occurrence of two invasive crayfish species (F. limosus, and P. clarkii) in 10 of 17 lakes and recorded P. clarkii for the first time ever in lakes Pistono, San Michele, and Sirio, expanding our knowledge of their distribution in Piedmont freshwaters. Since all detected species are listed as Invasive Alien Species of Union Concern, protecting the ecological integrity of Piedmont’s freshwaters requires coordinated action by member states, regional authorities, policymakers, and water managers to prevent and control their spread and to improve information sharing. Non-native crayfish occurrence is influenced not only by hydrological and habitat connectivity and predator–prey interactions but also by illegal activities that supply the food market. Full article

The Botanical Garden of Southern Federal University (SFedU Botanical Garden) is the first botanical garden in the steppe zone of southern Russia, founded in 1927. The priority task of the SFedU Botanical Garden was the introduction of woody plants for greenery and forestry. It has been shown that the introduction of woody plants was the root cause of their invasion in the region. A total of 24 species of invasive trees and shrubs have been identified in the Priazovsky district of the Rostov region. Using species with high seed reproductive capacity and resistance to climatic factors to expand the range of woody plants used for greenery in urban areas poses a real threat of invasion. Thus, 83 species spread spontaneously from the SFedU Botanical Garden collections across its territory, 50 of which are not currently found in the regional culture. An important step in the management of invasive woody plants is for municipalities to adopt basic assortment lists for greening purposes. The SFedU Botanical Garden’s collection policy for woody plants should focus on reducing the number of species in living plant collections by removing species that self-seed and currently have no scientific, educational, or practical use. These species can be stored in a seed bank for future use. The introduction policy of the SFedU Botanical Garden should be aimed at mobilizing and introducing species that are not only highly resilient and effective in providing ecosystem services, but also possess properties that limit their invasion. Full article

Invasive alien species pose escalating threats to global biodiversity and ecosystems, which may be exacerbated by climate change, potentially leading to range expansions and intensified impacts. In China, Mikania micrantha Kunth, a fast-growing tropical vine listed among the world’s 100 worst invasive species, has proliferated since its introduction in the mid-20th century, causing severe ecological damage through the smothering of vegetation, suppression of allelopathy, and economic losses in agriculture and forestry. This study aimed to predict its current and future distributions to guide management. Using 205 stringently filtered occurrence records from databases, surveys, and literature, combined with bioclimatic variables from WorldClim and MaxEnt modeling—optimized via ENMeval and evaluated by AUC (>0.97)—projected habitats under current (1970–2000) conditions and future SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, and SSP3-7.0 scenarios for the 2050s and 2070s via the BCC-CSM2-HR model. Temperature factors dominated predictions, with current excellent suitability (3.6 × 10⁴ km²) concentrated in Hainan and southern Guangdong, expanding to good and moderate zones in Guangxi, Fujian, and Yunnan. Future averages showed expansions in excellent (21.3%), good (10.0%), and moderate (14.0%) habitats, with some northward shifts into Jiangxi and Hunan under higher emissions. In situ augmentation of habitat suitability and spatial containment overshadows the northward range expansion. The high-emission scenario is projected to lead to temperature overshoots, which will dampen habitat suitability. The findings underscore M. micrantha’s resilience to warming, necessitating integrated strategies such as guarding critical biodiversity sites, early detection, biocontrol, and habitat restoration to mitigate risks in both core and emerging zones. Full article

Emys trinacris, the Sicilian pond turtle, is a species endemic to the island of Sicily. Despite its global and Italian distribution aligning, E. trinacris is classified as “Data Deficient” by the IUCN Red List, but “Endangered” on the Italian Red List, due to threats from habitat destruction, pollution, invasive species, and the illegal pet trade. To aid conservation efforts, understanding the suitability of the species’ habitat is essential. This study aims to create a habitat suitability map by incorporating bioclimatic variables but also environmental factors related to the species’ preference for wetland habitats. We employed the Maximum Entropy model (MaxEnt), based on 264 georeferenced presence points and 33 climatic, topographic, and habitat-related variables. Our model, with an Area Under the Curve of 0.947 and True Skill Statistic of 0.853, identified key predictors such as winter temperature and summer precipitation, with a notable dependence on wetland vegetation. The resulting suitability map highlights the central-southern regions of Sicily as critical areas for the species, with moderate to high suitability also present in the western coastal areas. However, the map shows a discrepancy between the wide distribution of presence records and the limited high-suitability area. This study also assessed the overlap of suitable habitats with existing Natura 2000 sites, showing satisfactory protection levels, though agricultural reservoirs remain unprotected. Active conservation strategies, including expanding protected areas and improving habitat connectivity, are crucial to ensuring the long-term survival of E. trinacris in Sicily. Full article

Pontechium maculatum (Boraginaceae) is a species of high conservation concern in the Romanian flora. It is assigned the national IUCN category “vulnerable”, legally protected according to the national Biological Diversity Act, and listed in Annex II of the Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC). P. maculatum, formerly known as Echium russicum, is a biennial herbaceous plant, rare in many parts of its range and even critically endangered in some countries. In Romania, populations of this species are found in several areas of Transylvania, Moldova, Dobrogea, and Oltenia, mostly within protected areas, with the number of individuals reaching over 1500, and the populations being stable with a favorable conservation status. In the present study, ten populations of P. maculatum from the “Iron Gates” Natural Park in SW Romania were analyzed. For each density, the composition of the plant community was assessed, as well as some morphological and physiological parameters of the plants. The results indicated the phytocoenotic variability of the species, with a different dominant abundance in the floristic composition of several plant communities. Statistical analysis of quantitative traits revealed variability depending on density (at lower densities, plants have a higher number of leaves and photosynthetic rate). Also, the photosynthetic rate was mainly temperature-dependent, rising with this factor. This research found that in some areas, there are insufficient numbers of individuals due to invasive species. The identified variability of Pontechium maculatum in the “Iron Gates” Natural Park is demonstrated by the interplay of ecological factors, human influence, and conservation efforts. Our findings suggest that effective conservation strategies should focus on managing invasive species and enhancing habitat conditions to support P. maculatum populations. Full article

This study presents the first comprehensive IUCN-based assessment for all 88 Limonium species occurring in Greece, aiming to close a critical conservation gap for this highly diverse and important genus in the country. To identify patterns of extinction risk, we applied the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, integrating data on endemism, ploidy, and anthropogenic threats. Moreover, we employed spatial analysis to identify conservation hotspots, and we statistically analyzed how threat status changes across geographic space. Our results show that 51 species (58.0%) are threatened, with endemics (62.3%) exhibiting a significantly higher risk than non-endemics. A greater proportion of diploid species were also found to be threatened compared to their polyploid counterparts. Longitude was identified as a key spatial predictor of threat, with risk concentrated in southern and western coastal zones. The most prevalent threats are coastal development (56.9% of threatened species) and invasive species (33.3%). This work provides a vital baseline for Limonium conservation, highlighting the urgent need for a dual conservation strategy that combines efficient in situ actions with ex situ measures for the most imperiled species. Full article

The whale shark Rhincodon typus is the largest known extant omnivorous fish species, reaching up to 17 m in length. Because of its slow growth and late maturity, R. typus is particularly vulnerable to human activities and is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List. Understanding its biological characteristics, such as growth rate, is essential for their conservation. Non-invasive methods, including stereo-image measurements, have been used to measure the body length of the species over the years, which aggregates in coastal areas during specific life stages. This method enables us to estimate fish length by recording the target using a stereo camera, which commonly consists of two cameras. However, measurement errors increase in the setup as the target moves away from the camera. Therefore, we conducted a multi-stereo video shoot of a free-swimming whale shark in an aquarium tank and compared the performance of stereo cameras using two, three, and four cameras. The setups with three and four cameras outperformed the traditional two-camera stereo setup in terms of precision and accuracy, suggesting that a multi-stereo camera system can effectively estimate the body length of large animals such as whale sharks from a considerable distance. Full article

Sphagneticola trilobata (L.) Pruski has been introduced into many countries due to its ornamental and economic value. However, it has been listed in the world’s 100 worst alien invasive species due to its invasive nature. This species easily escapes cultivation and forms dense ground cover. It reproduces asexually through ramet formation from stem fragments. It also produces a large number of viable seeds that establish extensive seed banks. The movement of stem fragments and the dispersal of seeds, coupled with human activity, contribute to its short- and long-distance distribution. S. trilobata grows rapidly due to its high nutrient absorption and photosynthetic abilities. It exhibits high genetic and epigenetic variation. It can adapt to different habitats and tolerate various adverse environmental conditions, including cold and high temperatures, low and high light irradiation, low nutrient levels, waterlogging, drought, salinity, and global warming. S. trilobata has powerful defense systems against herbivory and pathogen infection. These systems activate the jasmonic acid signaling pathway, producing several defensive compounds. This species may also acquire more resources through allelopathy, which suppresses the germination and growth of neighboring plants. These life history traits and defensive abilities likely contribute to its invasive nature. This is the first review to focus on the mechanisms of its invasiveness in terms of growth and reproduction, as well as its ability to adapt to different environmental conditions and defend itself. Full article

Impatiens glandulifera Royle (I. glandulifera) in the EU presents a threat to the ecosystem, and is thus on the list of invasive alien species. The aim of this study was to clarify if an allelopathic effect of I. glandulifera involves the activation of oxidative stress in target plants. First, I. glandulifera leaf extract was prepared and levels of 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphtoquinone (2-HNQ) and 2-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (2-MNQ), as main allelochemicals of I. glandulifera, determined by HPLC. Next, seeds of white mustard (Sinapis alba) or radish (Raphanus sativus) were exposed to the extract or to 2-MNQ (in the concentration range of 1–30 µg/mL) for 3 days and parameters of germination and oxidative stress were assessed. Both the leaf extract and 2-MNQ inhibited germination of white mustard and radish; however, the effect of 2-MNQ was more pronounced. Furthermore, the extract and 2-MNQ induced activation of antioxidative defense and caused oxidative damage to lipids and proteins in white mustard and radish seedlings. It was observed that radish seedlings were less susceptible to negative effect of I. glandulifera extract and 2-MNQ. This study’s obtained results demonstrated that 2-MNQ is the main allelochemical of I. glandulifera and that the mechanism by which I. glandulifera and 2-MNQ induce negative effects to target plants involves oxidative stress. In addition, species-dependent susceptibility to I. glandulifera and 2-MNQ was shown. Full article

The popularity of exotic animals, including turtles, kept as pets, has grown steadily in recent decades. Limited awareness of the biological and ecological requirements of these species, combined with insufficient regulation in the pet trade, has contributed to frequent cases of release into the wild. Consequently, the risk of the introduction of non-native turtle species has increased; while not all introduced species establish viable populations or compete with native fauna, some compete for habitat and food resources, transmit pathogens and parasites, or disrupt ecosystem functioning. This study assessed the availability and prevalence of problematic turtle species in the Polish pet trade. Data were collected in 2024 from three main distribution channels: zoological fairs, pet shops, and online platforms, resulting in 1001 recorded observations. A total of 15 freshwater and 11 terrestrial turtle species were identified. The most frequently offered were members of the genus Pseudemys (49.5%) and Mauremys reevesii (13.84%)—both potentially invasive taxa already recorded in natural environments of several European countries. Additionally, species prohibited from trade in Poland, such as the pond slider Trachemys scripta and the false map turtle Graptemys pseudogeographica, were found among online listings, constituting a total of 3.03% of all observations. These results highlight a significant risk of further introduction of alien turtles into Poland’s natural environments, posing a serious threat to biodiversity, including the endangered native European pond turtle Emys orbicularis. Urgent public education and additional legal regulations are needed for the pet trade to prevent the further spread of invasive turtle species in Poland and across Europe. Full article

The spread of the invasive mosquitoes Aedes albopictus, Aedes aegypti, and Aedes japonicus in Spain represents an increasing public health risk due to their capacity to transmit arboviruses such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya, among others. Traditional field entomological surveillance remains essential for tracking their spread, but it faces limitations in terms of cost, scalability, and labor intensity. Since 2014, the Mosquito Alert citizen-science project has enabled public participation in surveillance through the submission of geolocated images via a mobile app, which are identified using AI in combination with expert validation. While field surveillance provides high accuracy, citizen science offers low-cost, large-scale, real-time data collection aligned with open data management principles. It is particularly useful for detecting long-distance dispersal events and has contributed up to one-third of the municipal detections of invasive mosquito species since 2014. This study assesses the value of integrating both surveillance systems to capitalize on their complementary strengths while compensating for their weaknesses in the areas of taxonomic accuracy, scalability, spatial detection patterns, data curation and validation systems, geographic precision, interoperability, and real-time output. We present the listing of municipal detections of these species from 2004 to 2024, integrating data from both sources. Spain’s integrated approach demonstrates a pioneering model for cost-effective, scalable vector surveillance tailored to the dynamics of invasive species and emerging epidemiological threats. Full article

Candida albicans, listed by WHO as a priority fungal (yeast) pathogen, can cause invasive infections resistant to drugs, thus demanding novel strategies of disinfection. This study examines the inactivation, reactivation in darkness, and susceptibility to fluconazole of an antifungal-resistant C. albicans strain through UVC photolysis, chemical oxidation, and photooxidation using hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), peroxydisulfate (PDS), or peroxymonosulfate (PMS). Tests were performed in deionized water over very short treatment times (0–80 s). Also, standardized CLSI methods for antifungal sensitivity studies and morphological microscopic views were carried out. The fungus disinfection order was UVC/H₂O₂ > UVC/PDS > UVC/PMS > UVC. The photooxidation processes followed pseudo-first-order kinetics, with the highest rate constant for the UVC/H₂O₂ process. Direct oxidation, photoinactivation, and attacks of radical species were responsible for the inactivation of the antifungal-resistant microorganism. The fluconazole susceptibility of yeasts was significantly decreased (from 64 to 8 µg mL⁻¹) by the action of UVC/H₂O₂. A low reactivation in the dark and strong changes in the yeast morphology were found, indicating that the use of UVC light and radical-based processes is an effective alternative for fluconazole-resistant yeasts and could be promising to deal with hospital wastewater loaded with resistant fungi. Full article

Acacia mearnsii De Wild. has been introduced to over 150 countries for its economic value. However, it easily escapes from plantations and establishes monospecific stands across plains, hills, valleys, and riparian habitats, including protected areas such as national parks and forest reserves. Due to its negative ecological impact, A. mearnsii has been listed among the world’s 100 worst invasive alien species. This species exhibits rapid stem growth in its sapling stage and reaches reproductive maturity early. It produces a large quantity of long-lived seeds, establishing a substantial seed bank. A. mearnsii can grow in different environmental conditions and tolerates various adverse conditions, such as low temperatures and drought. Its invasive populations are unlikely to be seriously damaged by herbivores and pathogens. Additionally, A. mearnsii exhibits allelopathic activity, though its ecological significance remains unclear. These characteristics of A. mearnsii may contribute to its expansion in introduced ranges. The presence of A. mearnsii affects abiotic processes in ecosystems by reducing water availability, increasing the risk of soil erosion and flooding, altering soil chemical composition, and obstructing solar light irradiation. The invasion negatively affects biotic processes as well, reducing the diversity and abundance of native plants and arthropods, including protective species. Eradicating invasive populations of A. mearnsii requires an integrated, long-term management approach based on an understanding of its invasive mechanisms. Early detection of invasive populations and the promotion of public awareness about their impact are also important. More attention must be given to its invasive traits because it easily escapes from cultivation. Full article

Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are increasingly adopted in urban settings to restore ecological functions and enhance biodiversity. This study evaluates the effects of NbS interventions on bird, insect, and plant communities in the Cavalum Valley urban green area, Penafiel (northern Portugal). Over a three-year period, systematic field surveys assessed changes in species richness, abundance, and ecological indicators following actions such as riparian restoration, afforestation, habitat diversification, and invasive species removal. Results revealed a marked increase in bird overall abundance from 538 to 941 individuals and in average pollinator population size from 9.25 to 12.20. Plant diversity also improved, with a rise in native and RELAPE-listed species (5.23%). Functional group analyses underscored the importance of vegetative structure in supporting varied foraging and nesting behaviours. These findings highlight the effectiveness of integrated NbS in enhancing biodiversity and ecological resilience in urban landscapes while reinforcing the need for long-term monitoring to guide adaptive management and conservation planning. Future work could evaluate ecological resilience thresholds and community participation in citizen science monitoring. Full article

Arundo donax L. has been introduced in markets worldwide due to its economic value. However, it is listed in the world’s 100 worst alien invasive species because it easily escapes from cultivation, and forms dense monospecific stands in riparian areas, agricultural areas, and grassland areas along roadsides, including in protected areas. This species grows rapidly and produces large amounts of biomass due to its high photosynthetic ability. It spreads asexually through ramets, in addition to stem and rhizome fragments. Wildfires, flooding, and human activity promote its distribution and domination. It can adapt to various habitats and tolerate various adverse environmental conditions, such as cold temperatures, drought, flooding, and high salinity. A. donax exhibits defense mechanisms against biotic stressors, including herbivores and pathogens. It produces indole alkaloids, such as bufotenidine and gramine, as well as other alkaloids that are toxic to herbivorous mammals, insects, parasitic nematodes, and pathogenic fungi and oomycetes. A. donax accumulates high concentrations of phytoliths, which also protect against pathogen infection and herbivory. Only a few herbivores and pathogens have been reported to significantly damage A. donax growth and populations. Additionally, A. donax exhibits allelopathic activity against competing plant species, though the allelochemicals involved have yet to be identified. These characteristics may contribute to its infestation, survival, and population expansion in new habitats as an invasive plant species. Dense monospecific stands of A. donax alter ecosystem structures and functions. These stands impact abiotic processes in ecosystems by reducing water availability, and increasing the risk of erosion, flooding, and intense fires. The stands also negatively affect biotic processes by reducing plant diversity and richness, as well as the fitness of habitats for invertebrates and vertebrates. Eradicating A. donax from a habitat requires an ongoing, long-term integrated management approach based on an understanding of its invasive mechanisms. Human activity has also contributed to the spread of A. donax populations. There is an urgent need to address its invasive traits. This is the first review focusing on the invasive mechanisms of this plant in terms of adaptation to abiotic and biotic stressors, particularly physiological adaptation. Full article