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20 pages, 3834 KiB  
Article
Alien Plants in the Hortus Botanicus Karalitanus (HBK): Current and Future Threats to the Biodiversity of Sardinia, Italy
by Lina Podda, Andrea Lallai, Giacomo Calvia, Francesco Mascia, Gianluca Iiriti and Gianluigi Bacchetta
J. Zool. Bot. Gard. 2025, 6(2), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/jzbg6020027 - 16 May 2025
Viewed by 752
Abstract
Botanical gardens have historically introduced alien species for agronomic, medicinal, and ornamental purposes, but they also contribute to plant invasions. The Hortus Botanicus Karalitanus (HBK) is a historic botanical garden established in 1866, as an acclimatisation arboretum for tropical plants, by the University [...] Read more.
Botanical gardens have historically introduced alien species for agronomic, medicinal, and ornamental purposes, but they also contribute to plant invasions. The Hortus Botanicus Karalitanus (HBK) is a historic botanical garden established in 1866, as an acclimatisation arboretum for tropical plants, by the University of Cagliari. This study inventoried alien vascular plants in the HBK that showed some degree of spontaneity, analysing their status, origin, life form, introduction pathways, reproductive strategies, and presence in Sardinian habitats. A focus on invasive species and their historical introduction based on their first records on the island and in the HBK was made. Field surveys from 2015 to 2024 allowed us to identify 146 alien taxa, primarily neophytes (83%), 45% of which were naturalised and 12% were invasive. Ornamental plants contributed to 70% of introductions, while accidental taxa (weeds and hitchhikers, 61%) were the most invasive. Seed reproduction was the most common way of propagation (41%). About the diffusion in Sardinia, 25% of taxa had no records in nature outside the HBK, 39% were found only in anthropogenic habitats, and 36% in natural habitats. Among them, 8% were invasive in both the HBK and Sardinia, with wetlands being the most affected (5%). However, only 3% of common invasive species were first recorded in the HBK. The results highlight the role of the HBK in alien species spread and early detection, aiding in invasion management and biodiversity conservation in Sardinia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Invasive Species in Botanical and Zoological Gardens)
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13 pages, 237 KiB  
Article
Segmenting Agritourism Visitors: Moving Beyond the General Market
by Jibin Baby and Dae-Young Kim
Sustainability 2025, 17(8), 3620; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17083620 - 17 Apr 2025
Viewed by 524
Abstract
Agritourism has emerged as a dynamic and rapidly expanding sector, drawing a diverse range of visitors. Despite its increasing popularity, many agritourism enterprises continue to adopt a generalized marketing approach that assumes a homogeneous audience. This underscores the critical need for visitor segmentation, [...] Read more.
Agritourism has emerged as a dynamic and rapidly expanding sector, drawing a diverse range of visitors. Despite its increasing popularity, many agritourism enterprises continue to adopt a generalized marketing approach that assumes a homogeneous audience. This underscores the critical need for visitor segmentation, and to address this gap, the present study segments agritourism visitors based on their enduring involvement, with an emphasis on intrinsic motivations and environmental behaviors. We collected data through an online survey of 550 agritourism visitors, and statistical analysis identified three distinct segments: Agritourism Lovers, Greenies, and Neophytes. “Agritourism Lovers” represent devoted advocates who seek meaningful connections with agriculture, natural attractions, and local foods. “Greenies” exhibit strong environmental consciousness, emphasizing agritourism’s role in promoting sustainable agricultural practices. “Neophytes”, on the other hand, are newcomers who value the learning opportunities and recreational experiences associated with agritourism. The findings of this study provide valuable insights for agritourism operators, enabling the development of tailored experiences and marketing strategies aimed at maximizing visitor satisfaction and enhancing the overall value of agritourism. Full article
16 pages, 2926 KiB  
Article
Floristic Inventory and Diversity of Urban Green Spaces in the Municipality of Assemini (Sardinia, Italy)
by Marco Sarigu, Lina Podda, Giacomo Calvia, Andrea Lallai and Gianluigi Bacchetta
Plants 2025, 14(7), 1102; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14071102 - 2 Apr 2025
Viewed by 709
Abstract
Urban greenery is a key component of green infrastructure, contributing to environmental sustainability and urban well-being. Between 2019 and 2020, a comprehensive inventory of ornamental flora was conducted in Assemini (Sardinia, Italy), documenting 198 vascular plant taxa, including 155 exotic, 41 native, and [...] Read more.
Urban greenery is a key component of green infrastructure, contributing to environmental sustainability and urban well-being. Between 2019 and 2020, a comprehensive inventory of ornamental flora was conducted in Assemini (Sardinia, Italy), documenting 198 vascular plant taxa, including 155 exotic, 41 native, and 2 cryptogenic species from 65 families. Among the exotic species, most were neophytes (63%), and 14% were archaeophytes. In terms of life forms, scapose phanerophytes, with a tree-like growth habit, dominated (45%), while Mediterranean and American chorotypes were the most represented, each accounting for 21%. A total of 7356 plants were recorded, comprising trees (61.3%), shrubs (32.3%), and climbers (5.7%), belonging to 90 shrub, 89 tree, and 19 climber taxa. The highest number of plants was found in “Green Areas” and “Schools”, which also exhibited the greatest biodiversity, with 136 different taxa each. The most planted species were Quercus ilex, Nerium oleander, and Olea europaea. The survey also identified 21 allergenic, 36 toxic, and 35 mechanically harmful species, primarily located in “Green Areas” and “Schools”. Biodiversity analysis using the Shannon Index revealed significant diversity, with Fabaceae, Apocynaceae, and Fagaceae emerging as the most represented families. These findings highlight the importance of plant inventories in urban green space management for sustainable planning. Well-maintained green spaces can enhance ecological resilience, improve public health, and promote social cohesion in future urban developments. Full article
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14 pages, 1982 KiB  
Article
Some Ecological Characteristics of a Neophyte of the Canary Islands: Pluchea ovalis (Asteraceae)
by Miguel Pestano, Isabel Suárez, Cristina González-Montelongo, Natalia Sierra Cornejo and José Ramón Arévalo
Ecologies 2025, 6(2), 28; https://doi.org/10.3390/ecologies6020028 - 1 Apr 2025
Viewed by 769
Abstract
Pluchea ovalis (Pers.) DC. is an invasive alien plant species. It has spread widely on the island of Tenerife since it was first introduced, becoming a major threat to the island’s flora. The aims of this study are to analyze its germination capacity [...] Read more.
Pluchea ovalis (Pers.) DC. is an invasive alien plant species. It has spread widely on the island of Tenerife since it was first introduced, becoming a major threat to the island’s flora. The aims of this study are to analyze its germination capacity under different environmental conditions (e.g., light and temperature) and determine its effects on soil properties and native plant communities. Germination assays were carried out both in a germination chamber and in a greenhouse. Twelve plots were also established in the field to determine its effect on soil properties and plant species composition. Our results reveal that the germination capacity of Pluchea ovalis decreases under high temperature ranges and increases on flooded substrates. In addition, Pluchea ovalis can modify soil physicochemical properties by increasing soil magnesium content. As its invasive potential has been demonstrated, this study contributes with evidence of its effects on environmental conditions and species composition. Moreover, we recommend its inclusion in the Spanish Alien Invasive Species Catalogue and the development of further studies about its potential distribution and effects in the Canary Islands. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers of Ecologies 2024)
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36 pages, 29967 KiB  
Article
Diversity, Ecology, and Distribution of Opuntioideae (Prickly Pears and Chollas) Neophytes in Southern Switzerland
by Peter O. Baumgartner, David J. Ferguson and Lucas C. Majure
Diversity 2025, 17(3), 197; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17030197 - 10 Mar 2025
Viewed by 999
Abstract
The invasion of Opuntioideae (cacti) was assessed at national, European, and global levels >14 years ago and requires an urgent update. At present, only three species of this subfamily are retained in the official list of the Swiss Federal Bureau of Environment, two [...] Read more.
The invasion of Opuntioideae (cacti) was assessed at national, European, and global levels >14 years ago and requires an urgent update. At present, only three species of this subfamily are retained in the official list of the Swiss Federal Bureau of Environment, two of them being potentially invasive. About 550 new observations of Opuntia Mill. and Cylindropuntia (Engelm.) F. M. Knuth in the Swiss Cantons Valais, Vaud, and Ticino have been entered in the Swiss Info Flora database. Our observations include the revision of previously registered and new stations, using a revised taxonomy presented here. Our study covering the last 5 years reveals 12 species, each with a specific ecology. Four species have an invasive potential at a local level in the xeric Central Valais. We characterized the habitat of each species by bedrock and soil type, exposure, and microclimate. Opuntia mesacantha (ex O. humifusa Complex) and O. phaeacantha are currently invasive in the municipality of Sion. Opuntia cymochila (hitherto lumped with O. phaeacantha) is dominant in the municipality of Fully, and Opuntia engelmannii is expanding east of Fully. In Ticino and the Jura foothills, adaptations to 2–3-fold annual precipitation and limestone bedrock are explained by the different soil properties and root systems of Opuntias. Methods of control, in particular, the uprooting currently practiced in Fully and Sion, are discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology and Diversity of Plants in Arid and Semi-Arid Ecosystems)
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24 pages, 4616 KiB  
Article
Assessing the Potential Risk of Invasion of the Neophyte Pluchea ovalis (Pers.) DC. (Asteraceae) in the Canarian Archipelago Using an Ensemble of Species Distribution Modelling
by Juan José García-Alvarado, Miguel Pestano-González, Cristina González-Montelongo, Agustín Naranjo-Cigala and José Ramón Arévalo
Diversity 2025, 17(3), 195; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17030195 - 10 Mar 2025
Viewed by 1002
Abstract
Invasive species represent a significant threat to biodiversity and ecosystem conservation, with their impacts often amplified in island ecosystems. Species distribution models (SDMs) can infer the potential habitat throughout the life of an organism and are considered a valuable tool for predicting the [...] Read more.
Invasive species represent a significant threat to biodiversity and ecosystem conservation, with their impacts often amplified in island ecosystems. Species distribution models (SDMs) can infer the potential habitat throughout the life of an organism and are considered a valuable tool for predicting the risk of expansion of invasive plants and animals. In our approach, we used an ensemble of four presence–absence models (GLM, GAM, Random Forest, and BART) calibrated only with data collected in Tenerife, the island with the best representation of the species, to infer the habitat suitability for Pluchea ovalis (Pers.) DC. (Asteraceae). Subsequently, we transferred the ensembled model to the rest of the Canarian Island archipelago. Our results show that under near-present conditions, the suitable areas are in the coastal and mid-elevations of the south slope sectors of Tenerife and Gran Canarian Islands, as well as a vast portion of the westernmost and drier islands, always coinciding with ravines and highly disturbed ecosystems. In addition, we forecasted the potential distribution of Pluchea ovalis under different climate change conditions (SSP126, SSP370, and SSP585), showing how its habitability would increase in the worst scenarios. Both contexts favor areas gained by the species in places where they are currently not present, revealing new suitable sectors in the westernmost islands. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Biodiversity Loss & Dynamics)
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12 pages, 4820 KiB  
Article
A Checklist of the Ornamental Vascular Flora of Sicily
by Emilio Di Gristina, Giulio Barone, Gianniantonio Domina, Emilio Badalamenti, Maria Letizia Gargano, Giuseppe Venturella and Raimondo Pardi
Plants 2025, 14(5), 795; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14050795 - 4 Mar 2025
Viewed by 905
Abstract
Based on literature data and new field investigations, a checklist of the ornamental vascular flora of Sicily is presented. Trees, shrubs, herbaceous, and succulent plants growing in street trees, parks, private gardens, and historic villas of Sicily are included in the checklist. For [...] Read more.
Based on literature data and new field investigations, a checklist of the ornamental vascular flora of Sicily is presented. Trees, shrubs, herbaceous, and succulent plants growing in street trees, parks, private gardens, and historic villas of Sicily are included in the checklist. For each taxon, information on growth forms, geographical and biome origin, resident time, and status (native/alien) in Italy is provided. A total of 928 taxa (including 823 species s. str., 33 cultivars, 31 hybrids, 24 varieties, 9 subspecies, and 8 forms), belonging to 486 genera included in 138 families, were recorded. Fabaceae, Rosaceae, Asteraceae, Cactaceae, Asparagaceae, Arecaceae, and Malvaceae are the richest families in taxa. Phanerophytes are the prevalent growth form, and the main part of such flora consists of Asiatic and American taxa. Taxa from subtropical and tropical biomes showed a prevalent presence; this is a peculiarity which characterizes the Sicilian ornamental flora. Delonix regia emerges as a peculiar case, representing the only documented cases of open-air cultivation in both Sicily and the entire country. A significant percentage of taxa (41%) is included in the list of alien vascular flora of Italy, showing a strong predominance of casual and naturalized neophytes alien species. Full article
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37 pages, 5913 KiB  
Article
Urban Flora Biodiversity of Some Continental Cities of the Po Plain (Emilia-Romagna, Northern Italy)
by Alessandro Alessandrini, Michele Adorni, Fabrizio Buldrini, Sergio Montanari, Villiam Morelli, Mauro Pellizzari, Maurizio Sirotti and Giovanna Bosi
Plants 2025, 14(3), 450; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14030450 - 3 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1330
Abstract
Urban flora is a more and more interesting research subject, in light of the ongoing environmental change and biological homogenisation, since urban contexts are much more diversified that natural ones and, therefore, they offer much more colonisation possibilities to allochthonous species or unexpected [...] Read more.
Urban flora is a more and more interesting research subject, in light of the ongoing environmental change and biological homogenisation, since urban contexts are much more diversified that natural ones and, therefore, they offer much more colonisation possibilities to allochthonous species or unexpected refuges for endangered species. We have, therefore, added our own contribution by analysing the spontaneous vascular flora of 7 cities of the Emilia-Romagna Po Plain (northern Italy), one of the more culturally and economically developed areas in Europe. The global floristic list was 1305 species, spanning from 432 to 756 species in each individual city; 219 of them were constantly present in all cities examined. A notable richness in phytosociological classes (43 out of 75 known for the entire national territory) was observed. Therophytes were 35.4% of the spectrum, followed by hemicryptophytes, phanerophytes and geophytes. Eurasian and Mediterranean species dominated (average values 30 and 27%, respectively); exotic species were 26.8%, in line with the strong floristic pollution of Emilia-Romagna, with neophytes always prevailing over archaeophytes. Among neophytes, 44.8% came from the Americas and 26.2% from Asia. Some hydro-hygrophilous and halophilous species were found, owing to the presence of watercourses crossing the urban areas and coastal wetlands bordering one of the towns. The species new for the flora of Italy or Emilia-Romagna were 32, of which 24 were allochthonous. The species protected at a regional or national level were hardly present, which is normal in artificial environments. Despite the inevitable differences in exploration intensity and effort, this synthesis offers a picture of the contribution given by anthropogenic habitats to the global biological richness of the territory. Full article
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18 pages, 4777 KiB  
Article
Non-Native Flora of the Mediterranean Lesvos Island (East Aegean, Greece): Floristic Analysis, Traits, and Assessment
by Alexandros Galanidis, Ioannis Bazos and Panayiotis G. Dimitrakopoulos
Plants 2024, 13(23), 3375; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13233375 - 30 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1479
Abstract
A checklist of Lesvos Island’s non-native vascular flora is presented. Through the literature and a roadside survey, we recorded 187 non-native plant taxa, representing 12% of the total regional flora. A total of 37 taxa were reported for the first time for Lesvos, [...] Read more.
A checklist of Lesvos Island’s non-native vascular flora is presented. Through the literature and a roadside survey, we recorded 187 non-native plant taxa, representing 12% of the total regional flora. A total of 37 taxa were reported for the first time for Lesvos, including three taxa that are also new to the Greek non-native flora. The dominant families were Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Poaceae, Amaranthaceae, and Solanaceae. Amaranthus, Oxalis, Solanum, Opuntia, and Prunus were the most species rich genera. Most taxa were neophytes, naturalized and perennial, while phanerophytes and therophytes were the predominant life forms. Animal (insect) pollination was the principal pollination mode, whereas the main dispersal mechanism was zoochory, with most taxa forming a capsule. The majority of the taxa preferred agricultural and ruderal habitats and originated from the Americas and Asia. The primary introduction pathway was escape from confinement, concerning taxa introduced for ornamental and agricultural purposes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Plant Invasion)
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17 pages, 10769 KiB  
Article
Enhancing In Situ Conservation of Crop Wild Relatives for Food and Agriculture in Lithuania
by Juozas Labokas, Mantas Lisajevičius, Domas Uogintas and Birutė Karpavičienė
Agronomy 2024, 14(9), 2126; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14092126 - 18 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1042
Abstract
The crop and crop wild relative (CWR) checklist of Lithuania was created containing 2630 taxa. The checklist comprises 1384 native taxa including archaeophytes and 1246 neophytes. In total, 699 taxa (26.6%) are defined for food and forage use. A list of 144 CWR [...] Read more.
The crop and crop wild relative (CWR) checklist of Lithuania was created containing 2630 taxa. The checklist comprises 1384 native taxa including archaeophytes and 1246 neophytes. In total, 699 taxa (26.6%) are defined for food and forage use. A list of 144 CWR priority species with 135 native species and archaeophytes and 9 naturalized species was generated. In total, 53 genera of food and forage species belonging to 15 families are represented by the priority CWR. Two approaches for CWR genetic reserve selection have been employed in this study: (1) CWR-targeted evaluation of preselected sites, including Natura 2000 sites, national protected areas, and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs), such as ancient hillfort sites and ecological protection zones of water bodies; (2) analysis of large georeferenced plant databases. Forty-five potential genetic reserve sites have been selected by the first approach covering 83 species or 57.6% of the national CWR priority list. With the second approach, the in situ CWR National Inventory database has been created by combining data from the Database of EU habitat mapping in Lithuania (BIGIS), Herbarium Database of the Nature Research Centre (BILAS), Lithuanian Vegetation Database (EU-LT-001), and Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). Hotspot analysis of CWR species richness and number of observations suggested that higher CWR diversity is more likely to be found in protected areas. However, Shannon diversity and Shannon equitability indices showed that the areas outside of the protected areas are also suitable for CWR genetic reserve establishment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Agroecology Innovation: Achieving System Resilience)
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23 pages, 4666 KiB  
Article
Checklist of Ornamental Trees, Shrubs, and Succulents of Apulia (Southern Italy)
by Giuseppe Venturella, Emilio Di Gristina, Raimondo Pardi, Fortunato Cirlincione and Maria Letizia Gargano
Plants 2024, 13(17), 2463; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13172463 - 3 Sep 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1366
Abstract
In this study we focused on the need to fill a knowledge gap among Italian botanical studies namely that of ornamental species census. In particular, we addressed one of the regions in southern Italy with less knowledge in the field of such studies [...] Read more.
In this study we focused on the need to fill a knowledge gap among Italian botanical studies namely that of ornamental species census. In particular, we addressed one of the regions in southern Italy with less knowledge in the field of such studies and with an obvious presence of non-native species. A widespread census of the Apulian territory was carried out between 2021 and 2024 in both urban and suburban areas including street trees, parks, and private and historic gardens. The inventory of ornamental trees, shrubs, and succulents of Apulia (southern Italy) was carried out in six provinces, i.e., Bari, Barletta-Andria-Trani, Brindisi, Foggia, Lecce, and Taranto. The checklist comprises 287 taxa (including 265 species, 6 varieties, 5 subspecies, and 11 forms) included in 179 genera belonging to 78 families. We evaluated the number of taxa per families and genera, the presence of each taxa in the provinces of Apulia, the number of taxa per occurrence status, growth forms, geographical origin, and the number of native and alien taxa and also the artificial hybrids. Remarks of the most significant taxa and evaluation of geographical distribution in Italy were also taken into consideration. A large number of surveyed taxa (51.74%) are comprised in the list reported in the recent study on allochthonous vascular flora in Italy with a marked prevalence of Neophyte Casual Alien and Neophyte Naturalized Alien species. Full article
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19 pages, 4555 KiB  
Article
Habitat Degradation Facilitates the Invasion of Neophytes: A Resurvey Study Based on Permanent Vegetation Plots in Oak Forests in Slovenia (Europe)
by Janez Kermavnar and Lado Kutnar
Plants 2024, 13(7), 962; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13070962 - 27 Mar 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1741
Abstract
The spread of neophytes (non-native plant species) challenges the conservation status and ecological integrity of forests, especially in lowland areas. Long-term resurvey studies are needed to evaluate the temporal dynamics of neophytes in forests; however, such data are scarce. In 2023, we resampled [...] Read more.
The spread of neophytes (non-native plant species) challenges the conservation status and ecological integrity of forests, especially in lowland areas. Long-term resurvey studies are needed to evaluate the temporal dynamics of neophytes in forests; however, such data are scarce. In 2023, we resampled a set of 45 permanent vegetation plots (established in 1992/93) in two forest vegetation types: oak–hornbeam forests dominated by Quercus robur and colline oak–beech forests dominated by Q. petraea. Over the last 30 years, oak forests have experienced extensive oak tree mortality, with the degree of habitat degradation being greater in Q. robur forests. In the early 1990s, only three neophytes with low abundance were recorded across all plots. In the 2023 resurvey, the total number of neophytes increased to 22 species (15 herbaceous and 7 woody species), comprising 6.9% of the total species pool in the understory layer. The increase in the plot-level number and cover of neophytes was significant in plots dominated by Q. robur but not in those with Q. petraea. The most frequent neophytes were Impatiens parviflora (present in 31% of plots), Solidago gigantea (27%), Erigeron annuus (16%) and Erechtites hieraciifolia (16%). The richness and cover of neophytes were significantly affected by the tree layer cover (negative correlation) and the degree of soil disturbance (positive correlation). All neophytes established in disturbed patches, whereas the occurrence of I. parviflora was exceptional as it was able to colonize less degraded, shaded understory environments. Habitat degradation (the mortality-induced loss of stand-forming oak trees resulting in extensive tree layer cover decrease) emerged as a key driver promoting neophyte proliferation, coupled with the impact of management-induced disturbances affecting overstory and soil conditions. The spread is expected to continue or even intensify in the future because novel light regimes and disturbances make forest habitats less resistant to neophyte proliferation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Invasions across Scales)
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16 pages, 1666 KiB  
Article
Converting an Established Sida hermaphrodita Field into Arable Farming
by Nicolai David Jablonowski, Benedict Ohrem, Michael Gitzen and Tobias Kollmann
Agronomy 2024, 14(3), 411; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14030411 - 20 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1582
Abstract
The long-term performance of perennial energy crops and their elimination is important for long-term planning and use of agricultural land. In this study, the elimination of a six-year-old Sida hermaphrodita (hereafter referred to as Sida) stock for agricultural reclamation was investigated over [...] Read more.
The long-term performance of perennial energy crops and their elimination is important for long-term planning and use of agricultural land. In this study, the elimination of a six-year-old Sida hermaphrodita (hereafter referred to as Sida) stock for agricultural reclamation was investigated over three years. Crop rotation using maize, winter wheat, and sugar beet, a catch crop, as well as mechanical–chemical treatments were employed according to agricultural practices. After soil grubbing at the beginning of the experiment and prior to further treatments, on half of the former Sida planting area, visible Sida roots were manually removed in addition to determining their potential effect on total resprouting. Prior to each crop harvest, resprouted Sida plants were counted. At harvest, by the end of the first year, 476 versus 390 resprouted Sida plants were found in the investigated areas of 315 m2 each, where preceding manual root removal either took place or not, respectively. This accounted for 76% and 62% of the initial Sida planted. In the second year, the overall number of resprouted Sida declined significantly, accounting for 15 and 11 plants (i.e., 2.4% and 1.8% of initially planted), and in the third year, only two and four residual plants (i.e., 0.3% and 0.6%) were found, representing an almost 100% Sida elimination rate. We conclude that additional root removal did not result in a significant difference in Sida regrowth compared to the mechanical–chemical treatments only. No impediments to harvesting and no loss of yield in any crops were observed due to resprouted Sida in the existing field crops. No Sida plants were found outside the initial field, indicating a low dispersion potential and invasiveness. The results show that successful recultivation of an established Sida stock is possible through common agricultural practices and that resprouting Sida plants did not negatively affect the subsequent crops. Full article
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16 pages, 17976 KiB  
Technical Note
Advanced Detection of Invasive Neophytes in Agricultural Landscapes: A Multisensory and Multiscale Remote Sensing Approach
by Florian Thürkow, Christopher Günter Lorenz, Marion Pause and Jens Birger
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(3), 500; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16030500 - 28 Jan 2024
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2085
Abstract
The sustainable provision of ecological products and services, both natural and man-made, faces a substantial threat emanating from invasive plant species (IPS), which inflict considerable economic and ecological harm on a global scale. They are widely recognized as one of the primary drivers [...] Read more.
The sustainable provision of ecological products and services, both natural and man-made, faces a substantial threat emanating from invasive plant species (IPS), which inflict considerable economic and ecological harm on a global scale. They are widely recognized as one of the primary drivers of global biodiversity decline and have become the focal point of an increasing number of studies. The integration of remote sensing (RS) and geographic information systems (GIS) plays a pivotal role in their detection and classification across a diverse range of research endeavors, emphasizing the critical significance of accounting for the phenological stages of the targeted species when endeavoring to accurately delineate their distribution and occurrences. This study is centered on this fundamental premise, as it endeavors to amass terrestrial data encompassing the phenological stages and spectral attributes of the specified IPS, with the overarching objective of ascertaining the most opportune time frames for their detection. Moreover, it involves the development and validation of a detection and classification algorithm, harnessing a diverse array of RS datasets, including satellite and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery spanning the spectrum from RGB to multispectral and near-infrared (NIR). Taken together, our investigation underscores the advantages of employing an array of RS datasets in conjunction with the phenological stages, offering an economically efficient and adaptable solution for the detection and monitoring of invasive plant species. Such insights hold the potential to inform both present and future policymaking pertaining to the management of invasive species in agricultural and natural ecosystems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Remote Sensing for Management of Invasive Species)
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24 pages, 7711 KiB  
Article
The Influence of Ink Formulation and Preparation on the Performance of Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell
by Zarina Turtayeva, Feina Xu, Jérôme Dillet, Kévin Mozet, Régis Peignier, Alain Celzard and Gaël Maranzana
Energies 2023, 16(22), 7519; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16227519 - 10 Nov 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3544
Abstract
The fabrication step of the catalyst layer (CL) is important to master in order to achieve good performance in fuel cells. Nevertheless, the final structure of a CL depends on many factors, such as the ink composition and preparation, as well as the [...] Read more.
The fabrication step of the catalyst layer (CL) is important to master in order to achieve good performance in fuel cells. Nevertheless, the final structure of a CL depends on many factors, such as the ink composition and preparation, as well as the order of its preparation steps. However, it is not easy for neophytes to understand the relationship between the composition of the ink with the obtained structure of the catalyst layer and its performance in fuel cells. In this work, a systemic experimental study was carried out in order to qualitatively correlate the performance of the PEMFC with the structure of the catalyst layer by playing on different parameters such as the composition and preparation of the ink and the operating conditions. All of the prepared samples were characterized by electron microscopy and profilometry, as well as by electrochemical tests at a single-cell level. The main results show that (i) the chosen ratio and ingredients result in a catalyst layer structure that can affect the PEMFC performance in different ways, and (ii) the reproducibility of the results requires particular care in the choice of catalyst and carbon support. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section A5: Hydrogen Energy)
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