Search Results (744)

Background/Objectives: Tropane alkaloids (TAs) and phenylpropanoid polyamine alkaloids (PPAs) are major alkaloid constituents of solanaceous plants; however, the tissue-specific distribution of these compounds in Anisodus luridus, a medicinal plant native to southeastern Xizang, remains incompletely characterized. Methods: A biosynthesis-informed putative annotation workflow was developed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-HRMS) to characterize alkaloid profiles across seven tissues (root, stem, leaf, calyx, corolla, ovary, and seed). Putative annotations were guided by substrate–product structural relationships, predicted enzyme-catalyzed modifications, and diagnostic tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) fragmentation patterns. Results: Eighteen alkaloid features were characterized, comprising 6 TAs and 12 PPAs. Hyoscyamine and scopolamine were identified using authentic standards, and the remaining 16 features were putatively annotated, including dihydroanisodamine, hexosylhyoscyamine, and several PPAs not previously reported in A. luridus. TAs were predominantly enriched in roots and ovaries, whereas PPAs accumulated in floral tissues and leaves. Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) identified scopolamine (variable importance in projection (VIP) = 1.30) as a principal variable associated with separation among tissue metabolic profiles. Conclusions: This workflow supports the putative annotation of alkaloids in non-model medicinal plants. The observed tissue-specific distribution patterns provide a basis for future comparative studies with A. belladonna and for evaluating cultivation, tissue-selective harvesting, and extraction strategies. Full article

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), the third most important food crop worldwide, is constrained by phytopathogens, environmental stress, and heavy agrochemical use. Potato micropropagation is a biotechnological strategy for producing genetically uniform, pathogen-free plantlets. However, the acclimatization phase remains a major bottleneck in micropropagation, often resulting in poor survival and stunted growth. In this context, plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) represent a sustainable strategy to improve plantlet establishment and reduce reliance on synthetic inputs. This study evaluated the biofertilization and biocontrol potential of three Douro vineyard-associated bacterial strains, Bacillus velezensis Nb1, Burkholderia pyrrocinia Gs3, and Streptomyces sp. 42s5, identified using 16S rRNA and gyrB sequence analysis. In dual-culture assays, the isolates showed antagonistic activity against Fusarium oxysporum, F. solani, Botrytis cinerea, and Alternaria alternata. All strains also exhibited key plant growth-promoting traits, including indole-3-acetic acid and siderophore production, and phosphate solubilization. The isolates were tested individually and in consortia on micropropagated potato plantlets during acclimatization under greenhouse conditions. Eight treatments (six replicates each), including a non-inoculated control, were evaluated. The results indicated that inoculations significantly improved vegetative growth and yield-related parameters. Notably, the Gs3 + 42s5 combination produced the highest shoot biomass, while the three-strain consortium achieved the greatest total tuber weight (36.91 g/plant) compared to the control (7.75 g/plant). These findings highlight the potential of these native PGPB, particularly when applied in multi-strain combinations, to enhance acclimatization efficiency and support sustainable potato production by reducing dependence on chemical inputs and promoting eco-friendly agricultural practices. Full article

The HB (homeobox) transcription factor family plays important roles in plant growth, development, morphogenesis, and stress responses; however, its involvement in longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour.) fruit energy metabolism remains unclear. In this study, 32 DlHB family members were identified in the longan genome, and their physicochemical properties, phylogenetic relationships, gene structures, conserved motifs, conserved domains, tissue-specific expression patterns, promoter cis-acting elements, and collinearity relationships were systematically analyzed. The DlHB family was classified into four subfamilies, HD-ZIP I–IV, with substantial divergence in structural composition, expression patterns, and putative regulatory features. Our previous work showed that 1.5% chitosan (CTS) treatment improved postharvest longan fruit quality through modulation of energy metabolism, and the corresponding CTS-treatment transcriptome was therefore used here to screen energy-metabolism-associated DlHB candidates. DlHB22 was selected as a representative candidate, and its CTS-responsive expression was independently confirmed by qRT-PCR. Exogenous ATP treatment was then used as an independent physiological validation of the relationship between energy metabolism and postharvest storability; ATP-treated fruit showed reduced deterioration together with higher ATP, ADP, and AMP contents and higher activities of H+-ATPase, Ca²+-ATPase, cytochrome c oxidase (CCO), and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) at 15 d, although adenylate energy charge (AEC) was lower than in the control. DlHB22 localized predominantly to the nucleus. Heterologous overexpression of DlHB22 in tomato accelerated fruit color transition and ripening progression and altered ATP, ADP, and AMP contents, AEC, and the activities of H+-ATPase, Ca²+-ATPase, CCO, and SDH. Transcriptome analysis of DlHB22-overexpressing tomato fruit revealed broad transcriptional changes in pathways associated with central carbon metabolism, energy metabolism, glutathione metabolism, hormone signaling, and MAPK signaling, and qRT-PCR validation of six representative DEGs was consistent with the RNA-seq trends. Because tomato is climacteric whereas longan is non-climacteric, the heterologous tomato results demonstrate the regulatory potential of DlHB22 but do not establish an identical native ripening pathway in longan. Overall, DlHB22 is best regarded as a candidate transcription factor associated with longan fruit energy metabolism, whose native regulatory mechanism requires direct validation in longan. Full article

This study evaluated the dose-dependent effects of a nodule-associated bacterial isolate subsequently identified by whole-genome sequencing as Kosakonia cowanii on nodulation, nitrogen status, growth, phenology, and yield components of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Centenario) under greenhouse conditions in northern Ecuador. A randomized complete block design with five treatments and three replicates was used, including three inoculation doses (6 × 10⁹, 6 × 10^4.5 and 6 × 10^2.25 CFU mL⁻¹), a non-inoculated control and a nitrogen-fertilized control. Significant differences were detected for plant height, SPAD index, phenological development, nodulation and 100 seed weight. The lowest inoculation dose (T3) produced the strongest biological response, reaching 227.67 nodules plant⁻¹, approximately 6.5 times more than the non-fertilized control, and the highest SPAD value at 60 days after sowing (41.16), exceeding both the non-fertilized control (26.84) and the nitrogen-fertilized treatment (33.14). T3 also achieved the greatest plant height (80.31 cm) and accelerated flowering and pod formation by up to two days compared with higher inoculation doses. Although grain yield did not differ significantly among treatments because of high experimental variability and limited statistical power, inoculated plants maintained yields comparable to the nitrogen-fertilized control while improving seed filling. Whole genome sequencing confirmed the identity of the dominant genome as K. cowanii (ANI = 96.73%; completeness = 99.03%; contamination = 0.63%), supporting the interpretation that this bacterium acts primarily as a plant growth-promoting and nodule-associated bacterium rather than a classical nitrogen-fixing symbiont. These findings highlight the potential of native K. cowanii as a component of sustainable biofertilization strategies for Andean bean production systems. Full article

Background/Objectives: Chronic inflammation sustained by cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) underlies many human diseases, while the cardiovascular liabilities of coxibs have renewed interest in plant-derived alternatives. This study characterised the volatile composition of Corymbia citriodora essential oil under two distillation regimes and identified constituents able to inhibit human COX-2 and iNOS. Methods: Oils obtained by steam distillation (SD) and microwave-assisted steam distillation (MSD) were profiled by GC–MS/MS. All identified constituents were screened with SASA Vina against human COX-2 (PDB: 5KIR, 3LN1), ovine COX-1 (4COX) and human iNOS (3E7G), with native-ligand re-docking validating each protocol (RMSD 0.39–0.84 Å). The lead compound underwent density functional theory (B3LYP/3-21G/CPCM), 100 ns all-atom molecular dynamics, MM/GBSA and MM/PBSA decomposition, and pkCSM ADMET prediction. Results: Sixty-three constituents were identified (99.85% SD; 99.97% MSD). MSD enriched oxygenated monoterpenes (93.23% versus 88.27%), citronellal rose from 38.24% to 48.41%. (Z,Z,Z)-1,5,9,9-Tetramethyl-1,4,7-cycloundecatriene ranked highest at COX-2 (−8.0 to −8.2 kcal/mol) and also bound COX-1 (−8.8 kcal/mol) and iNOS (−6.8 kcal/mol). DFT indicated high kinetic stability (ΔE = 6.12 eV; η = 3.06 eV) and purely non-covalent hydrophobic binding. The COX-2 complex remained stable over 100 ns (Cα RMSD 0.17 ± 0.02 nm), with MM/GBSA and MM/PBSA binding energies of −23.98 and −21.95 kcal/mol and Val523 as the principal hotspot. ADMET prediction returned 96.61% human intestinal absorption and no mutagenicity, hepatotoxicity or hERG I blockade. Conclusions: MSD offers a faster route to a citronellal-enriched oil, and C. citriodora hydrocarbon sesquiterpenes emerge as chemically stable, multi-target COX-2/iNOS scaffolds. Comparable binding at COX-1 indicates that isoform selectivity remains to be established; in vitro enzymatic and cell-based validation is therefore required. Full article

Most of Jordan’s arid and semi-arid areas have suffered land degradation and a decline in plant biodiversity, making non-conventional water resources essential for enhancing dryland productivity. Olive oil production in Mediterranean countries generates large amounts of olive mill wastewater (OMW), locally known as “Zibar,” a source of environmental pollution due to its high acidity and heavy loads of polyphenols and organics. We assessed the phytotoxicity of OMW at five concentrations (0–100%) on seed germination and early seedling growth of two dryland native plants, Atriplex halimus and Achillea fragrantissima, to evaluate their suitability for revegetation of OMW-affected sites. The final germination percentage was unaffected by OMW concentration in either species, but the seedling vigor index declined significantly under treatment in both. In Achillea fragrantissima, the germination index, root length, and fresh weight were significantly reduced even at the lowest OMW concentration tested, indicating high sensitivity. In Atriplex halimus, significant reductions in shoot length and fresh weight emerged mainly at higher concentrations, indicating comparatively greater tolerance. These results suggest Atriplex halimus is a more promising candidate for further evaluation in diluted OMW reuse, while highlighting the need for species-specific testing before recommending dryland plants for OMW-affected environments. Full article

Shade avoidance response (SAR) is an important adaptive mechanism that enables plants to optimize light capture in dense canopies, but excessive shade-induced hypocotyl elongation can negatively affect plant architecture, yield, and quality in Chinese cabbage. In this study, we investigated the genetic basis of SAR using an advanced intercross recombinant inbred line (AI RIL) population derived from a cross between the oil type Chinese cabbage ‘R500’ with significantly longer hypocotyls and the vegetable type Chinese cabbage ‘L58’ with shorter hypocotyls. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping under simulated shade, represented by a low red/far-red light ratio of 0.5, and non-shade conditions, represented by a high red/far-red light ratio of 2.0, identified several candidate genes associated with hypocotyl elongation, including COP1, XTH17, HYH and SRR1. Among these genes, BrSRR1 was selected for functional validation by introducing two alleles of BrSRR1 coding sequences into the Arabidopsis srr1 mutant. Under simulated shade, the srr1 mutant exhibited significantly longer hypocotyl than wild-type Col-0, whereas the BrSRR1-L58 restored hypocotyl length to a level statistically indistinguishable from that of wild-type Col-0. In contrast, the BrSRR1-R500 failed to complement the mutant phenotype, indicating ecotype-specific and allele-dependent functional divergence. Collectively, these findings indicate that BrSRR1 is implicated as a candidate gene involved in negative regulation of shade-induced hypocotyl elongation, though pending validation in the native species, providing insights into the genetic regulation of SAR in Chinese cabbage and a potential target for breeding varieties with reduced shade-induced hypocotyl elongation suited to high-density planting. Full article

Confronted with severe global challenges, including water scarcity, excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and heavy metal contamination in soils, conventional agricultural technologies exhibit marked limitations in integrated water–fertilizer management and non-point source pollution control. Leveraging their excellent water retention capacity, intelligent sustained-release properties, and environmental responsiveness, hydrogels offer innovative solutions to advance sustainable agricultural development. This review comprehensively outlines the fundamental types, crosslinking mechanisms, and key functional properties of hydrogels, with a focused discussion on their agricultural deployment as high-efficiency soil conditioners, fertilizer vectors, and pesticide carriers; it deciphers the microscopic water-holding mechanisms under the tristate water model, delineates the divergent water-uptake and retention behaviors between ionic and non-ionic hydrogels, and clarifies the cyclic water-holding and release mechanisms of hydrogels during soil amelioration. Thise paper further synthesizes hydrogel-enabled environmental remediation applications, in which heavy metals and pesticide residues in soils and aquatic systems are removed via functional-group coordination adsorption or photocatalytic degradation; concurrently, hydrogels have been shown to activate plant systemic immunity through calcium-signaling pathways, thereby inducing broad-spectrum antiviral defense responses. Moreover, hydrogels can be integrated into precision agriculture frameworks to enable real-time monitoring of crop physiological status and to support targeted irrigation and fertilization management. This work also evaluates the role of hydrogels in promoting seed germination, root system development, crop metabolic regulation, and stress resilience, while introducing tailored application strategies across distinct plant growth stages. Their documented economic advantages include water conservation, enhanced crop yields, reduced dependence on synthetic fertilizers, and lower labor costs. Nevertheless, the large-scale implementation of hydrogels continues to face multifaceted challenges—particularly poor degradability and latent ecological risks, as conventional polyacrylamide (PAM)-based gels resist soil mineralization and retain potentially neurotoxic monomers, leaving a critical gap in multi-annual field data concerning their non-target interference with native soil aggregate evolution, pore distribution, and rhizospheric carbon–nitrogen footprints. Mechanistically, many hydrogels with tensile strengths below 1 MPa are highly susceptible to three-dimensional network collapse under high-salinity osmotic shock and tillage mechanical stress, exhibiting a precipitous drop in water retention after more than three wet–dry cycles due to deficient long-term structural stability. Compounding these technical gaps are elevated production costs and low farmer adoption, driven by the absence of texture-specific performance thresholds—such as an available water increment ≥ 40% for sandy soils—and the lack of established life-cycle cost models and farmer incentive mechanisms for bio-based hydrogels. Moving forward, hydrogel technology should pivot toward materials innovation and cost-reduction engineering to broaden its applicability, employ ≥3-year, multi-habitat regional trials to delineate ecological benefit–risk boundaries, and ultimately position hydrogels as pivotal enablers of sustainable, green agricultural paradigms. Full article

Salinity is a major constraint to crop productivity. Beneficial plant–fungus interactions represent a promising strategy to enhance stress resilience. Here, we investigated fungal endophytes isolated from the roots of Oryza sativa cultivated in saline-prone marshlands of the Guadalquivir River, Spain. From a collection of 38 isolates, five salt-tolerant strains exhibiting plant growth-promoting activity were identified, including a previously uncharacterized Reticulascus sp. strain S5. Co-cultivation assays with the non-native host plant Arabidopsis thaliana demonstrated that S5 increased the root and shoot biomass under salt stress. To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms, a comprehensive RNA-Seq analysis of the roots and shoots under control and saline conditions was performed. Fungal colonization induced pronounced transcriptomic changes, particularly in the shoots, including rewiring of the auxin- and abscisic acid-related pathways and the induction of genes associated with cell wall remodeling. Concurrently, defense-related processes, including glucosinolate biosynthesis and ethylene signaling, were broadly repressed, suggesting attenuated stress perception in colonized plants. In the roots, S5 inoculation suppressed the expression of genes involved in root hair development and cell wall organization, indicating a fungus-driven reconfiguration of root development. Moreover, comparative analysis with Fusarium sp. K-23, a fungus that has previously been demonstrated to promote plant growth under salinity stress, revealed distinct root-associated mechanisms but convergence on a shared regulatory module in shoots involving ABA-responsive transcription factors and osmotic stress regulators. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that Reticulascus sp. S5 enhances plant salt stress tolerance through the coordinated transcriptional reprogramming of growth, hormone signaling, and stress responses, highlighting a possible potential of habitat-adapted endophytes for sustainable crop improvement. Full article

The functional expression of plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits in soil actinobacteria is conditioned by abiotic factors, yet the combined effects of pH and temperature on their metabolic profiles and the stability of these profiles after encapsulated formulation and post-processing stress remain insufficiently characterized. This study aimed to evaluate the physiological plasticity of native actinobacteria and the expression of plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits under different pH and temperature conditions, as well as their stability after encapsulation, dehydration, and exposure to UV irradiation. Strains isolated from a semi-arid agricultural soil were analyzed to determine their ability to produce indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), siderophores, and phosphatases, as well as their ability to fix nitrogen, degrade cellulose, and tolerate salt stress. Temperature and pH significantly affected all evaluated PGP traits (p < 0.001), and their expression was not directly associated with biomass production. Two strains, S1 and S4, exhibited the highest overall PGP indices. Strain S1 maximized IAA and siderophore production under neutral conditions (pH 7.0, 30 °C), whereas strain S4 maintained more stable phosphatase activity across the tested pH and temperature ranges. Cell viability remained above 85% after encapsulation and dehydration. Dehydration enhanced IAA and siderophore production in strain S1, while strain S4 exhibited transient metabolic activation under UV irradiation in non-dehydrated capsules. The encapsulation matrix preserved cell viability more effectively than it preserved the complete PGP functional profile, indicating that viability alone is an insufficient criterion for evaluating the technological success of alginate-based bioinoculant formulations. These findings highlight the importance of integrating environmental preconditioning and functional stability assessments into the development of robust microbial bioinoculants adapted to agricultural systems subjected to fluctuating environmental conditions. Full article

New Zealand species have evolved with infrequent fires, the flora being described as non-fire-adapted. Until recently, there has been contradictory information in the literature regarding the response of New Zealand indigenous species to fire, and little quantitative information on the resistance expressed in post-fire resprouting of New Zealand species. Following a grass fire at a site that had been planted, we measured the resprouting ability of a range of native species frequently used in revegetation. Resprouting was exhibited in many of the trees and shrubs, adding to the list of plants that show this fire resistance trait. Resprouting was unexpected given that bark provides resistance to fire and develops with age, and the plants were less than seven years old. Areas of regenerating native vegetation subjected to wildfire in New Zealand are frequently invaded by highly flammable, non-native species. Their presence contributes to what has been termed a fire trap, in which succession to old-growth native forest (and other habitats) is repeatedly reset. We discuss the potential of green firebreaks to escape this trap and conclude that such an escape will require active management. Full article

To evaluate how composted agricultural and forestry organic materials function as components of horticultural growing media, a pot experiment was conducted with chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.) grown in a cinnamon-soil-based medium. The composted material, produced from chestnut shells, chicken manure, and spent mushroom substrate, was incorporated at 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, and 50% (v/v). Water-extractable dissolved organic matter (WE-DOM) was characterized by excitation-emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy coupled with parallel factor analysis (EEM-PARAFAC), together with the fluorescence index (FI), biological index (BIX), humification index (HIX), and fluorescence regional integration (FRI). Growing-medium physicochemical properties, chrysanthemum traits, and an entropy-weighted comprehensive evaluation were also assessed. Compost amendment increased soil organic matter (SOM), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), total nitrogen, and total phosphorus, lowered pH, and was associated with improved porosity and water-retention characteristics. FI ranged from 1.810 to 2.371 and exceeded 1.9 at amendment rates of 30–35%, suggesting a greater contribution from microbially derived DOM. BIX, HIX, and P_V,n/P_III,n were generally higher in amended treatments than in the control, although their responses were non-monotonic across amendment rates, suggesting greater contributions from recently produced DOM and stronger humification-related fluorescence signals. EEM-PARAFAC resolved five fluorescent components. C1, C2, C3, and C5 were predominantly humic-like, whereas C4 displayed both protein-like and humic-like features. With increasing amendment rate, the relative contributions of C1–C4 generally increased, whereas that of C5 declined, suggesting a shift from the native soil fluorescence profile toward a more complex DOM composition influenced by compost inputs and subsequent biological transformation. Chrysanthemum height, stem diameter, flower number, and biomass were generally more favorable at amendment rates of 30–40%. The entropy-weighted evaluation yielded the highest overall response score at 30%, while the 35% treatment also maintained a high score. Considering WE-DOM fluorescence characteristics, growing-medium properties, and plant performance together, a volumetric amendment rate of 30–35% represents a relatively favorable range for the tested composted material under the present pot-experiment conditions. Full article

Improper solid waste management can alter plant communities and facilitate the establishment of non-native species, yet these effects remain poorly documented in Neotropical dump environments. We characterized the flora of an open-air rubbish dump on the Ecuadorian coast and evaluated how disturbance and spatial position influenced floristic composition. Qualitative surveys and 30 systematically established 10 m² plots were sampled along a gradient from the main road to the waste disposal cell. Species identity, origin status, and life form were recorded for all species. The floristic inventory documented 66 species, whereas richness and floristic composition analyses were based on the 38 species recorded in the systematic plots. Native species comprised 74.2% of the flora and non-native species 21.2%. Launaea intybacea represented a new non-native record for continental Ecuador, while Cucumis melo was recorded growing spontaneously outside cultivation. Herbaceous species dominated both assemblages. Agricultural disturbance was associated with higher native and total richness, whereas waste disturbance reduced both. Non-native richness increased with distance from the disposal cell and toward the main road. Despite needing broader multi-site and seasonal surveys, this local study shows that open-air rubbish dumps help detect recently established non-native plants. Full article

Climate change increasingly threatens Mediterranean ornamental horticulture and green infrastructure through elevated temperatures, prolonged drought conditions, soil salinity, and more frequent extreme weather events. As a result, plant growth, phenology and landscape sustainability are significantly affected. This systematic review aimed to identify and qualitatively synthesize the available evidence on the responses of ornamental plants and their production and end use systems to climate-related stress, with emphasis on Mediterranean native species and their potential contribution to climate-resilient landscaping. The review was conducted and reported in accordance with PRISMA 2020. An adapted Population–Exposure–Outcome framework was used to operationalize the overarching review question and guide eligibility assessment. Scopus and the Web of Science Core Collection were systematically searched for peer-reviewed English-language articles published between 1 January 2001 and 31 May 2026. Eligible publications examined ornamental plants, floricultural species, or native and endemic taxa with potential ornamental or landscape use and addressed climate-related stressors, plant resilience, adaptation strategies, cultivation or propagation practices, green-infrastructure applications, or related ecological trade-offs in Mediterranean-relevant contexts. Two reviewers independently assessed titles, abstracts, and full texts using predefined eligibility criteria. The review used a structured qualitative narrative synthesis organized into thematic domains to systematically identify, select, and synthesize the available evidence. Meta-analysis was not undertaken because of substantial heterogeneity in plant material, environmental stressors, study designs, and reported outcomes. A total of ninety studies were included and organized into five domains: climate stress and plant responses (n = 14), native Mediterranean ornamental species (n = 21), adaptation and resilience strategies (n = 16), urban landscaping and green infrastructure (n = 25), and ecological risks and invasive species (n = 14). The review revealed that several native Mediterranean plants possess morphological, physiological, or ecological characteristics associated with tolerance to drought, salinity, and other climate-related stresses, supporting their potential use in sustainable ornamental horticulture. Water-efficient irrigation, alternative water sources and substrates, nursery preconditioning, non-microbial biostimulants, and genotype or physiological screening showed adaptation potential, but their effectiveness depended on species, genotype, intervention intensity, and application context. Evidence remained limited for compound stresses, combined interventions, nursery-to-landscape transfer, long-term field performance, commercial scalability, and environmental trade-offs. Overall, climate-resilient ornamental horticulture requires the integration of plant selection, propagation, production, controlled stress screening, landscape validation, and ecological-risk assessment. This review proposes an evidence-to-application framework to support research, nursery production, landscape planning, and the responsible deployment of climate-adapted ornamental plants. Full article

River ecosystems play a key role in both natural and urbanized environments, acting as essential links in ecological systems. However, they are increasingly exposed to the synergistic effects of anthropogenic pressure and hydrological instability. This study aims to identify and assess changes in land use and their impact on the phytosociological structure and functioning of ash-alder (Fraxino-Alnetum) patches in floodplains. Based on cartographic analyses (1941, 1961, 2025) and detailed geobotanical surveys (2024–2025) conducted at six representative sites, the spatio-temporal dynamics of land use and vegetation habitat conditions were evaluated using ecological indicator values. The results indicate a substantial landscape transformation: a transition from areas dominated by agricultural and forest ecosystems to zones heavily altered by urban expansion, transport infrastructure, and industrialization. Phytosociological analyses show that while species richness remains relatively stable, floristic composition is changing due to hornbeam succession and the emergence of mesophilous species. The presence of non-native species indicates ongoing anthropization in plant patches. Furthermore, hydromorphological modifications, including bank reinforcement and channel deepening in the vicinity of sports and railway infrastructure, have hindered natural river dynamics and accelerated floodplain drainage. The observed changes indicate that ash-alder forests in the Biała Przemsza valley are in a transitional phase between riparian and oak-hornbeam communities, with a clear oak-hornbeam transformation evident in many areas, driven by changes in water relations. This study highlights the urgent need to implement integrated restoration strategies that account for both hydrological catchment recovery and the mitigation of urban pressure to ensure the long-term resilience of riparian ecosystems. Full article