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16 pages, 4190 KiB  
Article
Ruderal Habitats: A Source for Biomass and Biogas
by Maciej Murawski, Wojciech Czekała, Leszek Majchrzak, Bogusława Waliszewska, Alicja Lerczak, Magdalena Janyszek-Sołtysiak, Magdalena Zborowska, Marta Cieślik, Agnieszka Sieradzka and Jacek Dach
Energies 2025, 18(13), 3482; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18133482 - 1 Jul 2025
Viewed by 394
Abstract
The aim of the study was to evaluate the chemical composition and biogas potential of selected ruderal and expansive plant species: Heracleum sosnowskyi, Aegopodium podagraria, Chaerophyllum bulbosum, Acer negundo, and Urtica dioica. Plant material was collected from a [...] Read more.
The aim of the study was to evaluate the chemical composition and biogas potential of selected ruderal and expansive plant species: Heracleum sosnowskyi, Aegopodium podagraria, Chaerophyllum bulbosum, Acer negundo, and Urtica dioica. Plant material was collected from a 19th-century park in the village of Niegolewo (Greater Poland Voivodship) and analyzed for cellulose, lignin, hemicellulose, extractives, and ash content before and after methane fermentation. Fermentation followed DIN 38 414-S8, and chemical analyses used standardized methods (TAPPI, Seifert, and DIN). Statistical analyses included ANOVA, CVA, and hierarchical clustering. The highest biogas yield was obtained from A. podagraria, which is associated with low lignin and high hemicellulose degradation. The results confirm the potential of ruderal biomass as a diverse source for biogas production. Full article
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22 pages, 2987 KiB  
Article
Responses of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Communities to Long-Term Mining and Passive Restoration
by Sofía Yasmín Utge Perri, María Victoria Valerga Fernández, Adalgisa Scotti, Roxana Paula Colombo, Florencia González, Lautaro Valenzuela, Alicia Margarita Godeas and Vanesa Analía Silvani
Plants 2025, 14(4), 580; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14040580 - 14 Feb 2025
Viewed by 947
Abstract
Mining activities cause strong soil alterations, such as heavy metal (HM) pollution, which decreases the diversity of plant communities and rhizospheric microorganisms, including arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. The polymetallic Paramillos de Uspallata mine in the Andes Mountains, the first mining exploitation in Argentina, [...] Read more.
Mining activities cause strong soil alterations, such as heavy metal (HM) pollution, which decreases the diversity of plant communities and rhizospheric microorganisms, including arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. The polymetallic Paramillos de Uspallata mine in the Andes Mountains, the first mining exploitation in Argentina, provides a unique scenario to study AM fungal resilience after long-term disturbance following over 40 years of inactivity. This study aimed to analyze mycorrhizal status and AM fungal communities in the mine and a nearby unexploited area and to evaluate their associations with soil parameters to elucidate life history strategies. Long-term exposure to elevated Fe, Pb, Zn, and Ag concentrations and high electrical conductivity (EC, 5.46 mS/cm) led to the dominance of Entrophospora infrequens in association with Pappostipa speciosa, demonstrating that this AM species is a stress-tolerant strategist in symbiosis with a pioneer perennial plant, resilient in the most impacted mine areas. In contrast, the unexploited area, with an EC of 0.48 mS/cm and low HM contents, supported competitive and ruderal species, revealing distinct ecological strategies of AM fungi in disturbed versus undisturbed environments. These findings highlight the potential of E. infrequens for bioremediation and ecological restoration in post-mining landscapes. 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 1336
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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19 pages, 2432 KiB  
Article
Assessment of the Diversity, Abundance and Range of Invasive Alien Plant Species in Córdoba, a Mediterranean Urban Area
by Herminia García-Mozo
Diversity 2024, 16(12), 777; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16120777 - 22 Dec 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1465
Abstract
Invasive species are a major driver of environmental change and pose a significPant threat to native biodiversity due to their ability to invade and establish themselves in natural or semi-natural ecosystems. This study analyzed the presence, abundance, and distribution of invasive alien plant [...] Read more.
Invasive species are a major driver of environmental change and pose a significPant threat to native biodiversity due to their ability to invade and establish themselves in natural or semi-natural ecosystems. This study analyzed the presence, abundance, and distribution of invasive alien plant species in a Mediterranean urban area, the municipality of Córdoba (Andalusia region, southern Spain). It includes an important historic city center, urbanized areas but also peri-urban natural and semi-natural sites around. A detailed review of bibliography and computerized botanical databases was conducted prior to an extensive fieldwork and GIS analysis carried out during 2021, 2022, and 2023. Our research identified 227 populations of 17 invasive plant species from 10 different families. These species represent 35% of the invasive plant species reported in the Andalusia region and 27% of those reported in Spain. In total, 53% of the species were introduced from America, especially South America, but no alien invasive species from other European regions were detected. The highest concentrations were found in ruderal areas, followed by abandoned fields, but also in urbanized areas, including the UNESCO World Heritage historic city center. Seven invasive herbaceous species were identified (perennial herbs), compared to 10 invasive tree species, with phanerophytes being the most abundant life form. This likely reflects the predominant use of alien woody species for ornamental and reforestation purposes, as well as the greater resilience of woody and perennial species to the increasingly warm and dry conditions of the Mediterranean climate—a phenomenon exacerbated in recent years by climate change. Our findings suggest that the use of non-native species as ornamentals is the primary driver of the establishment, spread, and ecological impact of invasive plants in the study area. This study provides valuable insights into the current situation and the potential future trajectory of invasive species, facilitating the development of management strategies and restoration efforts to address the growing issue of biological invasions in the Mediterranean region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology and Evolution of Invasive Plant Species)
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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 1484
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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13 pages, 3504 KiB  
Article
Establishment of Dittrichia viscosa L. Hairy Roots and Improvement of Bioactive Compound Production
by Annalisa Paradiso, Miriana Durante, Sofia Caretto and Angelo De Paolis
Plants 2024, 13(22), 3236; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13223236 - 18 Nov 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1173
Abstract
Dittrichia viscosa is a ruderal plant species growing along roadsides and well adapting to extreme environmental conditions. D. viscosa plant tissues, especially leaves, are known to be a rich source of bioactive metabolites which have antioxidant, cytotoxic, antiproliferative and anticancer properties. Hairy root [...] Read more.
Dittrichia viscosa is a ruderal plant species growing along roadsides and well adapting to extreme environmental conditions. D. viscosa plant tissues, especially leaves, are known to be a rich source of bioactive metabolites which have antioxidant, cytotoxic, antiproliferative and anticancer properties. Hairy root cultures are a suitable biotechnological system for investigating plant metabolic pathways and producing specialized metabolites in in vitro conditions. In this study, D. viscosa hairy root transformed lines induced by Agrobacterium rhizogenes ATCC15834 were obtained using leaf explants, and the integration of rolB and rolC genes in the genomes of transformed hairy roots were confirmed by PCR analysis. Three hairy root D. viscosa lines (DvHrT1, DvHrT4 and DvHrT5) having different phenotypic features were characterized in terms of total phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidant activity. Correlated with antioxidant activity, phenolic and flavonoid content of DvHrT1 was significantly higher than control roots and the other DvHrT lines. Our results suggest that D. viscosa hairy roots can be a valuable tool for producing various bioactive compounds having antioxidant activity and are to be further investigated to produce other specific molecules that could find application in agricultural or pharmaceutical fields. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Plant Genetics, Genomics and Biotechnology)
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18 pages, 3458 KiB  
Article
Ruderal Plant Diversity as a Driver for Urban Green Space Sustainability
by Daniela Mogîldea and Claudia Biță-Nicolae
Urban Sci. 2024, 8(4), 159; https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci8040159 - 29 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2760
Abstract
Urban development in south-eastern Europe has significant ecological consequences, such as a reduction in native plant diversity, the introduction of non-native species, and increased maintenance costs of urban green spaces. Achieving sustainable urban development requires a thorough understanding of the inventory of native [...] Read more.
Urban development in south-eastern Europe has significant ecological consequences, such as a reduction in native plant diversity, the introduction of non-native species, and increased maintenance costs of urban green spaces. Achieving sustainable urban development requires a thorough understanding of the inventory of native plant species to better manage and conserve these areas. This study analyzed 806 vegetation surveys conducted in rural and urban areas over a 30-year period, identifying 450 plant species from 39 distinct plant communities. Our findings revealed generally low dominance index values in all communities, while Shannon diversity index values were particularly high, indicating rich species diversity despite urbanization pressures. Equality index values varied slightly, reflecting differences in species distributions. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified a substantial group of species with low abundance, which is essential for understanding and managing urban biodiversity. These findings have significant implications for urban planning and plant species conservation. Low dominance and high diversity suggest opportunities to improve urban green spaces by integrating diverse native species. In addition, the ecological and practical value of ruderal species, plants that thrive in disturbed environments, was emphasized, as well as their potential in medicine, phytoremediation, green roof design, and pollination services. Through directly correlating biodiversity indices with urban sustainability goals, our study provides useful insights for urban biodiversity management and the strategic integration of native plant species into urban landscapes. Full article
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33 pages, 1551 KiB  
Review
Bioactive Compounds Produced by Endophytic Bacteria and Their Plant Hosts—An Insight into the World of Chosen Herbaceous Ruderal Plants in Central Europe
by Piotr Drożdżyński, Natalia Rutkowska, Magdalena Rodziewicz and Olga Marchut-Mikołajczyk
Molecules 2024, 29(18), 4456; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29184456 - 19 Sep 2024
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3463
Abstract
The natural environment has been significantly impacted by human activity, urbanization, and industrialization, leading to changes in living organisms and their adaptation to harsh conditions. Species, including plants, adapt to these changes by creating mechanisms and modifications that allow them to survive in [...] Read more.
The natural environment has been significantly impacted by human activity, urbanization, and industrialization, leading to changes in living organisms and their adaptation to harsh conditions. Species, including plants, adapt to these changes by creating mechanisms and modifications that allow them to survive in harsh environments. Also, endophytes, microorganisms that live inside plants, can support plant growth and defense mechanisms in these conditions by synthesizing antimicrobial secondary metabolites. What is more, endophytes produce bioactive metabolites, including alkaloids, amines, and peptides, which play a crucial role in the relationship between endophytes and their host organisms. Endophytes themselves benefit from this by creating a stable environment for their survival and development. The aim of this review is to gain insight into endophytic bioactive metabolites from chosen synanthropic ruderal plants. Industrial activities release pollutants like heavy metals, by-products, and waste, which challenge living organisms and require adaptation. Synanthropic plants, where endophytes are abundant, are particularly valuable for their bioactive compounds, which are used in agriculture and medicine. This review presents, among others, endophytes of herbaceous ruderal plants from central Europe—Chelidonium majus L., Urtica dioica L., Plantago lanceolata L., Matricaria chamomilla L., Equisetum arvense L., Oenothera biennis L., Silybum marianum L., and Mentha piperita L. Full article
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15 pages, 4969 KiB  
Article
Impact of Plant Community Diversity on Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Riparian Zones
by Guanlin Li, Jiacong Xu, Yi Tang, Yanjiao Wang, Jiabao Lou, Sixuan Xu, Babar Iqbal, Yingnan Li and Daolin Du
Plants 2024, 13(17), 2412; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13172412 - 29 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1594
Abstract
Plant community succession can impact greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the soil by altering the soil carbon and nitrogen cycles. However, the effects of community landscape diversity on soil GHG emissions have rarely been fully understood. Therefore, this study investigated how plant landscape [...] Read more.
Plant community succession can impact greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the soil by altering the soil carbon and nitrogen cycles. However, the effects of community landscape diversity on soil GHG emissions have rarely been fully understood. Therefore, this study investigated how plant landscape diversity, structure type, and species composition, affect soil GHG emissions in a riparian zone. Soil GHG emissions were assessed by measuring the air samples collected from four study sites, which have different plant community structure types and species compositions (natural sites with complex plants, landscaped sites with fruit trees and grasses, untended sites with ruderals, and farmland sites), using the static chamber method. Significant differences were observed in soil carbon dioxide (CO2; p < 0.001), nitrous oxide (N2O; p < 0.001), and methane (CH4; p = 0.005) emissions. The untended site with ruderals exhibited the highest CO2 emissions, while N2O emissions increased as plant community diversity decreased. All sites acted as sinks for CH4 emissions, with decreased CH4 uptake efficiency in more diverse plant communities. The Mantel test and variance partitioning analysis revealed soil microbial biomass as an indirect influencer of GHG emissions. This study could help predict soil GHG emissions and their global warming potential under future changes in the island riparian zones. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Soil Interaction Response to Global Change)
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17 pages, 2501 KiB  
Article
A Link between Species Abundance and Plant Strategies for Semi-Natural Dry Grasslands
by Sonja Škornik and Nataša Pipenbaher
Plants 2024, 13(16), 2260; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13162260 - 14 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1615
Abstract
Due of the potential of species to determine ecosystem properties, it is important to understand how species abundance influences community assembly. Using vegetation surveys on 35 dry grasslands in north-east Slovenia, we defined dominant (8) and subordinate (61) plant species. They were compared [...] Read more.
Due of the potential of species to determine ecosystem properties, it is important to understand how species abundance influences community assembly. Using vegetation surveys on 35 dry grasslands in north-east Slovenia, we defined dominant (8) and subordinate (61) plant species. They were compared on 14 traits to test for differences in community-weighted mean (CWM) and functional diversity (FD). We found that dominants and subordinates differed strongly in their functional traits. Dominants showed higher leaf dry matter content and a more pronounced stress tolerance strategy and were all clonal with a large proportion of species with rhizomes and a rich bud bank, while other species showed a higher specific leaf area, a longer flowering period and more ruderals. For most traits, FD was higher in subordinates. Our results suggest that dominants drive community structure by limited susceptibility to non-competitive processes. Dominants may have positive effects on subordinates by mitigating environmental stressors. Subordinates are able to assemble together by being dissimilar and use different fine-scale niches that are engineered and homogenised by dominants. Our results show that there are fundamental differences in the relative importance of ecological processes between dominant and subordinate plants in species-rich grasslands, which is also important for their conservational management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Plant Ecology)
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13 pages, 2963 KiB  
Article
Can CSR Strategy Classes Determined by StrateFy Explain the Species Dominance and Diversity of a Forest Community?
by Ye Peng, Gansha Cui, Hengyi Li, Ningjie Wang, Xiao Zheng, Hui Ding, Ting Lv and Yanming Fang
Forests 2024, 15(8), 1412; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15081412 - 12 Aug 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1646
Abstract
Plant ecological strategies are essential for assessing habitat stress and disturbance and evaluating community productivity. These strategies provide theoretical frameworks for maintaining the natural state of vegetation and enhancing productivity. The functional traits of leaves reflect a plant’s responses to environmental changes and [...] Read more.
Plant ecological strategies are essential for assessing habitat stress and disturbance and evaluating community productivity. These strategies provide theoretical frameworks for maintaining the natural state of vegetation and enhancing productivity. The functional traits of leaves reflect a plant’s responses to environmental changes and contribute to understanding ecosystem stability, providing a basis for species diversity maintenance and effective conservation efforts. The Wuyishan National Park, a biodiversity hotspot in China, is a focal point for ecological research. Its evergreen, broad-leaved forest, the zonal vegetation of Mt. Wuyi, underpins plant diversity protection in the region. This study investigates the CSR (competitor, stress-tolerator, ruderal) strategy of 126 species on Wuyi Mountain to elucidate prevalent ecological strategies. The main ecological strategy of plants in the study area is the CS (competitor, stress-tolerator) strategy. The species exhibit nine categories. The most abundant ecological strategy is S/CS (plants from Fagaceae), accounting for 38%, followed by S/CSR at 23% (plants from Theaceae), CS at 20% (plants from Fagaceae and Theaceae), and the remaining strategies collectively at 19%. The different growth habit categories showed variations in the CSR strategies. The trees clustered around a CS median strategy, with no R-selected trees observed. Shrubs and lianas centered around an S/CSR strategy, while grasses and understory shrubs clustered around CS/CSR. Redundancy analysis results indicate that leaf functional traits are primarily influenced by temperature, suggesting that temperature is the key environmental factor driving the differentiation of plant functional traits. This study provides insights into the ecological strategies of plant species in the Mt. Wuyi region, highlighting the importance of considering both biotic and abiotic factors in maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem stability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Forest Ecology and Management)
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16 pages, 2607 KiB  
Article
Archaeological Areas as Habitat Islands: Plant Diversity of Epidaurus UNESCO World Heritage Site (Greece)
by Maria Panitsa, Maria Tsakiri, Dimitra Kampiti and Maria Skotadi
Diversity 2024, 16(7), 403; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16070403 - 12 Jul 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2768
Abstract
The Epidaurus UNESCO World Heritage site (EPD) is a famous archaeological area that is located in a small valley in the Peloponnese and receives more than 250,000 visitors annually. The study of the plant diversity of the site is in the framework of [...] Read more.
The Epidaurus UNESCO World Heritage site (EPD) is a famous archaeological area that is located in a small valley in the Peloponnese and receives more than 250,000 visitors annually. The study of the plant diversity of the site is in the framework of a continuous research project concerning archaeological areas of the Peloponnese and in the context of a project by the Ministry of Culture, Education and Religious Affairs of Greece that started during 2023 to study the biodiversity of the archaeological areas of Greece. The main aim of this study is the exploration and analysis of the plant species composition and diversity of the Epidaurus archaeological area, with an emphasis on endemic plants, on ruderal and alien taxa as well as on environmental and disturbance indicators and the cultural ecosystem services they provide. This study revealed a high species richness consisting of 446 plant taxa. Most of them are Mediterranean and widespread, ruderals and medium disturbance indicators, but there are also 12 Greek endemic taxa. The richest in the taxa families are Asteraceae, Fabaceae and Poaceae. Therophytes predominate in the total flora registered and hemicryptophytes predominate in the endemics. Comparisons of the EPD’s plant diversity with other archaeological areas of Greece and the Mediterranean revealed its richness and unique character. Management and protection in archaeological areas such as the Epidaurus must focus on the sustainable conservation of their relationship with their natural environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2024 Feature Papers by Diversity’s Editorial Board Members)
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33 pages, 5732 KiB  
Article
Biodiversity and Vegetation Succession in Vineyards, Moravia (Czech Republic)
by Erika Hurajová, Petra Martínez Barroso, Igor Děkanovský, Yentriani Rumeta Lumbantobing, Martin Jiroušek, Amir Mugutdinov, Ladislav Havel and Jan Winkler
Agriculture 2024, 14(7), 1036; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14071036 - 28 Jun 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1870
Abstract
Maintaining biodiversity in agricultural landscapes is a major challenge for environmental protection in Europe. Vineyards rely heavily on agrotechnical interventions such as herbicide use and tillage for weed control, which affect biodiversity and can lead to soil erosion and resistant weed populations. The [...] Read more.
Maintaining biodiversity in agricultural landscapes is a major challenge for environmental protection in Europe. Vineyards rely heavily on agrotechnical interventions such as herbicide use and tillage for weed control, which affect biodiversity and can lead to soil erosion and resistant weed populations. The fragmentation of agricultural landscapes affects biodiversity by altering community composition and often reducing plant population sizes and genetic diversity. However, it can also increase the abundance of certain species and enhance population resilience to environmental change. Vineyards can support high levels of biodiversity and provide ecosystem services due to their semi-natural habitat structure. This research evaluates vegetation biodiversity using phytosociological relevés in different vineyards. Our results show that species richness and biodiversity are significantly influenced by vineyard age and management type. This study highlights differences in the representation of plant functional groups, with perennial taxa in grassy inter-row contributing to anti-erosion functions and serving as food sources for pollinators. The root zone around vine trunks shows an increase in invasive species with vineyard age, posing a risk to the agroecosystem. Vineyards predominantly follow a ruderal ecological strategy, using nutrients and light efficiently, while tolerating management disturbances. Understanding these dynamics is critical for developing sustainable vineyard management practices that support biodiversity and ecological resilience, counteract the homogenization of agricultural landscapes, and promote the coexistence of viticulture and species-rich ecosystems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Systems and Management)
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19 pages, 5552 KiB  
Article
Soil Nitrogen and Flooding Intensity Determine the Trade-Off between Leaf and Root Traits of Riparian Plant Species
by Hang Zou, Wanyu Wang, Jinxia Huang, Xiaohong Li, Maohua Ma, Shengjun Wu and Cunfeng Zhao
Plants 2024, 13(7), 978; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13070978 - 29 Mar 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1533
Abstract
The investigation into trade-offs among plant functional traits sheds light on how plants strategically balance growth and survival when facing environmental stress. This study sought to evaluate whether trade-offs observed at both community and individual species levels could indicate adaptive fitness across an [...] Read more.
The investigation into trade-offs among plant functional traits sheds light on how plants strategically balance growth and survival when facing environmental stress. This study sought to evaluate whether trade-offs observed at both community and individual species levels could indicate adaptive fitness across an intensity of flooding intensity. The study was conducted at 25 sampling sites spanning approximately 600 km along the riparian zone in the Three Gorges Reservoir area, China. The findings revealed that, along the flooding gradient, the overall riparian community did not exhibit significant trade-offs between leaf and root traits. Examining three broadly distributed dominant species (Cynodon dactylon, Xanthium strumarium, and Abutilon theophrasti), perennial plants showed pronounced trade-offs under low flooding intensity, while annuals exhibited trade-offs under moderate and low flooding intensity. The trade-offs were evident in traits related to nitrogen-carbon resources, such as specific leaf area, root tissue density, and photosynthetic rate. However, under strong flooding intensity, the relationship between leaf and root traits of the species studied was decoupled. Furthermore, the study identified a significant correlation between soil nitrogen and the trade-off traits under moderate and low flooding intensity. Integrating results from the CSR (Competitors, Stress-tolerators, Ruderals) strategy model, species niche breath analysis, and nitrogen-regulated trade-off, the study revealed that, in the face of high flooding intensity, perennial species (C. dactylon) adopts an S-strategy, demonstrating tolerance through a conservative resource allocation that decouples leaf-root coordination. Annual species (X. strumarium and A. theophrasti), on the other hand, exhibit niche specialization along the flooding gradient, employing distinct strategies (R- and C-strategy). As flooding stress diminishes and soil nitrogen level decreases, plant strategies tend to shift towards an R-strategy with a competition for reduced N resources. In conclusion, the study highlighted the pivotal roles of soil nitrogen and flooding intensity acting as the dual determinants of species growth and tolerance. These dynamics of growth-tolerance balance were evident in the diverse trade-offs between leaf and root traits of individual plant species with different life histories, underscoring the array of adaptive strategies employed by riparian plants across the flooding intensity gradient. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Plant Response to Abiotic Stress and Climate Change)
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19 pages, 16389 KiB  
Article
Changes in Competitors, Stress Tolerators, and Ruderals (CSR) Ecological Strategies after the Introduction of Shrubs and Trees in Disturbed Semiarid Steppe Grasslands in Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia
by Eui-Joo Kim, Seung-Hyuk Lee, Se-Hee Kim, Jae-Hoon Park and Young-Han You
Biology 2023, 12(12), 1479; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12121479 - 30 Nov 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2361
Abstract
To reveal the changes in the life history characteristics of grassland plants due to vegetation restoration, plant species and communities were analyzed for their competitor, stress tolerator, and ruderal (CSR) ecological strategies after the introduction of woody plants in the damaged steppe grassland [...] Read more.
To reveal the changes in the life history characteristics of grassland plants due to vegetation restoration, plant species and communities were analyzed for their competitor, stress tolerator, and ruderal (CSR) ecological strategies after the introduction of woody plants in the damaged steppe grassland and were compared with those in reference sites in Hulunbuir, Inner Mongolia. As a result, it was found that the introduction of the woody plants (Corethrodeneron fruticosum, Caragana microphylla, Populus canadensis, and Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica) into the damaged land greatly increased the plant species diversity and CSR eco-functional diversity as the succession progressed. The plant strategies of the temperate typical steppe (TTS) and woodland steppe (WS) in this Asian steppe are CSR and S/SR, respectively, which means that the plants are adapted to disturbances or stress. As the restoration time elapsed in the damaged lands exhibiting (R/CR) (Corispermum hyssopifolium), the ecological strategies were predicted to change in two ways: (1) →R/CSR (Cynanchum thesioides, Astragalus laxmannii, etc.) → CSR in places (TSS) (Galium verum var. asiaticum, Saussurea japonica, etc.) where only shrubs were introduced, and (2) → S/SR (Allium mongolicum, Ulmus pumila, etc.) → S/SR in sites (WS) (Ulmus pumila, Thalictrum squarrosum, etc.) where trees and shrubs were planted simultaneously. The results mean that the driving force that causes succession in the restoration of temperate grasslands is determined by the life-form (trees/shrubs) of the introduced woody plants. This means that for the restoration of these grasslands to be successful, it is necessary to introduce woody tree species at an early stage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Response and Adaptation of Desert Plants)
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