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Diversity
Special Issues
Ecology, Conservation and Restoration of Plant Species
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Ecology, Conservation and Restoration of Plant Species

A special issue of Diversity (ISSN 1424-2818). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Diversity".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 December 2022) | Viewed by 12615

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Hongyuan Ma

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology (IGA), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, China
Interests: vegetation restoration of grassland; soil seed bank; seed ecology; biodiversity of degraded grassland
Dr. Yu An

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology (IGA), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, China
Interests: vegetation–enviroment interactions; plant ecology and restoration; plant species diversty and its maintaining mechanism; plant growth regulation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Plants supply edible, medicinal, oil, industrial raw materials for humans. The continuous improvement and enrichment of human well-being, to a certain extent, rely on the excavation and use of plants. However, plant resources are facing an unprecedented threat as affected by the impact of human disturbance in combination with global climate change. The degradation or loss of habitat has resulted in an accelerated rate of extinction of plant species, as well as changes in the zonation, biological phenology, and reproductive patterns of plant species. Recently, the conservation and restoration of plant species are being brought into the focus of ecological research.

Plants act as an important component in terrestrial ecosystems such as grassland, wetland, desert, and forest ecosystems. The plant species have developed various morphological and physiological mechanisms to accommodate the changing environments. Plant restoration can largely contribute to soil and water conservation, climate regulation, carbon sequestration, and improvement and maintenance of damaged ecological functions. More empirical studies are needed on plant species distribution along with environmental changes, the restoration process of plant species with key ecological functions, the effects of restoration measures on species regeneration and succession, and the interactions between restored target species and the environment.

We are pleased to propose a Special Issue of Diversity focused on Ecology, Conservation and Restoration of Plant Species. This is an appropriate opportunity to communicate with the researchers who work on the ecological restoration of plants. We and Diversity’s team kindly invite you to submit a manuscript focused on any of the above topics. Although specific case studies with broad implications are welcome, we encourage authors to submit large-scale and/or multi-specific studies, and synthesis works that could better enlarge our knowledge on the ecology, conservation, and restoration of plant species. If you are interested in this Special Issue or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Dr. Hongyuan Ma
Dr. Yu An
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Diversity is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • plant distribution
  • plant species turnover
  • plant diversity
  • plant-environment interactions
  • conservation and utilization of plants
  • ecological restoration of plant species
  • plant restoration measures
  • plant growth and development
  • plant persistence mechanism

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

11 pages, 1714 KiB  
Article
Genetic Diversity and Structure of Latvian Trifolium fragiferum Populations, a Crop Wild Relative Legume Species, in the Context of the Baltic Sea Region
by Dainis E. Ruņģis, Una Andersone-Ozola, Astra Jēkabsone and Gederts Ievinsh
Diversity 2023, 15(4), 473; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15040473 - 23 Mar 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1552
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the genetic diversity and structure of eight Trifolium fragiferum populations in Latvia in the context of the Baltic Sea region. In addition, one wild population from Estonia and one from Denmark were analyzed, as [...] Read more.
The aim of the present study was to investigate the genetic diversity and structure of eight Trifolium fragiferum populations in Latvia in the context of the Baltic Sea region. In addition, one wild population from Estonia and one from Denmark were analyzed, as well as the commercial cultivar ‘Palestine’. The genetic diversity of wild populations was low, compared to the higher diversity in the cultivar ‘Palestine’. The wild populations were differentiated into four clusters, separate from the cultivar ‘Palestine’. Three of the genetically similar Latvian populations were also geographically proximal, but the four populations geographically located near the capital, Riga, were genetically differentiated from each other. The genetic results were compared to previously published physiological studies of the same populations. The results from this study can be used as a basis for further studies of T. fragiferum populations in the Baltic Sea region, and to develop in situ and ex situ conservation strategies for this crop wild relative species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology, Conservation and Restoration of Plant Species)
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14 pages, 12803 KiB  
Article
Flora and Conservation Issues in Two Protected Areas in Palestine: Wadi Al-Zarqa Al-Ulwi and Wadi Qana
by Mazin B. Qumsiyeh and Banan Al-Sheikh
Diversity 2023, 15(2), 142; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15020142 - 20 Jan 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2819
Abstract
The Palestinian environment suffered from abuse and neglect for decades. As a nascent state, Palestine aspired to protect and restore its environment, in line with international standards and conventions. Yet, many challenges remain, including a lack of data, the science–policy–practice gaps, and the [...] Read more.
The Palestinian environment suffered from abuse and neglect for decades. As a nascent state, Palestine aspired to protect and restore its environment, in line with international standards and conventions. Yet, many challenges remain, including a lack of data, the science–policy–practice gaps, and the lack of sovereignty. The management of protected areas (PAs) is particularly challenging under these circumstance. Two key protected areas in the northern West Bank (Wadi Qana and Wadi Al-Zarqa Al-Ulwi) were surveyed, with a focus on plant communities and dealing with threats. The two areas had similar Mediterranean flora with differences, including in rare plants. Both areas have important but different wetlands in their buffer zones. The data show that the protection of the two areas is important because of the differences noted, and both areas are valued as IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area) protection. Such protection is possible by working with local communities and bridging the science–policy–practice gaps. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology, Conservation and Restoration of Plant Species)
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14 pages, 1703 KiB  
Article
Branch Growth, Leaf Canopies and Photosynthetic Responses of Zizyphus jujube cv. “Huizao” to Nutrient Addition in the Arid Areas of Northwest China
by Jianping Bao, Jiaxin Li, Guanli Wang, Zhihui Tang and Jinhu Zhi
Diversity 2022, 14(11), 914; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14110914 - 27 Oct 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1569
Abstract
Jujube is one of the main tree species found in the arid areas of Xinjiang, China. However, the nutritional requirements of central leader jujube trees are not understood. Our aim was to explore the effects of different fertilization gradients on the growth, development, [...] Read more.
Jujube is one of the main tree species found in the arid areas of Xinjiang, China. However, the nutritional requirements of central leader jujube trees are not understood. Our aim was to explore the effects of different fertilization gradients on the growth, development, and canopy formation of jujube trees to provide a basis for efficient cultivation. We measured and compared various suitable indices of jujube trees under 16 different fertilization treatments, and we confirmed the treatments suitable for cultivation by correlation and principal component analyses. The jujube tree growth indices under different fertilization treatments significantly differed (p < 0.05). The application of nitrogen fertilizer promoted the growth of branches and leaves. The soil and plant analyzer development value, light, and other traits significantly differed (p < 0.05). The leaf area index and direct transmittance coefficient significantly differed (p < 0.05). Compared with single-fertilizer application, mixed-fertilizer application significantly increased the leaf area index. Correlation analysis showed that the net photosynthetic rate of jujube leaves significantly correlated with the stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and leaf SPAD content (p < 0.01). We obtained three principal components with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 82.192%. The final ranking showed that the mixed treatment (N 460.77 g/tree, P2O5 460.77 g/tree, and K2O 588.23 g/tree) performed better. To ensure branch and leaf growth, this treatment promoted photosynthesis, enabling the growth and development of fruit trees. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology, Conservation and Restoration of Plant Species)
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11 pages, 3094 KiB  
Article
Effects of Flood on Phytoplankton Diversity and Community Structure in Floodplain Lakes Connected to the Yangtze River
by Yutao Wang, Zhongya Fan, Wencai Wang, Zhongze Zhou and Xiaoxin Ye
Diversity 2022, 14(7), 581; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14070581 - 21 Jul 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2266
Abstract
Flood events can significantly affect the physical and biological processes of aquatic ecosystems in a short time, leading to rapid changes in phytoplankton community structure. The Huayanghe Lakes experienced extreme flooding in the summer of 2020, with the water level reaching 16.42 m. [...] Read more.
Flood events can significantly affect the physical and biological processes of aquatic ecosystems in a short time, leading to rapid changes in phytoplankton community structure. The Huayanghe Lakes experienced extreme flooding in the summer of 2020, with the water level reaching 16.42 m. In order to understand the effects of flooding on phytoplankton diversity and community structure, eight samples were collected in the Huayanghe Lakes from 2019 to 2020. Water-level disturbance has a significant influence on lake-water quality and phytoplankton community structure. The results showed that the Secchi depth increased from 65.36 to 8.52 cm, while the concentration of total nitrogen (from 0.98 to 0.7 mg/L) and total phosphorus (from 0.04 to 0.031 g/L) decreased. In addition, flooding significantly increased the Shannon–Wiener diversity index, the Pielou index, and the Margalef richness index by an average of 43.5%, 36.7%, and 40.21%, respectively. The phytoplankton community structure in the Huayanghe Lakes changed due to the change of physicochemical environment caused by flood. While in the pre-flood period phytoplankton was composed of large diatoms (e.g., Aulacoseira granulata), cyanobacteria (e.g., Microcystis sp., Anabaena sp., and Aphanizomenon sp.) and other multicellular taxa, the flood period showed an increase in the proportion of chlorophytes and diatoms that quickly adapted to settle in new environments. Pearson correlations and redundancy analyses showed that water level fluctuation was the most significant environmental factor affecting the phytoplankton community between the regular hydrological cycle and flood periods. There are few studies on phytoplankton in the Huayanghe Lakes, and the present study provides basic data on phytoplankton diversity and community structure. In addition, it provides a theoretical basis for controlling water level change in the Yangtze River. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology, Conservation and Restoration of Plant Species)
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13 pages, 2095 KiB  
Article
Effects of Waterbird Herbivory on Dominant Perennial Herb Carex thunbergii in Shengjin Lake
by Xin Wang, Jinming Zhao, Wenjing Xu and Xiaoxin Ye
Diversity 2022, 14(5), 331; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14050331 - 24 Apr 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2180
Abstract
Abundant food resources in riparian zones provide efficient foraging sites for waterbirds. Herbivory is a key ecosystem process that has widely recognized effects on primary production and vegetation structure and composition. However, there is limited understanding of impacts of waterbird herbivory on riparian [...] Read more.
Abundant food resources in riparian zones provide efficient foraging sites for waterbirds. Herbivory is a key ecosystem process that has widely recognized effects on primary production and vegetation structure and composition. However, there is limited understanding of impacts of waterbird herbivory on riparian zone vegetation. In this study, a bird exclosure experiment with five levels of foraging intensities (no foraging, very little foraging, light foraging, moderate foraging and heavy foraging) was set up in Shengjin Lake to study the effects of waterbird foraging on the community structure of sedge meadows and individual traits of the dominant plant Carex thunbergii. Foraging intensity had little effect on community structure. The dry mass of C. thunbergii decreased with the increasing foraging time. Waterbird foraging reduced leaf dry mass under heavy foraging by 27.7% and root dry mass by 45.6% compared to CK (no foraging). Waterbird foraging increased allocation to shoot growth but had a weak effect on elemental allocation of C. thunbergii. The foraging intensity significantly affected the morphological traits of C. thunbergii. The results of structural equation modeling showed that RSR (root: shoot ratio represents the ratio of dry mass) and RL (root length) are key traits in driving the dry mass decline in the presence of bird foraging. This study may contribute to a better understanding of the adaptability of perennial herb plants to waterbird foraging and maintain the healthy development of wetland ecosystems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology, Conservation and Restoration of Plant Species)
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