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Plant Invasions across Scales
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Plant Invasions across Scales

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Ecology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2024 | Viewed by 11504

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Sven Jelaska

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Horvatovac 102A, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: terrestrial ecosystems; ecology; biodiversity; invasive plants; spatial analyses
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Nina Sajna

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Maribor, Koroška cesta 160, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
Interests: ecology; biodiversity; invasive species; plant ecology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The first comprehensive global report on invasive alien species and their control, published in September 2023 by the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), reveals threatening insights on the topic. The report states there are 37,000 established alien species introduced by human activities around the world, with 200 new species every year. Out of 3,500 invasive alien species that have negative impacts on nature and humans, as much as 1,061 are plants. As primary producers and constituents of the majority of habitats, the impacts of invasive plants can be very complex and far-reaching across trophic chains and guilds. Furthermore, unlike animals that can actively search for suitable habitats to invade, plants have to cope with various environmental/habitat filters once their diaspores (seeds or vegetative parts) end in a certain location. In case plant species can adapt to the environmental constraints in that location, the case of whether further spread and invasion will take place is dependent on the characteristics of the surrounding environment (e.g., the type of habitat, the level of heterogeneity, the type and intensity of disturbance, etc.). Regardless of whether we analyse these dependencies on a large scale (i.e., with mostly coarser spatial resolution) or a small scale (i.e., with finer spatial resolution), we can identify different processes, factors, and patterns as significant. For that reason, in this Special Issue, we would like to gather manuscripts across different spatial scales that deal with different phases of invasion from the population/community/ecosystem perspective.

Prof. Dr. Sven Jelaska
Dr. Nina Sajna
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 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

  • invasive plants
  • biodiversity
  • abundance
  • distribution
  • ecology
  • habitats
  • disturbance
  • spatial analyses
  • modelling

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 4495 KiB  
Article
Modeling the Effects of Temperature and Limiting Nutrients on the Competition of an Invasive Floating Plant, Pontederia crassipes, with Submersed Vegetation in a Shallow Lake
by Linhao Xu and Donald L. DeAngelis
Plants 2024, 13(18), 2621; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13182621 - 20 Sep 2024
Viewed by 540
Abstract
The potential for a non-native plant species to invade a new habitat depends on broadscale factors such as climate, local factors such as nutrient availability, and the biotic community of the habitat into which the plant species is introduced. We developed a spatially [...] Read more.
The potential for a non-native plant species to invade a new habitat depends on broadscale factors such as climate, local factors such as nutrient availability, and the biotic community of the habitat into which the plant species is introduced. We developed a spatially explicit model to assess the risk of expansion of a floating invasive aquatic plant species (FAV), the water hyacinth (Pontederia crassipes), an invader in the United States, beyond its present range. Our model used known data on growth rates and competition with a native submersed aquatic macrophyte (SAV). In particular, the model simulated an invasion into a habitat with a mean annual temperature different from its own growth optimum, in which we also simulated seasonal fluctuations in temperature. Twenty different nutrient concentrations and eight different temperature scenarios, with different mean annual amplitudes of seasonal temperature variation around the mean of the invaded habitat, were simulated. In each case, the ability of the water hyacinth to invade and either exclude or coexist with the native vegetation was determined. As the temperature pattern was changed from tropical towards increasingly cooler temperate levels, the competitive advantage shifted from the tropical FAV to the more temperate SAV, with a wide range in which coexistence occurred. High nutrient concentrations allowed the coexistence of FAV, even at cooler annual temperatures. But even at the highest nutrient concentrations in the model, the FAV was unlikely to persist under the current climates of latitudes in the Southeastern United States above that of Northern Alabama. This result may have some implications for where control efforts need to be concentrated. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Invasions across Scales)
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14 pages, 1400 KiB  
Article
Morphological and Anatomical Differentiation of Potamogeton gramineus in Relation to the Presence of Invasive Species Elodea nuttallii: A Case Study from Vlasina Lake, Serbia
by Danijela Nikolić, Dragana Jenačković Gocić, Irena Raca, Miodrag Đorđević, Ana Savić and Marina Jušković
Plants 2024, 13(14), 1937; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13141937 - 14 Jul 2024
Viewed by 3419
Abstract
Elodea nuttallii represents non-native and highly invasive species in Europe that significantly influence freshwater plant communities by decreasing the diversity of native species. This study aimed to determine whether the morphological and anatomical features of Potamogeton gramineus, a native species in Vlasina [...] Read more.
Elodea nuttallii represents non-native and highly invasive species in Europe that significantly influence freshwater plant communities by decreasing the diversity of native species. This study aimed to determine whether the morphological and anatomical features of Potamogeton gramineus, a native species in Vlasina Lake, differ between sites where it coexists with E. nuttallii and those where E. nuttallii is not present. Environmental variables such as water depth, temperature, pH, conductivity, saturation, and O2 concentration were included in the analysis. Analyses were conducted on 32 morphological and anatomical features of P. gramineus collected from six sites within Vlasina Lake, comprising three sites where E. nuttallii was present and three sites where it was absent. The datasets containing morphometric and environmental variables underwent analysis using standard univariate techniques (Descriptive, ANOVA), Tukey’s Honest Significant Difference (HSD) test, Student’s t-test, and the Mann–Whitney U test, as well as multivariate statistical methods such as Canonical Discriminant Analysis (CDA). The results show the presence of morphological differentiation among P. gramineus individuals across the analyzed sites. These findings suggest that morphological and anatomical features, such as epidermis, mesophyll, palisade, and aerenchyma tissue thickness in floating leaves, number, length, width, and the surface area of stomata, as well as the width of submersed leaves and stem aerenchyma tissue thickness, effectively differentiate individuals that coexist with E. nuttallii and individuals that growth without its presence. Moreover, they indicate that P. gramineus exhibits a notable ability to modify its morphological traits in response to invasion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Invasions across Scales)
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18 pages, 369 KiB  
Article
Does the Invasive Heracleum mantegazzianum Influence Other Species by Allelopathy?
by Daniela Gruľová, Beata Baranová, Adriana Eliašová, Christelle Brun, Jozef Fejér, Ivan Kron, Luca Campone, Stefania Pagliari, Ľuboš Nastišin and Vincent Sedlák
Plants 2024, 13(10), 1333; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13101333 - 12 May 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1213
Abstract
Heracleum mantegazzianum is an invasive species in middle Europe. The mode of action of its invasiveness is still not known. Our study focuses on observation of potential allelopathic influence by the production and release of phytochemicals into its environment. Plant material was collected four [...] Read more.
Heracleum mantegazzianum is an invasive species in middle Europe. The mode of action of its invasiveness is still not known. Our study focuses on observation of potential allelopathic influence by the production and release of phytochemicals into its environment. Plant material was collected four times within one season (April, May, June, July 2019) at locality Lekárovce (eastern Slovakia) for comparison of differences in composition and potential allelopathy. Water extracts from collected samples were used for different biological assays. The total phenols and flavonoids were determined spectrophotometrically. The profile and content of phenolic components, including coumarins, were determined by two techniques of liquid chromatography along with in vitro evaluation of the free radical scavenging activity of extracts (DPPH, Hydroxyl, Superoxide, and FRAP). The changes in composition in extracts in different seasonal periods were evident as well as potential phytotoxic activity in some concentrations on specific model plants. The slight antioxidant activity was noted. The invasiveness of the current species could be supported by the excretion of its phytochemicals into its surroundings and by different modes of action influencing living organisms in its environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Invasions across Scales)
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 1 | Viewed by 1177
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, 1755 KiB  
Article
Importance of Habitat Context in Modelling Risk Maps for Two Established Invasive Alien Plant Species: The Case of Ailanthus altissima and Phytolacca americana in Slovenia (Europe)
by Maarten de Groot, Erika Kozamernik, Janez Kermavnar, Marija Kolšek, Aleksander Marinšek, Andreja Nève Repe and Lado Kutnar
Plants 2024, 13(6), 883; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13060883 - 19 Mar 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1261
Abstract
Forests are important ecosystems that face threats from climate change and global environmental shifts, with invasive alien plant species being a significant concern. Some of these invasive species have already become established, while others are in the process of naturalisation. Although forests are [...] Read more.
Forests are important ecosystems that face threats from climate change and global environmental shifts, with invasive alien plant species being a significant concern. Some of these invasive species have already become established, while others are in the process of naturalisation. Although forests are a relatively stable ecosystem, extreme weather events increase their vulnerability to change, and clearings left after natural disturbances are particularly susceptible to invasion by alien plant species (IAPS). We created risk maps of two species that have spread rapidly in the last decade: American pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) and the tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima). We prepared a generalised linear model based on the occurrence data collected within the LIFE ARTEMIS project. Eleven environmental variables were used to determine habitat characteristics. We constructed two models for each species: one covering the entirety of Slovenia and the other specifically for the forested areas in Slovenia, with the latter incorporating forest-specific variables (such as forest sanitation felling and monocultures). We observed the presence of both species at lower altitudes and in close proximity to water sources. American pokeweed tends to occur nearer to railways, while the presence of the tree of heaven is associated with areas lacking carbonate parent material and influenced by land use patterns. In forested areas, the occurrence of American pokeweed is influenced by forest habitat characteristics, such as disturbances caused by extreme weather events or the prevalence of Norway spruce monocultures. In contrast, the occurrence of the tree of heaven is influenced by more general environmental variables, such as altitude and proximity to railways. Consequently, we have generated risk maps for the entirety of Slovenia and separately for forested areas, both of which indicate similar levels of risk, particularly for the tree of heaven. The risk map for American pokeweed highlights numerous vulnerable areas, especially forest edges, which are highly susceptible to invasion. Furthermore, there is a higher likelihood of this species occurring in areas that have undergone sanitation felling. This study suggests that the production of risk maps of IAPS could be improved by focussing on habitat types and taking into account habitat-specific variables. This approach could enhance the early detection and management of these invasive species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Invasions across Scales)
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16 pages, 1681 KiB  
Article
Silvicultural Practices for Diversity Conservation and Invasive Species Suppression in Forest Ecosystems of the Bundala National Park, Sri Lanka
by Channa Suraweera, Josef Gallo, Zdeněk Vacek, Jan Cukor, Stanislav Vacek and Martin Baláš
Plants 2024, 13(1), 121; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13010121 - 31 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1382
Abstract
Forest ecosystems in Sri Lanka are under pressure from intensive human activity and climate change. Invasive species are one of the greatest threats to autochthonous species and ecosystems. In Bundala National Park of Sri Lanka, there are efforts to control and limit the [...] Read more.
Forest ecosystems in Sri Lanka are under pressure from intensive human activity and climate change. Invasive species are one of the greatest threats to autochthonous species and ecosystems. In Bundala National Park of Sri Lanka, there are efforts to control and limit the spreading of unwanted invasive Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC. and Opuntia dillenii (Ker-Gawl.) Haw., which poses a significant risk to natural ecosystem conservation. Nine different treatment variants (four replications) were used to test which management approach provides the control of Prosopis juliflora. This research is based on nine repeated measurements from 2017 to 2021 on 36 permanent research plots (each 625 m2) with 27 observed plant species and a total of 90,651 recorded plant individuals. The results confirmed that the dynamics of species richness, heterogeneity, and evenness showed significant differences between treatments during the five years of dynamics. The lowest species diversity was found in the control variant, followed by treatments based on the hard pruning and thinning of Prosopis juliflora trees. In contrast, strategies emphasizing the complete uprooting of Prosopis juliflora trees, replanting, and support of the natural regeneration of native species showed high species diversity and a high overall number of plant species. Generally, treatments had a significant effect on species diversity and the number of individuals of Prosopis juliflora, while changes in the overall number of plant species were more affected by time and succession. Silvicultural treatments including pruning, uprooting, and thinning have proven to be essential tools for nature conservation across various sites, aimed at enhancing habitat diversity in the face of ongoing climate change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Invasions across Scales)
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17 pages, 5353 KiB  
Article
Projected Impacts of Climate Change on the Range Expansion of the Invasive Straggler Daisy (Calyptocarpus vialis) in the Northwestern Indian Himalayan Region
by Roop Lal, Saurav Chauhan, Amarpreet Kaur, Vikrant Jaryan, Ravinder K. Kohli, Rishikesh Singh, Harminder P. Singh, Shalinder Kaur and Daizy R. Batish
Plants 2024, 13(1), 68; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13010068 - 25 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1547
Abstract
Human-induced climate change modifies plant species distribution, reorganizing ecologically suitable habitats for invasive species. In this study, we identified the environmental factors that are important for the spread of Calyptocarpus vialis, an emerging invasive weed in the northwestern Indian Himalayan Region (IHR), [...] Read more.
Human-induced climate change modifies plant species distribution, reorganizing ecologically suitable habitats for invasive species. In this study, we identified the environmental factors that are important for the spread of Calyptocarpus vialis, an emerging invasive weed in the northwestern Indian Himalayan Region (IHR), along with possible habitats of the weed under current climatic scenarios and potential range expansion under several representative concentration pathways (RCPs) using MaxEnt niche modeling. The prediction had a high AUC (area under the curve) value of 0.894 ± 0.010 and a remarkable correlation between the test and expected omission rates. BIO15 (precipitation seasonality; 38.8%) and BIO1 (annual mean temperature; 35.7%) had the greatest impact on the probable distribution of C. vialis, followed by elevation (11.7%) and landcover (6.3%). The findings show that, unlike the current situation, “high” and “very high” suitability areas would rise while less-suited habitats would disappear. All RCPs (2.6, 4.5, 6.0, and 8.5) indicate the expansion of C. vialis in “high” suitability areas, but RCP 4.5 predicts contraction, and RCPs 2.6, 6.0, and 8.5 predict expansion in “very high” probability areas. The current distribution of C. vialis is 21.59% of the total area of the state, with “medium” to “high” invasion suitability, but under the RCP 8.5 scenario, it might grow by 10% by 2070. The study also reveals that C. vialis may expand its niche at both lower and higher elevations. This study clarifies how bioclimatic and topographic factors affect the dispersion of invasive species in the biodiverse IHR. Policymakers and land-use managers can utilize the data to monitor C. vialis hotspots and develop scientifically sound management methods. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Invasions across Scales)
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