Article
Ecology
Margherita Gioria, Angelino Carta, Carol C. Baskin, Wayne Dawson, Franz Essl, Holger Kreft, Jan Pergl, Mark van Kleunen, Patrick Weigelt, Marten Winter, Petr Pysek
Summary: The ability of plants to form persistent seed banks is strongly associated with naturalisation and invasiveness, while traits like seed bank densities play a relatively weaker role. Knowledge of seed persistence can enhance our predictive ability for global naturalisation and invasiveness.
Article
Ecology
Kai Chen, Kevin S. Burgess, Fangliang He, Xiang-Yun Yang, Lian-Ming Gao, De-Zhu Li
Summary: This study quantifies the joint effects of seed traits and phylogeny on species distribution and finds that seed mass, seed dispersal mode, and phylogeny significantly influence species geographic distribution. The findings highlight the importance of including seed traits and phylogenetic history in climate-based niche models to predict the response of plant geographic distribution to climate change.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ming Guo, Furong Zhao, Luwei Tian, Kaijie Ni, Yongquan Lu, Priyanka Borah
Summary: Although research on microplastic pollution has mostly focused on marine ecosystems, studies on the impacts of microplastics on terrestrial ecosystems, particularly on terrestrial plants, are limited. This study investigated the effects of polystyrene microplastics on three herbaceous ornamental plants and found that they significantly inhibited seed germination processes.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Ming Ni, Philip E. Hulme
Summary: The study found that the number, size, and age of botanic gardens have a significant impact on the first records of alien plant species, especially those introduced for horticulture. Additionally, alien species introduced for agriculture are more influenced by climatic variables, while those introduced accidentally are strongly shaped by trade.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2021)
Review
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Jing Wan, Huang Cong, Li Chang-you, Zhou Hong-xu, Ren Yong-lin, Li Zai-yuan, Xing Longsheng, Zhang Bin, Qiao Xi, Liu Bo, Liu Cong-hui, Xi Yu, Liu Wan-xue, Wang Wen-kai, Qian Wan-qiang, Simon Mckirdy, Wan Fang-hao
Summary: The fall armyworm, a super pest, poses a threat to crops with its strong adaptability and migratory ability. Integrated pest management strategies include monitoring, agricultural control, chemical pesticides, viral insecticides, sex attractants, and bio-control agents.
JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE AGRICULTURE
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Alok Bang, Franck Courchamp
Summary: The recent surge in the edible insect market has led to industrialization and intensification without adequate regulatory policies, potentially resulting in new biological invasions. It is necessary to strengthen monitoring and regulation to prevent this outcome.
Review
Horticulture
Alessandra Francini, Stefania Toscano, Daniela Romano, Francesco Ferrini, Antonio Ferrante
Summary: Plants play a significant role in reducing erosion and improving slope stability through their root morphology, development, biomass, and architecture. Ornamental species can be selected in urban and peri-urban environments to enhance the aesthetic value of green areas along roads and mitigate erosion effects, but they must have good tolerance to abiotic stresses for optimal growth. Root growth parameters are important markers for selecting suitable plants to enhance slope stability.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lenka Moravcova, Angelino Carta, Petr Pysek, Hana Skalova, Margherita Gioria
Summary: Through an 8-year seed burial experiment, it was found that naturalized herbs have longer seed longevity compared to invasive species, showing significant differences in seed viability, but this is not sufficient to explain the invasiveness of the species.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Lukasz Dylewski, Yvette K. Ortega, Michal Bogdziewicz, Dean E. Pearson
Summary: Previous studies have shown that small mammals impact plant recruitment globally through size-dependent seed predation, resulting in a unimodal pattern across ecosystems. Despite critiques on seed removal analysis by Chen et al. (2021) advocating for corrections in exposure time, we argue that such manipulations are unwarranted and emphasize the importance of plant recruitment metrics.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jinghua Zhang, Xuan Zhang, Xueman Liu, Qiaofeng Pai, Yahui Wang, Xiaolin Wu
Summary: Seed size is crucial for agricultural development, influencing crop yield. It is regulated by the coordinated development of various components within the seed. Large seeds can enhance crop growth by providing more nutrients and displaying tolerance to abiotic stresses. The regulation of seed size involves multiple pathways, including genetic and hormonal mechanisms. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the regulatory network and potential strategies for improving yield, serving as a valuable reference for researchers in related fields.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Trevor S. Fristoe, Jonas Bleilevens, Nicole L. Kinlock, Qiang Yang, Zhijie Zhang, Wayne Dawson, Franz Essl, Holger Kreft, Jan Pergl, Petr Pysek, Patrick Weigelt, Jean-Marc Dufour-Dror, Alexander N. Sennikov, Pawel Wasowicz, Kristine B. Westergaard, Mark van Kleunen
Summary: Human activities are causing global biotic redistribution, translocating species and providing opportunities for them to establish populations beyond their native ranges. The evolutionary imbalance hypothesis suggests that differences in fitness among biogeographic divisions determine outcomes when different biotas mix. Data from native and alien plant distributions show that biogeographic conditions, climate, and anthropogenic factors shape successful alien species' flows among regional biotas.
NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jane E. Tuthill, Yvette K. Ortega, Dean E. Pearson
Summary: Most terrestrial plants disperse by seeds, but the relationship between seed traits and plant dispersion patterns is not well understood. This study examined seed traits of 48 plant species in western Montana grasslands to investigate this relationship. It was found that larger-seeded introduced plants were more likely to have dispersal adaptations, suggesting that they may need these adaptations to overcome limitations and barriers. Database seed masses correlated with local estimates, but locally collected data provided more valid results for community-level questions.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Diana M. Mircea, Roberta Calone, Elena Estrelles, Pilar Soriano, Radu E. Sestras, Monica Boscaiu, Adriana F. Sestras, Oscar Vicente
Summary: Biological invasions pose a significant threat to natural ecosystems, with ornamental horticulture being a major source of invasive plants. This study examined the responses of six plant species commonly used as ornamental or medicinal plants to water stress during germination and vegetative growth. The results highlight that weed species showed higher competitiveness under non-stress conditions, while native species displayed greater tolerance. Germination was found to be the most significant trait associated with invasiveness.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Belinda Gallardo, William J. Sutherland, Phillip Martin, David C. Aldridge
Summary: The study used fault tree analysis (FTA) to model and evaluate the spread and management of harmful aquatic invasive species in Great Britain. The results showed that prevention and border management measures are crucial in reducing the risk of invasion, while management techniques like eradication and containment have limited impact.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jacob Maher, Oliver C. Stringham, Stephanie Moncayo, Lisa Wood, Charlotte R. Lassaline, John Virtue, Phillip Cassey
Summary: Invasive plants are a serious threat to environmental, agricultural and forestry resources, and the ornamental plant trade, especially through e-commerce, has become a major pathway for their introduction. In Australia, a study found that a significant number of advertisements on a popular e-commerce website were for prohibited plant taxa, with a high prevalence of invasive species being traded illegally. Prohibitions on the sale of invasive plants had no impact on the quantity and price of online advertisements, highlighting the need for increased monitoring and regulation of online plant trade.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Nicola S. du Plessis, Alanna J. Rebelo, David M. Richardson, Karen J. Esler
Summary: Restoring riparian ecosystems in a human-dominated landscape requires a comprehensive approach considering historical data, remote sensing techniques, and stakeholder perceptions. Despite most human impact occurring before the 1950s, there have been significant increases in waterbodies, urban areas, alien weeds, and terrestrial alien trees. These changes are likely driven by land fragmentation, disturbance, and agricultural intensification.
Correction
Environmental Sciences
Anthony Ricciardi, Josephine C. Iacarella, David C. Aldridge, Tim M. Blackburn, James T. Carlton, Jane A. Catford, Jaimie T. A. Dick, Philip E. Hulme, Jonathan M. Jeschke, Andrew M. Liebhold, Julie L. Lockwood, Hugh J. MacIsaac, Laura A. Meyerson, Petr Pysek, David M. Richardson, Gregory M. Ruiz, Daniel Simberloff, Montserrat Vila, David A. Wardle
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jan-Hendrik Keet, David M. Richardson
Summary: Numerous eucalypts have been introduced to South Africa, some of which have become naturalized or invasive species. Poor documentation of distribution patterns and a recent assessment highlighted invasion hotspots in the Western Cape and Modimolle region. Further research is needed to provide a comprehensive inventory of eucalypts and their introduction status in South Africa.
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Trudy Paap, Michael J. Wingfield, Treena Burgess, John R. U. Wilson, David M. Richardson, Alberto Santini
Summary: The study proposes a modified version of the Unified Framework for Biological Invasions to better investigate invasive forest pathogens. By integrating forest pathology and invasion science, a clearer understanding of how microorganisms spread and progress can be achieved, leading to more effective prevention and mitigation of invasions. The study calls for the incorporation of ecological and evolutionary concepts to address the complex challenges of identifying and managing invasive forest pathogens.
CURRENT FORESTRY REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Entomology
M. P. de Wit, D. J. Crookes, J. N. Blignaut, Z. W. de Beer, T. Paap, F. Roets, C. van der Merwe, B. W. van Wilgen, D. M. Richardson
Summary: Studies on the economic impacts of invasive alien species often focus on ex-post assessments of control options, but ex-ante assessments are also necessary. This study developed a simulation model to assess the potential impact of the polyphagous shot hole borer on South Africa, taking into account the dynamic mutualistic relations between the beetle and its symbiotic fungus. The model predicted a steady growth in beetle populations and their negative effect on various industries and ecosystems, highlighting the importance of ex-ante economic assessments in invasive species management.
JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ana Novoa, Susan Canavan, Deah Lieurance, Daniel Simberloff, Laura A. Meyerson
Summary: Social media can help scientific journals increase their social and scientific impact. Biological Invasions journal has been active on Facebook and Twitter, with scientists being the main followers on Twitter. The number of followers and mentions on Twitter were higher than on Facebook, but the geographical diversity of Facebook followers was greater. However, social media activities did not affect the readership or citations of Biological Invasions' publications, though being active on social media could improve diversity and inclusivity.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jonatan Rodriguez, Ana Novoa, Gaston Sotes, Anibal Pauchard, Luis Gonzalez
Summary: The Enemy Release Hypothesis (ERH) predicts that the escape from specialist herbivores may explain the invasiveness of some invasive alien plants, but our experiment does not support this hypothesis. We found that Carpobrotus edulis plants attacked by a specialist herbivore showed the production of defensive compounds and reduced growth and survival, while those attacked by a generalist herbivore showed no significant differences compared to control plants. Overall, our findings suggest that C. edulis is negatively affected by its specialist herbivore, but not by generalist herbivores.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2023)
Letter
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ana Novoa, Susan Canavan, Ivan Jaric, Pavel Pipek, Petr Pysek
Article
Environmental Sciences
Marta Perez-Diz, Berea Rodriguez-Addesso, Muhammad Iftikhar Hussain, Jonatan Rodriguez, Ana Novoa, Luis Gonzalez
Summary: This study investigated the phenotypic plasticity of Carpobrotus sp. pl. invading four different habitats in the north-western Iberian Peninsula. The results showed variations in morphological traits, carbon and nitrogen stable isotope compositions of Carpobrotus sp. pl. in response to different environmental conditions and resource utilization in each habitat.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ana Novoa, Heidi Hirsch, Maria L. Castillo, Susan Canavan, Luis Gonzalez, David M. Richardson, Petr Pysek, Jonatan Rodriguez, Lurdes Borges Silva, Giuseppe Brundu, Carla M. D'Antonio, Jorge L. Gutierrez, Megan Mathese, Sam Levin, Luis Silva, Johannes J. Le Roux
Summary: The genus Carpobrotus comprises invasive plant species that have significant ecological impacts on coastal dune systems worldwide. The taxonomy and genetic structure of these species are complex, making it difficult to distinguish them from each other. This research provides insights into the origin and distribution patterns of Carpobrotus species, which can guide management and control efforts.
Article
Plant Sciences
Anaswara Rani, Sneha Asha, Minsa Mini, Pooja P. Rajan, Merin Tomy, Ashita Jose, Xavier Ts, Praveen Kumar
Summary: This study focuses on the eco-friendly synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles using Centra-therum punctatum leaf extract. The synthesized nanoparticles showed potent antimicrobial activity and effectively inhibited biofilm formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These findings demonstrate the potential of copper oxide nanoparticles for environmentally friendly synthesis and applications.
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2024)
Article
Plant Sciences
Bruno Fagundes dos Santos, Talita Oliveira de Arauja, Camilla Oliveira Rios, Advanio Inacio Siqueira-Silva, Eduardo Gusmao Pereira
Summary: This study investigated the interaction between iron excess and phosphorus deficiency in Paspalum densum. The results showed that iron excess decreased phosphorus concentration in roots, while phosphorus deficiency increased iron concentration in leaves. Stomatal limitation was the main cause of decreased photosynthesis due to iron excess. Phosphorus deficiency contributed to higher phosphorus use efficiency and biomass.
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2024)