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Diversity
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Biological Invasions and Conservation in Coastal Dune Ecosystems
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Biological Invasions and Conservation in Coastal Dune Ecosystems

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2021) | Viewed by 14331

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Juan B. Gallego-Fernández

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Sevilla, Spain
Interests: coastal dune; restoration ecology; plant–animal interaction; plant invasion

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Global change resulting from human activities is a threat to biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. A key driver of change is the invasion of ecosystems by alien species. Understanding the processes that mediate invasion and its environmental context is a challenge that has stimulated ecological research and ecosystem management. Coastal dunes are one of the ecosystems most affected by biological invasion due to intentional and unintentional introductions of species. The intentional introduction of herbaceous or woody plant species has been used as a management technique to prevent erosion and stabilize blowing transgressive sand sheets. Frequently, many of these species have spread by their own means outside of managed areas and have affected other nearby coastal dunes. Several studies have shown that invasive plant species pose a serious threat to coastal dunes as they can not only suppress natural vegetation, often of high conservation value, but can also affect sedimentary dynamics and significantly modify both the process of dune formation and the resulting morphology.

This Special Issue is a good opportunity to bring together new scientific knowledge showing the effects of invasion on coastal dunes and the management actions taken to control it. We invite you to share your work on the effects of plant invasion on coastal dunes and on how resilient these systems can be toward change and ecosystem restoration possibilities, including more general perspectives, as well as empirical perspectives that embrace a local context.

Dr. Juan B. Gallego-Fernández
Guest Editor

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 2600 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

  • coastal dunes
  • invasive plant species
  • ecological restoration
  • plant diversity
  • biodiversity conservation
  • ecosystem services

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 1541 KiB  
Article
Effects of Glyphosate Application on Physiologically Integrated Clones of the Invasive Plant Carpobrotus edulis
by Sergio R. Roiloa, Fei-Hai Yu and Rodolfo Barreiro
Diversity 2022, 14(1), 47; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14010047 - 12 Jan 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1740
Abstract
Management of invasive alien species is a high priority for biodiversity conservation. Here, we studied the effects of glyphosate application, at 0.06 g/m2 concentration, on physiologically integrated basal and apical ramets of the invasive clonal plant Carpobrotus edulis. Physiological integration allows [...] Read more.
Management of invasive alien species is a high priority for biodiversity conservation. Here, we studied the effects of glyphosate application, at 0.06 g/m2 concentration, on physiologically integrated basal and apical ramets of the invasive clonal plant Carpobrotus edulis. Physiological integration allows the transport of resources and other substances between connected ramets in clonal plants. We found a significant reduction of growth and photochemical efficiency both in basal and apical ramets of C. edulis after glyphosate application. Interestingly, we also observed a significant growth reduction in untreated basal ramets when they remained connected to apical ramets treated with glyphosate. This result was interpreted as a cost for basal ramets due to supporting severely stressed apical ramets. Therefore, local application of glyphosate to apical ramets of C. edulis can negatively affect not only their own growth, but also the growth of their interconnected, untreated basal ramets. Our results suggest that glyphosate effectiveness can be maintained when applied only to one part of the clone so that the amount of herbicide used in eradication programs can be greatly reduced, which can minimize the negative impact of chemical herbicides on ecosystems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Invasions and Conservation in Coastal Dune Ecosystems)
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12 pages, 1723 KiB  
Communication
Fragmentation of Coastal Grasslands by Plantations and Spontaneous Spread of Invasive Pines in the Southern Pampa
by Alejandra Yezzi, Ana Nebbia and Sergio Zalba
Diversity 2021, 13(12), 637; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13120637 - 02 Dec 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2071
Abstract
Coastal dunes of the southern Buenos Aires province, in Argentina, are one of the last remnants of biodiversity in the southern Pampa unit, within the Rio de la Plata Grasslands. While the direct loss of grasslands due to the advance of cities and [...] Read more.
Coastal dunes of the southern Buenos Aires province, in Argentina, are one of the last remnants of biodiversity in the southern Pampa unit, within the Rio de la Plata Grasslands. While the direct loss of grasslands due to the advance of cities and afforestation is conspicuous, the negative effects of the subdivision of the remaining environments on biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics are less considered. Our work aimed to analyze the combined effect of fires and subdivision of grasslands by invasive alien trees. Our results suggest that fragmentation affects the resilience of coastal grasslands after fire and affects the course of succession, promoting the establishment of invasive alien plants. We also suggest that fires favor the advance of pines and acacias towards the interior of grassland remnants, further reducing their area. The effective conservation of the components of Pampas biodiversity that still persist in these coastal ecosystems will depend on preventing, mitigating and compensating the insularization effects associated with forest plantations and the expansion of invasive trees, by means of adequate territorial planning that allows remnants to be maintained in a good state of conservation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Invasions and Conservation in Coastal Dune Ecosystems)
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29 pages, 5390 KiB  
Article
Range Shifts in the Worldwide Expansion of Oenothera drummondii subsp. drummondii, a Plant Species of Coastal Dunes
by Frida R. Castillo-Infante, Gabriela Mendoza-González, Rodolfo Rioja-Nieto and Juan B. Gallego-Fernández
Diversity 2021, 13(11), 603; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13110603 - 21 Nov 2021
Viewed by 2131
Abstract
Oenothera drummondii is a coastal dunes plant species from the North American continent that has affected the natural structure and dynamics of Spanish, Israeli, and Chinese shores as an invasive species. In South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and France, it is reported as [...] Read more.
Oenothera drummondii is a coastal dunes plant species from the North American continent that has affected the natural structure and dynamics of Spanish, Israeli, and Chinese shores as an invasive species. In South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and France, it is reported as a naturalized species. Ecological niche and species distribution modeling has been widely used as a tool to find potential global invasions and assess invasion effects. Herein, we modeled the ecological niche and the potential distribution of Oenothera drummondii, using the Köppen–Geiger climate classification, bioclimatic variables and occurrence records that have been validated in their native and non-native distribution. In the native area, the temperature and precipitation values are higher compared to non-native zones, where the low temperatures and the absence of humidity are the main climatic limitations for the species. In the environmental space, new distribution areas were identified and a partial overlap between the native and non-native niches detected. This suggests that climate matching is not occurring for the species, and that the potential invasion of coastal dune areas seems to be higher than previously observed. Therefore, new potential invasion areas, where the species is not yet distributed, were also identified. Our predictions could be used to establish ecosystem management measures to mitigate the invasion of Oenothera drummondii, helping to prevent possible negative impacts on fragile coastal ecosystems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Invasions and Conservation in Coastal Dune Ecosystems)
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16 pages, 9061 KiB  
Article
Mexican Coastal Dunes: Recipients and Donors of Alien Flora
by M. Luisa Martínez, Gonzalo Castillo-Campos, José G. García-Franco, Octavio Pérez-Maqueo, Gabriela Mendoza-González and J. Jesús Pale-Pale
Diversity 2021, 13(11), 530; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13110530 - 25 Oct 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2584
Abstract
The invasion of natural communities by exotic plants, which may turn into invasive or potentially invasive, is one of the most severe known threats to biodiversity, and coastal dunes are among the most affected habitats. Mexico’s coastal dunes are abundant and contain high [...] Read more.
The invasion of natural communities by exotic plants, which may turn into invasive or potentially invasive, is one of the most severe known threats to biodiversity, and coastal dunes are among the most affected habitats. Mexico’s coastal dunes are abundant and contain high plant biodiversity but attempts to determine the occurrence and impact of exotic plants are absent. First, we explored the number of invasive plant species found on Mexican coastal dunes. Second, we analyzed if the coastal dune flora native from Mexico acts as a source of invasive species worldwide. We found the relevant spread of exotic plants towards and from Mexico, reaching high percentages: 5% of the coastal dune flora are considered exotic plants; this increases to 8.7% when only plants typical of the coastal dune environment are considered. The Mexican coastal dunes flora is also a relevant source of invasive plants affecting all continents. Furthermore, almost half of the 35 worst worldwide invasive plants (according to the Global Invasive Species Database GISD) grow on Mexican coastal dunes, most native to Mexico and invasive elsewhere. Indeed, the worldwide exchange of coastal dune flora between Mexico and the world seems massive, relevant and highlights the need for worldwide and countrywide management and control strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Invasions and Conservation in Coastal Dune Ecosystems)
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19 pages, 2677 KiB  
Article
Spatial Diversity in Bacterial Communities across Barren and Vegetated, Native and Invasive, Coastal Dune Microhabitats
by Brianna L. Boss, Bianca R. Charbonneau and Javier A. Izquierdo
Diversity 2021, 13(11), 525; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13110525 - 23 Oct 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2267
Abstract
The microbial community composition of coastal dunes can vary across environmental gradients, with the potential to impact erosion and deposition processes. In coastal foredunes, invasive plant species establishment can create and alter environmental gradients, thereby altering microbial communities and other ecogeomorphic processes with [...] Read more.
The microbial community composition of coastal dunes can vary across environmental gradients, with the potential to impact erosion and deposition processes. In coastal foredunes, invasive plant species establishment can create and alter environmental gradients, thereby altering microbial communities and other ecogeomorphic processes with implications for storm response and management and conservation efforts. However, the mechanisms of these processes are poorly understood. To understand how changing microbial communities can alter these ecogeomorphic dynamics, one must first understand how soil microbial communities vary as a result of invasion. Towards this goal, bacterial communities were assessed spatially along foredune microhabitats, specifically in barren foredune toe and blowout microhabitats and in surrounding vegetated monocultures of native Ammophila breviligulata and invasive Carex kobomugi. Across dune microhabitats, microbial composition was more dissimilar in barren dune toe and blowout microhabitats than among the two plant species, but it did not appear that it would favor the establishment of one plant species over the other. However, the subtle differences between the microbial community composition of two species could ultimately aid in the success of the invasive species by reducing the proportions of bacterial genera associated exclusively with A. breviligulata. These results suggest that arrival time may be crucial in fostering microbiomes that would further the continued establishment and spread of either plant species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Invasions and Conservation in Coastal Dune Ecosystems)
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Review

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15 pages, 2274 KiB  
Review
Ammophila Invasion Ecology and Dune Restoration on the West Coast of North America
by Andrea J. Pickart
Diversity 2021, 13(12), 629; https://doi.org/10.3390/d13120629 - 30 Nov 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2715
Abstract
The invasive ecosystem engineer Ammophila arenaria, native to Europe, was first introduced to California (USA) in 1896. More than a century later, it has come to dominate coastal foredune vegetation on the west coast of North America to the near exclusion of [...] Read more.
The invasive ecosystem engineer Ammophila arenaria, native to Europe, was first introduced to California (USA) in 1896. More than a century later, it has come to dominate coastal foredune vegetation on the west coast of North America to the near exclusion of native species. A. arenaria builds a narrow, steep, peaked, and densely vegetated foredune, in contrast to the broad, more sparsely vegetated foredunes built by the native Elymus mollis. As such, it has modified dune processes by fixing the foredune and disrupting exchange of sediment between the beach, foredune, and dunefield. In the 1930s the congener A. breviligulata, native to the east coast and Great Lakes USA, was first introduced to Oregon, and has been displacing A. arenaria in southern Washington. Ammophila spp. have drastically reduced biodiversity, outcompeting native plant species, and displacing both invertebrate and vertebrate species. Restoration of west coast dunes through the removal of Ammophila began in the 1990s. Methods usually consist of one or a combination of manual digging, burning/herbicides, or excavation with heavy equipment. There are benefits and disadvantages to each method. Manual removal has proven most effective at restoring foredune form and process but is expensive. Excavation and herbicides may result in the loss of foredune morphology. Managers must articulate goals carefully before selecting restoration methods. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Invasions and Conservation in Coastal Dune Ecosystems)
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