Invasive Species in Botanical and Zoological Gardens

A special issue of Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens (ISSN 2673-5636).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2024 | Viewed by 6328

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
Interests: botany; conservation biology; invasive species; native species; plant biodiversity; plant biology; spatial analysis; taxonomy; vegetation ecology; vegetation mapping
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The global spread and impact of invasive alien species represent a significant problem for human well-being and natural resources and are key to reducing negative impacts. Botanical gardens and zoos often play an important role in the early cultivation and introduction of the world's most invasive species. However, we currently have limited knowledge of the risks posed by invasive or potentially invasive species occurring in living collections, as well as the methods for managing them. To effectively combat biological invasions, we need to establish a stronger global network between botanical gardens and zoos. In this regard, education, information sharing and capacity building play key roles. Botanical gardens and zoos can effectively manage biological invasions globally and strengthen their leadership positions in global species conservation.

For this Special Issue, we are looking for manuscripts that present the results of observation and research into invasive species occurring in botanical gardens and zoos. This includes their biological characteristics, life history, invasiveness, behavior, circumstances of their escape and their impact on the environment. Additionally, we would like to learn about botanical and zoo guidelines, protocols and education, as well as the possible control and management methods for monitoring and preventing the spread of invasive species.

We welcome a wide range of manuscripts in this Special Issue, ranging from original articles to case studies and methodological or review studies.

Dr. László Bakacsy
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. Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly 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 1000 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 species
  • invasive pests and pathogens
  • pathway of introduction
  • acclimatization
  • global change
  • hybridization
  • ecology
  • biodiversity loss
  • biosecurity
  • codes of conduct
  • control measure
  • education
  • informing visitors
  • visitor experience
  • guidelines
  • monitoring
  • management
  • risk assessment

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 2848 KiB  
Article
The Study of Exotic and Invasive Plant Species in Gullele Botanic Garden, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
by Mehari Girmay, Kflay Gebrehiwot, Ergua Atinafe, Yared Tareke and Birhanu Belay
J. Zool. Bot. Gard. 2024, 5(1), 36-50; https://doi.org/10.3390/jzbg5010003 - 03 Jan 2024
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Abstract
The Gullele Botanic Garden was established to preserve and safeguard indigenous, rare, endemic, endangered, and economically important plant species. The objective of this study was to identify and map the exotic, invasive, and potentially invasive plant species that are present in the garden’s [...] Read more.
The Gullele Botanic Garden was established to preserve and safeguard indigenous, rare, endemic, endangered, and economically important plant species. The objective of this study was to identify and map the exotic, invasive, and potentially invasive plant species that are present in the garden’s various land use types, such as natural vegetation, plantations, roadsides and garden edges. The research involved laying plots at different distances in each land use type and collecting vegetation data with geo-location information. Sorensen’s similarity index was used to measure the floristic similarity between the sampled land use types. Data on species density and abundance were analyzed using the corresponding formula. The Shannon–Wiener diversity index and evenness were used to compute the diversity of the species in each land use type using R packages. ArcGIS version 10.5 was used to track the geographical distribution and map the exotic, invasive, and potentially invasive species that exist in all land use types of the garden. A total of 80 plant species belonging to 70 genera in 44 families were recorded in the garden. Asteraceae, Myrtaceae, and Fabaceae comprised the highest number of species. Acacia decurrens, Acacia melanoxylon, Cuscuta campestris, Galinsoga parviflora, Nerium oleander, and Cyathula uncinulata were the most prevalent invasive and potentially invasive species. The study found that the roadside and garden edge land use types had the most diverse exotic and invasive plants. The total density of exotic species was 2.36 plants/m2. The potential possibility of these plants in displacing the native plant species is quite high unless the introduction of exotic plant species is inspected and appropriate management strategies for invasive species are put in place. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Invasive Species in Botanical and Zoological Gardens)
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11 pages, 11175 KiB  
Article
Distribution and Management of the Invasive Swietenia macrophylla King (Meliaceae) at the Foot of a Protected Area in Luzon Island, Philippines
by Ericson Esquibel Coracero
J. Zool. Bot. Gard. 2023, 4(3), 637-647; https://doi.org/10.3390/jzbg4030045 - 20 Sep 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4078
Abstract
Invasive alien plant species (IAPS) pose one of the most significant threats to native biodiversity. Swietenia macrophylla, or big leaf mahogany, is among the most threatening invasive plants in the Philippines. This article aimed to formally document the presence of S. macrophylla [...] Read more.
Invasive alien plant species (IAPS) pose one of the most significant threats to native biodiversity. Swietenia macrophylla, or big leaf mahogany, is among the most threatening invasive plants in the Philippines. This article aimed to formally document the presence of S. macrophylla along the edges of Mt. Banahaw de Nagcarlan, a protected area on Luzon Island, Philippines. The study also sought to identify the management strategies being implemented by various government institutions to address big leaf mahogany and other invasive plants. A total of 1591 individuals of S. macrophylla were documented in mixed land-use areas and roadsides. These were found to have been introduced by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in 1991 as a reforestation species. Fortunately, no individuals were observed beyond the buffer zone towards the protected area. The identification of management strategies for big leaf mahogany and other IAPS revealed that there is no established approach specifically addressing the presence of S. macrophylla at the site. However, some institutions advocate for the conservation of native plants through tree planting activities and educational campaigns. Furthermore, no collaborative efforts were observed among stakeholders and institutions. The results of this study highlight the urgent need to manage the S. macrophylla population. Planning and enforcement of strategies require collaborative efforts among stakeholders to prevent its entry into the protected area and ensure the preservation of native biodiversity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Invasive Species in Botanical and Zoological Gardens)
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