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Ecology of Invasive Plants

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2022) | Viewed by 39833

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Dr. Magdalena Szymura

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Institute of Agroecology and Plant Production, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 53-363 Wrocław, Poland
Interests: ecology; plant invasions; Solidago species; goldenrods; biodiversity; semi-natural meadows, grasslands; methods of invasion control
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Dear Colleagues,

The spread of exotic species is a crucial element of global environmental changes challenging the conservation of biodiversity and natural resources. Invasion by alien plant species alters biodiversity, landscape structure, ecosystem functions and services, local economy, as well as human health and well-being. The invasion process is a complex phenomenon, affected by multiple interacting factors, which are context-dependent. At a broad scale, the climate is the most important factor determining the risk of invasion, but at the regional scale, the habitats’ characteristics are more important. Differences in the level of invasion in particular habitats could be explained by variation between ecological requirements of alien species and the available niches in the invaded area and differences in the inherent susceptibility of habitats to invasion. Another factor shaping the number of alien species in a given site is the propagule pressure, which is the rate of influx of alien propagules into the site, which could be explained using proxies as socioeconomic variables, such as human population density, the intensity of traffic or trade, as well as landscape characteristics. The success of invasion also relies on biotic characteristics of the invader and receiving vegetation. Numerous studies focus on defining the traits of successful invaders in particular environments or regions. However, it is still not well known why some introduced plant species become invaders and others do not. It is often observed that species richness decreases the probability of alien invasion, but the biotic resistance hypothesis does not find confirmation everywhere. The successful management of biological invasions relies on understanding the mechanism behind the invasion process and ecology of invasive plant species.

Because of the numerous problems with understanding the ecology of invasive species and the process of biological invasions, this Special Issue of Plants dedicated to ‘Ecology of Invasive Plants’ has been established and invites contributions.

Dr. Magdalena Szymura
Guest Editor

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Keywords

invasive species
plant invasions in landscape scale
habitat resistance for invasion
methods of invasion control
plant invasions
process of invasion

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 4314 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Distribution Patterns of Invasive Buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris) in Mexico Estimated with Climate Niche Models under the Current and Future Climate

by Pablo Siller-Clavel, Ernesto I. Badano, Federico Villarreal-Guerrero, Jesús A. Prieto-Amparán, Alfredo Pinedo-Alvarez, Raúl Corrales-Lerma, Alan Álvarez-Holguín and Nathalie S. Hernández-Quiroz

Plants 2022, 11(9), 1160; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11091160 - 26 Apr 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2337

Abstract

In Mexico, buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris) was introduced in the middle of the 20th century. Currently, buffelgrass has become an invasive species and has colonized various ecosystems in the country. In addition to its invasive capacity, climate change is a factor that has to be taken into account when considering how to effectively manage and control this species. The climatic niche models (CNM) and their projections for climate change scenarios allow for estimating the extent of biological invasions. Our study aimed to calibrate a CNM for buffelgrass in Mexico under the current climatic conditions and to project the extent of its biological invasion under climate change scenarios. For that, we used MaxEnt to generate the current CNM and to detect if climate change could cause future changes, we then evaluated the distribution patterns over the periods of 2041–2060, 2061–2080, and 2081–2100 for all the shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs). Linear regressions were used to compare the outputs between current and future scenarios. Under the current climate, the CNM estimated that 42.2% of the continental surface of Mexico is highly suitable for buffelgrass. The regression analyses indicated no effects from climate change on the distribution of buffelgrass. Moreover, when the projected period is further in the future, and when the SSPs intensify, the surface of suitable areas for the species increases. These analyses clearly suggest Mexico is facing a biological invasion from buffelgrass, which may represent a threat to native biodiversity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology of Invasive Plants)

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18 pages, 2349 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Survey of the Solidago canadensis L. Morphological Traits and Essential Oil Production: Aboveground Biomass Growth and Abundance of the Invasive Goldenrod Appears to Be Reciprocally Enhanced within the Invaded Stands

by Beáta Baranová, Eva Troščáková-Kerpčárová and Daniela Gruľová

Plants 2022, 11(4), 535; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11040535 - 17 Feb 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1615

Abstract

Canadian goldenrod is one of the most widespread invasive neophytes in Europe with proven ecological and environmental consequences for the invaded plots. The morphological traits and productive features survey can offer a better insight view into the S. canadensis population ecology and the dynamic of its aboveground biomass growth. Equally, it can serve as a foundation for a balanced management proposal, with the aim of keeping an acceptable degree of Canadian goldenrod invasion. In the study, 600 specimens, collected at various phenological phases, from the twelve sampling stands in the eastern Slovakia, were processed. The obtained data were related to the degree of invasion, pH, soil moisture, overall stand area, and measure of interventions. Plants from the stands with a mild degree of goldenrod invasion (<50%), lower pH, and higher stand area were significantly lower and lighter; had a significantly lower number and weight of leaves; significantly shorter and lighter stems, in comparison to the plants from the stands with a heavy degree of invasion (>50%); a higher pH; and a smaller area. These plants also showed smaller essential oil productivity rate, and they achieved the growth peak a significantly later. Conversely, as the stand area decreased, and the S. canadensis % representation and soil reaction increased, goldenrods became significantly taller and heavier, with a higher number of leaves and a higher essential oil productivity rate. Canadian goldenrod shows, somewhat, a cyclical, self-growth-reinforcing feedback: the consecutive increase of the goldenrod’s aboveground biomass leads to an increase of its relative % abundance within the invaded stands. Consequently, the increase of the goldenrod’s relative % abundance leads to the plants aboveground biomass consecutive growth, and so on. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology of Invasive Plants)

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11 pages, 2275 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Gibberellic Acid (GA₃) Applied to Flowering Heracleum sosnowskyi Decreases Seed Viability Even If Seed Development Is Not Inhibited

by Tautvydas Žalnierius, Vaidevutis Šveikauskas, Pedro J. Aphalo, Virgilija Gavelienė, Vincas Būda and Sigita Jurkonienė

Plants 2022, 11(3), 314; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11030314 - 25 Jan 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3368

Abstract

Sosnowsky’s hogweed (Heracleum sosnowskyi Manden.), an important invasive species in Eastern Europe, is a monocarpic perennial plant that propagates exclusively by seeds. Hence, interfering with seed viability could help control its spread. In the present study, we investigated the effect of exogenous GA₃ (25, 100 and 150 mg/L) sprayed twice onto flowering H. sosnowskyi plants on the development of fruits (mericarps) and their ability to germinate under field conditions over the growing seasons of 2018 and 2019. Mericarps from plants sprayed with GA₃ failed to develop normally. The width/length ratio of mericarps decreased by 23% to 25% after 150 mg/L GA₃ application and their average weight decreased between 7% and 39% under all GA₃ treatments. X-ray radiographs revealed that the internal structure was malformed, with many of the mericarps lacking well-developed seeds. Proportionally fewer well-developed mericarps were produced by GA₃-treated plants than water-sprayed control plants in 2018. Seed germination assessed outdoors in seeds buried in the ground was also severely reduced (from 58% to 99% after 150 mg/L GA₃ application). This indicates that exogenous GA₃ sprays result in incomplete seed development and a consequent decrease in viability and germination. As the highest GA₃ dose used resulted in significantly reduced propagation of Sosnowsky’s hogweed through seeds in the field, GA₃ provides a promising approach to the control of the spread of this invasive weed species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology of Invasive Plants)

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18 pages, 2527 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sewage Pollution Promotes the Invasion-Related Traits of Impatiens glandulifera in an Oligotrophic Habitat of the Sharr Mountain (Western Balkans)

by Milos Stanojevic, Maja Trailovic, Tijana Dubljanin, Zoran Krivošej, Miroslav Nikolic and Nina Nikolic

Plants 2021, 10(12), 2814; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10122814 - 20 Dec 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2504

Abstract

An annual plant, Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera Royle) is globally widespread and one of Europe’s top invaders. We focused on two questions: does this species indeed not invade the southern areas and does the environment affect some of its key invisibility traits. In an isolated model mountainous valley, we jointly analyzed the soil (21 parameters), the life history traits of the invader (height, stem diameter, aboveground dw), and the resident vegetation (species composition and abundances, Ellenberg indicator values), and supplemented it with local knowledge (semi-structured interviews). Uncontrolled discharge of fecal wastewaters directly into the local dense hydrological network fostered mass infestation of an atypical habitat. The phenotypic plasticity of the measured invasion-related traits was very high in the surveyed early invasion (30–50% invader cover) stages. Different microhabitat conditions consistently correlated with its growth performance. The largest individuals were restricted to the deforested riparian habitats, with extreme soil nutrient enrichment (primarily by P and K) and low-competitive, species-poor resident vegetation. We showed that ecological context can modify invasion-related traits and what could affect a further invasion process. Finally, this species is likely underreported in the wider region; public attitude and loss of traditional ecological knowledge are further management risks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology of Invasive Plants)

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20 pages, 4506 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Predicting Impacts of Climate Change on Northward Range Expansion of Invasive Weeds in South Korea

by Sun Hee Hong, Yong Ho Lee, Gaeun Lee, Do-Hun Lee and Pradeep Adhikari

Plants 2021, 10(8), 1604; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10081604 - 05 Aug 2021

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 3914

Abstract

Predicting the distribution of invasive weeds under climate change is important for the early identification of areas that are susceptible to invasion and for the adoption of the best preventive measures. Here, we predicted the habitat suitability of 16 invasive weeds in response to climate change and land cover changes in South Korea using a maximum entropy modeling approach. Based on the predictions of the model, climate change is likely to increase habitat suitability. Currently, the area of moderately suitable and highly suitable habitats is estimated to be 8877.46 km², and 990.29 km², respectively, and these areas are expected to increase up to 496.52% by 2050 and 1439.65% by 2070 under the representative concentration pathways 4.5 scenario across the country. Although habitat suitability was estimated to be highest in the southern regions (<36° latitude), the central and northern regions are also predicted to have substantial increases in suitable habitat areas. Our study revealed that climate change would exacerbate the threat of northward weed invasions by shifting the climatic barriers of invasive weeds from the southern region. Thus, it is essential to initiate control and management strategies in the southern region to prevent further invasions into new areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology of Invasive Plants)

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13 pages, 922 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Trait-Environment Relationships Reveal the Success of Alien Plants Invasiveness in an Urbanized Landscape

by Reham F. El-Barougy, Mohammed A. Dakhil, Mohamed Abdelaal, Ali El-Keblawy and Louis-Félix Bersier

Plants 2021, 10(8), 1519; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10081519 - 26 Jul 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2541

Abstract

Urban areas are being affected by rapidly increasing human-made pressures that can strongly homogenize biodiversity, reduce habitat heterogeneity, and facilitate the invasion of alien species. One of the key concerns in invaded urban areas is comparing the trait–environment relationships between alien and native species, to determine the underlying causes of invasiveness. In the current study, we used a trait–environment dataset of 130 native plants and 33 alien plants, recorded in 100 plots covering 50 urban areas and 50 non-urban ones in an urbanization gradient in the arid mountainous Saint-Katherine protected area in Egypt. We measured eleven morphological plant traits for each plant species and ten environmental variables in each plot, including soil resources and human-made pressures, to construct trait–environment associations using a fourth-corner analysis. In addition, we measured the mean functional and phylogenetic distances between the two species groups along an urbanization gradient. Our results revealed strongly significant relationships of alien species traits with human-made pressures and soil resources in urban areas. However, in non-urban areas, alien species traits showed weak and non-significant associations with the environment. Simultaneously, native plants showed consistency in their trait–environment relationships in urban and non-urban areas. In line with these results, the functional and phylogenetic distances declined between the aliens and natives in urban areas, indicating biotic homogenization with increasing urbanization, and increased in non-urban areas, indicating greater divergence between the two species groups. Thereby, this study provided evidence that urbanization can reveal the plasticity of alien species and can also be the leading cause of homogenization in an arid urban area. Future urban studies should investigate the potential causes of taxonomic, genetic, and functional homogenization in species composition in formerly more diverse urbanized areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology of Invasive Plants)

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11 pages, 4984 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatially Varying Relationships between Alien Plant Distributions and Environmental Factors in South Korea

by Jeong-Soo Park, Hyohyemi Lee, Donghui Choi and Youngha Kim

Plants 2021, 10(7), 1377; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10071377 - 05 Jul 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2109

Abstract

Invasive alien plants can severely threaten biodiversity and cause economic losses in the agricultural industry; therefore, identifying the critical environmental factors related to the distribution of alien plants plays a crucial role in ecosystem management. In this study, we applied partial least squares regression (PLSR) and geographically weighted regression (GWR) to estimate the important environmental factors affecting the spread of two invasive and expansive plants, Lactuca scariola L. and Aster pilosus Willd., across South Korea. GWR provides more accurate predictions than ordinary least squares regression, and the local coefficients of GWR allow for the determination of the spatial relationships between alien plant distributions and environmental variables. Based on the model’s results, the distributions of these alien species were significantly associated with anthropogenic effects, such as human population density, residential area, and road density. Furthermore, the two alien species can establish themselves in habitats where native plants cannot thrive, owing to their broad tolerance to temperature and drought conditions. This study suggests that urban development and expansion can facilitate the invasion of these species in metropolitan cities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology of Invasive Plants)

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Review

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23 pages, 1730 KiB

Open AccessReview

Invasive Water Hyacinth: Ecology, Impacts and Prospects for the Rural Economy

by Irina Harun, Hafizah Pushiri, Ahmad Juhari Amirul-Aiman and Zufarzaana Zulkeflee

Plants 2021, 10(8), 1613; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10081613 - 06 Aug 2021

Cited by 33 | Viewed by 15646

Abstract

Water hyacinth (WH) is notorious for causing severe environmental degradation and being an economic burden to manage. However, it offers substantial prospects if exploited, especially by rural communities. High temperatures, eutrophic conditions and other environmental factors promote the proliferation of the plant in regions where it has been introduced. Regarded as among the world’s worst invasive weeds, WH is nearly impossible to control and eradicate without an integrated approach and community participation. The effectiveness of control methods varies, yet sustained community involvement determines the long-term success of these methods. Reproducing rapidly, WH has the resource capacity to support a unique microeconomic ecosystem, incentivising WH control by generating sustainable income. The WH ecology, the socioeconomic impacts of its invasion and its various applications are reviewed, and revenue generation and cost-saving options are highlighted. A circular microeconomic model is proposed by integrating WH valorisation into the general limitations of a rural community. Empowering locals with opportunities and enticing them with potential economic gains can be a nudge towards a pro-environment behavioural change in managing WH. This would aid in upgrading local livelihoods and could foster resilience within the community in tackling both environmental problems and economic setbacks through the management of WH invasions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology of Invasive Plants)

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26 pages, 738 KiB

Open AccessReview

Plant Invasion Research in Russia: Basic Projects and Scientific Fields

by Yulia K. Vinogradova, Valeriy K. Tokhtar, Alexander A. Notov, Sergey R. Mayorov and Elena S. Danilova

Plants 2021, 10(7), 1477; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10071477 - 19 Jul 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3226

Abstract

This paper represents a review of comprehensive research into invasion biology done by Russian scholars for four decades. Invasion biology is a relatively new field of research focused on the study of alien plants, their behavior in new habitats and risks they pose to indigenous species. It is shown that over 40 years, single finds of alien plant species have transformed into a check-list of invasive species in Russia. The most significant invasion pathways were identified, and the rate of microevolutional changes in plant species in their secondary distribution range was determined. Since the most active alien species disperse without regard to national borders, international cooperation is crucial in joint studies of invasive species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology of Invasive Plants)

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