A risk assessment system for alien plant bio-invasion in Xiamen,China

Bio-invasion has caused serious ecosystem damage and enormous economic losses in China,and it has been the greatest factor to island bio-diversity reduction.Xiamen,as an important seaport with a relatively high conservation value,is particularly vulnerable to bio-invasion for its typical island ecosystem as well as frequent human-made disturbance.As a result of field surveys,literature review, and consultation with experts,a list of 67 alien plants identified as major invaders(12 species)and emerging invade...

Investigation and Hazard Assessment of Invasive Alien Plants on the Campus of Tongren University

[Objectives]The paper was to investigate and assess the species,distribution and hazard status of invasive alien plants on the campus of Tongren University.[Methods]A survey was conducted using line survey method,and the risk assessment index system of invasive alien plants was established by analytic hierarchy process(AHP).[Results]There were 11 species of invasive alien plants on the campus of Tongren University,belonging to 8 genera and 5 families.There were 6 species of invasive alien plants belonging to Asteraceae,accounting for 54.55%of the total.In terms of the origin of invasive plants,most of them were native to North America and Europe,accounting for 27.27%of the total.In terms of harmful level,there were no high-risk invasive plants on the campus of Tongren University,but Alternanthera philoxeroides had the highest score and was the most harmful.[Conclusions]The present situation of alien plant invasion on the campus of Tongren University is closely related to the ecological environment of the campus.It is suggested to strengthen the management of campus plants,focus on the prevention and control of A.philoxeroides,and carry out regular investigation of invasive alien plants on campus to ensure the ecological safety of the campus.

Status, Impact and Management of Certain Alien Plant Pests Proven to Be Invasive to Thailand＇s Ecology

Introduction of foreign plants and animals into Thailand＇s ecology has a long history, some arrived accidentally and others had a purpose. As global commerce increases, the issue of invasive alien species has become more urgent in Thailand. These agents are increasingly seen as a threat not only to biodiversity and ecosystem, but also to economic development and human well-being. They reduce yields of agricultural crops, forests and fisheries, decrease water availability, cause costly land degradation, block transport routes and contribute to the spread of disease. It is clear that since trade will not stop, dangerous alien species need to be controlled and managed and the strategies and control measures are to prevent, eradicate, contain, or effectively control the invaders. Implementation of these measures requires appropriate legislation, regulation and procedures. The impact of some invasive alien pests and their management on the agricultural sector of Thailand are presented.

Monitoring River Restoration Efforts: Do Invasive Alien Plants Endanger the Success? A Case Study of the Traisen River

River restoration activities are challenging for the native vegetation and the colonization process. The development of invasive alien plant species (IAS) as well as the development of the pioneer vegetation cover and seed bank were observed in one year prior to construction of a new river bed and within the first two years after construction, along the downstream section of the river Traisen in Austria. One year after completion of the new river channel, the occurrence of IAS above ground decreased while the occurrence of target species increased. Furthermore, no seeds of IAS were detected in the new river bed as a result of proper management of soil movement. Despite the positive impact on the abundance of IAS, the restoration project of the river Traisen shows that the fact that such a restoration activity is a disturbance event must be taken into consideration already during the planning process. Supporting the competitiveness of native plant species is an important tool for reducing the danger of establishment of invasive alien species.

Investigation and Analysis of Alien Plants in the Scenic Spot Chengbi Lake

A comprehensive survey and analysis of alien invasive plants at the scenic spot Chengbi Lake was conducted by combining route investigation with interviews and quadrat sampling.There were 21 families,33 genera and 42 species in the scenic spot Chengbi Lake.Among them,herbal plants accounted for 69%.The Compositae and Amaranthaceae families were the most frequent,represented by 18 species in total;and 36 species of these alien invasive plants originated from America,accounting for 85.7% of the total.Fifty-seven percent of the species were introduced as ornamental plants.Seven of them were severely harmful,including Wedelia trilobata,Eupatorium odoratum,Lantana camara,Mirabilis jalapa,Solanum erianthum,Ipomoea cairica and Alternanthera philoxeroides.Strategies to increase defensive awareness,reinforce ecological protection,regulate species introduction and improve supervision mechanisms are discussed.

Diversity, Invasion Status and Usages of Alien Plant Species in Northeastern Hilly State of Tripura: A Confluence of Indo-Barman Hotspot

The present study has explored the first authentic catalogue of the alien flora of the foot Himalayan hilly region along with their diversity, uses, various ecological aspects and invasion status. Environmentally similar south and tropical American aliens are higher in numbers in this region. A total of 216 plant species under 158 genera belonging to 58 families have been compiled in this catalogue. This alien flora occupies ~14.5% of the state flora, while 3.47% is invasive. Families having a large number of alien species are Asteraceae followed by Caesalpiniaceae and Solanaceae. Most of the alien species (61.57%) are of American origin followed by Asia (15.28%) and African continent (12.04%). Life form analysis shows that herbs (42.6%) are dominated alien. Among all the aliens, 67 species are used as ornamental plant, followed by 50 medicinally useful plants. In the state neutralized aliens are (36.57%) followed by invasive alien (24.07%). The present study also reports five alien species for the first time from the study site. This base line study would be the foundation for further advance studies on the invasion ecology and for the future assessment and management of invasive species in this biodiversity rich zone. Present work obviously helps in the agricultural sector of the state as well as the country and gives a clue for further introduction of new species in the country.

Investigation and Risk Assessment of Alien Invasive Plants in Riparian Zone of Dongjiang River

[Objective] The aim was to conduct investigation and risk assessment of the alien invasive plants in riparian zone of Dongjiang River.[Method] The field survey was carried out by the combination methods of sampling plots investigation and route survey,and the whole Dongjiang River was covered.52 sampling points were set in the main streams,and 87 sampling points in tributaries streams,624 quadrats were set in total;multi-index comprehensive evaluation method was adopted for the risk assessment with 6 first-level indexes and 25 second-level indexes.[Result] Through the investigation on the riparian zone of Dongjiang River for 2 years,51 species of alien invasive plants were found,belonging to 17 families and 38 genera.The risk level assessment results of these 51 species showed that 18 species,such as Ageratum conyzoides,belonged to high-level risk with over 60 points;26 species,such as Chenopodium ambrosioides,were between 30 and 60 points which belonged to middle-level risk;7 species,such as Paspalum dilatatum,with less than 30 points belonged to low-level risk.[Conclusion] Basic data on the protection,water environmental management and functional zoning of riparian zone of Dongjiang River were provided.

A Study on Alien Invasive Plants from the Interactive Mechanism between Species Niche and Material/Energy Flow

[Objective]This study was to reveal the essence of mechanism about how the alien invasive plants spread.[Method]Species niche and material/energy flow were used as basic research indicators to analyze the intrinsic mechanism of alien plants invasion.[Result]Most of the invasive plants have not been explicitly defined and their effective control methods not brought forward.[Conclusion]Overrun of alien invasive plants depends on whether the niche of a species could be continuously met at spatial level.Based on this we put forward corresponding control measures,proposed an assumption to establish a cylinder-network model and discussed the definition of alien invasive plants.

Development of a mathematical model to evaluate the rate of aggregate risk of invasive alien plant species： Fuzzy risk assessment approach

This study presents a novel approach to evaluate the rate of aggregate risk of Invasive Alien Plant Species. Using risk values and grade of importance of weights of risk factors which may reflect invasiveness of plant species are considered. We use Linguistic Ordered Weighted Averaging operator to evaluate the grade of important of weights. Since the risk values and important weights are identified from two different linguistic term sets, fuzzy set theory techniques were used to combine the two sets. The rates obtained from the model were compared with NRA risk levels and the model was validated with data from known and non-invasive species. The model is improved by weighting the risk values of risk factors. The improved model produced significant results and resulted a better tracking system for identifying potential invaders than the conventional risk assessment.

Impacts of road on plant invasions in the Middle Mountain region of central Nepal

Biological invasion is triggered by human development activities such as the construction and expansion of road networks.Road verges serve as important habitats and corridors for the distribution of invasive alien plant species(IAPS)between geographically distant habitats.However,the trajectory of plant invasion and the data regarding the impact of roads on IAPS distribution are relatively poor in Nepal.Here,we surveyed two road types(main roads and feeder road)in the Middle Mountain region of central Nepal in order to investigate how different road types are driving the dispersal of IAPS along road verges and the adjacent natural habitats.Systematic sampling was conducted at ca 2.5 km intervals along the roads.At each sampling site,paired plots(25 m×4 m)were sampled:one adjacent to and along the road,and another 20 m away and parallel to it in the interior habitat.Our results revealed that the main road verges had a higher cover(33%)and a larger number of IAPS(14 species)than the feeder road(25%;10 species).The IAPS cover and richness were significantly higher along verges than in the adjacent interior habitats for both road types,indicating that roads are contributing as corridors for the dispersal of IAPS in the Middle Mountain areas of central Nepal.Further,elevation,tree canopy,and disturbances(grazing/mowing/trampling)were found to be the key factors that determine spatial distribution of IAPS along road verges.We emphasize that regular monitoring of vegetation along the road verges can help with the early detection and control of potential IAPS in the region before they become problematic.

Survey and Analysis on Alien Invasive Plants of Jinziling Scenic Spot in Pingle County

According to the field survey of alien invasive plants of Jinziling,there were 23 kinds of alien invasive plants in the scenic spot.Species with the comprehensive dominance degree higher than 10% were as follows: six kinds of Asteraceae: Bidens pilosa,Aster subulatus,Ageratum conyzoides,Conyzai canadens,Parthenium hysterophorus,and Conyza sumatrensis; two kinds of Gramineae: Axonopus compressu,Eleusine indica; two kinds of convolvere: Ipomoea nil,Ipomoea purpurea; two kinds of Fabaceae: Cassiae tora,Medicago hispida; one kind of Verbenaceae: Lantana camara; one kind of Euphorbiaceae: Euphorbia hirta.In total,there were 14 kinds of alien invasive plants.In this survey,the dominant species of invasive plants were obtained by statistical analysis of the composition and distribution of the invasive plants,and the invasion trend was predicted,so as to take effective and economical management and control measures.

Species and Distribution Characteristics of Alien Invasive Plants in Garden Greenbelt of Shijiazhuang City

[Objectives]The paper was to investigate the garden greenbelt in 30 sample plots such as parks,roads,communities,etc.in Shijiazhuang City.[Methods]The species,abundance and frequency of weeds in the greenbelt of public gardens were recorded through point-line-surface investigation,and typical plants were sampled.[Results]There were 56 species of alien invasive plants in garden greenbelts of Shijiazhuang City,belonging to 44 genera and 20 families.In terms of life form,herbaceous plants were absolutely dominant,accounting for 92.8%of the total.The most alien invasive plants were native to America,accounting for 66.1%of the total.In terms of introduction path,the plants introduced artificially and unintentionally accounted for almost half.The species and quantity of alien invasive plants were related to the size of greenbelt area,the length of the build time of the surveyed plot,the composition structure of greenbelt and the level of green management and protection.There was larger distribution of alien invasive plants in the sample plots with large greenbelt area,long build time,herbaceous-dominated greenbelt and low level of green management and protection.Among the 56 alien invasive plants,3 plants were toxic.From the perspective of invasiveness,the alien invasive plants in the garden greenbelt of Shijiazhuang City could be divided into 5 levels:invasive alien species of malignant consequences,invasive alien species of severe consequences,invasive alien species of partial consequences,invasive alien species of average consequences,and invasive alien species to be observed.[Conclusions]This study will provide a reference for the prevention and control of alien plant invasion,and lay a foundation for the prevention and control of existing invasive plants.

Changes in Soil Biota Resulting from Growth of the Invasive Weed, Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.(Compositae), Enhance Its Success and Reduce Growth of Co-Occurring Plants

Exotic plant invasion presents a serious threat to native ecosystem structure and function. Little is known about the role of soil microbial communities in facilitating or resisting the spread of invasive plants into native communities. The purpose of this research is to understand how the invasive annual plant Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. facilitates its competition capacity through changing the structure and function of soil microbial communities. The soil characteristics of different areas invaded by A. artemisiifolia were examined. Greenhouse experiments were designed to assess the effect of A. artemisiifolia invasion-induced changes of soil biota on co-occurring plant growth, and on the interactions between A. artemisiifolia and three co-occurring plant species. The results showed that the soil organic C content was the highest in heavily invaded sites, the lowest in native plant sites, and intermediate in newly invaded sites. Soil available N, P and K concentrations in heavily invaded site were 2.4, 1.9 and 1.7 times higher than those in native plant soil, respectively. Soil pH decreased as A. artemisiifolia invasion intensity increased, and was lower in invaded sites（heavily invaded and newly invaded） than in native plant sites. The soil microbial community structure was clearly separated in the three types of sites, and A. artemisiifolia invasion increased anaerobe, sulfate-reducing bacteria and actinomycete abundance. Soil biota of invaded sites inhibits growth of co-occurring plants（Galinsoga parvifloraCav., Medicago sativa L. and Setaria plicata（Lam.） T. Cooke.） compared to soil biota from un-invaded sites, but facilitates A. artemisiifolia growth and competition with co-occurring plants. A. artemisiifolia biomass was 50-130% greater when competing with three co-occurring plants, compared to single-species competition only（invasion by A. artemisiifolia alone）, in heavily invaded soil. Results of the present study indicated that A. artemisiifolia invasion alters the soil microbial community in a way that favors itself while inhibiting native plant species, with measurable effects on performance of co-occurring plants.

Temporal changes in wetland plant communities with decades of cumulative water pollution in two plateau lakes in China's Yunnan Province

Abstract： Wetland plant communities in the plateau lakes of Yunnan Province, China, have decreased significantly over the past decades. To better understand this degradation, we analyzed the processes and characteristics of changes in wetland plant communities in two of the largest lakes in Yunnan Province, Dianchi and Erhai lakes. We collected records of native and alien plant communities in the two lakes from literature published from the 195os to current period. We calculated plant community types and their area in some historical periods when related data were reported, and analyzed the relationship between chances in nlant communities and water nollution. InDianehi Lake, 12 community types of native plant communities, covering over 80% of the surface in the 195os and 196os, were reduced to four types covering 2.4% by the late 2ooos. Alien plant communities started to appear in the lake in the late 197os, and have since come to cover 4.9% of the lake surface, thereby becoming dominant. In Erhai Lake, 16 community types of native plant communities, covering 47.1% of the lake surface in the late 197os, declined to lo community types, covering 9.3% of the surface, by the late 2ooos. Alien plant communities appeared in the middle 198os, and at present cover 0.7% of the surface area. It was indicated that changes in plant communities were significant related to water eutrophication. The area occupied by native and alien plant communities was, respectively, negatively andpositively related to the content of nutrients in water. This showed lacustrine pollution played an important role in native plant loss and alien plant invasion in the two plateau lakes.

Effects of Region and Elevation on Adaptation of Leaf Functional Traits of an Invasive Plant Erigeron annuus in China

A key scientific challenge relating to the threat of invasive plants on agriculture at the region level is to understand their adaptation and evolution in functional traits.Leaf functional traits,related to growth and resource utilization,might lead to adaptation of invasive plants to the geographical barriers(region or elevation).In the field experiment,we discussed the effects of region and elevation on leaf functional traits on invasive plant Erigeron annuus in farmland habitats in China.We compared leaf size,coefficient of variation(CV)of leaf traits,and fluctuating asymmetry(FA)of E.annuus from three regions(east vs.center vs.west)and two leaf types(vegetative vs.reproductive leaf),and from nine elevations(980-2100 m)in the west region of China.Our results indicated region and leaf type influenced leaf functional traits,and leaf size was significantly higher and CV of leaf traits and FA in reproductive leaves were significantly lower in the east region than in the west and center regions.Elevation and leaf type affected leaf functional traits,and leaf size was significantly higher and CV of leaf traits in reproductive leaves were significantly lower in moderate elevation.E.annuus has higher leaf size and developmental stability(lower CV and FA)in the eastern region due to the longer adaptation period.Therefore,leaf functional traits play an important role in the adaptation of different longitudes and elevations.It can also facilitate the understanding of the invasiveness and adaptation of leaf traits of invasive plants in the agricultural ecosystem during their spread process in China.

Effects of Water Extract of Erigeron canadensis L. on Seed Germination of Plants

[Objective] The paper was to explore the effect of water extract of Erigeron canadensis L. on seed germination of plants. [Method] Using constant temperature culture method, the effects of water extracts of roots, stems and leaves of E. canadensis on seed germination of 14 species of test plants （crops and weeds） were studied. [Result] Water extracts of roots, stems and leaves of E. canadensis had obvious inhibition effect on seed germination of test plants. The water extract of leaves had the strongest inhibition effect, which could completely inhibit the seed germination of Crepis tectorum L., Amaranthus tricolor L. and Chrysanthemum coronarium L. under the lower concentrations of 0.050 and 0.075 g/ml, and completely inhibit seed germination of all the plants under the concentration of 0.400 g/ml except Zea maize L. and Allium fistulosum L.; followed by water extract of stems, and the water extract of roots had the lowest the inhibition effect, except for completely restraining seed germination of Lycopersicum esculentum L. under the concentration of 0.300 g/ml, it still could not completely restrain seed germination of the other plants under the highest concentration of 0.500 g/ml. The inhibition effect of water extract of E. canadensis on seed germination of plants had obvious selectivity, which had more obvious effect on dicotyledonous plants than monocotyledonous plants. [Conclusion] The study provided reference for screening and utilization of allelochemicals of E. canadensis and research on its allelopathy mechanism.

Study on the Allelopathic Effects of Alien Invasive Species Cenchrus echinatus on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Solanaceae Crops

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the potential ecological dam- ages of alien invasive species Cenchrus echinatus. [Method] By using seed germi- nation method, the effects of different concentrations of C. echinatus aqueous extracts on seed germination and seedling growth of three Solanaceae crops were investigated. [Result] After incubated for 5 d, no significant differences were observed in germination speed indices of Lycopersicum esculentum seeds between aqueous extract groups and control groups; germination speed indices of Solarium melongena seeds were significantly reduced with the increasing concentration of Cenchrus echinatus aqueous extracts; however, Capsicum frutescens seeds in various groups were not germinated. After incubated for 7 d, root lengths of Lycopersicum esculentum seedlings were inhibited with the increasing concentration of Cenchrus echinatus aqueous extracts, while stem lengths and comprehensive allelopathic effects were promoted; germination rates of Solanum melongena seeds in various groups were all significantly lower than control groups; root length, stem length and comprehen- sive allelopathic effects in higher concentration groups were inhibited; germination rates of Capsicum frutescens seeds were significantly inhibited, and those in the highest concentration group were not generated. After incubated for 14 d, all indica- tors of Solanum melongena were significantly inhibited; various indicators of Capsicum frutescens in the highest concentration group were significantly inhibited. [Conclusion] The sensitivity of three Solanaceae crops to Cenchrus echinatus aqueous extracts presented an overall order of Solanum melongena 〉 Capsicum frutescens 〉 Lycopersicum esculentum, suggesting that Cenchrus echinatus can to some extent inhibit the growth of several crops, which should be strictly prevented and controlled in agricultural production.

Alien invasive species in Siberia:current status and problem

Although alien and invasive plant species have been researched extensively in the European part of Russia,the situation in Siberia is another matter.Hitherto,alien and invasive species in Siberia have not received much attention because this problem was not especially acute in Siberia.The lack of attention on alien and invasive species in Siberia is attributed to three major reasons：1） Low vegetative productivity and sparse human populations in the Siberian territory have limited botanical research interest in the area.2） Severe Siberian climate likely prevents many alien and invasive species from increasing their distribution into Siberia.3） Most Siberian plant communities have not been human-transformed and thus may be resistant to newcomers.Nevertheless,recent increased economic activities have resulted in increasing plant migration to Siberia,and this process should be monitored.Furthermore,global environmental changes may also have made Siberia more favorable for more alien and invasive species.Currently,research on alien and invasive species has begun in the Altai-Sayan region（Western Siberia） and the Magadan region （Northeastern Asia）.

云南九大高原湖泊湖滨带入侵植物物种组成与分布特征

湖滨带植物多样性是湖滨带生态系统维持稳定的关键,入侵植物的出现破坏湖滨带生态平衡,对湖滨带生态安全造成威胁。为揭示云南九大高原湖泊湖滨带入侵植物组成与分布特征,基于文献报道及野外踏查,整理得到云南九大高原湖泊湖滨带外来入侵植物名录,并对其种类组成、原产地、生活型、分布特征、区系类型、繁殖特征进行了分析。结果显示,云南九大高原湖泊湖滨带有外来入侵植物64种,隶属于23科52属。从种类组成上看,外来入侵植物多为菊科(Asteraceae)和苋科(Amaranthaceae);从分布特征上看,滇池湖滨带入侵植物分布最多,泸沽湖湖滨带入侵植物分布最少;从原产地上看,超过50%的入侵植物来自美洲;从生活型上看,外来入侵植物几乎均为草本植物,且以一年生草本植物居多;从物种分布上看,白车轴草Trifolium repens、凤眼莲Eichhornia crassipes、土荆芥Dysphania ambrosioides、喜旱莲子草Alternanthera philoxeroides分布最广;从区系类型上看,九大高原湖泊湖滨带外来入侵植物科和属的区系类型均具有明显的广布与泛热带分布特征;从繁殖特征上看,外来入侵植物花期集中于7-10月,果实类型多为被毛瘦果。研究表明,云南九大高原湖泊湖滨带入侵植物较为多样,与同区域数据比对后发现九大高原湖泊湖滨带入侵植物种数有所增加。不同湖滨带入侵植物种数的差异可能与海拔、温度和周边人口数量有关,较高的海拔,较低的年均温以及较少的周边人口数量都有利于减少湖滨带入侵植物种数。研究结果将为高原湖泊湖滨带生态系统风险评估和防控部署提供理论基础。

杭州西湖风景名胜区陆生维管植物物种多样性现状与分析

2020年至2022年对杭州西湖风景名胜区内的陆生维管植物进行了调查。通过对历史文献的收集和对本次调查结果的评析,共记录陆生维管植物1223种(含种下单位),隶属156科,610属。记录区域内新增野生或逸生植物15种,并对65种植物在区域内的现存提出质疑;同时对物种的科属组成、生活型组成、珍稀濒危植物现状及外来植物进行了分析;本次调查到珍稀植物14种,记录具潜在风险的外来植物34种,其中新增7种;最后对景区的植物多样性保护提出了合理建议。