Structure design and establishment of database application system for alien species in Shandong Province,China

This paper presents a case study on structure design and establishment of database application system for alien species in Shandong Province, integrating with Geographic Information System, computer network, and database technology to the research of alien species. The modules of alien species database, including classified data input, statistics and analysis, species pictures and distribution maps, and out date input, were approached by Visual Studio.net 2003 and Microsoft SQL server 2000. The alien species information contains the information of classification, species distinction characteristics, biological characteristics, original area, distribution area, the entering fashion and route, invasion time, invasion reason, interaction with the endemic species, growth state, danger state and spatial information, i.e. distribution map. Based on the above bases, several models including application, checking, modifying, printing, adding and returning models were developed. Furthermore, through the establishment of index tables and index maps, we can also spatially query the data like picture, text and GIS map data. This research established the technological platform of sharing information about scientific resource of alien species in Shandong Province, offering the basis for the dynamic inquiry of alien species, the warning technology of prevention and the fast reaction system. The database application system possessed the principles of good practicability, friendly user interface and convenient usage. It can supply full and accurate information inquiry services of alien species for the users and provide functions of dynamically managing the database for the administrator.

InvasionDB: A genome and gene database of invasive alien species

Invasive alien species(IAS) are species whose introduction to areas outside of their native range cause harm to economics, biodiversity, and the environment. Understanding the genetic basis of invasiveness is critical for preventing invasion by an alien species and managing IAS with eco-friendly control methods. In addition, uncovering the genomic features of IAS is essential for accurately predicting invasiveness. However, even though increasing efforts have been devoted to sequencing the genomes of IAS, there is still not an integrated genome database for the invasive biology community. Here, we first determined a list of invasive plants and animals by mining references and databases. Then, we retrieved the genomic and gene data of these IAS, and constructed a database, Invasion DB. Invasion DB encompasses 131 IAS genomes, 76 annotated IAS assemblies, and links these data to conventional functions such as searching for gene coding sequences and Pfam, KEGG, NR annotations, BLAST server, JBrowse, and downloads services. Next, we analyzed 19 invasivenessrelated gene families which confer invasiveness in insects. To study the roles of noncoding RNA in invasiveness, we also annotated 135 494 mi RNAs, 89 294 r RNAs, and 2 671 941 t RNAs from these IAS. In summary, Invasion DB is useful for studying the invasiveness at the genomic level, and thus helps to develop novel management strategies to control IAS.

Zoonotic parasites carried by invasive alien species in China

Background:The invasive alien species may lead to great environmental and economic crisis due to its strong capability of occupying the biological niche of native species and altering the ecosystem of the invaded area.However,its potential to serve as the vectors of some specific zoonotic pathogens,especially parasites,has been neglected.Thus,the damage that it may cause has been hugely underestimated in this aspect,which is actually an important public health problem.This paper aims to discuss the current status of zoonotic parasites carried by invasive alien species in China.Main body:This review summarizes the reported zoonotic parasites carried by invasive alien species in China based on the Database of Invasive Alien Species in China.We summarize their prevalence,threat to human health,related reported cases,and the roles of invasive alien species in the life cycle of these parasites,and the invasion history of some invasive alien species.Furthermore,we sum up the current state of prevention and control of invasive alien species in China,and discuss about the urgency and several feasible strategies for the prevention and control of these zoonoses under the background of booming international communications and inevitable globalization.Conclusions:Information of the zoonotic parasites carried by invasive alien species neither in China or worldwide,especially related case reports,is limited due to a long-time neglection and lack of monitoring.The underestimation of their damage requires more attention to the monitoring and control and compulsory measures should be taken to control the invasive alien species carrying zoonotic parasites.

Bio-Morphological Characters of Alien Legume Species, Influencing Their Invasion in Natural Plant Communities

Five alien legume species, actively invading in natural plant communities in European part of Russia, were studied—Lupinus polyphyllus Lindl., Galega orientalis Lam., Robinia pseudoacacia L., Amorpha fruticosa L. and Caragana arborescens L. Distribution ranges (considering their invasive status) were mapped. Not a single bio-morphological character to forecast invasion success in natural plant communities within secondary distribution range was found. The data of key value/importance for explaining invasive success of the species studied were obtained. Two hypotheses— Propagule Pressure and Evolution of Invasiveness—were critically analyzed in view of the received data.

Alien species of mammals and their impact on natural ecosystems in the biosphere reserves of Russia

The paper analyses the results of a survey of 37 Russian biosphere reserves using questionnaires concerning thepresence of alien species of mammals, their pathways of penetration, and their impacts on protected ecosystems.The penetration of alien mammals into terrestrial ecosystems of Russia is extensive, both in places with maximumhuman environmental impact (inhabited areas and agricultural lands) and in biosphere reserves with minimal humanimpact. There are 62 mammal species registered as alien in Russian ecosystems and they account for 22% of theterrestrial mammal fauna of Russia. The percentage of alien species in biosphere reserves is 32.6% at most. In mostregions, Castor fiber, Ondatra zibethicus, Nyctereutes procyonoides, Canis familiaris, Neovison vison and Susscrofa are very dangerous, and both Castor fiber and Sus scrofa can have environment-forming impacts.

Environmental Impacts of Invasive Alien Plant Species on the Biodiversity of the Nyika National Park, Rumphi District, Malawi

Invasive alien plant species have threatened the integrity of ecosystems and threatened biological integrity throughout the world. In the Nyika National Park, a number of alien invasive plant species have been reported. These invasive alien plants are reported to be very difficult that have caused adverse ecological, economic and social impact. The main objective of this study is to assess the environmental impact of plant invasive alien species in Nyika National Park in order to ascertain means of addressing the possible effects on the biodiversity. This study adopted an exploratory stance in order to answer the hypotheses where purposive and simple random sampling was used. Purposive sampling was only used to the staff of Nyika while simple random sampling was used to collect data from households surrounding Nyika National Park. The results revealed that invasive alien plant species have some ecological impacts of on the biodiversity of the Nyika National Park like change in physical habitats such as loss of native habitats, alteration of ground water regime, drying of rivers, loss of native species and alteration of biomass. The study would therefore be important to policy makers in guiding and development of policies and guidelines governing eradication of invasive alien plant species. The Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) can form partnership with various stakeholders with a clearly stated intention of developing a relationship, based on collaboration to enhance the control of invading alien plant species and the best management practices.

Research on the Control Cover against Solenopsis invicta and Rapid Extinguishment of Its Epidemic

Based on the biological characteristics of Solenopsis invicta and the structural characteristics of its ant nest,a fast and efficient closed treatment device was developed.Compared with the simple chemical treatment commonly used at present,the developed treatment device(the ant nest control cover)is a fast and efficient method to exterminate S.invicta in 7 d,featured by short course,quick results and good effect.

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.

Biology,invasion and management of the agricultural invader:Fall armyworm,Spodoptera frugiperda(Lepidoptera:Noctuidae)

The fall armyworm(FAW),Spodoptera frugiperda(J.E.Smith),is native to the Americas.It has rapidly invaded 47 African countries and 18 Asian countries since the first detection of invasion into Nigeria and Ghana in 2016.It is regarded as a super pest based on its host range(at least 353 host plants),its inherent ability to survive in a wide range of habitats,its strong migration ability,high fecundity,rapid development of resistance to insecticides/viruses and its gluttonous characteristics.The inherently superior biological characteristics of FAW contribute to its invasiveness.Integrated pest management(IPM)of FAW has relied on multiple applications of monitoring and scouting,agricultural control,chemical pesticides,viral insecticides,sex attractants,bio-control agents(parasitoids,predators and entomopathogens)and botanicals.Knowledge gaps remain to be filled to:(1)understand the invasive mechanisms of S.frugiperda;(2)understand how to prevent its further spread and(3)provide better management strategies.This review summarizes the biological characters of FAW,their association with its invasiveness and IPM strategies,which may provide further insights for future management.

The green tide in Yingkou,China in summer 2021 was caused by a subtropical alga——Ulva meridionalis(Ulvophyceae,Chlorophyta)

The large-scale green tide caused by Ulva has occurred successively in the Yellow Sea since 2007,and new events of green tide also continued to appear in nearby sea areas,indicating an undergoing rapid development of occurrence patterns for harmful macroalgal blooms(HMBs)along coastal China.In August 2021,a green tide occurred for the first time in Bayuquan sea area of Yingkou city,Liaoning Province in the Bohai Sea.In this study,morphological and molecular approaches were used to identify the causative species as U.meridionalis,an alien subtropical alga previously found to dominate green tides in the South China Sea.According to the hydrological data of Bayuquan in summer 2021,combined with morphological and developmental observations for this alga,we hypothesized that the disturbance caused by the typhoon In-Fa might have detached the local U.meridionalis from substrates,especially for those thalli with poorly developed holdfasts,and the ensuing wave-free period with unusually high temperature,which fell in the reported optimum growth temperature for U.meridionalis,might have provided the favorable conditions for the final bloom of the floating seaweeds.This is the first report on the bloom of subtropical U.meridionalis in the north temperate sea zone,indicating that the ecological risk of causing green tides in the future by this rapidly spreading species deserves high attention.

Does a shift in shade tolerance as suggested by seedling morphology explain differences in regeneration success of northern red oak in native and introduced ranges?

Across North America, forests dominated by Quercus rubra L. (northern red oak), a moderately shade-tolerant tree species, are undergoing successional replacement by shade-tolerant competitors. Under closed canopies, Q. rubra seedlings are unable to compete with these shade-tolerant species and do not recruit to upper forest strata. In Europe, natural regeneration of introduced Q. rubra is often successful despite the absence of fire, which promotes regeneration in the native range. Considering that understorey light availability is a major factor affecting recruitment of seedlings, we hypothesized that Q. rubra seedlings are more shade tolerant in the introduced range than in the native range. Morphological traits and biomass allocation patterns of seedlings indicative of shade tolerance were compared for Q. rubra and three co-occurring native species in two closed-canopy forests in the native range (Ontario, Canada) and introduced range (Baden-Württemburg, Germany). In the native range, Q. rubra allocated a greater proportion of biomass to roots, while in the introduced range, growth and allocation patterns favored the development of leaves. Q. rubra seedlings had greater annual increases in height, diameter and biomass in the introduced range. Q. rubra seedlings in the introduced range were also younger;however, they had a mean area per leaf and a total leaf area per seedling that were five times greater than seedlings in the native range. Such differences in morphological traits and allocation patterns support the hypothesis that Q. rubra expresses greater shade tolerance in the introduced range, and that natural regeneration of Q. rubra is not as limited by shade as in the native range. The ability of Q. rubra seedlings to grow faster under closed canopies in Europe may explain the discrepancy in regeneration success of this species in native and introduced ranges. Future research should confirm findings of this study over a greater geographical range in native and introduced ecosystems, and examine the genetic and environmental bases of observed differences in plant traits.

Foraging Responses of the Larvae of Invasive Bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus)： Possible Implications for Bullfrog Control and Ecological Impact in China

The predatory behavior of invasive species can affect their ecological impact, and offer opportunities for targeted control. In Australia, tadpoles of invasive cane toads （Rhinella marina） do not consume eggs of native anurans, but are strongly attracted to （and consume） newly-laid eggs of conspecifics; chemical cues from such eggs （or adult secretions） thus can be used to attract toad tadpoles to traps. Do other invasive anurans show similar selectivity？ Our laboratory trials on a Chinese population of invasive American bullfrogs （Lithobates catesbeianus） revealed similar behaviors as exhibited by Australian cane toads. Bullfrog tadpoles rarely consumed the eggs of native anurarts, but were attracted to both bullfrog eggs and bullfrog skin secretions. Although the attraction response was less intense in bullfrogs than in cane toads, it might nonetheless enable selective removal of bullfrog tadpoles from invaded sites.

Genetic structure of the invasive Colorado potato beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata populations in China

The Colorado potato beetle(CPB),Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say,is an infamous invasive species worldwide.It was first found in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China in 1993 and spread to Northeast China in 2013.To better understand the genetic structure and the diffusion path of their populations in China,we used nine polymorphic microsatellite loci to elucidate the genetic diversity,genetic structure and gene flow among nine CPB populations across Xinjiang and Northeast China.The results show that:(1)Two genetically separated clusters were identified by phylogenetic tree,principal coordinate analysis(PCoA)and Bayesian cluster method.Cluster one contained populations from Xinjiang,China.Cluster two contained populations from Northeast China.A genetic differentiation existed between the two clusters.(2)Three populations in Northeast China hold an obvious genetic differentiation according to the phylogenetic tree and PCoA,indicating that multiple introductions may occur in Northeast China.(3)The Altay population in Xinjiang showed a closer genetic relationship with the populations in Northeast China which may be due to the fact that they collectively originated in neighboring Russia.(4)Among all populations,Mulei and Wusu had obvious gene migrations from Tacheng,indicating that the inland populations are most likely to originate from Tacheng,Xinjiang.

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.

Population increase and changes in behavior and morphology in the Critically Endangered Redonda ground lizard(Pholidoscelis atratus)following the successful removal of alien rats and goats

Redonda is a small volcanic Caribbean island that is home to at least 4 endemic lizard species,including the Critically Endangered ground lizard(Pholidoscelis atratus).Black rats(Rattus rattus)and domestic goats(Capra hircus)were introduced to the island at some time after its discovery by Europeans in the late 1500s.They had a devastating effect on the island,resulting in the loss of nearly all trees and most of the ground vegetation.Point count surveys of P.atratus in 2012 indicated low densities,and the invasive rats were observed hunting and preying on the lizards.Both populations of rats and goats were successfully removed in 2017 as part of an ecological restoration program,and native vegetation and invertebrate populations have increased rapidly since.Population surveys in 2017,2018,and 2019 show the lizard population has increased by more than sixfold.In 2017,as rats and goats were being removed,we evaluated the morphology and escape behavior of this species and repeated these measurements 1 year later.We observed that P.atratus had become bolder,with a reduced flight distance.We also detected changes in limb morphology related to locomotion and suggest possible explanations that will need to be further investigated in the future.These results show how the removal of invasive species can rapidly affect lizard population recovery and behavior,potentially restoring island ecosystems to their pre-human interference dynamics.

Interspecific association of sika deer in terrestrial animal communities of Liancheng National Nature Reserve, China

The prevention and control of invasive of alien species is an important work for nature reserves.This study analyzes the development trend of the alien species sika deer in Liancheng National Nature Reserve.From October 2019 to June 2020,3523 valid photos and videos of terrestrial animals were acquired from 130 camera traps,and sika deer were recorded in 21 photos from 13 traps.The survival of the sika deer population was investigated by means of morphological identification,population structure analysis,species relative abundance indices,and species spatial association analysis.A total of 13 sika deer individuals were identified by camera trapping,including two kids and three subadults representing the reproductive capacity of the population.Spatially,sika deer is not associated with any local species and was outside the spatial association network of terrestrial animals in Liancheng National Nature Reserve,indicating that the sika deer population has not been integrated into the local community and has failed to perform its ecological function.It is worth noting that the reserve provides habitat suitable for sika deer and that the population has adequate reproductive capacity.Due to the lack of large apex predators in the reserve,the population size of ungulates such as sika deer,red deer,and Siberian roe deer may expand and lead to population outbreaks and the associated problems for the ecosystem.To restore large-and medium-sized carnivores and avoid the population outbreak of the species,the present challenges require immediate attention in Liancheng National Nature Reserve.

Mapping common and glossy buckthorns (Frangula alnus and Rhamnus cathartica) using multi-date satellite imagery WorldView-3, GeoEye-1 and SPOT-7

Buckthorns(Glossy buckthorn,Frangula alnus and common buckthorn,Rhamnus cathartica)represent a threat to biodiversity.Their high competitivity lead to the replacement of native species and the inhibition of forest regeneration.Early detection strategies are therefore necessary to limit invasive alien plant species’impacts,and remote sensing is one of the techniques for early invasion detection.Few studies have used phenological remote sensing approaches to map buckthorn distribution from medium spatial resolution images.Those studies highlighted the difficulty of detecting buckthorns in low densities and in understory using this category of images.The main objective of this study was to develop an approach using multi-date very high spatial resolution satellite imagery to map buckthorns in low densities and in the understory in the Québec city area.Three machine learning classifiers(Support Vector Machines,Random Forest and Extreme Gradient Boosting)were applied to WorldView-3,GeoEye-1 and SPOT-7 satellite imagery.The Random Forest classifier performed well(Kappa=0.72).The SVM and XGBoost’s coefficient Kappa were 0.69 and 0.66,respectively.However,buckthorn distribution in understory was identified as the main limit to this approach,and LiDAR data could be used to improve buckthorn mapping in similar environments.

Invasion Possibility and Potential Effects of Rhus typhina on Beijing Municipality

Rhus typhina, an alien species introduced from North America, was identified as a main afforestation species in Beijing municipality. However, its invasiveness is still at odds. To clarify this problem, we applied the North American Screening System and the Australian Screening System to preliminarily predict its invasion possibility. Both screening systems gave the same recommendation to ＂reject＂. The geographical distribution was surveyed, with the population features of R. typhina against the native plant communities being assessed. With anthropogenic assistance, R. typhina has been scattered on almost all habitats from downtown to mountains, including roadsides, farmlands and protected areas. As a clonal shrub, R. typhina possessed a high spreading rate, varying from 6.3 m/3 years at sterile habitats to 6.7 m/3 years at fertile ones. Significantly lower species richness, individual density and diversity were observed in the R. typhina community than those of the native Vitex negundo Linn.var. heterophylla （Franch.） Rehd. community at both sterile and fertile habitats. Continual wide plantation of R. typhina may further foster its population expansion, which helps the species to overcome spatial isolation, The fact that each root fragment can develop into a new individual makes R. typhina very difficult to be eradicated once established. From a biological point of view, we believe that R. typhina is a plant invader in Beijing. We therefore suggest the government should remove the name of R. typhina from the main tree species list in afforesUng Beijing.

Direct impacts of recent climate warming on insect populations

Effects of recent climate change have already been detected in many species,and,in particular,in insects.The present paper reviews the key impacts of global warming on insect development and dispersal.The effects of climate change appear to be much more complex than a simple linear response to an average increase in temperature.They can differ between seasons and bioclimatic regions.Earlier flight periods,enhanced winter survival and acceleration of development rates are the major insect responses.Differential response of insects and hosts to warming up might also lead to disruption of their phenological synchrony,but adaptive genetic processes are likely to quickly restore this synchrony.In a number of cases,warming results in removing or relocating the barriers that limit present species’ranges.It is also likely to facilitate the establishment and spread of invasive alien species.Finally,knowledge gaps are identified and future research interests are suggested.

Viability of thermal imaging in detecting nests of the invasive hornet Vespa velutina

Vespa velutina is an invasive hornet species that is colonising Europe,generating considerable impacts on honeybees,beekeeping and biodiversity.Control and early warning strategies for this species are mainly based on monitoring plans and procedures of nest detection and destruction.Technological tools(harmonic radar,radio-telemetry)have been developed to increase the probabilities of nest detection in new outbreaks.Since hornets are able to regulate nest temperature,thermography may represent an additional technique that may be used,both alone or in support to other techniques.In this study,the viability of thermal imaging in detecting nests of V.velutina was evaluated in controlled conditions.The influence of different environmental and operative variables(time of the day,presence/absence of leaves covering the nest,distance between the nest and the operator)were tested on three nests detected during August 2018 in Italy.All the nests were detectable by thermal imaging,but environmental and operative variables affect their detectability.The temperature difference between the nests and the surrounding reaches its maximum before sunrise and without a tree canopy covering the nests.Although nests were visible in some cases from 30 m,the detectability was higher at shorter distances,even if this variable may also depend on infrared camera resolution.An increase in the environmental temperature also generates a decrease of nest detectability.Although some limitations could occur,these results show the applicability of thermography in detecting V velutina nests before the beginning of the reproductive phase,and consequently its potentiality in control strategies.