An unprotected vulnerable relict subtropical conifer-Keteleeria evelyniana: Its forests, populations, growth and endangerment by invasive alien plant species in China

Relict subtropical coniferous forests in China face severe fragmentation,resulting in declining populations,and some are under significant threat from invasive alien species.Despite the crucial importance of understanding forest dynamics,knowledge gaps persist,particularly regarding the impact of invasive plants on vulnerable natives like Keteleeria evelyniana.In this study,we investigated the impact of invasive plants on the regeneration of forests dominated by K.evelyniana,a subtropical relict species in southwestern China.For this purpose,we characterized forest dynamics of 160 forest plots featuring K.evelyniana as the primary dominant species and determined whether the presence of invasive plants was correlated with regeneration of K.evelyniana.We identified four distinct forest types in which K.evelyniana was dominant.We found that radial growth of K.evelyniana trees is faster in younger ageclasses today than it was for older trees at the same age.The population structure of K.evelyniana in each forest type exhibited a multimodal age-class distribution.However,three forest types lacked established saplings younger than 10 years old,a situation attributed to the dense coverage of the invasive alien Ageratina adenophora.This invasive species resulted in a reduction of understory species diversity.Additionally,our analysis uncovered a significant negative correlation in phylogenetic relatedness(net relatedness index)between native and invasive alien plant species in eastern Yunnan.This suggests closely related invasive species face heightened competition,hindering successful invasion.Taken together,our findings indicate that successful establishment and habitat restoration of K.evelyniana seedling/saplings require effective measures to control invasive plants.

Detecting the distribution of and public attitudes to charismatic alien species based on media coverage

Charismatic species are often reported by the media,providing information for detecting population status and public perception.To identify the number and distribution of free-living Black Swan(Cygnus atratus),a charismatic alien species in Chinese mainland and to detect the public and the media attitudes to the species,we analyzed the reports and emotional tendency from media coverage in 2000-2022 using manual reading,crawler extraction and latent Dirichlet allocation.A total of 6654 Black Swans were reported at 711 sites,including 147 individuals at 30 nature reserves.Successful breeding was reported at one-fourth of the total sites,including five nature reserves.The proportion of positive emotional tendency to Black Swans was overwhelming in the reports and was higher than that to alien species in general,suggesting that the public and the media are unaware of the risk of biological invasion.Effective management of invasive species requires the media clarifies the invasion risk of charismatic alien species.Promoting the unity between the harmfulness of abstract concept of alien species and the charisma of a specific alien species among the public help effective management.

Spatial dynamic patterns of saltmarsh vegetation in southern Hangzhou Bay:Exotic and native species

A saltmarsh has developed rapidly on the mudflat of Andong Shoal,in southern Hangzhou Bay,over the last decade since embankment.The saltmarsh vegetation changes are driven by both sediment dynamic conditions and the competition between the exotic species Spartina alterniflora(S.alterniflora) and the native species Scirpus mariqueter(S.mariqueter).This study attempted to investigate large-scale spatial variations in the exotic and native species,by analyzing and interpreting a time series(2016-2018) of high-resolution(less than 1 m) remote sensing images.The total area of the saltmarsh increased at a rate of 1.07 km^2/year,due to the accretion of the whole tidal flat.The spatial patterns revealed a new bimodal pattern for S.alterniflora invasion.S.alterniflora expanded over the upper to middle saltmarsh at a rate of1.68 km2/year.However,the S.alterniflora patches at the seaward edge expanded at a negative rate of-0.005 km^2/year,indicating a different pattern in competition:S.alterniflora had more advantages in the upper saltmarsh,while S.mariqueter had more advantages in the pioneer zone with low elevation.Consequently,S.alterniflora mainly established new habitats by invading S.mariqueter in the middle saltmarsh,but S.mariqueter occupied the bare mudflat for tradeoff.Our results aindicated that the interspecific competition result between S.alterniflora and S.mariqueter depended on elevation,and low elevation might create a favorable environment for S.mariqueter to win the competition with exotic species.This finding could be applied to future invasive species control and saltmarsh management.

The Occurrence of an Exotic Bisexual Artemia Species, Artemia franciscana, in Two Coastal Salterns of Shandong Province, China

The alien halophilous Artemia species, Artemia franciscana, was found in Chengkou Saltern and Yangkou Saltern of Shandong Province, P.R. China. Although the indigenous parthenogenetic Artemia is detectable, the exotic species is dominant in both salterns. The cross-breeding tests between the exotic A. franciscana and 5 bisexual Artemia species were conducted. The results of hybridization and morphological observations on the exotic A. franciscana are briefly presented in this short communication.

Tree species diversity, richness, and similarity between exotic and indigenous forests in the cloud forests of Eastern Arc Mountains, Taita Hills, Kenya

Biodiversity assessment for tree species was conducted in three forest fragments ofthe Taita Hills, southeastern Kenya to compare species diversity between and within three exotic forest plantations of pine, eucalyptus, cypress and the indigenous forests. The study sites were： Ngangao （120 ha）, Chawia （86 ha）, and Mbololo （185 ha）. A Y-plot design was used to sample 32 plots comprising of 65 subplots. At each subplot, all juvenile trees of 5 cm and above in diameter at breast height （DBH） were enumerated and recorded by species. Tree regeneration （seedlings and saplings） was tallied by species. The Shannon-Weiner Index was used to calculate species diversity and evenness. The derived Shannon’s indices were further converted into effective numbers to show the magnitude of differences in species biodiversities. To evaluate dif-ferences in species diversities, a one way ANOVA was conducted and to separate the means, Tukey＇s HSD and Duncan’s tests were used for even and uneven number of samples respectively. Jaccard’s similarity index was used to assess species similarities. There were more than 58 species whose stem densities varied between 10 and 2 000 trees per hectare.There were significant differences in species diversities between forest types and sites; the indigenous forests showed higher diversities than the exotic forests. Similarly, Chawia sites had higher species diversity than both Ngangao and Mbololo. Chawia also had a higher number of regen-erated species than the two other sites, including species such as Xymalos monospora, Rapanea melanophloeos, and Syzygium guineense, which are associated with low levels of disturbance. These findings indicate that the indigenous forest is more diverse in species as would be expected in the tropics. The high species diversity in Chawia could be accounted for by the higher levels of disturbance it underwent, unlike the two other sites. The regeneration of species associated with low levels of disturbance found in the exotic plots of Chawia show the likelihood of presence of long-term soil seed banks. The low regeneration in the exotics plots observed in Ngangao and Mbololo are likely due to the absence of seed banks since some of the plantations were established on bare land （in Ngango）, or the inherent physiology （allelopathy） of some of species repelling the regeneration of others.

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.

Effect of an Alien Species Spartina alterniflora Loisel on Biogeochemical Processes of Intertidal Ecosystem in the Jiangsu Coastal Region,China

Spartina alterniflora Loisel, a species vegetating in intertidal flats along the eastern coast of the United States, was introduced in China almost 30 years ago and has become an urgent topic due to its invasiveness in the coastal zone of China. The impacts of this alien species S. alterniflora on intertidal ecosystem processes in the Jiangsu coastland were investigated by comparing the sediment nutrient availability and trace element concentration characteristics in a mud flat and those of a four-year old Spartina salt marsh that had earlier been a mudflat. At each study site, fifteen plots were sampled in different seasons to determine the sediment characteristics along the tidal flats. The results suggested that Spartina salt marsh sediments had significantly higher total N, available P, and water content, but lower pH and bulk density than mudflat sediments. Sediment salinity, water content, total N, organic C, and available P decreased along a seaward gradient in the Spartina salt marsh and increased with vegetation biomass. Furthermore, the concentrations of trace elements and some metal elements in the sediment were higher under Spartina although these increases were not significant. Also, in the Spartina marsh, some heavy metals were concentrated in the surface layer of the sediment. The Spartina salt marsh in this study was only four years old; therefore, it is suggested that further study of this allen species on a longer time frame in the Jiangsu coastland should be carried out.

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.

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.

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.

Weed Species Composition in Paddy Field of Usur Town,Bade Local Government,Yobe State,Nigeria

Farmers are eager to know the various types of weeds in paddy fields.This will help in choosing the best weed management practice for effective weed control as well as reducing rice yield losses.The objectives of the study are to identify the weeds species affecting the rice field,to assess the composition of weeds species,to classify the weed species into different families,genera,species,common names,Hausa names,lifecycles,life forms,native/exotic species,propagation and uses,and to determine the dominant weed species.Random vegetation surveys were conducted.Weeds observed were photographed,and prepared as herbarium specimens.Standard key manuals and checklists were utilized for weed identification and later organized using the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group(APG)classification system.A total number of 72 plants species distributed within 16 families and 50 genera were inventoried.The annuals(66.67%)were the dominant weed followed by perennials(33.33%)while biennials were the least.The broad leaves were the dominant weed(44.61%)identified followed by Poaceae(27.7%)and Sedges(11.11%).Results obtained from this study could be useful in choosing the best management practice and in making a decision on the choice of herbicides and directing research towards improved weed control measures.

Uses of Invasive Alien Plant Species in Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary of Bangladesh

An exploratory survey was conducted on the uses and role of invasive alien species(IAS) to local livelihoods in the Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary in the northeastern hilly region of Bangladesh.Vegetation was sampled in 50 quadrates,each 10 m×10 m,and 25 line transects,each 50 m×20 m,through a combination of random and systematic sampling.Group discussions were also arranged with fifty local inhabitants(17 % of the total inhabitants) to learn the various uses of IAS.A total of 17 alien plant species belonging to 10 different families,of which Leguminosae constitutes the highest number(5 species),include tree(53%) followed by herb(12%),shrub(12%) and others(weed,climber and palm).The majority of the identified species were found to be used for fuel,followed by timber production,medicinal or curative uses,fodder,and many others.In addition to providing various forest products,alien tree species planted in forest plantation help provide many vital ecosystem services such as soil amelioration through nitrogen fixation.It is true that the alien species have some negative impacts on local ecosystems,and not all of them are harmful.Therefore,a national programme must be initiated to distinguish the harmful from the harmless species and to identify the uses and impacts of the former and latter.

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.

Investigation and Study on the Alien Species in Aquaculture in the Lower Reaches of the Yangtze River

The lower reaches of the Yangze River is one of the central areas of freshwater shallow lakes in China and has the diverse climates with both warm temperate zone and sub-tropical zone,which makes it become one of the best areas for aquaculture,so nearly all of the aquaculture species from the world can live in the area.It is important for perfecting alien aquaculture species information data-base and environmental risk assessment system to investigate and study the aquaculture alien species in the lower reaches of the Yangze River.The results showed that the number of aquaculture alien species in the lower reaches of the Yangze River is 45 species,including 33 species of fishes,4 species of shellfish,7 species of crustaceans and 1 species of amphibian.Most of alien species are from America and the main transmitting way is intentional introducing.

Selection of Tree and Shrub Species for Ecological Recovery in Jari Demonstration Plot in Ethiopia

Environmental degradation and deforestation in Jari Demonstration Plot needed forestation and reforestation,and the plant species selection was a key issue in the ecological recovery.Ecological information was fully considered regarding each species in various agro-climatic zones,altitude ranges,specific niches in different landscapes,soil preference,drought resistance and certain other important ecological factors.The species selection model represents an idea of ecological recovery and soil erosion control in the demonstration plot.

Assessment of natural regeneration status and diversity of tree species in the biodiversity conservation areas of Northeastern Bangladesh

A study was conducted at two-biodivcrsity conservation areas of Northeastern Bangladesh （a part of Sylhet Forest Division） to assess the species composition, diversity and density of natural regeneration of tree species both indigenous and exotic species. Data were collected by stratified random quadrate method during January 2010 to July 2010. Totally 200 circular plots of 2 m〉〈2 m in size had 5 different habitat types of plants namely; forest, roadside, homestead （surrounding forest dwellers house）, fallow land and others （canals, streams and tea gardens side）, which included a total of 55 regenerating species belonging to 28 families. Meliaceae is the dominant family and shows the highest family importance value （26.3）, having six species, followed by Moraeeae （24.24）. Among the five habitat types, forest （43 species） possess the highes number of species, followed by roadside （23 species）. Total 15 exotic species among 9 families and 40 indigenous species with 24 families were recorded. For exotic species, Tectona grandis possess the highest relative density （11.7%） and relative frequency （10.5%）; Senna siamea had highest relative abundance （7.83%）. In case of indigenous species, Chickrassia tabularis possess the highest relative density （4.23%） and relative frequency （4%）; Dipterocarpus turbinatus bad the highest relative abundance （3.92%）. Tectona grandis （29.66） and Chickrassia tabularis （10.8） had the highest IVI for exotic and indigenous species respectively. Different diversity indic＇es such as Shanon-Winner diversity index,＇ species diversity index, species richness index, species evenness index, Simpson index and species dominance index, etc. were applied to quantify definite diversity. The regeneration of species associated with low levelsof disturbance was in the exotic Species. Study suggests that proper protection from human disturbances and scientific management of natural regeneration of two-study forests may lead a rich biodiversity site in the country.

Degradation Rates of Native versus Exotic Leaves in a Tributary of the Yellow River in Georgia

Forested aquatic streams depend heavily on forest canopy input. This input is a primary resource for the macroinvertebrate fauna. As a result, changes in the canopy impact the aquatic ecosystem. The focus of this study was to identify leaf degradation rates to determine resource availability for invertebrate communities. Specifically, leaf degradation rates were determined for oak, poplar, maple and kudzu. Oak, poplar, and maple are established stream canopy vegetation while kudzu is an invasive species. By comparing leaf degradation rates of native vs. exotic leaves, it provides an insight to changes in community structure. Furthermore, these changes in the plant canopy biodiversity have long-term implications for stream health.

金沙江下游向家坝库区鱼类群落结构空间格局

探究鱼类群落结构空间分布特征及其对梯级水电开发的响应,为水电开发生态环境影响评价及鱼类保护提供依据,为长江“十年禁渔”效果评估提供本底资料。2016-2018年采用复合刺网和地笼对向家坝库区库首邵女坪、库中绥江和库尾桧溪的鱼类群落进行了7次调查,探究了建坝后的鱼类种类组成、个体大小、生态类群及其空间分布特征。调查共采集到鱼类59种,隶属于6目16科49属,其中长江上游特有鱼类5种,外来鱼类12种。在邵女坪、绥江和桧溪江段分别采集到鱼类39、40和39种,Jaccard相似性指数分析表明,3个江段鱼类群落物种组成为中等相似。相对重要性指数(IRI)分析显示,邵女坪江段鱼类群落的优势种为中华倒刺鲃(Spinibarbus sinensis)和䱗(Hemiculter leucisclus),绥江江段优势种为䱗、鲢(Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)、瓦氏黄颡鱼(Pseudobagrus vachelli)和鳙(Aristichthys nobilis),桧溪江段优势种为瓦氏黄颡鱼、镜鲤(Cyprinus carpio var.specularis)、鲤(Cyprinus carpio)、䱗、草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)和鲫(Carassius auratus)。NMDS分析显示,库首邵女坪和库尾桧溪江段鱼类群落差异相对较大,Bray-Curtis相异指数为0.59;库中绥江与库首邵女坪鱼类群落更为相似,Bray-Curtis相异指数为0.41;库中绥江和库尾桧溪的Bray-Curtis相异指数为0.46。广适性鱼类是向家坝库区各江段的优势类群,分别占鱼类种类、数量和重量的57.7%±5.9%、65.2%±20.7%和47.7%±16.1%;从库首至库尾江段其数量比分别为43.3%、67.8%和84.5%,呈现逐渐增加趋势。向家坝库区渔获群体体长为29~655 mm,平均体长为(128±65)mm,体重为0.1~5408 g,平均体重为(70±218)g,主要种类(鲤和镜鲤除外)在不同江段间个体大小差异显著(P<0.05)。与蓄水前(2011年)相比,金沙江下游鱼类群落发生了显著变化,流水性的特有鱼类减少,外来鱼类增多。

不同入侵程度两种菊科植物化学计量特征及其影响因素

资源分配与养分策略是外来植物入侵性的重要体现。为探究入侵植物的资源分配格局、吸收利用策略以及与入侵性的关系,该研究以2种菊科入侵植物假臭草(Praxelis clematidea)和金腰箭(Synedrella nodiflora)为研究对象,测定了不同入侵程度的植物构件生物量以及各器官碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)含量,分析了植物各器官N、P分配格局和化学计量特征及其与土壤营养元素的关系。结果表明:(1)随假臭草入侵程度的加重,土壤速效氮(AN)含量显著降低;随金腰箭入侵程度的加重,土壤N、P、AN含量显著降低;假臭草入侵生境土壤N含量(0.696~2.701 g·kg^(-1))显著大于金腰箭入侵生境(0.189~0.337 g·kg^(-1)),土壤C、P、AN、速效磷(AP)含量小于金腰箭入侵生境。(2)3种入侵程度的假臭草和金腰箭N分配为叶>茎>根;P较多地分配至茎(假臭草)、茎和叶(金腰箭);轻度入侵的假臭草(根、茎)和金腰箭(叶)较重度入侵有低的C∶P值和N∶P值,2种植物入侵初期有较快的相对生长速率;2种植物N∶P值均为叶>根、茎,其根和茎具有较快的生长能力。(3)3种入侵程度的假臭草根、茎N∶P值,根、茎C∶P值均小于金腰箭,金腰箭叶N∶P值、C∶P值均显著小于假臭草,即假臭草根、茎具有较快的相对生长速率并增大入侵性,金腰箭则整体具有更快的相对生长速率,其入侵潜力更强。(4)假臭草和金腰箭各器官N、P分配及相对生长速率分别受土壤AN、AP含量和土壤N、P含量的影响,其相对生长速率分别随土壤AN、AP、N、P含量的增加而增大。该研究结果对深入了解外来植物对资源分配和利用策略以及入侵潜力的预测具有指导意义。

我国海洋外来生物入侵现状、监管问题及建议

外来生物入侵是指非本地生物(植物、动物和微生物)以自然或人为方式对本地生态系统、人类健康、物种多样性造成危害的现象。外来生物入侵不仅对本地生态系统和物种造成严重破坏,而且会对一个产业、一个地区的经济和社会稳定造成严重影响。文章就部分入侵面积和危害较大的海洋外来生物(包括互花米草、沙筛贝、尼罗罗非鱼、米氏凯伦藻、桃拉病毒)的入侵现状进行综述,并提出海洋外来生物入侵防控存在的主要问题及建议。