Invasive plant species are exerting a serious threat to biological diversity in many regions of the world. To understand plant invasions this study aims to test which of the two plant invasiveness hypotheses; ‘low na...Invasive plant species are exerting a serious threat to biological diversity in many regions of the world. To understand plant invasions this study aims to test which of the two plant invasiveness hypotheses; ‘low native diversity' vs. ‘high native diversity', is supported by the regional distribution patterns of invasive plant species in the Himalayas,Nepal. This study is based on data retrieved from published literatures and herbarium specimens. The relationship between invasive plant species distribution patterns and that of native plant species is elucidated by scatter plots, as well as by generalized linear models. The native plant species and invasive plant species have similar distribution patterns and the maximum number of invasive plant species is found in the same altitudinal range where the highest richness for native tree species is found. There is a clear trend of higher invasive plant richness in regions where native tree species richness is relatively high.Consequently, the native plant richness is highest in the central phytogeographic region, followed by the eastern and the western regions, respectively. The invasive plant species also follows a similar trend.Additionally, the invasive plant species richness was positively correlated with anthropogenic factors such as human population density and the number of visiting tourists. This study supports the hypothesis that ‘high native diversity' supports or facilitates invasive plant species. Further, it indicates that nativeand invasive plant species may require similar natural conditions, but that the invasive plant species seem more dependent and influenced by anthropogenic disturbance factors.展开更多
Effects of the extracts of muhly grass （Muhlenbergia capillaries Lam.）, chenopodium （Chenopodium ambrosioides L.） and black walnut （Juglans nigra L.） on the growth of cogongrass （Imperata cylindrica L.） were s...Effects of the extracts of muhly grass （Muhlenbergia capillaries Lam.）, chenopodium （Chenopodium ambrosioides L.） and black walnut （Juglans nigra L.） on the growth of cogongrass （Imperata cylindrica L.） were studied. None purified extracts from these plant species were used to evaluate survival, shoot and root growth of cogongrass. Results of plant species extracts on the production of roots, shoot and rhizomes of cogongrass genets and ramets were determined on a weekly basis. The extracts significantly reduced the growth and survival of cogongrass when compared to the control. Results indicated that for the in vivo studies, chenopodium extracts, black walnut and muhly grass extracts reduced growth, root and shoot biomass of cogongrass by 50 %, 30 % and 41% respectively, compared to control at 8 weeks after planting. These studies indicated plant species with potential for the biological control of cogongrass, an invasive species in the Gulf Coast States.展开更多
The ecosystems of Kaohsiung are rich and diverse. Examples of ecosystems include the tropical rainforest ecology, marine ecology of the coastal forests, and the estuary type ecology of mangrove forests. The Jhong-Dou ...The ecosystems of Kaohsiung are rich and diverse. Examples of ecosystems include the tropical rainforest ecology, marine ecology of the coastal forests, and the estuary type ecology of mangrove forests. The Jhong-Dou Wetland Park is situated in the Jhong-Dou Redevelopment Zone, 2.5km from the Lover River Estuary. This area is defined by brackish aquatic environments--a mixture of fresh and salt water, and fulfills the criteria for mangrove restoration. It is expected that the current restoration project will recreate an epitome of the once-diverse, co-existing mangrove species of Kaohsiung＇s past, and improves upon the functions of environmental education. The initial mangrove species planned for restoration are the existing Kandelia obovata, Rhizophora stylosa, Avicennia marina and the Lumnitzera racemosa populations of the Kaohsiung area. These plants will be placed in experimental habitats that correspond to the unique micro-climates required for the growth of each species, and the mangrove-associated plants will also be restored concurrently in the terrestrial environments behind the mangrove forests. The process of restoration will be monitored by academia, as well as providing reference for subsequent mangrove environment restoration efforts. The main purpose of this research in these four mangrove species of this wetland park is to understand their adaptation to the rehabilitating environment, and be able to feedback these information to the design and maintenance team of the park. The research method is to observe and record their growing status, also execute a survey on the nearby mangrove habitation. The observation has started on December 1 st of 2010, and still has been continued carry on since then. From the research result, it shows that the A vicennia marina （Forsk.） Vierh. and Lumnitzera racemosa Willd. are the two species that had been well adapted to this wetland park. It was recommended to the Kaohsiung City Government that the restoration of the extinct Ceriops tagal and Bruguiera gymnorrhiza can be achieved through foreign species exchanges （the species must be identified before introduction）, and that plans for monitoring the flora and fauna in the park should be drafted to record the ecological alterations of the Jhong-Dou Wetlands. This will pronounce the ecological importance of Kaohsiung on a global, geographical scale. Lastly, the Government should draw up plans of mangrove forest maintenance in order to sustain the ecological and landscape recreational functions of the Jhong-Dou Wetland Park.展开更多
Seed dispersal by exotic mammals exemplifies mutualistic interactions that can modify the habitat by facilitating the establishment of certain species. We examined the potential for endozoochoric dispersal of exotic p...Seed dispersal by exotic mammals exemplifies mutualistic interactions that can modify the habitat by facilitating the establishment of certain species. We examined the potential for endozoochoric dispersal of exotic plants by Callosciurus erythraeus introduced in the Pampas Region of Argentina. We identified and characterized entire and damaged seeds found in squirrel faeces and evaluated the germination capacity and viability of entire seeds in laboratory assays. We collected 120 samples of squirrel faeces that contained 883 pellets in seasonal surveys conducted between July 2011 and June 2012 at 3 study sites within the main invasion focus of C. erythraeus in Argentina. We found 226 entire seeds in 21% of the samples belonging to 4 species of exotic trees and shrubs. Germination in laboratory assays was recorded for Morus alba and Casuarina sp.; however, germination percentage and rate was higher for seeds obtained from the fruits than for seeds obtained from the faeces. The largest size of entire seeds found in the faeces was 4.2 ~ 4.0 ram, whereas the damaged seeds had at least 1 dimension ≥ 4.7 ram. Our results indi- cated that C. erythraeus can disperse viable seeds of at least 2 species of exotic trees. C. erythraeus predated seeds of other naturalized species in the region. The morphometric description suggested a restriction on the maximum size for the passage of entire seeds through the digestive tract of squirrels, which provides useful information to predict its role as a potential disperser or predator of other species in other invaded communities.展开更多
Invasive alien plants threaten biodiversity across the world.Erigeron canadensis(horseweed)is one of the most problematic agricultural weeds and represents a classic example of intercontinental invasion.Here,we studie...Invasive alien plants threaten biodiversity across the world.Erigeron canadensis(horseweed)is one of the most problematic agricultural weeds and represents a classic example of intercontinental invasion.Here,we studied the genetic diversity and population structure of invasive alien populations from the Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces in China and native populations from Alabama,in the USA.We used 10 polymorphic SSR loci to genotype 312 individuals from 5 native and 5 invasive populations to estimate the genetic diversity and structure.Invasive populations from Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces showed,on average,similar genetic diversity to native populations from Alabama,indicating no severe genetic bottlenecks during the invasion.STRUCTURE revealed that low population differentiation occurred,and that only two genetic groupings were detected in both native and invaded ranges.The high diversity observed in the invasive populations suggested multiple introductions and/or the introduction of genetically diverse propagules during initial colonization.Our study provides new insights toward understanding the invasion dynamics of this globally noxious weed in Eastern China.Preventing gene flow via seed dispersal between invasive and native populations should be examined to prevent the introduction and dispersal of herbicide-resistant individuals and inform management practices.展开更多
基金part of the research project ‘Legal frameworks for Conservation of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in the Himalayas (HIMALINES)’ funded by the Norwegian Research Council (190153/V10) Olaf Grolles Legat
文摘Invasive plant species are exerting a serious threat to biological diversity in many regions of the world. To understand plant invasions this study aims to test which of the two plant invasiveness hypotheses; ‘low native diversity' vs. ‘high native diversity', is supported by the regional distribution patterns of invasive plant species in the Himalayas,Nepal. This study is based on data retrieved from published literatures and herbarium specimens. The relationship between invasive plant species distribution patterns and that of native plant species is elucidated by scatter plots, as well as by generalized linear models. The native plant species and invasive plant species have similar distribution patterns and the maximum number of invasive plant species is found in the same altitudinal range where the highest richness for native tree species is found. There is a clear trend of higher invasive plant richness in regions where native tree species richness is relatively high.Consequently, the native plant richness is highest in the central phytogeographic region, followed by the eastern and the western regions, respectively. The invasive plant species also follows a similar trend.Additionally, the invasive plant species richness was positively correlated with anthropogenic factors such as human population density and the number of visiting tourists. This study supports the hypothesis that ‘high native diversity' supports or facilitates invasive plant species. Further, it indicates that nativeand invasive plant species may require similar natural conditions, but that the invasive plant species seem more dependent and influenced by anthropogenic disturbance factors.
文摘Effects of the extracts of muhly grass （Muhlenbergia capillaries Lam.）, chenopodium （Chenopodium ambrosioides L.） and black walnut （Juglans nigra L.） on the growth of cogongrass （Imperata cylindrica L.） were studied. None purified extracts from these plant species were used to evaluate survival, shoot and root growth of cogongrass. Results of plant species extracts on the production of roots, shoot and rhizomes of cogongrass genets and ramets were determined on a weekly basis. The extracts significantly reduced the growth and survival of cogongrass when compared to the control. Results indicated that for the in vivo studies, chenopodium extracts, black walnut and muhly grass extracts reduced growth, root and shoot biomass of cogongrass by 50 %, 30 % and 41% respectively, compared to control at 8 weeks after planting. These studies indicated plant species with potential for the biological control of cogongrass, an invasive species in the Gulf Coast States.
文摘The ecosystems of Kaohsiung are rich and diverse. Examples of ecosystems include the tropical rainforest ecology, marine ecology of the coastal forests, and the estuary type ecology of mangrove forests. The Jhong-Dou Wetland Park is situated in the Jhong-Dou Redevelopment Zone, 2.5km from the Lover River Estuary. This area is defined by brackish aquatic environments--a mixture of fresh and salt water, and fulfills the criteria for mangrove restoration. It is expected that the current restoration project will recreate an epitome of the once-diverse, co-existing mangrove species of Kaohsiung＇s past, and improves upon the functions of environmental education. The initial mangrove species planned for restoration are the existing Kandelia obovata, Rhizophora stylosa, Avicennia marina and the Lumnitzera racemosa populations of the Kaohsiung area. These plants will be placed in experimental habitats that correspond to the unique micro-climates required for the growth of each species, and the mangrove-associated plants will also be restored concurrently in the terrestrial environments behind the mangrove forests. The process of restoration will be monitored by academia, as well as providing reference for subsequent mangrove environment restoration efforts. The main purpose of this research in these four mangrove species of this wetland park is to understand their adaptation to the rehabilitating environment, and be able to feedback these information to the design and maintenance team of the park. The research method is to observe and record their growing status, also execute a survey on the nearby mangrove habitation. The observation has started on December 1 st of 2010, and still has been continued carry on since then. From the research result, it shows that the A vicennia marina （Forsk.） Vierh. and Lumnitzera racemosa Willd. are the two species that had been well adapted to this wetland park. It was recommended to the Kaohsiung City Government that the restoration of the extinct Ceriops tagal and Bruguiera gymnorrhiza can be achieved through foreign species exchanges （the species must be identified before introduction）, and that plans for monitoring the flora and fauna in the park should be drafted to record the ecological alterations of the Jhong-Dou Wetlands. This will pronounce the ecological importance of Kaohsiung on a global, geographical scale. Lastly, the Government should draw up plans of mangrove forest maintenance in order to sustain the ecological and landscape recreational functions of the Jhong-Dou Wetland Park.
文摘Seed dispersal by exotic mammals exemplifies mutualistic interactions that can modify the habitat by facilitating the establishment of certain species. We examined the potential for endozoochoric dispersal of exotic plants by Callosciurus erythraeus introduced in the Pampas Region of Argentina. We identified and characterized entire and damaged seeds found in squirrel faeces and evaluated the germination capacity and viability of entire seeds in laboratory assays. We collected 120 samples of squirrel faeces that contained 883 pellets in seasonal surveys conducted between July 2011 and June 2012 at 3 study sites within the main invasion focus of C. erythraeus in Argentina. We found 226 entire seeds in 21% of the samples belonging to 4 species of exotic trees and shrubs. Germination in laboratory assays was recorded for Morus alba and Casuarina sp.; however, germination percentage and rate was higher for seeds obtained from the fruits than for seeds obtained from the faeces. The largest size of entire seeds found in the faeces was 4.2 ~ 4.0 ram, whereas the damaged seeds had at least 1 dimension ≥ 4.7 ram. Our results indi- cated that C. erythraeus can disperse viable seeds of at least 2 species of exotic trees. C. erythraeus predated seeds of other naturalized species in the region. The morphometric description suggested a restriction on the maximum size for the passage of entire seeds through the digestive tract of squirrels, which provides useful information to predict its role as a potential disperser or predator of other species in other invaded communities.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31370548)the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province,China(BK20131192)+1 种基金the Talented Young Scientist Program,China(TYSP,India-17-001)the Science and Technology Research Program of Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency of the People’s Republic of China(JSCIQ_2014IK013).
文摘Invasive alien plants threaten biodiversity across the world.Erigeron canadensis(horseweed)is one of the most problematic agricultural weeds and represents a classic example of intercontinental invasion.Here,we studied the genetic diversity and population structure of invasive alien populations from the Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces in China and native populations from Alabama,in the USA.We used 10 polymorphic SSR loci to genotype 312 individuals from 5 native and 5 invasive populations to estimate the genetic diversity and structure.Invasive populations from Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces showed,on average,similar genetic diversity to native populations from Alabama,indicating no severe genetic bottlenecks during the invasion.STRUCTURE revealed that low population differentiation occurred,and that only two genetic groupings were detected in both native and invaded ranges.The high diversity observed in the invasive populations suggested multiple introductions and/or the introduction of genetically diverse propagules during initial colonization.Our study provides new insights toward understanding the invasion dynamics of this globally noxious weed in Eastern China.Preventing gene flow via seed dispersal between invasive and native populations should be examined to prevent the introduction and dispersal of herbicide-resistant individuals and inform management practices.
