Abstract Tree planting is expanding across sub-Saharan Africa, spurred by the demand for tree products and new environmental policies. Identifying key actors is important for land use theory and for determining whether tree planting can improve rural livelihoods while contributing to environmental goals. To date, tree-planting analyses focus on obvious actors: large-scale businesses (plantations) and rural smallholders (woodlots). However, absentee, urban-based domestic investors are also engaged. Using southern Tanzania as a case study, we attribute tree planting across plantations and woodlots then analyze the potential contribution of the absentee landowners (absentee treefarms). We quantified plantations’ extent by creating and manually verifying a spatial database of planted areas (ca. 2019). We estimated woodlots’ extent by performing a bootstrap extrapolation of average woodlot area based on field surveys of 3,436 smallholders across 163 villages. We estimated absentee treefarms’ extent based on interviews with village leaders (n=36). We corroborated plantations, woodlots, and absentee treefarms against total planted tree cover as observed from remote sensing. The plantations database corresponded well to remote sensing (R=0.82), but less so for woodlots (R=0.48). A linear model with only plantations and woodlots explained 38% of the remotely sensed planted tree cover while one that included absentee treefarms explained 54%. Unexplained variation is partly due to omission errors for woodlots: 57% of villages (n = 88) had more woodlots based on interview estimates than based on remote sensing analysis. Villages with far more remotely sensed planted trees compared to interview estimates (11%, n = 17) included absentee treefarm sites. Our findings reveal the role of absentee, urban-based domestic investors in tree planting. More broadly, we show that trees planted in rural areas, even in small patches (5 - 500 ha) are not necessarily owned by rural residents. Land use attribution must incorporate absentee owners. Similarly, funding for tree planting, particularly when intended to alleviate rural poverty, must address who benefits and not just where tree planting occurs. We recommend triangulating remote sensing with field assessments to attribute ownership to improve the equity and efficacy of tree-planting campaigns.

Effects of nighttime warming and nitrogen addition on phytoplankton biomass in a submerged macrophytes-dominated freshwater wetland.

The Tigris River is continuously polluted as it passes through cities due to anthropogenic activities, which contribute to the polluted water and sediments of the river. Azolla plants spread and cover many areas along this river, especially when the currents are low in energy. The current study proposed assessing heavy metals V, Cr, Mn, Cu, Pb, Ti, and Co, and comparing the results of chemical analysis of heavy metals in sediment samples and the Azolla plant with the background levels of surface soil. This study reveals that the sediments of the Tigris River in the study area are polluted with high concentrations of heavy metals arranged as Pb˃ Cr˃ Cu˃ Ti˃ V˃ Co˃ Mn. Azolla can adsorb the heavy metals (Cr, Mn, Cu, and Pb) and decrease their pollution effects on the sediments. The ability of Azolla plants to adsorb heavy metals increases in the following order: Pb> Cr> Mn> Cu. The contamination factor (CF) average values for V, Mn, Cu, Ti, and Co are the exact average values for both sediment types, indicating low contamination and no metal enrichment, whereas Cr indicates high contamination. The striking behavior was observed for Pb in pure sediments, reaching extremely high contamination. The results of the degree of contamination (Cd) and pollution load index generally showed the role of Azolla in absorbing and decreasing heavy metals. Azolla plants are suitable for the remediation of high concentrations of heavy metals in sediments. They are unsuitable for use as low-cost fertilizer or animal nutrients in Kut City.

This study was conducted to determine the effect of ZPT and Covering on the Growth of Indian Waru Stem Cuttings (Hibbiscus Tiliaceus L), conducted in Senenan Village, Tahunan District, Jepara Regency from July to September 2023. The study used a factorial experiment with a basic pattern of Completely Randomized Block Design (CRBD) consisting of two factors and three replications. The first factor is zpt (Z), consisting of 3 levels, namely Z0 (without zpt), Z1 (rapid root zpt), Z2 (root up zpt). The second factor is cover (S), consisting of 2 levels, namely S0 (without cover) and S1 (covered). The observed parameters included the percentage of cutting growth, time of shoot emergence, length and number of roots, length and number of shoots, fresh and dry weight of plants. The final results showed that the treatment of zpt was significantly different in the percentage of growth, time of shoot emergence, shoot length at 8 WAP, and the number of shoots at 10 WAP. The treatment of covering significantly differed in the time of shoot emergence, shoot length at 8 WAP, and the number of shoots at the ages of 4, 8, and 10 WAP. There was an interaction between the provision of PGR and covering on the percentage of shoot growth, time of shoot emergence, number of roots, shoot length at 8 WAP, and number of shoots at 8 and 10 WAP.

This study was conducted in May 2025 across five lowland rangelands within Akyazı District, Sakarya Province, situated at an average elevation of 33 meters with slopes ranging between 2–6%. The objective was to assess the current status of natural rangelands by examining vegetation structure and soil characteristics. Using the quadrat method, 39 plant species were identified. Botanical composition, species frequency, fresh and dry forage yields, and species impact values were determined for each site. Grasses dominated the Bedilkadirbey, Bediltahirbey, and Bedilkazancı 1 rangelands, while legumes prevailed in Caferanlı and Bedilkazancı 2. The most dominant species across all rangelands were Trifolium repens (35%), Poa pratensis (16%), and Hordeum murinum (11%). Species impact analysis revealed variable levels of invasive, decreasing, and increasing species, with Bediltahirbey notably exhibiting a high proportion of invasive species (89%). Plant cover ranged from 35% to 70%. Soil analyses showed significant differences in phosphorus, potassium, and organic matter levels. The highest fertility was found in Bediltahirbey, while Bedilkazancı 1 and 2 had the lowest values. These findings provide a basis for future rangeland restoration and management efforts.

Rangelands are essential ecosystems for livestock grazing, wildlife conservation and other uses. However, East African rangelands face multifaceted challenges of land degradation exacerbated by climate change. This study examined the impact of manure and grass-legume mixtures on herbaceous plant species diversity, cover, and biomass production in the Karamoja border region between Kenya and Uganda. Using a randomised complete block design, four treatments, these being grasses (G), grasses with legumes (G+L), grasses with manure (G+M), and grasses with legumes and manure (G+L+M), were applied to the study sites, alongside natural regeneration and open grazing areas. A total of 97 herbaceous species were identified, with 66 species recorded in West Pokot and 54 in Napak. The dominant species were Bothriochloa insculpta in West Pokot and Heteropogon contortus in Napak. The reseeded grasses Cenchrus ciliaris and Chloris gayana were more frequent in the West Pokot and Napak sites, respectively, while Macroptilium atropurpureum was the most frequently-occurring legume across both sites. Natural regeneration and the G+L treatment exhibited the highest species diversity (12 species) while G+M treatments yielded the highest biomass, attaining 1 458 kg ha−1 in West Pokot and 2 299 kg ha−1 in Napak. The findings highlight the potential of integrating native grasses, forage legumes and manure to restore degraded rangelands and enhance forage production.

Plants evolve as holobionts, ecological and evolutionary units made up of the host plant and its associated microbiota, which shape plant fitness and adaptive capacity. Isolated ecosystems with low biodiversity and plant cover, such as the fellfields of the remote sub-Antarctic Kerguelen Islands, represent ideal open-air laboratories to disentangle the drivers affecting plant-microbiome interactions. In such pristine environments, endemic plant species and their microbiota have coevolved in isolation possibly since the last ice age. In this study, we investigated the bacterial and fungal communities associated with different soil-plant compartments of two phylogenetically distant endemic plants, the Poaceae Poa kerguelensis and the Brassicaceae Pringlea antiscorbutica, in fellfields with contrasted pedoclimatic conditions. Using 16S rRNA gene and Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region metabarcoding, we identified a strong soil-plant compartment effect affecting microbial communities, with bacterial and fungal α-diversity higher in bulk and rhizospheric soils and progressively decreasing in roots and above-ground compartments. The microbiota of the different soil-plant compartments studied differ in their recruitment patterns. The bacterial communities of the aerial parts of P. antiscorbutica were less dependent on those of the underground parts compared to those of P. kerguelensis. We also showed that the microbiota of distinct plant species and their different soil-plant compartments respond differently to pedoclimatic variables, with a greater impact of climatic variables over soil ones on aboveground bacterial microbiomes than on belowground microbiomes. Our results highlight the dual role of environmental variability and of the identity of the host on the recruitment and diversity of plant microbiomes in the isolated studied ecosystems. As plant holobionts are part of the global biogeochemical ecosystem functioning, our results suggest that plant species-specific microbial recruitment strategies and differential vulnerability to environmental factors should be included in predicting sub-Antarctic ecosystem response to global warming.

Understanding how urbanisation shapes species distributions and ecological interactions requires long-term, spatially structured data. Using an exceptionally rare 40-year dataset (1986–2025) from 150 habitat patches and 102 downtown grid cells in St. Petersburg, Russia, we examined patterns in birch (Betula pendula and B. pubescens) persistence, ground conditions, woody vegetation, and the occurrence of Eriocrania leaf-mining moths. Birch presence, birch abundance, and ground quality declined both toward the city centre and over time, whereas woody plant cover showed no clear spatial or temporal pattern. Eriocrania occurrence within birch-containing patches was influenced primarily by habitat type, artificial ground, and birch abundance, while distance to the city centre, year, and woody cover exerted no consistent effects. Habitat characteristics offered only moderate predictive power for local extinction risk in both birches and Eriocrania, indicating that multiple drivers interact to shape patch dynamics. Contrary to the widespread declines observed in many insect taxa, Eriocrania populations exhibited no directional density trend across four decades. This long-term stability highlights the resilience of specialised herbivores in heterogeneous urban landscapes and underscores the value of extended temporal datasets for detecting subtle or unexpected ecological responses to urbanisation.

Introduction. The microbiota is a diverse assemblage of microorganisms that, when associated with plants, provides key benefits such as disease suppression, tolerance to abiotic stress, and improved nutrient acquisition. In Costa Rica, research in this field has primarily relied on traditional methods, while the use of culture-independent approaches, such as high-throughput DNA sequencing, has been more limited. Objective. To analyse the microbiota associated with banana cultivation in Costa Rica and other regions, its relationship with plant health, and the implications of agricultural management practices on its diversity, composition, and functionality. Development. The reviewed studies have characterized the dynamics of the microbiota based on the plant’s phytosanitary status, its different compartments, and the implemented management practices. This review highlights agricultural strategies such as the application of biofertilizers and organic amendments, crop diversification, the use of plant cover, and the management of harvest residues, all aimed at enhancing beneficial microbiota, improving soil health, and reducing disease incidence. Conclusions. Research on banana microbiota has reaffirmed its relevance by demonstrating its interaction with plant health, edaphoclimatic conditions, and agricultural practices. The implementation of advanced tools, such as DNA sequencing, has enabled a more precise characterization of microbial communities. Although the use of these technologies remains limited in Costa Rica, the generated knowledge lays the foundation for future research and the development of more sustainable management strategies.

Abstract Invasion by non-native species threatens biodiversity, disrupts population dynamics and alters community composition. Roads are major contributors to the infiltration of non-native plants into adjacent native habitats. Less is known about whether these effects are magnified by the composite effects of other adjacent or overlapping disturbances. Here, we assessed how the spatial co-occurrence of wildfires and seismic lines associated with oil exploration influences the abundance of non-native plants along roads in Alberta, Canada’s boreal forest. Specifically, we tested differences in the ratio of non-native to native plant cover between burned and unburned mesic upland boreal forests and on/off seismic lines, at increasing distances from roads. For unburned forest sites, non-native plant cover was highest adjacent to the road, decreasing threefold at the farthest distances. Wildfire and seismic line disturbances facilitated the infiltration of non-native species from roadsides into forests, but when combined, they produced an antagonistic effect that mitigated these effects, depending on the distance from roadsides. We found an equal ratio of non-native to native plant cover 7 m from road verges and declining thereafter. As natural and anthropogenic disturbances increase, understanding their combined influence on non-native plant invasion is essential for understanding threats and guiding effective conservation and management.

Plants use chemicals to respond to their environments. Despite the impact of competition on plant productivity, few studies consider how plant–plant competition affects phytochemistry; most phytochemistry studies focus on plant–consumer interactions. It therefore remains unclear how plants chemically respond to changes in both competition and consumer pressure. We used 1H-NMR spectroscopy to characterize the phytochemistry (both primary and secondary metabolites) of a C4 grass (Andropogon gerardi) and a legume (Lespedeza capitata) in a field experiment. Both species were grown with intraspecific or interspecific neighbours (monoculture or 16-species polyculture) with or without a combined fungicide + insecticide treatment (consumers reduced vs. consumers present) in a factorial design. We measured species aboveground biomass, healthy plant cover (NDVI) and phytochemistry in the four treatments to determine whether plants alter their biomass, phytochemistry, or both in response to neighbours and herbivory. Phytochemistry of A. gerardi did not vary with neighbour identity or consumers, in contrast to A. gerardi biomass, which was higher under interspecific competition and when consumers were reduced. Phytochemistry of L. capitata was also unrelated to consumer reduction, though L. capitata had higher NDVI under reduced consumers. However, L. capitata had lower biomass and exhibited phytochemical signs of metabolic stress (lower sugars and higher amino acid production) when grown with interspecific neighbours. Theory and empirical work have focused on coevolution with consumers as driving phytochemical variation, but our results suggest that—at community scales—the competitive environment may be more important than consumer pressure in determining short-term phytochemical responses of some species.

Aiming at the problem that the traditional plant protection UAV has poor droplet penetration due to the tall plants and overlapping leaves after the closure of maize in the middle and late stages, which leads to the difficulty of disease and pest control, this study combined the thermal atomization technology of pulsed smoke machine with the efficient plant protection UAV to design a smoke plant protection UAV that can meet the disease and pest control of maize and other densely planted tall stalk crops in the middle and late stages. A computational fluid dynamics method based on the Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM) was used to numerically simulate the downwash airflow field of a smoke plant protection UAV (six-rotor) to explore the variation characteristics of the rotor flow field in different flight directions, at different flight speeds and at different flight times. The results show that: When the flight height of the UAV is 4 m and the flight speed is 2-5 m/s, with the increase of the speed, two distinct tail vortices gradually form behind the fuselage, and the height and diffusion distance of the tail vortices also increase with the increase of the speed. In addition, with the increase of the flight speed, the amount of droplets drifting up and to both sides will increase, and the intensity of the left side is greater than that of the right side. This can guide the nozzle position adjustment. The droplet deposition and diffusion distribution data of the smoke plant protection UAV were measured without plant cover through field test, The results showed that the median diameter of the droplet volume at each test point was about 50 μm, and the particle size range of the droplets met the requirements for the prevention and control of plant diseases and insect pests. The spatial distribution of droplets increased from top to bottom, and the trend of each layer in the horizontal direction was about the same, and at the same height and spray flow, the droplet particle size and sedimentation decreased with the increase of flight speed.

The geological-geomorphological, botanical, and paleontological characteristics of the thermophilic hilly steppe of the I suprafloodplain terrace (arena) of the Dniprovsko-Orilskyi Nature Reserve, which is recommended for designation as a geological monument of national importance, are presented. The steppe formed artificially after a fire in the early 1990s, when a significant area of the coniferous massif burned down. Since then, unique conditions have developed here, contributing to the formation of a peculiar thermophilic biocenosis with a considerable number of Red List plant species. The hilly steppe is characterized by fossil (Pleistocene (?)–Quaternary) dunes typical of the Middle Dnieper region. They reach 5–8 m in height, and in some places up to 12 m, with maximum absolute elevations of the peaks at +72 m. The dunes have an asymmetrical shape: the slopes on the southern sides have angles of about 60–70°, and those on the northern sides about 40°. Due to erosion processes, the steep slopes of some hills become more complex and flatten at the base, acquiring slope angles close to 45°. The dunes are grouped into ridges oriented at an azimuth of 270–290°. Hemicryptophytes (50%) and therophytes (30%) dominate the vegetation. Geophytes make up 9%, chamaephytes 3%, and the combined share of phanerophytes and nanophanerophytes 5%. Bryophytes and lichens play a significant role in forming the plant cover of psammophytic biotopes. Their high representation is due to adaptations to extreme environmental conditions–high insolation, sharp temperature fluctuations, and limited moisture and nutrients. Within the psammophytic steppe of the Dnipro-Oril Nature Reserve, 13 species of vascular plants have been identified that are protected at various levels – from national to international. Four species are listed in the latest edition of the Red Book of Ukraine (2021). At the regional level, 11 species are protected and included in the lists of rare and endangered plants of the corresponding administrative region. Five species are included in the European Red List (1991). One species – Carex secalina–has the Data Deficient (DD) status according to the IUCN classification. Studies have shown that damage to the surface of the thermophilic steppe by violators of protected areas has extremely negative consequences: the destruction of the turf and the moss-lichen layer activates aeolian processes, particularly deflation, which leads to the formation of blowout structures, changes in microrelief, and a loss of the soil’s ability to self-recover. A decrease in biodiversity, the emergence of invasive adventive species, and the destruction of habitats of rare and endangered flora have been recorded. Disruption of the natural cover not only results in long-term degradation but also significantly complicates regeneration processes. According to the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 575 of 10.05.2022 (Appendix 8), the total damage accumulated over the entire period of the steppe’s existence by the end of 2024 is estimated at about 22 million UAH. Unfortunately, the lack of specification of the legal status of the thermophilic hilly steppe as a protected geological object significantly complicates legal proceedings against transport poachers. Therefore, granting this section of the Dniprovsko-Orilskyi Nature Reserve the status of a geological (geomorphological) natural monument of national importance is highly relevant.

Highland urban wetlands are primarily located in high-altitude, low-temperature regions, possessing unique ecological and regulatory functions. Following ecological restoration and supplemented by artificial interventions, wetlands in Xining City play a significant role in carbon sequestration, oxygen release, and water purification. Against the backdrop of China’s “carbon peak and carbon neutrality” goals, investigating carbon cycling processes in high-altitude urban wetlands has emerged as a current research focus. However, systematic exploration integrating the three elements-“high-altitude,” “urban ecosystems,” and “sediment carbon pools”-remains largely unexplored. This study examines the sediment carbon pools in Xining’s wetlands—specifically Haihu (semi-artificial wetland), Ninghu (artificial wetland), and Beichuanhe (riverine wetland)—within the Hangsui River Wetland Park. Key findings include: (1) The short-term sedimentation rate was determined to be 0.50–0.75 cm·a−1 based on the “inflection point” of biogenic elements in wetland sediments. (2) Significant differences (p < 0.05) in average TOC content were observed across different wetland sediments during distinct periods. Sediment TOC content is higher under plant cover than without plant cover. (3) The mean sediment carbon density ranged from 6.58 ± 1.38–13.02 ± 3.91 g·cm−2, with sediment organic carbon burial rates between 0.67–1.65 g·cm−2·a−1. (4) The sediment carbon stock in the wetland was 20,856.09 Mg·C.

The effect of climate manipulation on CO2 fluxes in a temperate peatland: higher fluxes, more frequent irregularities, and seasonality displacements.

Визначено видовий склад фітоценозів соснових лісових екосистем, які характеризуються відносно значним біорізноманіттям. Наявність підросту – сосни звичайної (Pinus sylvestris L.), дуба звичайного (Quercus robur L.), робінії псевдоакації (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) і груші звичайної (Pyrus communis L.), а також підліску – бруслини бородавчастої (Euonymus verrucosa Scop.), бузини чорної (Sambucus nigra L.), калини звичайної (Viburnum opulus L.) та глоду одноматочкового (Crataegus monogyna Jacq.), вказує на формування відносно складної просторової структури соснових лісових екосистем при складі деревостану 10 Сз.

Grasslands in temperate Europe are key biodiversity hotspots, supporting not only a rich vascular flora but also diverse communities of bryophytes and lichens. However, the processes shaping lichens and bryophytes in these ecosystems, particularly along environmental gradients, remain understudied. We investigated the relative roles of abiotic factors (elevation and rock abundance) and biotic drivers (vascular plant cover and height) in determining both the taxonomic and functional diversity of bryophytes and lichens in two protected grassland sites in central Italy. Across 80 plots spanning wide elevational gradients, we measured species richness and functional diversity for both bryophytes and lichens, and applied piecewise structural equation modeling to test causal relationships. Our results revealed that vascular plant structure (particularly vegetation cover and height) was the main determinant of lichens and bryophytesdiversity. Both facets of diversity in bryophytes and lichens were negatively affected by dense and tall vascular vegetation, likely due to shading and competition for space. Abiotic factors, such as elevation and rock abundance, influenced lichens and bryophytesonly indirectly, by altering vascular plant structure. An exception was bryophyte species richness, which was directly promoted by rock abundance through increased habitat heterogeneity and reduced vascular plant competition. Site-specific effects, likely related to substrate type (calcareous vs. siliceous), also played a significant role, particularly in shaping bryophyte communities. These findings suggest that biotic interactions, especially competition with vascular plants, play a more central role than direct abiotic filtering in determining lichens and bryophytesdiversity in grassland ecosystems. Our study provides a functional, multi-taxa framework for understanding elevational patterns of lichens and bryophytesdiversity and highlights the importance of considering vegetation structure in grassland conservation and management strategies.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00114-025-02049-0.

Invasive alien species pose significant threats to biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in protected areas (PAs) worldwide. This study examines ecological impacts of invasive weeds Lantana camara and Mesosphaerum suaveolens on plant species diversity, community composition and soil chemical properties in Parsa and Shuklaphanta National Parks (NPs), Nepal. In total, we sampled 180 pairs of 5 m × 5 m plots, comprising 45 pairs (3 sites × 15 pairs) for each invasive species in each NP. Across all sampling sites, these weeds consistently reduced species diversity (Shannon, Simpson indices), despite the species- and site-specific variations in species richness and soil characteristics. Non-metric multidimensional scaling and Canonical correspondence analysis revealed substantial modifications in plant species composition, along with shifts in indicator species and an increase in the relative cover of established alien plants in invaded plots. While the effects of invasions on soil properties were inconsistent, L. camara significantly increased soil organic carbon and total nitrogen in Parsa, whereas M. suaveolens had no measurable impact on soil parameters except soil pH in either PA. These results suggest that species diversity indices and changes in species composition serve as reliable ecological indicators for assessing impacts of invasive weeds and monitoring ecological restorations. The decline in species diversity and alterations in plant community composition can have cascading effects on ecosystem processes and livelihoods of local communities. Given the increasing threats of plant invasions in Nepal's PAs, urgent and effective management interventions are needed to prevent further spread, mitigate ecological and socio-economic impacts, and restore invaded habitats.

Abstract In Nusantara, Indonesia’s new capital, Retention Basin B (Embung B) is an important part of water infrastructure that supports irrigation for commercial vegetation and landscaping. In the face of possible green space expansion, this study assesses the basin’s water supply’s dependability in meeting present and anticipated irrigation demands over the following five years. The analysis includes calculating the raw water requirements for vegetation and evaluating the water availability within the basin’s inundation area. The F.J. Mock method is used to model water availability, and plant types and coverage are used to manually calculate vegetation water demand. The results show that even in expanded conditions, the basin can dependably supply water for irrigation, with rainfall and mainstay discharge adequately recharging the water supply. The effectiveness of retention basins as a robust source of irrigation water in quickly growing urban environments is highlighted by this finding, which also supports Nusantara’s sustainable management of urban green infrastructure.

Artificial perches improve the stability of soil microbial networks in degraded alpine steppe of Sanjiangyuan National Park.