Native Plant Species Research Articles

Anthropogenic factors, not altitude, shape native and nonnative plant species distributional patterns in a tropical mountain protected area

Anthropogenic factors, not altitude, shape native and nonnative plant species distributional patterns in a tropical mountain protected area

Greening up the City with Native Species: Challenges and Solutions

Urban green spaces provide many benefits, including to human wellbeing, ecosystem services, and urban wildlife. Thus, there are many reasons to green up urban spaces, especially by using native species. Furthermore, urban green spaces are suited to enhancing biodiversity without negatively impacting food or fiber production. Municipalities and private landowners invest substantially in landscaping and its maintenance. However, much of that outlay supports non-native plants that may be less adapted to local conditions such as rainfall patterns and temperature ranges, thus having greater resource requirements, as well as being less supportive of native wildlife and possessing a greater potential of becoming invasive. Here, we explore ways to increase the use of native plant species in urban settings to reduce the need for watering or chemical application, enhance the support of native species, and reduce the risk of invasion to urban and ex-urban habitats. We identify three main impediments: the perception of native species as less aesthetically pleasing, the availability of native plants in the nursery industry, and the willingness of policymakers to take supportive measures. We propose methods to address all three, providing successful examples from a number of US localities and a case study that demonstrates what drivers might exist and what actions remain to be taken.

Pacific Northwest native plants and native cultivars, part I: pollinator visitation.

Planting native flora is a popular conservation strategy for pollinators. When searching for native plants, consumers may encounter cultivars of native plants, which can have different phenotypic traits than plants found in wild populations ("wild-type native plants"). Previous research evaluating pollinator visitation to wild-type native plants and native cultivars has yielded mixed results, in terms of whether their visitation rates are similar or distinct. We established a garden experiment in Corvallis, Oregon, to examine pollinator visitation and utilization of Pacific Northwest native plant species and cultivars. Over 3 years, we collected and observed bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea), butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea), and syrphid flies (Diptera: Syrphidae) to understand (i) if plant pairs had different visitation rates, (ii) whether any pollinators were associated with differential visitation, and (iii) if specialist taxa preferred wild types over cultivars. Pollinator visitation rates varied by plant and pollinator groupings, but in comparisons between native plant and cultivar pairs, native plants were preferred 37.2% of the time (n = 29 comparisons), cultivars 7.7% of the time (n = 6), and there was no difference in 55.1% of comparisons (n = 43). Our pollinator community data found native plants had greater observed total pollinator richness (except for 1 tie) and bee richness than cultivars, though predicted richness varied. Specialist bees were collected more often from wild types. Cultivars with high visitation rates were minimally developed selections, as opposed to interspecific hybrids. Our results join a growing body of literature in suggesting wild-type native and minimally developed plants should be emphasized for supporting pollinator fauna.

Insights into the Corrosion Inhibition Performance of Plant Extracts of Different Genera in the Asteraceae Family for Q235 Steel in H2SO4 Medium

Nowadays, the development of plant extracts as corrosion inhibitors to protect metals from corrosion is a popular research direction. However, given the vast diversity of plant species in nature, it is imperative to explore effective methods to improve screening efficiency in order to quickly identify the corrosion inhibition potential of plants. In this work, a new strategy for developing plant-extracted eco-friendly corrosion inhibitors based on the family and genus of plants is proposed. Three plants of different genera in the Asteraceae family, including Artemisia argyi extract (AAE), Chrysanthemum indicum extract (CIE), and Centipeda minima extract (CME), were selected and successfully prepared as novel corrosion inhibitors for Q235 steel in a sulfuric acid solution. The corrosion inhibition behavior and corresponding mechanism were systematically investigated by using some electrochemical tests (open circuit potential, potentiodynamic polarization, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy) and surface characterizations (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy). The experimental results illustrated that the main components of the three extracts were similar and that when combined with KI as mixed-type corrosion inhibitors, they could dramatically slow down the metal corrosion rate. The maximum value of the corrosion inhibition efficiency reached 96.29%, 96.50%, and 97.52%, respectively, at 200 mg/L and could increase to 98.64%, 97.65%, and 99.06%, respectively, with a prolonged immersion time. A synergistic effect exists between the three plant extracts and KI, leading to the firm adsorption of the three plant extract molecules onto a Q235 steel surface, thereby forming a robust protective film. This work demonstrated that plants of different genera in the Asteraceae family possessed similar corrosion inhibition capabilities, providing a novel way to select potential corrosion inhibitors from numerous plants based on family and genus classification.

Root-associated functional microbiome endemism facilitates heavy metal resilience and nutrient poor adaptation in native plants under serpentine driven edaphic challenges.

Serpentine soils are characterized by high concentrations of heavy metals (HMs) and limited essential nutrients with remarkable endemic plant diversity, yet the mechanisms enabling plant adaptation to thrive in such harsh environments remain largely unknown. Full-length 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, coupled with physiological and functional assays, was used to explore root-associated bacterial community composition and their metabolic and ecological functions. The results revealed that serpentine plant species exhibited significantly higher metal transfer factor values compared to non-serpentine plant species, particularly evident in Bidens pilosa, Miscanthus floridulus, and Leucaena leucocephala. The serpentine root-associated microbes showed a higher utilization of carboxylic acid, whereas carbohydrate utilization was higher in the non-serpentine site. Zymomonas mobilis and Flavabacterium sp. exhibited high resistance to heavy metal concentrations, showing greater adaptability, while, Staphylococcus carnosus showed sensitivity to HMs, showing limited adaptability. Moreover, Ni, Cr, and Co resistance genes were found, while nitrogen and phosphorous metabolism genes were less abundant in the serpentine site compared to the non-serpentine site. Furthermore, Flavobacterium sp. had a strong positive relationship with Cd and Cu, Zymomonas mobilis with Ni, and Cr, Streptomyces sp. with Co, and Staphylococcus carnosus with N and P cycling. These findings underscore critical role of root-associated bacterial communities and distinctive soil conditions of serpentine habitats in fostering ecological adaptation of native plant species to the challenges posed by HMs and nutrient deficiencies.

Building Capacity of Conservation Area Stakeholders in Managing Invasive Species

One of the ecological challenges in managing conservation areas is the colonization and establishment of alien and/or native plant species, especially after forest disturbances. The capacity stakeholders to determine the invasiveness risk of these plant species groups and then management strategies to monitor changes in vegetation structure and species composition is critical. The community engagement program aims to improve the capacity of conservation area stakeholders to identify plant species, including invasive species, and assess the risk of invasive species. Focus group discussion (FGD) were conducted online and offline and targeted stakeholders of the Natural Resources Conservation Agency (Balai Konservasi Sumber Daya Alam–BKSDA) of Central Java Province. Three FGD sessions were held on the topics: (1) forest monitoring and invasion ecology, (2) plant species identification and invasive species monitoring techniques, and (3) vegetation and invasiveness risk analysis. During the discussion, target groups shared ideas and lessons learned related to managing invasive species in the field. The results showed a significant increase in the capacity of the target group (p=4.546e-09), as the average pre-test score was 56.25 ± 13.68 compared to the average post-test score of 75.70 ± 20.27. The target group understands the definition of an invasive (alien) species, the factors that determine the success of this species invasion, and the positive and negative contributions alien species to the newly established ecosystem. Some gaps that need to be addressed relate to methods and criteria for identifying species invasiveness in invasive species risk analysis. As a follow-up, a practical training on invasive (alien) species risk analysis was conducted at different occasion and funding sources.

Responses of invasive and native plant species to drought stress and elevated CO2 concentrations: a meta-analysis

Superior trait responses of invasive plant species to their native counterparts determine invasion success under various environmental conditions. To date, numerous experimental studies have compared the physiological and growth trait responses of invasive plant species to native ones in simulated drought or CO2 enrichment conditions; however, these studies have not recently been summarised. Here, we conducted a global meta-analysis using 48 experimental studies to determine whether there are generalisable differences between invasive and native plant species in terms of their physiological and growth trait responses to drought and elevated CO2 and which traits potentially facilitate plant invasion in these conditions. The results indicate that the magnitude of responses do not differ substantially between invasives and natives for most traits under drought or elevated CO2. Under drought stress, the photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, shoot biomass and total biomass decreased in both plant groups, supporting the contention that plants, irrespective of their origin, are negatively affected in water-limited environments. By contrast, we found that elevated CO2 increased water-use efficiency, shoot biomass and total biomass and decreased stomatal conductance in both invasives and natives, indicating that both plant groups grow vigorously in such conditions. Compared with estimates for natives, invasives were taller and invested more biomass to roots under drought and showed greater allocation to shoot biomass under elevated CO2. Although there were no substantial differences in the magnitude of responses in most studied traits, the differential growth responses in invasives may confer an advantage over natives under decreased water availability and high CO2 concentrations.

Extending beyond traditional forage: potential nutritional benefits of native plants in extreme arid insular regions.

The scarcity, unstable nutritional quality and environmental cost of imported forages in arid insular regions like Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands (Spain) need exploring sustainable local alternatives. This study evaluated the nutritional quality of twelve native and endemic plant species categorized into legumes, grasses, and a mixed group, cultivated under controlled conditions. The bromatological profiles, focusing on fiber, protein, lipids, and minerals, showed significant differences among plants in key parameters of forage quality: neutral detergent fiber (NDF; 24.2-71.3%), acid detergent fiber (ADF; 9.0-40.5%), acid detergent lignin (ADL; 2.0-15.8%), crude protein (CP; 6.1-20.9%), total lipids (TL; 1.5-6.3%), ash content (25.4-88.6%), enzymatic organic matter digestibility (EOMD; 5.9-10.9 MJ/kg), metabolizable energy (ME; 5.9-10.9 MJ/kg), and relative feed value (RFV; 74.8-317.9). Among lipids, all species had a high proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA; 34.7-63.1% of total fatty acids), mainly α-linolenic acid (ALA; 18:3 n-3; 24.8-54.4%) and linoleic acid (LA; 18:2 n-6; 6.4-25.0%). Other beneficial lipid molecules for animal health such as γ-linolenic acid (GLA; 18:3 n-6), stearidonic acid (SDA; 18:4n-3) and phytosterols (PTS) were detected in specific species. Mineral composition analysis revealed that only Ca, Na, Fe and Cu levels were near or above the established maximum tolerable levels (MTLs) in some species. According to literature, most of the species had a similar or slightly lower nutritional value compared to conventional forages such as alfalfa. Thus, the evaluated native species pool could serve as alternative feed for ruminants during forage shortages, suggesting their combined use to improve livestock health and product quality. This research emphasizes the untapped potential of native plant biodiversity to enhance sustainable agro-livestock practices in arid regions, supporting livestock nutrition and conserving unique botanical heritage.

Butterfly Diversity and Host Plant Dynamics in a Semi-Urban Ecosystem: Insights from the Nesamony Memorial Christian College Campus, Marthandam, Tamil Nadu, India

This study investigates butterfly diversity and host plant interactions within a semi-urban ecosystem on the Nesamony Memorial Christian College (NMCC) campus in Marthandam, Tamil Nadu, India. A total of 1204 butterflies, comprising 81 species from 56 genera and five families, were recorded. Butterfly surveys were carried out using transect walks and visual encounter methods. Host plant utilisation was assessed through direct field observations and a review of relevant literature. The family Nymphalidae was the most diverse, with 26 species, followed by Lycaenidae, which accounted for 20 species. Fabaceae was identified as the primary host plant family, supporting 15 butterfly species. The findings highlight the significance of preserving and enhancing plant diversity in urban and peri-urban environments to sustain butterfly populations and promote ecosystem health. These results have important implications for urban planning and green space management, advocating for the incorporation of native and diverse plant species in urban landscapes to support biodiversity.

Influence of ecological characteristics and phylogeny on native plant species' commercial availability.

Plant vendors generate a commercial species pool, the subset of species in a regional flora that is purchasable. The availability of plant species from commercial vendors can influence the composition and outcomes of conservation, landscaping, and restoration plantings. Although previous research suggests that most plant species are unavailable, there is little information that identifies the plant characteristics associated with commercial availability. We studied the composition of the commercial species pool by examining the ecology, phylogeny, and phenology of a regional flora in the Midwestern United States. We used a database of native plant species sold by 557 vendors throughout the Midwest (USA) to characterize species' availability. We compiled ecological characteristics of all plant species, including range size, growth form, moisture requirements, and conservatism-meaning fidelity to high-quality natural areas. We characterized phenological (bloom time) data for a subset of the regional flora. Finally, we constructed a regional phylogeny to assess the phylogenetic signal of plant availability. We expected that commercially unavailable species would be niche specialists or short-lived (often nonconservative "weedy") species, and that they would bloom earlier in the season and for a shorter time. We found that commercially available species were more long-lived, had larger range sizes, had intermediate fidelities to wetlands and high-quality or disturbed natural areas, and were associated with certain plant types, especially shrubs and trees. In contrast, ferns and graminoids were underrepresented in the commercial trade. There was a strong phylogenetic signal associated with commercial availability; some plant families had nearly all or none of their species commercially available. Example families with low representation included Orchidaceae, Potamogetonaceae, Cyperaceae, and fern families. Longer bloomed species were more commercially available, but we did not find differences in availability between early- and late-blooming species. Despite the diversity of the commercial pool in the Midwest, it is an unrepresentative, nonrandom subset of the regional species pool. This finding may promote the mismatch in species diversity and composition between remnant natural habitats and restorations because many specialized species are commercially unavailable to conservation and restoration practitioners. We encourage strategies to promote the availability of underrepresented plant diversity in the commercial species pool.

Insect Pollinator Voucher Collection: Pollinator Visitation to Pacific Northwest Native Plants and Native Cultivars

Planting native flora continues to grow in popularity as a means of conserving pollinator fauna in fragmented landscapes. Due to the limited availability of native plants, consumers may encounter cultivars in their search for plants native to their region. Though consumers have a documented interest in planting native flora for their purported benefits to pollinators, it is unclear whether cultivars provide the same benefits as wild-type native plants. Over three years (2020-2022), we observed and collected pollinators from a common garden experiment in Corvallis, OR containing 8 species of Pacific Northwest native plants, 18 cultivars derived from native plant species, and one exotic perennial plant. Methods for collection are described in further detail in Hayes et al. (in prep.). Here, we report on and document the deposition of taxonomic voucher specimens which represent the primary species concepts used throughout Hayes et al. (in prep.) (Accession #). Specimens were identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level by L. R. Best (bees, Hymenoptera: Apoidea) and J. J-M. Hayes (syrphid flies, Diptera: Syrphidae). The vouchered material includes 139 individual specimens with at least one representative per caste and sex, as available, of 55 species and 14 morphospecies of bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) and 13 species and one morphospecies of syrphid flies (Diptera: Syrphidae). Additional vouchers are included for specimens identified only to the morphospecies level, and Megachile brevis Say, 1837 individuals that were captured while collecting sections of petal from Clarkia amoena (Lehm.) A.Nelson & J.F.Macbr. plants. These 139 voucher specimens come from a much larger dataset, containing over 6,500 observational records of plant-pollinator interactions.

Insect Pollinator Voucher Collection: Pollinator Visitation to Pacific Northwest Native Plants and Native Cultivars

Planting native flora continues to grow in popularity as a means of conserving pollinator fauna in fragmented landscapes. Due to the limited availability of native plants, consumers may encounter cultivars in their search for plants native to their region. Though consumers have a documented interest in planting native flora for their purported benefits to pollinators, it is unclear whether cultivars provide the same benefits as wild-type native plants. Over three years (2020-2022), we observed and collected pollinators from a common garden experiment in Corvallis, OR containing 8 species of Pacific Northwest native plants, 18 cultivars derived from native plant species, and one exotic perennial plant. Methods for collection are described in further detail in Hayes et al. (in prep.). Here, we report on and document the deposition of taxonomic voucher specimens which represent the primary species concepts used throughout Hayes et al. (in prep.) (Accession #). Specimens were identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level by L. R. Best (bees, Hymenoptera: Apoidea) and J. J-M. Hayes (syrphid flies, Diptera: Syrphidae). The vouchered material includes 139 individual specimens with at least one representative per caste and sex, as available, of 55 species and 14 morphospecies of bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) and 13 species and one morphospecies of syrphid flies (Diptera: Syrphidae). Additional vouchers are included for specimens identified only to the morphospecies level, and Megachile brevis Say, 1837 individuals that were captured while collecting sections of petal from Clarkia amoena (Lehm.) A.Nelson & J.F.Macbr. plants. These 139 voucher specimens come from a much larger dataset, containing over 6,500 observational records of plant-pollinator interactions.

Indigenous ethnomedicinal knowledge of inhabitants of Neelan valley, district Abbottabad, KPK, Pakistan

The indigenous knowledge of utilizing medicinal plants for the treatment of various ailments in very ancient and emerges under the influence of culture in each society. The culture of Pakistan is very rich in utilizing medicinal plants to cure various diseases. The current study was conducted to collect the indigenous knowledge from the local community regarding the utilization of native plant species for the cure of different diseases. The study was carried out in the Neelan Valley, Abbottabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The method used in the current study for documentation of the indigenous knowledge and traditional uses of important medicinal plants was based on questionnaires and personal interviews during field visits. A total of 350 informants, including 216 males and 134 females were interviewed for their traditional knowledge of medicinal plants used for various diseases and their knowledge regarding different folklores. As a result of interviews, 42 important medicinal plant species belonging to 32 families including 12 trees, 13 shrubs and 17 herbs were documented. The ethnomedicinal record was produced by listing the local and botanical name, plant family, habit, parts used and ethnomedicinal uses/folklores. The most frequent plant parts used for the aforementioned purpose were leaves, flowers, seeds and whole plants. Most of plants were used against digestive/gastrointestinal and respiratory disorders, jaundice, diabetes, rheumatism etc., as well as for antipyretic and anthelmintic purposes. It was observed that indigenous knowledge of herbal folklores is commonly used in the area to control various diseases, but is mostly confined to elderly people, while younger population is less aware of this knowledge due to altering socio-cultural trends in the area of study.

Why are some invasive plant species so successful in nutrient‐impoverished habitats in south‐western Australia: A perspective based on their phosphorus‐acquisition strategies

Abstract Invasive plants are a major cause of the global biodiversity crisis; it is therefore crucial to understand mechanisms that contribute to their success. South‐western Australia is a global biodiversity hotspot with extremely low soil phosphorus (P) concentrations. In this region, a large proportion of native plant species release carboxylates that mobilise soil P. Many widespread invasive plant species in south‐western Australia are arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM). We hypothesised that some of these invasive AM plant species exhibit similar P‐acquisition strategies as native carboxylate‐releasing P‐mobilising species which allows them to thrive in P‐impoverished soils. To test this hypothesis, we collected 23 common invasive species in the field and assessed their leaf manganese concentration [Mn], relative to that of native reference species at different locations, as a proxy for carboxylate release. In addition, we cultivated seven of the invasive species in hydroponics at different P supply to measure their root carboxylate exudation. Furthermore, we measured leaf P concentration and photosynthetic P‐use efficiency (PPUE) of five invasive species in the glasshouse. In the field investigation, almost all invasive species exhibited significantly higher leaf [Mn] than the negative references, which do not release carboxylates, indicating carboxylate release of the invasive plants. Leaf [Mn] of a few invasives even exceeded that of positive references, which exhibit significant carboxylate release, indicating substantial carboxylate release of these invasives. All glasshouse‐grown invasive species with high field leaf [Mn] released root carboxylates under low P supply. Most of the tested invasive plant species also exhibited greater PPUE than native plants under low P supply. Invasive AM plant species exhibited root exudation of carboxylates as a P‐acquisition strategy, which very likely allows their successful invasion of severely P‐impoverished habitats. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Experimental removal of an invasive tree in Galápagos promotes native and endemic species but also secondary invaders

Plant invasions can form unique plant communities that are sometimes thought to be so different from native‐dominated communities that restoration is either not possible or not logistically feasible. However, few invader removal studies have been conducted in these “novel” ecosystems on islands. To test the potential for restoration of a highly invaded ecosystem in Galápagos, we mechanically removed the canopy‐dominant tree (Cedrela odorata) from 48 replicate plots (of 4 m × 4 m each and spread in three separated sites) and evaluated responses of seeds and seedlings, including germination, establishment, and growth, of eight total endemic, native, and invasive plant species compared to control plots where C. odorata was not removed. Invasive tree removal resulted in approximately 30% greater canopy openness compared to control plots, but did not affect the emergence of any species. However, invader removal significantly promoted seedling establishment and growth of the threatened endemic tree Scalesia pedunculata that historically occupied the site. Around 40% of S. pedunculata individuals established under the invader removal treatment while only 5% established in intact control plots. Moreover, S. pedunculata growth was, on average, 65% greater in plots where the invader was removed. Recruitment of S. pedunculata was inhibited by seedling predators (particularly invasive rats) and coverage by fast‐growing secondary invaders that also benefited from C. odorata removal. Resolving both native and invasive plant species responses to invasive species removal is an important step in understanding and predicting ecosystem dynamics that determine whether restoration goals in “novel” ecosystems are achievable.

A comprehensive study on native plant species for phytoremediation of heavy metals contamination in soil

Phytoremediation refers to the use of plants to remove or stabilize environmental contaminants in an environment. It is regarded as a highly effective and inexpensive method in countering heavy metal pollution. This paper examines the feasibility of using native plants in phytoremediation through the demonstration of their sensitivity, survivability, and tolerance towards the local environmental condition and their capability to accumulate and tolerate contaminants such as lead, cadmium, and arsenic. Native species have various advantages that include lesser upkeep requirements, improved ecosystem incorporation, and least invasive danger. The mechanisms involved in phytoremediation range from phytoextraction, Phyto stabilization, and rhizofiltration to the specific roles played by native plants in remediation processes of soil and water. Case studies are presented to demonstrate the successful use of native species at various contaminated sites. Challenges related to scalability and ecological risks are addressed. Emerging trends, including biochar amendments, genetic modification, and expanded applications into urban areas, suggest promising future directions.

Comparison of physical-chemical parameters of fresh and dehydrated amazonian fruits pulps from different regions

The Amazon forest has several native species of fruit plants that have economic, technological and functional potential. The fruits tucumã, buriti and peach palm, although well known regionally, are economically underutilized. For prospecting the fruits valorization in the Amazon and its industrialization, it is necessary to address the variation in the chemical composition of the fruits which contribute to many desirable qualities of foods, including attributes of texture, structure, mouthfeel, flavor, and color. This work contributes with data on the physicochemical characterization, including the proximate composition, pH, acidity, water activity, and colorimetric parameters, in the pulp and flour of tucuma, buritit and pupunha fruits collected in three regions of the state of Amazonas. The results obtained demonstrated significant differences between the same fruits from different regions mainly in relation to macronutrients lipids, protein and carbohydrates and also to color parameters, which contribute to many desirable quality attributes of foods. Considering the lipid content, in the tucumã pulp it varied from 22 % to 32.91%, in the buriti pulp from 20.31% to 27.72% and in the peach palm pulp from 2.12% to 5.55%. For the other parameters analyzed, significant differences were also observed in the fruits collected in different regions. To use these fruits in new business opportunities related to food production, the variability in the chemical composition on pulps and flours reported here should be taken into account and mitigated for production of standardized food on an enlarged scale.

Effect of rice hull amendment in green roof substrates

The use of waste and locally available materials could improve the sustainability of green roofs. Therefore, a study was conducted to evaluate the potential of a rice hulls in the organic and inorganic portion of green roof substrates. Three substrate mixtures were prepared at the site by mixing locally available materials. The substrate mixtures were designated as RPZV (rice hulls 6:1; pumice and zeolite mixture 2:1; vermicompost 2:1 by volume), PZR (rice hulls 2:1; pumice and zeolite 8:1), and PZV (pumice and zeolite 8:1; vermicompost 2:1). Measurements were performed including plant growth index, chlorophyll fluorescence, biomass accumulation on native and exotic plant species. Increased amounts of rice hulls in the substrate mixture had a significant effect on reducing bulk density up to 24%, increasing organic matter content up to 67% and maximum water holding capacity (WHC) of the substrate, but also had the lowest volumetric moisture values in the field measurements due to increased porosity and permeability of the substrate. Adversely, substrate mixtures with higher rice hull content experienced greater temperature fluctuations during the study period, which have resulted in increased plant mortality and stress for certain plant species during the study. As the organic part of the substrate, rice hulls caused a decrease on the salinity of the substrate by about 28% and provided higher survival rates and lower stress levels for A.schoenoprasum, C.creticus, L.spectabilis, D.chinensis and Sedum species. The results of the study suggested that, rice hulls may have the potential to be used in appropriate proportions due to their low bulk density, low salinity and resistance to degradation, leading to a reduction in the environmental impact of green roof construction.

Invasive shrubs amplify seasonal granivory, revealing optimal windows for seed survival following invasive shrub removal

AbstractInvasive shrubs dramatically reduce the biodiversity of native plants, making invaded areas important targets of conservation and restoration. Adding seeds of native plant species, in addition to the removal of invasive plants, is a potentially promising means for restoration of native plant communities. However, because seed survival may vary among seasons, it is essential to understand temporal patterns of seed survival. For example, dense habitats created by invasive shrubs exhibit seasonal changes in structure and food resources that could create seasonal variation in seed survival by altering the activity and abundance of native seed‐eating rodents. Despite the potential for invasive shrubs to generate seasonal changes in granivory, we lack experimental studies to evaluate changes in granivory caused by invasive plants over a full year. We mechanically removed the widespread invasive species common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) from half of 14 sites (20 × 20 m) in a deciduous oak‐maple forest to track rodent and arthropod granivory of three native tree species, basswood (Tilia americana), black cherry (Prunus serotina), and sugar maple (Acer saccharum), and the invasive shrub R. cathartica over a year. Our results reveal that the effect of invasive shrubs on granivory changed across seasons. Seeds in invaded habitats experienced, on average, 25.9% higher seed removal than seeds in areas with R. cathartica removed, with the largest difference in removal occurring in winter. Seed removal was almost entirely due to rodent granivores that removed seeds at similar rates among species. These results indicate that, following removal of invasive shrubs, sowing seeds in winter may optimize seedling establishment by minimizing granivory. Our findings further reinforce the importance of removing invasive shrubs as an important restoration tool because invasions may amplify granivory throughout the year. Understanding the mechanisms that could be affecting seasonal granivory within invaded systems, the important role of rodent granivores, and the similarities in seed consumption between native and nonnative seeds is critical for continual conservation and restoration efforts aimed at promoting forest regeneration.

Floristic Diversity in Mangrove Restoring Area-Pante Bayam, Aceh

Abstract The conversion and degradation of mangrove ecosystems for other purposes has damaged some mangrove covers, particularly in Aceh province. Several restoration initiatives have been undertaken, including planting native species in degraded areas. This study examines the flora diversity in a mangrove rehabilitation area dominated by the Xylocarpus granatum species in Pante Bayam, Aceh. A survey method was employed to assess vegetation in the one-hectare area at Pante Bayam. Based on the findings, the X. granatum restoration area encompasses eight species. X. granatum had the highest IVI throughout all growth stages, followed by Scyphiphora hydrophylacea, Avicennia marina, and Rhizophora apiculata. The sapling stage had the highest diversity value of 1.39 (medium), while the tree stage had the lowest at 0.25. Despite the low value of species diversity, the research results indicated that new seedlings were being recruited at the research area. The emergence of new species, particularly pioneer species, in the research area suggests that natural succession is continuing.