Selected Plant Species Research Articles

Green manure plants enhance atrazine degradation in agriculture soil through modulating rhizosphere microbial communities

The widespread use of atrazine in agriculture threatens soil health and the safety of agricultural products. In this study, the removal and mechanism of green manure plants (GMPs) hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth, VV) and ryegrass (Lolium perenne L., LP) to atrazine were investigated. The results showed that VV and LP show a certain tolerance to 5–25 mg/kg atrazine contamination compared to VV and LP without atrazine (VV0 and LP0), with LP exhibiting higher tolerance. Moreover, compared to CK, VV and LP significantly promoted the removal of atrazine by 13.49%∼26.41% and 13.98%∼23.42%, respectively. VV was more effective at lower concentrations (5–10 mg/kg), while LP showed better results at 25 mg/kg. Soil enzyme activities (catalase and urease), as well as bacterial abundance and diversity, were significantly increased by VV and LP treatments. LP had a stronger effect. The function analysis revealed that VV enhances the Cell growth and death pathway in the rhizosphere soil, while LP primarily boosts the Replication and repair pathway to cope with atrazine stress. This difference likely results from the distinct root structures of the two plants, which create varying rhizosphere environments. Additionally, VV and LP upregulate the Atrazine degradation pathway by enriching atrazine-degrading bacteria, thereby promoting atrazine removal. VV growth was affected under 25 mg/kg atrazine treatment, which may lead to lower Atrazine degradation pathway abundance in the rhizosphere compared to LP. This study provides a theoretical basis for selecting plant species for the remediation of atrazine-contaminated soils.

Superhydrophobic sand mulch and date palm biochar boost growth of Moringa oleifera in sandy soils via enhanced irrigation and nutrient use efficiency

IntroductionIt is desirable to rehabilitate desert ecosystems with a selection of native plant species that render ecosystem services and yield natural products for creating a high-value industry, e.g., pharmaceuticals or cosmetics. However, plant growth under arid and hyper-arid conditions, such as in the Arabian Peninsula, is constrained by heat, freshwater scarcity, and alkaline sandy soils with low nutrient and water holding capacity. Therefore, it is imperative to develop nature-based sustainable technologies to improve arid soil conditions, as well as increase irrigation and nutrient-use eficiency.MethodsHere, we report on a study evaluating the effects of two complementary soil amendment technologies, namely Superhydrophobic sand (SHS) mulch and engineered biochar (EB) on the growth of Moringa oleifera plants. Effects of SHS (1cm-thick), EB (2% w/w), and SHS+EB treatments were tracked in greenhouse plants under normal (N, 100% field capacity) and reduced (R, 50% of N) irrigation scenarios for over 150 days, where EB treatments were pre-loaded with nutrients and remaining treatments received traditional NPK fertilizer.ResultsSignificant benefits of the SHS, EB, and SHS+EB treatments were found in terms of increased plant height, trunk diameter, leaf area, leaf chlorophyll content index, stomatal conductance, and shoot and root biomass in comparison with the controls. Evaporation water savings due to SHS mulching significantly enhanced transpiration under N and R scenarios. Similarly, EB and SHS+EB treated plants experienced higher transpiration than in the control plants under N and R conditions (p< 0.05). In response to water stress due to excessive evaporation, metabolomics analysis showed a higher accumulation of amino acids in control plants than other treatments under both irrigation regimes. Meanwhile, a higher abundance of sugars (i.e., D-Mannose, D-Fructose, glucose) and organic acid (i.e., malic acid) was observed in SHS and EB-treatments for Variable Importance in Projection (VIP) scores >1.0 (i.e., the scores considered of significance in contributing to the differences between treatment groups).DiscussionThe results show the synergistic benefits of SHS and EB technologies for addressing the challenges of water scarcity and nutrient limitation in arid regions, which couldcontribute to the success and sustainability of agriculture and greening efforts in such regions.

Thermal Comfort and Green Spaces: The Role of Temperature-Regulating Elements in Neighborhood Parks

According to current studies, the thermal effects of global warming will affect urban areas more intensely. In the face of this situation, strategies for the improvement and management of urban green spaces are becoming increasingly important in sustainable landscape design. These strategies promote social sustainability by positively affecting individuals’ physical and psychological well-being, taking into consideration ecological sustainability. Projections regarding global warming emphasize that the density of hardscapes and green spaces, the selection of plant species, and the distribution of plants considered within the scope of this study should be taken into account. This research was conducted in the Görükle neighborhood of Bursa, focusing on the role of temperature-regulating elements in 14 neighborhood parks. Systematic temperature measurements were carried out in the research area on the 10th, 20th, and 30th of July and August, specifically between 12:00 and 13:00, during peak temperature hours. The presence of parks that are close to each other and relatively far away from each other in the study area was seen as advantageous to filter the effects of plant differences in similar conditions. Furthermore, evaluating these various factors together highlights the multifaceted nature of thermal comfort. Designated temperature measurement points included three points (hard surfaces and hard surfaces surrounded by vegetation and planted green spaces) in each park. An analysis utilizing SPSS and the RayMan program revealed that parks with a softscape to hardscape ratio of approximately two to one experienced temperature reductions of 2.5 to 3 °C. Furthermore, the findings indicate that coniferous trees have a more significant impact on thermal comfort compared to deciduous trees. The significant differences identified in this study underscore essential considerations for urban design processes aimed at achieving sustainability.

Plant species selection for urban green spaces in arid lands: a new approach using ecosystem services and disservices

Plant species selection for urban green spaces in arid lands: a new approach using ecosystem services and disservices

Phytoecdysteroids: Quantification in Selected Plant Species and Evaluation of Some Effects on Gastric Smooth Muscles.

Phytoecdysteroids (PEs) are naturally occurring steroid compounds, that have recently gained significant attention, due to their diverse biological activities and high therapeutic potential. The aim of the present study was to quantify some PEs including 20-hydroxyecdysterone (20-HE), ponasterone A (PA), and turkesterone (TU) in selected plant foods and Rhaponticum carthamoides extract. Furthermore, the effects of 20-HE, TU, and R. carthamoides extract, were investigated with in vitro methods using isolated smooth muscle tissues. The levels of 20-HE in the analyzed samples exhibited significant differences, with kaniwa seed extract containing the highest amount, followed by spinach leaf extract, quinoa seed extract, and asparagus stem extract. The in vitro analyses suggested that R. carthamoides extract exhibits dose-dependent cytotoxic effects on smooth muscle cells, with low doses promoting contraction and higher doses inducing relaxation. Additionally, the extract demonstrated a significant inhibitory effect on ACh-induced contractions, while 20-HE enhanced the contractile response. The current findings highlighted phytoecdysteroids' potential for modifying gastrointestinal motility.

A Long-Term Assessment of Nitrogen Removal Performance and Microecosystem Evolution in Bioretention Columns Modified with Sponge Iron.

The nitrogen removal performance of bioretention urgently needs to be improved, and sponge iron has great potential to address this challenge. This study reported the results of a long-term investigation on bioretention columns improved by sponge iron, examining the durability of sponge iron from nitrogen removal performance, sponge iron properties, and the evolution of biological elements. The results showed that after 9 months of continuous operation, the removal rates of ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N), nitrate nitrogen (NO3--N), and total nitrogen (TN) in the bioretention columns with an appropriate proportion of sponge iron could reach 80% (some even over 90%). However, the long-term stress of sponge iron exposure, combined with the cumulative effect of pollutants, might lead to the excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in plants, thereby posing risks of diminished chlorophyll content and enzyme activity. Simultaneously, the extended exposure could also have detrimental effects on microbial diversity and the abundance of dominant bacteria such as Proteobacteria and Sphingorhabdus. Therefore, it is necessary to select plant species and functional genes that demonstrate high adaptability to iron-induced stress.

Woody flowering plants support early-spring pollinators in urban greenspaces

One threat pollinators face in a rapidly changing climate is the decoupling of their activity period from the blooming period of their host plants. Pollinators active in the earliest part of spring may be especially susceptible, as there are few alternative food resources available if they become active before their host plants begin blooming. Thus, urban landscapes, although often associated with decreased insect biodiversity, may buffer pollinators from such food shortages by offering a diversity of both native and exotic plant species that bloom in the late winter and early spring. However, more data are needed to ascertain the degree to which pollinators utilize flowers of spring-blooming exotic species. Here, we surveyed flower-visiting Hymenoptera and Diptera on 26 flowering plant taxa in three urban botanical gardens in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area in the early spring (March and April). We found that flowers of both native and exotic plants were attractive to Hymenoptera and Diptera, although pollinator visitation rates varied by more than an order of magnitude across plant taxa. Overall, woody plants were more attractive to pollinators compared to herbaceous plants, regardless of whether the plant was native or exotic. Implications for insect conservation: Our results suggest that regardless of native status, urban plants that bloom in the early spring—especially woody species—may be coopted to support pollinators that are especially susceptible to climate change. However, care needs to be taken to select plant species and varieties that pollinators will actually use.

Intensification of Silviculture Techniques in Community Forest Management to Realize the Acceleration of SDG's Point 13: Handling Climate Change

Global climate change has become an urgent issue affecting land quality, especially forest areas. Forests are important in mitigating climate change by absorbing carbon and storing greenhouse gases. Community forests, which are managed by communities on private land, have great potential to reduce carbon emissions. However, community forest management is still suboptimal due to limited knowledge of the application of effective silvicultural techniques. This study aims to provide recommendations for community forest management by intensifying silvicultural techniques, such as plant spacing and plant species selection, to reduce fire risk and support climate change mitigation. The method used was a systematic review of 30 relevant scientific articles. The literature used came from books and national and international journal articles accessed through Google Scholar, Springer and ScienceDirect databases. Articles were selected through a selection process based on the relevance of the title, abstract, and overall content. The results showed that a planting distance of 4×4 meters or 4×3 meters is the most optimal for tree growth and allows the implementation of an agroforestry system. In addition, plant species such as Swietenia macrophylla and Gliricidia sepium proved effective as fire barriers due to their evergreen characteristics that can reduce the amount of litter as fire fuel. In conclusion, intensive silvicultural techniques can increase the effectiveness of community forest management in sequestering carbon, reducing the risk of forest fires, and supporting climate change mitigation efforts. This research provides recommendations that community forest managers can apply to improve environmental sustainability.

How to Cope With Stress in the Desert-The Date Palm Approach.

Increasing desertification constitutes a global environmental problem, mainly driven by climate change and inappropriate land-use that limits agriculture, forestry and human colonization. The selection of suitable plant species to mitigate desertification is particularly challenging, as it usually requires simultaneous counteraction against a whole set of unfavourable environmental conditions, including heat, drought, high tropospheric ozone and salinity. It therefore seems useful to identify the survival strategies of plants native in desert environments. Date palm constitutes a plant species native in desert environments and cultivated worldwide in arid regions that have been studied intensively for stress defence during the last decade. The present review summarizes the current state of biochemical stress defence mechanisms including avoidance, osmotic and metabolic adjustments and reactive oxygen species scavenging, addresses whole-plant regulations and trade-off between stress compensation/defence and growth of date palms. The review advances our knowledge about how this typical desert species copes with both individual and multiple environmental stresses at the cellular to the whole-plant level, and identifies areas of future research required to fully understand the strategies of this plant species to survive in the desert, thereby contributing to efforts for the mitigation of climate change and desertification.

Invasive Alien Plant Species Aqueous Extracts in a War Against the Granary Weevil (Sitophilus granarius [L.]) – are They Long-Term Effective or Can They Only Win the Battle of Cannae?

This study investigates the effectiveness of plant-based extracts in repelling the granary weevil (Sitophilus granarius), a common storage pest causing significant economic losses. The selected plant species (Canadian goldenrod, giant goldenrod, indigo bush, staghorn sumac, and tree of heaven), were examined for their repellent effects on weevils in grain samples. Surprisingly, the short-term repellent effects observed after 24 hours diminished after 3 days, suggesting potential challenges for practical applications, especially in long-term grain storage. Temperature emerged as a significant environmental factor, influencing weevil behavior. Lower temperatures created an illusion of increased effectiveness, while higher temperatures accelerated weevil reproduction. Commercial product NeemAzal, despite its reputation for effectiveness, proved the least potent among all treatments, raising questions about its applicability in such cases. Progeny emergence tests indicated no significant differences between treatments, emphasizing the ineffectiveness of the extracts in sustaining long-term repellent effects. The study concludes that while plant-based extracts may offer short-term victories in pest control, their long-term efficacy remains uncertain. The complex interplay of factors, including temperature and humidity, highlights the challenges in developing sustainable and practical solutions for grain storage pest control, necessitating careful consideration by real-world users.

Phytoremediation of contaminated urban soils spiked with heavy metals

Urban environments worldwide face toxic heavy metal pollution originating from industrial discharge, municipal waste disposal, vehicular emissions, and atmospheric deposition. Kazakhstan, experiencing accelerated economic growth and extensive mining activities, contends with widespread heavy metal contamination in its soil-plant-air-water ecosystems. This study explores the potential of hyperaccumulating plants for phytoremediation in urban soils of Kazakhstan contaminated with Pb, Cd, and Co. Twelve plant species, including Korean Mint (Lamiaceae), Ornamental Cabbage (Brassica oleracea), Ageratum (Ageratum houstonianum), Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Amaranth (Amaranthus Perfect and Amaranthus Emerald), Fescue (Festuca glauca), Burning Bush (Kochia scoparia), Marigold (Tagetes patula nana), White Cabbage (Brassica-Cavolo cappuccino BIANKO), Tepary Bean (Phaseolus acutifolius), and Rapeseed (Brassica napus), were evaluated for growth and biomass production in urban soils spiked with two maximum permissible addition (MPA) treatments of Pb, Co, and Cd. The selected plants demonstrated varied responses to heavy metal stress, with Marigold (8.4 g shoot biomass/plant), Korean mint (10.5 g shoot biomass/plant), Rapeseed (19.9 g/shoot biomass), and Tepary bean (25.9 g shoot biomass/plant) exhibiting resilience or tolerance to Pb, Co, and Cd stresses. The results highlight the significant potential of these plants for efficient phytoremediation, showcasing their unique abilities to absorb and accumulate specific metals. Marigold, particularly, displayed noteworthy Pb accumulation (40.3 mg/kg biomass), resulting in reduced residual Pb concentrations in the soil (74.7 mg/kg). Conversely, White cabbage and Amaranth showed limited efficiency in Cd extraction, while Rapeseed and Tepary bean emerged as promising candidates for Cd phytoremediation. This study emphasizes the critical role of tailored plant species selection in designing effective phytoremediation strategies for specific metal-contaminated urban sites. A comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of metal accumulation and residual concentrations is crucial for the development of sustainable and efficient environmental remediation approaches. Further research is warranted to explore the long-term effects of different plant species on soil metal concentrations, refining and optimizing phytoremediation methods for urban soils grappling with toxic heavy metal contamination.

Characterization, Evolution, Expression and Functional Divergence of the DMP Gene Family in Plants.

The DMP (DOMAIN OF UNKNOWN FUNCTION 679 membrane protein) domain, containing a family of membrane proteins specific to green plants, is involved in numerous biological functions including physiological processes, reproductive development and senescence in Arabidopsis, but their evolutionary relationship and biological function in most crops remains unknown. In this study, we scrutinized phylogenetic relationships, gene structure, conserved domains and motifs, promoter regions, gene loss/duplication events and expression patterns. Overall, 240 DMPs were identified and analyzed in 24 plant species selected from lower plants to angiosperms. Comprehensive evolutionary analysis revealed that these DMPs underwent purifying selection and could be divided into five groups (I-V). DMP gene structure showed that it may have undergone an intron loss event during evolution. The five DMP groups had the same domains, which were distinct from each other in terms of the number of DMPs; group III was the largest, closely followed by group V. The DMP promotor region with various cis-regulatory elements was predicted to have a potential role in development, hormone induction and abiotic stresses. Based on transcriptomic data, expression profiling revealed that DMPs were primarily expressed in reproductive organs and were moderately expressed in other tissues. Evolutionary analysis suggested that gene loss events occurred more frequently than gene duplication events among all groups. Overall, this genome-wide study elucidates the potential function of the DMP gene family in selected plant species, but further research is needed in many crops to validate their biological roles.

Growth, Biochemical Traits, Antioxidant Enzymes, and Essential Oils of Four Aromatic and Medicinal Plants Cultivated in Phosphate-Mine Residues.

Revegetation emerges as a promising approach to alleviate the adverse impacts of mining residues. However, it is essential to evaluate the characteristics of these materials and select suitable plant species to ensure successful ecosystem restoration. This study aimed to investigate the effects of phosphate-mine residues (MR) on the growth, biochemical properties, and essential oil concentration of Rosmarinus officinalis L., Salvia Officinalis L., Lavandula dentata L., and Origanum majorana L. The results showed that R. officinalis L. appeared to be particularly well-suited to thriving in MR soil. Our finding also revealed that L. dentata L., O. majorana L., and S. officinalis L. grown in MR exhibited significantly lower growth performance (lower shoot length, smaller leaves, and altered root structure) and higher antioxidant activities, with an alterations of photosynthetic pigment composition. They showed a decrease in total chlorophylls when grown on MR (0.295, 0.453, and 0.562 mg g-1 FW, respectively) compared to the control (0.465, 0.807, and 0.808 mg g-1 FW, respectively); however, they produced higher essential oil content (1.8%, 3.06%, and 2.88%, respectively). The outcomes of this study could offer valuable insights for the advancement of revegetation technologies and the utilization of plant products derived from phosphate-mine residues.

Bifunctional Phenylalanine/Tyrosine Ammonia-Lyase (PTAL) Enhances Lignin Biosynthesis: Implications in Carbon Fixation in Plants by Genetic Engineering.

Lignin is a key metabolite for terrestrial plants. Two types of aromatic amino acids, phenylalanine (Phe) and tyrosine (Tyr), serve as the precursors for lignin biosynthesis. In most plant species, Phe is deaminated by Phe ammonia-lyase (PAL) to initiate lignin biosynthesis, but in grass species, Phe and Tyr are deaminated by Phe/Tyr ammonia-lyase (PTAL). To understand the efficiency of PAL and PTAL, we used transgenic and non-transgenic Arabidopsis with PAL and crop-weedy rice hybrids (CWRH) with PTAL to analyze lignin-biosynthesis-associated metabolites. The transgenic plants overexpressed the exogenous 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) gene, whereas the non-transgenic plants normally expressed the endogenous EPSPS gene. Our results show significantly increased Phe/Tyr contents in transgenic Arabidopsis and CWRH plants, leading to substantially increased lignin and biomass. In addition, the PTAL pathway promotes a much greater proportion of increased lignin and biomass in transgenic CWRH than in transgenic Arabidopsis lineages. Evidently, more efficient lignin biosynthesis characterized the grass species possessing the PTAL pathway. These findings are important for a better understanding of the PAL and PTAL's functions in the phenylpropanoid metabolic pathways in the evolution of plant species. These findings also have great value for implications such as effective carbon fixation by enhancing lignin biosynthesis through genetic engineering of their key genes in appropriately selected plant species.

Sustainable treatment of combined industrial wastewater: synergistic phytoremediation with Eichhornia crassipes, Pistia stratiotes, and Arundo donax in biofilm wetlands

This study investigates the treatment of combined wastewater from Hattar Industrial Estate using Biofilm Wetlands (BW) planted with monoculture species: Eichhornia crassipes (EAC), Pistia stratiotes (WL), and Arundo donax (GR). Each species showed distinct capabilities in organic degradation, metal uptake, and pH stabilization. BW2, planted with EAC, achieved the highest total solids (TS) and total suspended solids (TSS) removal efficiencies of 66% and 65%, respectively. GR effectively reduced initial COD concentrations from 232 mg/L to 58.67 mg/L, while EAC and WL reached reductions to 72.78 mg/L and 70.67 mg/L, respectively. Overall, the plant efficiency ranking was EAC > GR > WL. These findings underscore the potential of these plant species in synergistic BW systems, highlighting their role as natural solutions for remediating complex industrial effluents. This research contributes to advancing eco-friendly wastewater treatment approaches, suggesting promising applications for sustainable practices in industrial contexts. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS This research assessed the effectiveness of phytoremediation using Eichhornia crassipes, Pistia stratiotes, and Arundo donax for removing pollutants i.e. heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Ni, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Hg) nitrates, phosphates and sulfates from combined industrial wastewater of Hattar Industrial Estate Pakistan. It highlighted the potential of selected plant species’ as natural treatment systems, providing crucial insights into their efficiency. Findings contribute to understanding nature-based solutions for complex industrial effluents.

CHEMOMETRIC EVIDENCE FOR SR AND RB ISOTOPES DUE TO THE SPECIFIC SOIL CHEMISTRY IN DIFFERENT GEOGRAPHICAL REGIONS

Strontium and rubidium are the commonly used metals for isotope-ratio analysis. Moreover, this geochemical marker varies between different rock types and formations. The 87Sr/86Sr ratio has been shown to vary widely in surface rocks, so any Sr released into soils, rivers, and groundwater has an isotopic signature that reflects its source. Sr and Rb isotopes have also been used to trace agricultural products, which have incorporated Sr, along with Ca, from soils incorporating the Sr-isotope ratios of the underlying rocks. The specific conditions in the soil represent characteristic conditions of the environment which is reflected in a certain way in the plants. Despite uncertainty about the organic compounds in a sample, the content of selected elements (trace and rare earth elements, REEs) reflects the growing conditions in the environment. For that instance, in the present research, we will give focus on the inorganic compounds’ identifications, due to the more stable response to the lithogenic nature of the soil-plant interaction. For the present study, the target isotopes were 88Sr, 87Sr, 86Sr, and 85Rb. The isotope analysis was conducted with the application of ICP-MS, following the protocol provided in the EPA METHOD 6020. In the validation process, no significant interference occurred that could affect the sensitivity of the measurement of the selected isotopes. Data analysis has been applied to the comparative issues between Sr and Rb content in soil from North Macedonia and selected regions in China. Moreover, the same chemometric model was applied for data analysis for selected plant species for both regions. Data analyses has improved the significant differences within the element contents and ratios as well between both geographical regions.

An investigation on antifungal preparation: A comprehensive review

The study’s objective was to assess the antifungal efficacy of various medications and formulations. Medicinal plant extracts and medications that were tested for antifungal qualities against different species were shown to have antifungal capabilities. Even at modest dosages, these species showed antifungal activity that was nearly identical to that of the commercial fungicide used as a positive control. More research is needed to determine which bioactive compounds are responsible for the observed antifungal action. Plant-based natural fungicides may yield novel active compounds, particularly those with antifungal qualities. The relevance of this strategy for selecting plant species when seeking a certain activity is supported by the high percentage of active extracts in the species under inquiry, which were selected based on established ethnobotanical data.

Efficiency of metal(loid) phytostabilization by white lupin (Lupinus albus L.), common vetch (Vicia sativa L.), and buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench).

Erosion and leaching of metal(loid)s from contaminated sites can spread pollution to adjacent ecosystems and be a source of toxicity for living organisms. Phytostabilization consists of selecting plant species accumulating little or no metal(loid)s in aerial parts to establish a vegetation cover and thus to stabilize the contaminants in the soil. Seeds of white lupin, common vetch, and buckwheat were sown in greenhouse on soils from former French mines (Pontgibaud and Vaulry) contaminated with metal(loid)s including high concentrations of As and Pb (772 to 1064 and 121 to 12,340mgkg-1, respectively). After 3weeks of exposure, the growth of white lupin was less affected than that of the 2 other species probably because metal(loid) concentrations in roots and aerial parts of lupins were lower (5-20 times less Pb in lupin leaves on Pontgibaud soil and 5-10 times less As in lupin leaves on Vaulry soil than in vetch and buckwheat). To limit oxidation and/or scavenge metal(loid)s, white lupin increased the content of proline and total phenolic compounds (TPC) in leaves and roots by a factor 2 whereas buckwheat stimulated the production of TPC by a factor 1.5-2, and non-protein thiols (NPT) by factors around 1.75 in leaves and 6-12 in roots. Vetch accumulated more proline than white lupin but less NPT than buckwheat and less TPC than the 2 other plant species. The level of oxidation was however higher than in control plants for the 3 species indicating that defense mechanisms were not completely effective. Overall, our results showed that white lupin was the best species for phytostabilization but amendments should be tested to improve its tolerance to metal(loid)s.

Herbaceous Vegetation in Slope Stabilization: A Comparative Review of Mechanisms, Advantages, and Practical Applications

Shallow slope instability poses a significant ecological threat, often leading to severe environmental degradation. While vegetation, particularly woody plants, is commonly employed in slope stabilization, herbaceous vegetation offers distinct and underexplored advantages. This paper reviews the role of herbaceous plants in enhancing slope stability, analyzing their mechanical and ecological mechanisms. Through an extensive review of the literature, this review challenges the prevailing view that woody vegetation is superior for slope stabilization, finding that herbaceous plants can be equally or more effective under certain conditions. The key findings include the identification of specific root parameters and species that contribute to soil reinforcement and erosion control. The review highlights the need for further research on optimizing plant species selection and management practices to maximize the slope stabilization effects. These insights have practical implications for ecological slope engineering, offering guidance on integrating herbaceous vegetation into sustainable land management strategies.

Seasonal dynamics of soil ecosystems in the riparian zones of the Three Gorges Reservoir, China

Riparian soils, together with vegetation, play a crucial role in supporting biodiversity and driving biogeochemical processes within river ecosystems. Conservation of riparian soils and artificial planting are essential for river ecosystem recovery following land degradation. Researchers focus on examining soil nutrients, microbial biomass, and organic acid metabolism in the interactions between plants and soil along riverbanks. However, the seasonal responses of riparian soils to artificial plantations have been infrequently reported in the existing literature. This study investigates the influence of seasonal variations on soil conditions and the growth of artificially planted species in the riparian zones of the Three Gorges Dam Reservoir (TGDR) in China. The species sampled include Cynodon dactylon, Hemarthria altissima, and Salix matsudana. These species provide valuable insight into soil properties along riparian zones, assessing interactions across different seasons: T1 (spring), T2 (summer), and T3 (autumn). The results demonstrated significant seasonal changes in soil organic matter, ammonium nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, and other indicators between T1 and T3. Apart from invertase activity in H. altissima soil, enzyme activity peaked during T1. Dominant soil bacteria were examined using high-throughput 16S rDNA sequencing, revealing that the available bacteria belong to 62 phyla and 211 classes. Among the most abundant were Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria, averaging over 60 % across all soil samples. Principal component analyses accounted for 62.81 % (T1), 50.57 % (T2), and 54.08 % (T3) of the variation observed in the study, indicating that soil properties were predominantly influenced by the different seasonal phases, assuming all other factors remained constant. Pearson correlation analysis (p < 0.05) identified strong positive correlations between physical properties and all three plant species during T1 (r ≤ 0.94), as well as significant negative correlations with bacterial communities in T2 and T3 (r ≤ −1.00). These findings suggest that the selected plant species are well-suited to cultivation in the riparian zone of the TGDR. This study enhances our understanding of seasonal dynamics in riparian environments, offering practical insights into their management.