Spontaneous Plants Research Articles

Taking spontaneous plants as a natural strategy for vegetation restoration in construction and demolition waste landfills: a case study in Suzhou, China.

Construction and demolition waste (CDW) landfills around the city have caused serious damage to the ecological environment and menaced the public health. Restoration of closed CDW landfills is critical to compensate for the degraded ecosystem and ensure safety in further development and utilization. Vegetation restoration is an essential part of the restoration of CDW landfills, in which the use of spontaneous plants is the foundation of the nature-based strategy. In this study, Fenghuangshan CDW landfill in Suzhou, China, was selected as the research site, and the species composition and diversity of the spontaneous plants were analyzed. Moreover, the types of habitats and growth indexes of 8 species with high frequency and 18 species with medium frequency in the CDW landfill were investigated, and a comprehensive evaluation of growth rate and expansion capacity of the 26 species was conducted. The results showed that, herbs were the main type of the spontaneous plants in the CDW landfill. The species and quantities of the spontaneous plants in the CDW landfill were obviously fewer than those in the surrounding areas of the CDW landfill, and the Shannon-Wiener index and Pielou index of the spontaneous plants were lower compared with the surrounding areas of the CDW landfill. Meanwhile, the differences of dominant families and the distribution of origins, life forms and growth types between these two fields were insignificant. The heliophilous and drought tolerance species were widely distributed in the CDW landfill while the shade-tolerant or hygrophilous species were few. The relatively large comprehensive evaluation indexes of Elymus dahuricus, Daucus carota, Sonchus asper, Geranium carolinianum, Rumex acetosa, Metaplexis japonica, Carex breviculmis, Erigeron canadensis, Trigonotis peduncularis, Lamium amplexicaule reflected their high growth rates and strong expansion capacity, demonstrating their great potentiality in the vegetation restoration of CDW landfills as indispensable components of the nature-based solution.

How to successfully improve the biodiversity of city grasslands?

Urban grasslands (UG) are among the most common types of urban green areas. They are usually species poor, and spontaneous plant migration, which can increase biodiversity, is limited. To improve the range of ecosystem services provided by UG, various seed mixtures are applied during the establishment and restoration of UG. These mixtures vary in content, quality, and cost. High-quality seed mixtures are expensive and are usually only available in small amounts. Meanwhile, alternative methods of seed introduction (e.g., fresh hay application, seeds harvested by brush) have not been well studied in UG restoration, and inexpensive commercial mixtures could have low quality and lead to poor restoration outcomes. Here, we tested the effectiveness of different seed sources to create high-quality UG at two study sites. Based on the results, all seed addition methods increased the species richness of restored grasslands. The outcome of seed addition was satisfactory regardless of differences in residual vegetation species composition and soil properties between the sites. The species richness on plots that received a commercial mixture of flower meadow plants dedicated to pollinators decreased after overwintering. The alternative seed sources (fresh hay and seed incidentally collected during mowing) yielded grassland quality that was comparable to that on plots that received high-quality mixtures with known seed origin (a seminatural meadow mixture and a mixture with the addition of grasses).

Urban Flora Riches: Unraveling Metabolic Variation Along Altitudinal Gradients in Two Spontaneous Plant Species.

Using resilient, self-sustaining plants in urban green spaces enhances environmental and cultural benefits and reduces management costs. We assessed two spontaneous plant species, Linaria vulgaris Mill. and Cichorium intybus L., in four sites from the surrounding urban areas, ranging in altitude from 78 to 1040 m. Protection against UV-B radiation is crucial for plants at higher altitudes, guiding our focus on UV-visible absorption spectra, fluorometric emission spectra, secondary metabolite accumulation, and pigment dynamics in leaves. Our findings revealed a slight increase in UV-absorbing compounds with altitude and species-specific changes in visible spectra. The UV-emission of fluorochromes decreased, while red emission increased with altitude but only in chicory. Polyphenols and flavonoids showed a slight upward trend with altitude. Divergent trends were observed in condensed tannin accumulation, with L. vulgaris decreasing and C. intybus increasing with altitude. Additionally, chicory leaves from higher altitudes (792 and 1040 m) contained significantly lower triterpene concentrations. In L. vulgaris, chlorophyll pigments and carotenoids varied with sites, contrasting with UV absorbance variations. For C. intybus, pigment variation was similar to absorbance changes in the UV and VIS range, except at the highest altitude. These observations provide valuable insights into species-specific strategies for adapting to diverse environmental contexts.

Effects of Pre-Germinative Treatments and Temperatures on Tassel Hyacinth [Muscari comosum (L.) Mill.] Seeds

Muscari comosum (L.) Mill. is a spontaneous plant that grows in the whole Mediterranean area, including the Basilicata and Puglia regions (southern Italy), where it has received inclusion in the Italian National List for Traditional Agri-Food Product (TAP). The food and medicinal uses of bulb are ancient due to its antioxidant properties and high variety of nutrients, such as starch, sugars, and minerals. Muscari seed is characterized by morpho-physiological dormancy, and in order to achieve uniform germination, some pre-germinative treatments are needed. In this research, the effects of hydro-priming and osmo-priming, i.e., PEG 8000 and KNO3, as well as three germination temperatures (4, 10, and 20 °C), have been evaluated. In general, the average results pointed out that the pre-treatments increased the germination index (GI) by 5% and the germination percentage (GP) by 3% compared to the no-primed control. The germination temperature of 10 °C significantly reduced the median germination time (T50) by 5.4 days and the mean germination time (MGT) by 5 days compared to temperature at 4 °C. In particular, the best results were obtained by “hydro-priming treatment × 10 °C” interaction, in terms of T50 (34.9 days) and MGT (36.3 days). This combination decreased the T50 by 10.5 days and the MGT by 9.6 days compared to the “control × 4 °C” interaction. Pearson’s correlation matrix results highlighted a significant positive link between T50 and MGT (r = 0.993). In conclusion, these techniques enhanced the germination potential so that the use of pre-treated seeds could be included in a cultivation protocol to improve the germination phase and satisfy the growing demand for Italian bulbs.

Ecological Analysis and Opportunities for Enhancement of the Archaeological Landscape: The Vascular Flora of Seven Archaeological Sites in Greece

Spontaneous plants are an integral part of the archaeological landscape. The indigenous vegetation of the archaeological landscape can play a significant role in preserving the atmosphere of a place, as well as an additional element for education and recreation. Spontaneous vegetation was recorded in seven archaeological sites around Greece. Field surveys were conducted over two vegetative seasons, spanning spring and autumn, and data were gathered from both the surfaces of the monuments and the open field areas adjacent to these monuments. Therophytes were dominant on and around monuments across all sites throughout both the spring and autumn recording seasons. The three most abundant botanical families, in terms of species, found within the archaeological sites were Fabaceae, Poaceae, and Asteraceae. Based on the calculation of species diversity and evenness indices, it appeared that the sites exhibited high values during the spring period. The cluster and principal component analyses revealed that plant species tend to form clusters associated with the hosting archaeological sites, while the archaeological sites create variations that concern the species growing within them. The above is particularly significant as it implies that each archaeological site possesses a distinct and unique floristic identity, which can be utilized as an additional layer for education and enjoyment, enhancing the economic sustainability of these sites.

The influence of management practices on plant diversity: a comparative study of three urban wetlands in an expanding city in eastern China.

Rapid urbanization has drawn some aquatic environments into the urban texture from the outskirts of cities, and the composition and distribution of plant species in urban wetlands along the urban gradient have changed. Understanding the drivers of these changes will help in the conservation and utilization of urban wetlands. This study investigated the differences in plant diversity and associated influencing factors in three wetlands, Xixi wetland, Tongjian Lake wetland, and Qingshan Lake wetland, which are located in a core area, fringe area, and suburban area of Hangzhou City, respectively. The results showed that a total of 104 families, 254 genera, and 336 species of plants were recorded in the Xixi wetland; 179 species, 150 genera, and 74 families were found in the Qingshan Lake wetland; and 112 species, 96 genera, and 57 families were collected in the Tongjian Lake wetland. The main plant species and flora distribution of the three urban wetlands showed similarities. Indigenous spontaneous vegetation was highest in the Xixi wetland, while cultivated plant species were most abundant in the Tongjian Lake wetland. The introduction of cultivated plants decreased the distance attenuation effect of plant communities, which led to a certain degree of plant diversity convergence among the three wetlands. Eight endangered plants were preserved in the Xixi wetland by planting them in suitable habitats. Ellenberg's indicator values showed that the proportion of heliophilous plants was higher in the Qingshan Lake wetland, while the proportion of thermophilous plants and nitrogen-loving plants in the Tongjian Lake wetland was higher than in the other two wetlands. The importance of artificial interference factors affecting the differences in plant diversity was significantly higher than that of natural environmental factors in urban wetlands. The preservation of spontaneous plants and the introduction of cultivated plants had an importance of 25.73% and 25.38%, respectively. These were the main factors influencing the plant diversity of urban wetlands. The management mode that did not interfere with spontaneous vegetation and confined maintenance to cultivated plants in the Xixi wetland was beneficial for improving wetland plant diversity. Scientific plant reintroduction can also improve wetland plant diversity.

Acarofauna (Acari) associada a pomares de maçã (Malus domestica) e vegetação espontânea como reservatório de ácaros predadores

Abstract The aim of this study was to recognize the mite fauna associated with apple orchards in southern Brazil and present a dichotomous key of the species sampled and those already reported in apple trees in southern Brazil. The studies were carried out in the 2020/2021 harvest in seven apple orchards of the Eva, Fuji and Gala cultivars located in the municipalities of Muitos Capões, Antônio Prado (Rio Grande do Sul state) and São Joaquim (Santa Catarina state). The orchards were divided into quadrants and sampling was carried out monthly. In each orchard, 40 plants were sampled, with three leaves of each plant collected in apical, median and basal regions of a median branch. In addition, monthly five species of spontaneous plants per orchard were sampled. A total of 8,425 mites were found, with the greatest abundance in Antônio Prado (50%), followed by Muitos Capões (35.5%) and São Joaquim (14.5%). The specimens found belong to 29 families, 64 genera and 99 species, in addition to mites of the order Oribatida. The greatest diversity was found in spontaneous vegetation (59 species), being 19 exclusives to apple trees and 21 species common to apple trees and spontaneous vegetation. Phytoseiidae was the family that presented the greatest richness, with 16 species, of which seven were common in apple trees and spontaneous plants. The most abundant species was Aculus schlechtendali Nalepa (Eriophyidae) (39.5%), followed by Panonychus ulmi (Koch) (Tetranychidae) (14.6%), Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks) (Tarsonemidae) (9.4%) and Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) (Phytoseiidae) (7.4%). These results suggest that the mite fauna present in apple orchards in different landscapes and management are distinct, with a greater diversity of phytoseiid mites present in organic areas. Therefore, to maintain a greater diversity of predatory mites in these orchards, organic management seems to be the most appropriate. Furthermore, the high acarine diversity found in spontaneous vegetation demonstrates the importance of maintaining these plants in orchards that serve as refuges and reservoirs, favoring the permanence of natural enemies in these environments.

Ethnobotanical survey of Silybum marianum L. Gaertn in the Ouezzane region (northwestern Morocco): Knowledge and use of the plant

Silybum marianum L. Gaertn is a spontaneous plant whose medicinal properties have been used for over two thousand years. This study aims to clarify the understanding and utilisation of S. marianum by the rural and urban populations of Ouezzane region in Morocco, in order to assess the level of recognition and exploitation of this plant. An ethnobotanical survey in this region involved a sample of 140 individuals. Survey results are analyzed using SPSS. The survey results have revealed a significantly limited level of appreciation for S. marianum. Through the use of chi-square statistical tests, we identified significant relationships between our variables and the knowledge about S. marianum and its use. Based on the findings of our study, Silybum marianum L. remains one of Morocco's most neglected and underutilized plants. This may be due to a lack of knowledge or adequate information about its applications, a lack of general interest or even socio-economic factors that limit its exploitation.

Spontaneous plant species from urban microhabitats: A potential resource for phytoremediation

The purpose of this paper is to inventory the herbaceous plant species from phytocoenoses installed on the street alignment in the city of Iasi and highlight their potential role in phytoremediation technologies. Based on observations from the field and specialized literature, the biological and ecological characteristics of the identified species were evidenced, and for some species, the potential for heavy metal accumulation and phytoremediation was also discussed. 87 species of herbaceous plants belonging to 67 genera and 23 botanical families were identified. 40% of the identified species are found in all the street alignments studied. Most of the species identified in the study area are of Eurasian origin (56.3%), annual and biannual (T - 44.8%, Ht - 15%), heliophiles, xero-mesophiles, eurytherms (T x - 51.72%) and euryionic (R x - 68.96%). Some species are considered indicators/monitors of environmental pollution with heavy metals and other species have promising potential to be used in phytoremediation technologies (phytoextraction, phytostabilisation).

Raising awareness of toxic spontaneous plants in Morocco: a comprehensive checklists. ESF1

Raising awareness of toxic spontaneous plants in Morocco: a comprehensive checklists. ESF1

Diversity and Distribution Characteristics of Spontaneous Plants in Urban Industrial Wasteland in Harbin

Diversity and Distribution Characteristics of Spontaneous Plants in Urban Industrial Wasteland in Harbin

Wild plants diversity in two Wadi beds in the Ouargla region (Northern Sahara of Algeria)

In the Sahara, rangelands, offer favorable conditions for vegetation survival. The present study focused on estimating the diversity and determining the functional traits of spontaneous plants established in two Wadi beds, the Wadi N’Sa bed and the Wadi Mya bed, in the Ouargla region (northern east of the Algerian Sahara). For each Wadi bed, 23 phytosociological surveys were selected to study the diversity parameters, plant functional traits, and soil analyses to study the vegetation–soil relationships.

The Habitat and Diversity of Spontaneous Plants in Industrial Wasteland in the Fourth Ring Road of Chengdu

The Habitat and Diversity of Spontaneous Plants in Industrial Wasteland in the Fourth Ring Road of Chengdu

Urban park attributes as predictors for the diversity and composition of spontaneous plants − A case in Beijing, China

Urban biodiversity homogenization and native species habitat loss are becoming increasingly severe. The overuse of lawn grasses and cultivars in green spaces is one of the most important drivers. Scholars have asserted that spontaneous vegetation provides various ecological benefits and should be widely incorporated in planting design. Factors influencing spontaneous plant diversity have mainly been studied in specific habitats or at the city scale, and findings surrounding the attributes of urban parks that support the diversity of spontaneous plants are lacking. This study aimed to provide a perspective on conserving spontaneous plants through inferring the urban park attributes associated with plant diversity. Twenty-two urban park samples in Beijing were examined to identify the correlation between various park variables and spontaneous vegetation. This study recorded 199 spontaneous plant species, with large historic parks containing the most number of species. Park size was a remarkable predictive variable for the diversity of spontaneous plants. Species richness and diversity in large parks were significantly higher than in small parks; not only in total richness due to the species–area relationship but also in richness and diversity at the community level independent of plot number. Microhabitat heterogeneity and the percentage of green area had the strongest positive association with the richness of spontaneous plants. In contrast, the maintenance intensity, perimeter–area ratio, and fragmentation of green area, deciduous forest, and open lawn patches had negative associations with spontaneous plant richness. Redundancy analysis demonstrated that park area, maintenance intensity, microhabitat heterogeneity, and deciduous forest patches were the most remarkable variables predicting species composition. The correlations of variables related to water and open lawn patches with spontaneous plant diversity were more evident in summer. The predicted variables were also more significantly correlated with the diversity of exotic species in summer than in spring. Perennial herbs were more sensitive to the evaluated park attributes. This study elucidates how spontaneous plants are associated with the attributes of urban parks in Beijing, with critical implications for other large cities.

CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING THE VASCULAR FLORA OF SOME FRUIT ORCHARDS IN DOLJ COUNTY, ROMANIA

Through the environmental requirement imposed by inter-rows, the eco-scheme contributes to the CAP objective of biodiversity conservation, as well as increasing the soil's carbon sequestration capacity and improving the quality of the soil structure, the main natural resource in agricultural activity. The present work aimed to analyze the vascular flora from some fruit orchards in Dolj County, Romania following a taxonomic study, starting from the need to establish a vegetal soil cover with spontaneous plants, both specific to the region and environmentally friendly. Following the observations made, it was found that the floristic composition of the grassy cover in the orchards in Dolj County is variable depending on the age of the orchard and the works that were carried out between and on the rows of trees. In orchards where human intervention is low, there is a good representation of taxa belonging to the Fabaceae family (eg Trifolium repens, T. pratense, Medicago arabica, M. sativa). On the other hand, isolated species are present in well-maintained orchards, especially from the category of weeds that can be difficult to fight (e.g. Sorghum halepense, Xanthium italicum, Conyza canadensis, etc.). Observations will be continued to consider the effect of wild plants on the environment and to establish an area-specific varietal soil cover for keeping the row spaces grass-covered.

Sown Covers Enhance the Diversity and Abundance of Ground-Dwelling Predators in Mediterranean Pear Orchards

Intensive agriculture has a strong impact on the structure of arthropod communities in soil. Sown covers can contribute to their conservation, especially for generalist predators such as spiders and predatory beetles. The aim of this research was to assess the effect of cover crop management on the abundance and diversity of ground-dwelling arthropods. For this purpose, a three-year experiment was conducted in a pear orchard that was divided into three blocks with two plots each: one with a sown cover of mixed plants from different families, including Boraginaceae, Asteraceae, Apiaceae, Brassicaceae, and Fabaceae, and the other with no cover, in which any spontaneous plants were periodically removed without using herbicides. The abundance of ground-dwelling arthropods was sampled using pitfall traps. The sown cover increased the overall richness of arthropods. Additionally, spiders from the families Lycosidae and Linyphiidae, as well as beetles from the families Carabidae and Staphylinidae, were more abundant in the sown cover. Conversely, detritivores such as collembolans and beetles from the family Tenebrionidae were less abundant in the cover. The abundance of ants was not affected by the type of cover. The sown cover increased the diversity of arthropods in the crop, as well as the abundance of generalist predators.

Adverse Effects of Octocrylene on Cultivated and Spontaneous Plants and in Soil Animal

Adverse Effects of Octocrylene on Cultivated and Spontaneous Plants and in Soil Animal

Complex floral traits shape pollinator attraction to flowering plants in urban greenspaces

Urban greenspaces are recognized as a benefit to pollinator conservation. Selective planting of attractive flowering plants can improve the conservation value of urban greenspaces. However, the functional traits of flowering plants that moderate pollinator preference merits further study. We analyzed 98 ornamental plants and spontaneous plant species for ten categories of floral and plant traits across twelve parks or campus greenspaces in Wuhan, a megacity located in central China. Our results revealed that: (1) Plant species vary enormously in their pollinator visitation rate. (2) For Lepidoptera, the number of individuals to the plot was lower for disk/bowl-shaped flowers than other flower shapes, and it was negatively corelated with corolla tube length. The number of Diptera individuals to the plot was higher for white, red/pink and yellow/orange flowers than blue/violet flowers. (3) Honeybees preferred exotic annual/biennial herbaceous species, with disk/bowl and flag flowers. Solitary bees preferred horizontal, lip or flag flowers. Diptera most frequently visited upward-facing, yellow/orange flower heads and Lepidoptera preferred horizontal, funnel-shaped flowers or flower heads. Blue/violet flowers and a diverse floral orientation were preferred by most pollinator groups. We recommend planting native woody plants (Nandina domestica, Thymus quinquecostatus, Lagerstroemia indica, and Tamarix austromongolica) and attractive exotic plants (Centaurea cyanus, Borago officinalis, Portulaca grandiflora, and Echinacea purpurea) to support multiple pollinator groups. As preferences differ among pollinators, increasing the species richness of flowering plants is conducive to promote overall pollinator diversity.

The effects of precipitation change on urban meadows in different design models and substrates

Climate change, such as temperature and precipitation changes, is becoming increasingly obvious, and in this context, planting designs need to urgently consider future climate change in advance. A field experiment was conducted in Beijing, China, where the future precipitation is predicted to increase, and extra irrigation was used to simulate the future precipitation increase. The species richness of sown meadows, including spontaneous plants and sown plants, and the adaptive strategies of the communities were recorded under different types of design models and substrates. The results showed that precipitation increased the diversity of sown plants and resource-demanding spontaneous plants but had no significant effect on the dry matter content of the entire community of species. Moreover, the interactions among precipitation and substrate, especially the design models, were significant. Of the models, the three-layer model had the highest species richness and least invasive plants. In addition, increased precipitation significantly changed the functional strategy of the plant community away from ruderals and towards competitor-stress tolerant species. This study provides guidance for the design and management of naturalistic plant communities under climate change.

A Floristical and Ecological Study of the Medicinal Flora Used by the Local Population of the Haouz-Rehamna Region (Middle Atlantic Morocco-4)

To carry out a floristical inventory of plants used in traditional medicine in the HaouzRehamna region, a series of ethnobotanical surveys were conducted during five campaigns (2012–2017) with a representative sample of 1,700 people. These researches are completed by the determination of species collected in the field. It is worth mentioning that, taking into account the recent changes at the international level on taxonomy, the results obtained allowed us to elaborate a catalogue of 415 plant species (bryophytes (2 species); lichens (1), superior mushrooms (1), pteridophytes (4), gymnosperms (8), chlamydosperms (2) and angiosperms (397)) belonging to 291 genera and 99 botanical families, of which nine are the most representative and total 53.49%, namely: Asteraceae (11.33%), Lamiaceae (10.12%), Fabaceae (8.43%), Apiaceae (6.50%), Solanaceae (4.34%), Poaceae (3.86%), Rosaceae (3.37%), Brassicaceae (3.13%) and Cucurbitaceae (2.41%). On the contrary, the other 90 families represent a specific number less than or equal to 1.93%. The data also reflect a high degree of monotypic, where a single species represented 47.48% of the recorded families, and 79.03% of the genera were monotypic. The spontaneous plants occupy the first place with 241 species (58.07%). In addition, the classification by genus showed that the genus Mentha is the most used by its number of species (8 species). Moreover, we noted the use of 12 hybrid species. The chorological analysis revealed the domination of taxa with Mediterranean distribution for spontaneous species. Therophytes (27%) and phanerophytes (23.36%) are the most represented life forms. The results of this study could serve as a basis for future research in the field of floristics and ecology for the conservation of biodiversity.