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Introduction. Colombian biodiversity and traditional knowledge allow the exploration of medicinal plants with potential antimicrobial activity, which could be used to treat infections. Objectives. To determine the antibacterial activity of ethanolic extracts of Lantana camara L., Petiveria alliacea L. and Lippia dulcis T. on Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Proteus vulgaris ATCC 6380 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923. Materials and methods. Performed the acquisition of plant material and botanical characterization, ethanolic extracts were obtained by percolation and preliminary phytochemical characterization was performed by thin layer chromatography (CCD). The antibacterial activity was evaluated by disc diffusion and agar diffusion tests at concentrations of 1mg/mL and 2mg/mL; for active extracts, the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (CMB) were established. For statistical analysis, Student's t test was performed. Results and discussion. Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 was sensitive with Lantana camara L. and Lippia dulcis T. The latter being also active on Proteus vulgaris ATCC 6380 with inhibitory effect higher than 50%. The extract of Lippia dulcis T. had the highest inhibitory activity on S. aureus (MIC: 1.95 mg/mL). No extract showed activity on Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Secondary metabolites, especially terpenoids and coumarins were detected in L. dulcis. Conclusions. The study shows that natural products derived from medicinal plants such as the ethanolic extracts of Lantana camara and Lippia dulcis have antibacterial activity on S. aureus and P. vulgaris and could be a promising alternative for the treatment of bacterial infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urbanization poses a major threat to biodiversity and food security, as expanding cities, especially in the Global South, increasingly compete with natural and agricultural lands. However, the impact of urban expansion on agricultural biodiversity in tropical regions is overlooked. Here we assess how urbanization affects the functional response of farmland bees, the most important pollinators for crop production. We sampled bees across three seasons in 36 conventional vegetable-producing farms spread along an urbanization gradient in Bengaluru, an Indian megacity. We investigated how landscape and local environmental drivers affected different functional traits (sociality, nesting behavior, body size, and specialization) and functional diversity (functional dispersion) of bee communities. We found that the functional responses to urbanization were trait specific with more positive than negative effects of gray area (sealed surfaces and buildings) on species richness, functional diversity, and abundance of most functional groups. As expected, larger, solitary, cavity-nesting, and, surprisingly, specialist bees benefited from urbanization. In contrast to temperate cities, the abundance of ground nesters increased in urban areas, presumably because larger patches of bare soil were still available beside roads and buildings. However, overall bee abundance and the abundance of social bees (85% of all bees) decreased with urbanization, threatening crop pollination. Crop diversity promotes taxonomic and functional diversity of bee communities. Locally, flower resources promote the abundance of all functional groups, and natural vegetation can maintain diverse pollinator communities throughout the year, especially during the noncropping season. However, exotic plants decrease functional diversity and bee specialization. To safeguard bees and their pollination services in urban farms, we recommend (1) preserving seminatural vegetation (hedges) around cropping fields to provide nesting opportunities for aboveground nesters, (2) promoting farm-level crop diversification of beneficial crops (e.g., pulses, vegetables, and spices), (3) maintaining native natural vegetation along field margins, and (4) controlling and removing invasive exotic plants that disrupt native plant-pollinator interactions. Overall, our results suggest that urban agriculture can maintain functionally diverse bee communities and, if managed in a sustainable manner, be used to develop win-win solutions for biodiversity conservation of pollinators and food security in and around cities., (© 2022 The Authors. Ecological Applications published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of The Ecological Society of America.)

A new species belonging to genus Epitrimerus Nalepa from Egypt is described and illustrated, namely Epitrimerus lantanae sp. nov. from Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae). The new species is vagrant on the lower and upper leaf surfaces of their host plant. No damage to the host was observed. A key to the species of Epitrimerus in Egypt is provided. In addition, a list of all known species of eriophyoid mites found on Lantana sp. is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive species pose a major threat to biodiversity which may be intensified by the effects of climate change, particularly if favourable climate conditions allow invasives to spread to new areas. This research explores the combined effects of climate change and soil drainage on the potential future distribution of Lantana camara L. (lantana) in Queensland, Australia. Lantana is an invasive woody shrub species that has a profound economic and environmental impact worldwide. CLIMEX was used to develop a process-based niche model of lantana to estimate its potential distribution under current and future climate. Two Global Climate Models (GCMs), CSIRO-Mk3.0 and MIROC-H, were used to explore the impacts of climate change. These models were run with the A1B and A2 scenarios for 2030, 2070 and 2100. Further refinements of the potential distributions were carried out through the integration of fine scale soil drainage data in a Geographic Information System (GIS). The results from both GCMs show a progressive reduction in climatic suitability for lantana in Queensland. The MIROC-H projects a larger area as remaining at risk of lantana invasion in 2100 compared to CSIRO-Mk3.0. Inclusion of soil drainage data results in a more refined distribution. Overall results show a dramatic reduction in potential distribution of lantana in Queensland in the long term (2100). However, in the short term (2030), areas such as South East Queensland and the Wet Tropics, both regions of significant ecological importance, remain at risk of invasion consistently under both GCMs and with both the climate only and climate and soil drainage models. Management of lantana in these regions will need to be prioritized to protect environmental assets of ecological significance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The threat posed by invasive species, in particular weeds, to biodiversity may be exacerbated by climate change. Lantana camara L. (lantana) is a woody shrub that is highly invasive in many countries of the world. It has a profound economic and environmental impact worldwide, including Australia. Knowledge of the likely potential distribution of this invasive species under current and future climate will be useful in planning better strategies to manage the invasion. A process-oriented niche model of L. camara was developed using CLIMEX to estimate its potential distribution under current and future climate scenarios. The model was calibrated using data from several knowledge domains, including phenological observations and geographic distribution records. The potential distribution of lantana under historical climate exceeded the current distribution in some areas of the world, notably Africa and Asia. Under future scenarios, the climatically suitable areas for L. camara globally were projected to contract. However, some areas were identified in North Africa, Europe and Australia that may become climatically suitable under future climates. In South Africa and China, its potential distribution could expand further inland. These results can inform strategic planning by biosecurity agencies, identifying areas to target for eradication or containment. Distribution maps of risk of potential invasion can be useful tools in public awareness campaigns, especially in countries that have been identified as becoming climatically suitable for L. camara under the future climate scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study on floristic composition and diversity of flora in the heritage site of UAS, GKVK, Bengaluru revealed that the study site contains a total of 149 plant species belonging to 55 families which include 75 tree, 13 shrub, 59 herb and 2 climber species. The Shannon-Wiener Index (H') and Simpson's diversity index (1-D) was found to be 3.53 and 0.95, respectively which shows that the study site is a species diverse system. Majority of the trees (51.59%) were in the girth class range of 30 cm to 60 cm and shows a reverse J shaped growth curve which indicates that the forests of the study site has good regeneration. Majority (28.43%) of the trees were found in the height range of 12 m to 15 m. Abundance to frequency ratio analyzed in the heritage site shows that all the woody species were contiguously distributed. Importance value index (IVI) analyzed show's that Eucalyptus tereticornis Sm. (58.01) and Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn. ex Benth (38.64) were the dominant tree species. Lantana camara L. (8.15) - and Ziziphus oenopolia (L.) Mill. (7.34) were the major shrub species. Panicum maximum Jacq. (26.254), Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M. King & H. Rob.(18.28) and Mimosa pudica L. (15.94) were the dominant herb species found in the study site. The study revealed that the biodiversity heritage site of GKVK campus is rich in species composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adaptation to environmental change, including biodiversity change, is both a new imperative in the face of global climate change and the oldest problem in human history. Humans have evolved a wide range of adaptation strategies in response to localised environmental changes, which have contributed strongly to both biological and cultural diversity. The evolving set of locally driven, 'bottom-up' responses to environmental change is collectively termed 'autonomous adaptation,' while its obverse, 'planned adaptation,' refers to 'top-down' (from without, e.g. State-driven) responses. After reviewing the dominant vulnerability, risk, and pathway approaches to adaptation, this paper applies an alternative framework for understanding human adaptation processes and responding more robustly to future adaptation needs. This adaptation processes-to-pathways framework is then deployed to consider human responses to biodiversity change caused by an aggressive 'invasive' plant, Lantana camara L., in several agri-forest communities of southern India. The results show that a variety of adaptation processes are developing to make Lantana less disruptive and more useable-from avoidance through mobility strategies to utilizing the plant for economic diversification. However, there is currently no clear synergy or policy support to connect them to a successful long-term adaptation pathway. These results are evaluated in relation to broader trends in adaptation analysis and governance to suggest ways of improving our understanding and support for human adaptation to biodiversity change at the household, community, and regional livelisystem levels, especially in societies highly dependent on local biodiversity for their livelihoods.

Invasive alien plant species (IAPS) are a significant threat to agriculture, resulting in crop loss and increased production cost. Because of their detrimental effects on floral and faunal organisms and their ecosystems, they pose a significant threat to biodiversity. There are 219 species of alien flowering plants native to Nepal, 26 of which have been reported to be invasive with negative environmental impacts, including agricultural production. Four of them (Lantana camara L., Mikania micrantha Kunth, Chromolaena odorata (L.) King & Robb. and Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms) are among the 100 of the world's worst invasive alien species in agroecosystems and range lands. The current status and impacts of invasive alien plant species are discussed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lantana camara L. is an invasive alien shrub of worldwide significance due to its impacts on biodiversity. It can alter the soil properties of invaded ecosystems and, as a result, affect management outcomes. However, knowledge on the impacts of L. camara on soil properties is scanty, especially in South Africa, despite the pervasive presence of the plant in the country. In this comparative study, the soils underneath L. camara were assessed in order to determine if they had different properties (soil physico-chemical properties, penetration resistance, infiltration, hydraulic conductivity and water repellency) in comparison to the soils in adjacent natural sites in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Soil samples were collected from the top soil beneath the canopy of both L. camara-invaded and adjacent natural sites in five different locations over three summer months. The soils that were collected from underneath L. camara had a significantly higher total C, total P, gravimetric soil moisture (in November and December) and were repellent, compared to the soils in the adjacent natural sites. Soil penetration resistance was significantly higher in the natural sites than in the L. camara-invaded sites. The soil hydraulic conductivity, soil infiltration rate, soil pH, exchangeable cations and total N showed no significant difference between the invaded and the natural sites. It appears that the soils underneath L. camara have a high total C and total P, soil moisture and are repellent, thus influencing nutrient cycling, potentially making the soil properties underneath it ideal for its own growth. This could contribute to the success of L. camara as an invasive species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This systematic review focused on the benefits of invasive alien plant species (IAPS) for human well-being. It examines the intellectual structure of knowledge of these benefits to identify knowledge gaps for future research and explore sustainable management practices to manage IAPS. The screening of bibliometric data from 1601 publications in Scopus based on the PRISMA protocol resulted in the identification of 69 publications for detailed review. The findings show an increasing trend in studies on IAPS benefits for human well-being since 2009. These benefits include provisioning services (food, medicines, fodder, bioenergy, and construction materials), regulating services (bioagents and shades), cultural services (aesthetics and ornamentals) and supporting services (soil and land reclamation). Additionally, the findings reveal geographical disparity in the distribution of research produced by researchers from different regions, with most research produced in Europe and limited to Africa, the Americas, and Oceania. The findings also show skewness in the management practices of IAPS, though some of them enhance IAPS benefits. Furthermore, there are limited applications of interdisciplinary approaches to investigate the benefits of IAPS for human well-being. Employing interdisciplinary mixed methodologies may help to generate new knowledge with a better understanding of complex interactions between IAPS and human well-being. Given the unique sociocultural, economic, and ecological settings of the IAPS, future research is expected to include comparative perspectives on how different countries and regions use the IAPS for their benefit while considering both the positive and negative impacts of the IAPS on human well-being to develop sustainable management practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive alien plant species (IAPS) pose a serious threat to overall plant biodiversity across the globe. Nepal's national parks and protected areas are not devoid of the impact of IAPS. Unfortunately, there is a substantial gap in knowledge regarding the extent and impact of invasion in protected areas of Nepal. This study assessed the impact of invasive alien plant species on the resident plant species of the Koshi Tapu wildlife reserve. After a preliminary field observation, we selected five major IAPS in the area, Mesosphaerum suaveolens, Chromolaena odorata, Ipomoea carnea, Lantana camara, and Mikania micrantha for this study. Ten pairs of adjacent plots sized 4 m × 4 m were surveyed for each invasive species, comprising diverse vegetation types. Each pair consisted of one "invaded plot" where the invasive species was dominant with cover greater than 50%, and another "uninvaded plot" laid out in an adjacent area with similar site conditions but without the invasive species. We calculated the Sørensen Index of Similarity for each paired plot. Wilcoxon rank‐sum test was employed to compare ecological parameters between invaded and uninvaded plots for various plant species. Similarly, the difference in impact between each of the five invasive species was assessed using the Kruskal–Wallis test. Species richness varied significantly between invaded and uninvaded plots for C. odorata and I. carnea. The most significant impact on species composition of invaded communities (39.6%) was observed for C. odorata. The cover of the other dominant species varied significantly between invaded and uninvaded plots for all five species studied. The Kruskal–Wallis test showed no significant difference in the impact caused by the five studied invasive species on Species richness, Shannon–Wiener diversity index, species evenness, and height of dominant species. However, a significant difference was observed between the impacts of five studied invasive species and the cover of other dominant species. The crown cover of dominant species decreased much more in the invaded plots of L. camara and M. micrantha than in other species. Specialized management efforts are required to control highly invasive species, such as C. odorata and I. carnea, alongside proactive measures to prevent further spread in ecologically sensitive areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The flower-galling mite Aceria lantanae (Cook) (Trombidiformes: Eriophyidae) was released for the biological control of Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae) in South Africa in 2007, but has displayed variable and patchy establishment throughout the weed's range. Surveys were undertaken in 2013-2014, both seasonally and during the mite's peak infestation periods, to determine the influence of climatic factors on its performance. Although there were seasonal differences in the percentages of mite-infested inflorescences, these did not differ significantly between altitudinal zones. There were also no significant relationships between the percentages of mite-infested inflorescences and either of annual rainfall, temperature or relative humidity. A field inoculation trial revealed significant differences between 10 common South African L. camara varieties in their susceptibility to A. lantanae. Only three varieties displayed appreciable susceptibility (50-61% of inflorescences infested), whereas six displayed only slight to moderate susceptibility (8-21%) and one displayed a lack of susceptibility (no infestation). These data support the contention that differential varietal susceptibility and not climate is responsible for the variable performance of A. lantanae on L. camara in South Africa. Complementing the current biotype of A. lantanae, originally sourced from Florida (USA), with other biotypes from different L. camara genotypes in Central and South America could increase the mite's impact on the weed.

Mining activities generate hazardous metal waste, impacting biodiversity, yet this linkage is overlooked in most developing countries. Phytoremediation has emerged as the most cost-efficient and eco-friendly technique for multielement remediation. However, the identification of suitable plants requires extensive laboratory testing, hindering its practical application, especially in developing African countries. Consequently, we conducted this review to evaluate the adverse impacts of mining on biodiversity in African countries and identify potential phytoremediators. We compiled information from articles available in various international databases and published by different publishers, based on selected search keywords. The review identified several mining operations, including topsoil removal, smelting and screening of iron ores, pit digging, excavation, drilling, blasting, chemical discharge, spillages and leakages, and improper disposal of solvents, as potential threats to biodiversity. A total of 146 phytoremediators were identified, including 78 natives of the African continent, comprising 57 herbs, 8 shrubs, and 13 trees. Species such as Acacia polyacantha and Alstonia boonei among trees, Marantochloa purpurea and Sporobolus pyramidalis among herbs, and Lycium intricatum and Indigofera cuneata among shrubs could be used as potential phytoremediators in African nations for multiple elements, including Ag, As, Au, Cd, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Pt. The candidate plant species would reduce hazardous element levels in the environment, decrease the risk of species extinction, and support conservation initiatives. We anticipate that, this review would raise awareness among people about the consequences of mining on the biodiversity and provide baseline data to trigger sustainable remediation efforts in Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of anthropic activities and climate change effects impact worldwide species' ecosystems and habitats. Habitats' adequate prediction can be an important tool to assess current and future trends. In addition, it allows strategies development for their conservation. The Neltuma pallida of the forest region in northern Peru, although very significant, has experienced a decline in recent years. The objective of this research is to evaluate the current and future distribution and conservation status of N. pallida in the Peruvian dry forest under climate change (Location: Republic of Peru). A total of 132 forest presence records and 10 variables (bioclimatic, topographic, and soil) were processed and selected to obtain the current and future distribution for 2100, using Google Earth Engine (GEE), RStudio, and MaxEnt. The area under the curve values fell within the range of 0.93–0.95, demonstrating a strong predictive capability for both present and future potential habitats. The findings indicated that the likely range of habitats for N. pallida was shaped by factors such as the average temperature of wettest quarter, maximum temperature of warmest month, elevation, rainfall, and precipitation of driest month. The main suitable areas were in the central regions of the geographical departments of Tumbes, Piura, and Lambayeque, as well as in the northern part of La Libertad. It is critical to determine the habitat suitability of plant species for conservation managers since this information stimulates the development of policies that favor sustainable use programs. In addition, these results can contribute significantly to identify new areas for designing strategies for populations conserving and recovering with an ecological restoration approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pests and diseases are a major contributor to yield losses in sub-Saharan Africa, prompting smallholder farmers to seek cost-effective, accessible and ecologically friendly alternatives for crop protection. This study explored the management of pests and diseases affecting crops across eight selected villages in Ehlanzeni District, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. Methods: A total of 120 smallholder farmers were purposefully selected utilising the snowball technique. Information on the management of plant pests and diseases was collected through interviews and focus group discussions using semi-structured interview schedules. Ethnobotanical indices, including relative frequency of citation (RFC), use-value (UV) and informant consensus factor (Fic), were used to quantify and rank the plants used for crop protection in the study area. Results: Twenty-three plant species (16 naturalised exotics and seven indigenous plants) belonging to 16 families were used for managing pests (vertebrates and invertebrates) and diseases (fungal and bacterial related) affecting crops in the study area. The dominant (100%) crops cultivated by the participants were Allium cepa L., Mangifera indica L., Solanum lycopersicum L. and Zea mays L. The RFC value ranged from 0.08 to 0.83 and the three most popular plants for crop protection were Capsium annuum L. (0.83), A. cepa (0.63) and Dichrostachys cinerea (L.) Wight & Arn. (0.43). In terms of the UV, the five most promising plants used as biocontrol were Tulbaghia violacea (0.13), A. cepa (0.12), C. annuum L. (0.09), Solanum campylacanthum Hochst. Ex A.Rich.(0.09) and Pinus pinaster (0.08). Based on the Fic, four categories were established and dominated by fungal diseases (0.64). Furthermore, T. violacea and A. cepa were the most often mentioned plants used against fungal conditions. Other categories cited were bacterial diseases (0.3), invertebrate pests (0.11) and vertebrate pests (0.14), an indication that smallholder farmers had limited agreement or common knowledge about the plants used for their management. The preparation methods included maceration (38%), decoction (38%) and burning (24%). Foliar application (67%) and soil drenching (33%) were used for administering plant extracts during the management of crop pests and diseases. Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of botanicals and associated indigenous knowledge among smallholder farmers in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. It is pertinent to explore the valorisation of these botanicals by generating empirical data on their biological efficacies and phytochemical profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Epidaurus UNESCO World Heritage site (EPD) is a famous archaeological area that is located in a small valley in the Peloponnese and receives more than 250,000 visitors annually. The study of the plant diversity of the site is in the framework of a continuous research project concerning archaeological areas of the Peloponnese and in the context of a project by the Ministry of Culture, Education and Religious Affairs of Greece that started during 2023 to study the biodiversity of the archaeological areas of Greece. The main aim of this study is the exploration and analysis of the plant species composition and diversity of the Epidaurus archaeological area, with an emphasis on endemic plants, on ruderal and alien taxa as well as on environmental and disturbance indicators and the cultural ecosystem services they provide. This study revealed a high species richness consisting of 446 plant taxa. Most of them are Mediterranean and widespread, ruderals and medium disturbance indicators, but there are also 12 Greek endemic taxa. The richest in the taxa families are Asteraceae, Fabaceae and Poaceae. Therophytes predominate in the total flora registered and hemicryptophytes predominate in the endemics. Comparisons of the EPD's plant diversity with other archaeological areas of Greece and the Mediterranean revealed its richness and unique character. Management and protection in archaeological areas such as the Epidaurus must focus on the sustainable conservation of their relationship with their natural environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to examine the current and future invasion potential of L. camara in Ethiopia under climate and land use/land cover changes and describes its possible range shift using an ensemble modeling approach. Under the current environmental condition, 4.2% of the total area of Ethiopia is suitable for L. camara invasion with three invasion hotspots identified in: the central, the northern, and the eastern Ethiopia hotspots. Of the total suitable areas, 0.6% has highest suitability, while 1.3% and 2.3% have moderate and low suitability, respectively. In 2050s, the area of highly suitable area for L. camara is expected to increase by 50% and 53.8%, while moderately suitable area is expected to increase by 43.5% and 51.9% under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 climate scenarios, respectively. Highly suitable area for the species is projected to increase by 62.5% and 68.4% by 2070 under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios, respectively. This study has revealed that L. camara will likely expand its invading ranges towards areas characterized by warmer temperature as this climatic condition become more favorable. The results of this study can provide valuable information for strategic planning for invasive species, by identifying areas prone to invasion for possible mitigation-related interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Worldwide, invasive alien species (IAS) cause significant ecological and economic impacts. To meet the Target-6 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework that deals with IAS, it is crucial to fill the geographical knowledge gaps in invasion research. Towards this end, making available inventories of IAS from data-deficient regions of the world merits urgent research attention. Here we present an integrated inventory of invasive alien flora of South Asia—the most populous region of the world. We assembled the inventory by reviewing 236 studies published from 1890 to 2022, supplemented with expert validation. The inventory comprises 241 invasive alien plant species (IAPS) with perennial lifespan (65%) and herbaceous life form (61%) as the dominant life history traits. The number of IAPS varies considerably across the seven countries in the region with the highest in India (185) followed by Bhutan (53), Sri Lanka (45), Bangladesh (39), Nepal (30), Pakistan (29) and the lowest in Maldives (15). We found the highest species' similarity between India and Bhutan and the lowest between India and Maldives, thus highlighting the role of geographical proximity and connectivity in shaping a similar species pool. Southern America was the major contributor both at country level and across the region, thereby indicating that the tropical climate matching aids in the establishment and spread of alien species. Our study will fill existing data gaps in the global reports, foster further research on biological invasions in South Asia, and guide invasion policy formulation and management strategies within each country and much beyond the political boundaries across the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forest ecosystems in Sri Lanka are under pressure from intensive human activity and climate change. Invasive species are one of the greatest threats to autochthonous species and ecosystems. In Bundala National Park of Sri Lanka, there are efforts to control and limit the spreading of unwanted invasive Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC. and Opuntia dillenii (Ker-Gawl.) Haw., which poses a significant risk to natural ecosystem conservation. Nine different treatment variants (four replications) were used to test which management approach provides the control of Prosopis juliflora. This research is based on nine repeated measurements from 2017 to 2021 on 36 permanent research plots (each 625 m2) with 27 observed plant species and a total of 90,651 recorded plant individuals. The results confirmed that the dynamics of species richness, heterogeneity, and evenness showed significant differences between treatments during the five years of dynamics. The lowest species diversity was found in the control variant, followed by treatments based on the hard pruning and thinning of Prosopis juliflora trees. In contrast, strategies emphasizing the complete uprooting of Prosopis juliflora trees, replanting, and support of the natural regeneration of native species showed high species diversity and a high overall number of plant species. Generally, treatments had a significant effect on species diversity and the number of individuals of Prosopis juliflora, while changes in the overall number of plant species were more affected by time and succession. Silvicultural treatments including pruning, uprooting, and thinning have proven to be essential tools for nature conservation across various sites, aimed at enhancing habitat diversity in the face of ongoing climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comprehensive butter fly survey was conducted with in the Udanti Wild Life Sanctuary (UWLS), Chhattisgarh, India. A total of 76 species of butterflies were observed across 10 study sites. Lycaenidae was the most prevalent family, with 27 species, closely followed by Nymphalidae with 24 species. Hesperiidae presented 14 species, Pieridae had 6 species, Papilionidae featured 4 species from a single genus, and the Riodinidae family included a single species. Notably, two previously unreported butterfly species in Chhattisgarh have been found in the present survey: Hyarotis adrastus, Tree Flitter and Pareronia ceylanica, Dark Wanderer. These findings represent new additions to the state's butterfly fauna of Chhattisgarh. A total of 216 plant species were simultaneously documented of which 61 are known to be hosts of different butterflies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Biological invasion by alien invasive species is now recognized as one of the major threats to native species and ecosystems. Parthenium weed ( Parthenium hysterophorus L.), an alien invasive weed species, is spreading throughout Pakistan. Worldwide, it has been designated as one of the most troublesome weed species. The adverse effects of this weed on human beings, livestock, crop production, and biodiversity are well-documented. As a result of a lack of information on its spread in Pakistan since its invasion, a phytosociological survey, with special reference to parthenium weed, was carried out in Islamabad from August–October 2002. Six main sectors of Islamabad were selected for sampling. The phytosociological survey of these sectors of Islamabad revealed a total of 30 weed species to be associated with P. hysterophorus. The survey also showed a high relative frequency, relative density, and importance value of P. hysterophorus in general; however, the percentage relative frequency of the weed in these sectors ranged from 10.6–30.3%. This survey revealed that P. hysterophorus had an appreciable degree of sociability with Senna occidentalis (L.) Link, Malvastrum coromandelianum (L.) Garcke and Lantana camara (L.). The data on the association of L. camara with P. hysterophorus suggests that a transition phase of competition or succession is in progress between these two alien species. The population of many common medicinal plants growing in the wastelands of Islamabad might be rapidly declining because of the aggressive colonization by P. hysterophorus. The ever-increasing infestation of this weed in urban areas also poses a serious threat to the health of the inhabitants of Islamabad. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive alien plant species (IAPS) frequently offer both ecosystem services and disservices to rural communities with high livelihood dependency on local landscapes. However, biocultural relationships with IAPS may go deeper than just provisioning uses, as they may be assimilated into local belief systems manifest in them becoming embedded in cultural constructions such as naming, stories, songs and ceremonies. It is likely that IAPS that are culturally assimilated will represent a greater conflict of interest in the face of proposed controls of IAPS in biodiversity hotspots where conservation priorities are frequently deemed paramount by external agencies. Using a mixed-methods approach we undertook roadside surveys of 17 selected IAPS along the 250 km Wild Coast section of the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany biodiversity hotspot, accompanied by questionnaire interviews with 48 local people. The mean number of IAPS per site was four, ranging from zero (only one site) to ten, and local inhabitants deemed the abundance of all but one of the species to be increasing. All species had been in the region for decades, had a vernacular name, and all but one had direct consumptive uses. Species with multiple uses were more widely recognised. However, there was only marginal incorporation of the IAPS into stories, songs and ceremonies, although medicinal uses of some IAPS were for cultural/spiritual needs rather than physical ailments per se. These results show that despite widespread use, there was as yet relatively limited cultural assimilation of the IAPS in the Wild Coast region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a preliminary checklist of the invasive alien plant species (IAPS) in eastern Kosovo. This list was compiled based on a literature review and field surveys in the period between 2020-2022. The list includes 20 plant taxa with information on taxonomic affiliation (Family), life form, native range and type of habitat(s) they invaded. Most species belong to Asteraceae family, followed by Fabaceae and Balsaminaceae. Therophytes are the predominant life form. There are two genera, each with two species: Erigeron L. (Erigeron annuus (L.) Desf., Erigeron canadensis L.) and Impatiens Riv. ex L. (Impatiens balfourii Hook.f. and Impatiens glandulifera Royle), while others are represented by only one species. The majority of IAPS in the eastern region of Kosovo are from North, Central and South America (65%), followed by Asia (30%) and with only one species from Africa (5%). The habitats most heavily colonized by IAPS are the areas along roads, waste places, riverbanks and cultivated areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species introduced from elsewhere are known as alien species. They may be introduced as crop plants or ornamental plants, or for timber. A small proportion of introduced species can become invasive thereby spreading at the cost of native species and habitats, negatively affecting biodiversity, food security, and human wellbeing. Despite the growing recognition of the threat of invasive alien species, we still lack information about the distribution and abundance of species widely accepted to be invasive. To address this information gap regarding invasive alien species distributions, we initiated a pilot citizen science effort to create an atlas of invasive plants in the Moyar-Bhavani landscape of the Nilgiri District. We aimed, through this pilot effort, to develop and test user-friendly mapping protocols and develop an interface for citizen scientists to use. Ultimately, we hope to create a model that can be scaled up to large conservation landscapes, such as the Western Ghats, the Central Indian Highlands, and the Himalaya. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Indonesia is the biggest archipelago country with the second biggest biodiversity in the world. A lot of medical plants for treating various diseases can be found in Indonesia, including medical plants for tuberculosis, an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Objective: The goal of this research is to document the information of Indonesia indigenous medical plants that used various local societies to treat tuberculosis and also analyze active compounds of medical plants with proteins that related to tuberculosis. Methods and Materials: The annotation of medical plants for treating tuberculosis was collected from a various source comprising local research papers, theses, and other resources. The information of active compound was taken from Dr. Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases. A network of active compounds-proteins was analyzed by using Cytoscape 3.6.0. Results: The result described that there were twenty-seven species from nineteen families of medical plants used by local societies of Indonesia for tuberculosis therapy, and there were sundry of active compounds from fourteen medical plants had direct interaction with proteins related tuberculosis. Conclusion: Most of the active compounds targeted proteins that had a prominent role in immune system. It indicated that medical plants treating tuberculosis through regulating immunity of human body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

South Asia is home to an immense diversity of flora and fauna, which makes it one of the global biodiversity hotspots. Plant invasions are one of several factors that threaten South-Asian biodiversity. This review lists problematic invasive plant species, analyses their negative impacts, and summarises management methods implemented in South Asia using data obtained from research articles and relevant databases (CABI, GISD, GloNAF). The data was used to evaluate the research trends over time, knowledge of the impacts of invasive plants, and management measures aimed at the invasive species. In total, 392 currently invasive vascular plant species were recorded in South Asia. Of these, 41 species are widely distributed in South Asia, occurring in at least three countries, and 20 species that are listed as invasive in South-Asian countries by the book Invasive Plant Species of the World are considered as the most problematic. For a subset of the most problematic species where such information is available, we present management measures that are in place in individual countries. The number of studies on invasive species in South Asia has been increasing, with more than half (53%) represented by local and regional inventories. Among the countries in South Asia, India has the highest number of invasive (145) and naturalized plant species (471). However, the percentage contribution of invasive and naturalized species to the native flora is the highest in the Maldives Islands. Studies on impacts are limited to those on native plants and agriculture; there is a lack of research on impacts on ecosystems and hydrology, as well as on economic costs and human health. Moreover, impacts have been quantified for very few species. Currently, the management of invasive plants is mostly done by physical or mechanical methods; research into opportunities for biological control is inadequate. Our review highlights the urgent need to quantify the impacts of all prevalent and problematic invasive species in South Asia as a crucial step in allocating resources for their management and addressing the knowledge gap in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bananas (Musa acuminata) rank fourth in the world in agricultural production after wheat, rice, and maize. They are the most widely grown fruit in the world. However, the presence of weeds is a factor reducing this production. In banana crops, plant biodiversity includes weeds and ground-cover plants. Thus, this study focuses on the inventory and floristic biodiversity of banana crop weeds in three producing islands of Comoros: Anjouan (island 2), Mohéli (island 1), and Ngazidja (island 3). Species identification was carried out systematically using a CD-ROM called Adventol, and various phytosociological parameters were studied. The results revealed the identification of 102 species in 29 families. The island of Ngazidja stands out for its floristic richness, hosting 56 species in 20 families. The highest similarity coefficient was observed between islands 1 and 3, reaching 57.14%. The families with the highest number of weed species are Poaceae (24 species; 23.5%), Asteraceae (12 species; 11.8%), and Fabaceae (11 species; 10.8%). The Jaccard index is significant between Islands 1 and 3, reaching 0.4. Consequently, managers must consider improving weed control methods by adopting new technologies for banana production in Comoros. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Weeds have been extensively reported to cause numerous disturbances in ecosystems worldwide. However, the impacts of these weeds on biodiversity, especially for mammals, has received little attention in South Africa. Therefore, this study explored the impact of one specific weed, Lantana camara, on the mammals of an urban Game Reserve in South Africa. Small mammal weights were varied by treatment type and the degree of invasion. Moreover, the weight of these small mammals varied by season across different treatments. This finding implies that the weight of the small mammals in the study was seasonally affected by the quantity of weeds. For large mammals, the distance of treatments (where large mammal tracks were sampled) from a water source was not a significant predictor of species richness, but density of L. camara was a significant predictor of large mammal species richness. This study concludes that the L. camara weed influences mammals of the Groenkloof Nature Reserve (GNR) negatively. Multi-scale approaches have been used to determine scales at which mammal species are responding to habitat destruction due to invasion, but the impacts of weeds on mammals have not been extensively studied, especially in Africa. Inside the Groenkloof Nature Reserve (GNR), we assessed how mammals are affected by an invasive weed Lantana camara. A series of models were applied to determine the differences in species abundance as well as richness, separated for large and small mammals. When diversity indices were used, an Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) revealed no statistically significant difference between treatments (F5 = 0.233, p = 0.945) for large mammals. The results of a Generalised Linear Mixed Model (GLMM) showed that vegetation type (Wald χ22 = 120.156; p < 0.01) and foraging guilds (Wald χ23 = 76.771; p < 0.01) were significant predictors of large mammal species richness. However, for small mammals, the results of a GLMM showed that only treatment type (Wald χ25 = 10.62; p = 0.050) was a significant predictor of the number of small mammals trapped. In addition, the ANOVA revealed statistically significant differences in species diversity between treatments (F5 = 0.934; p < 0.001) and by season (F1 = 9.122 p = 0.003) for small mammals. The presence of L. camara coupled with other predictors was associated with differences in large mammal abundances and diversity, and differences in how these large mammals were distributed across the landscape. Furthermore, the highest species diversity was found in the spring for small mammals. Therefore, for all the mammals studied, the presence of L. camara negatively affected species abundance, richness, and diversity, as well as how these species were distributed across the invaded and cleared areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Essential oils (EOs) from plants are promising products for pest management. This paper describes the chemical composition and repellent action of four EOs against Ulomoides dermestoides, a common pest on several stored products. Most abundant chemical components found in the EOs were sabinene, trans-β-caryophyllene, and α-humulene for phellandrene-rich Lippia origanoides; limonene and carvone for carvone-rich Lippia alba; geranial, geraniol, and neral for citral-rich Lippia alba; and α-guaiene, α-bulnesene, and patchoulol for Pogostemon cablin. The repellent bioactivity, carried out utilizing the area preference method, showed that all EOs displayed great repellency with low mortality rates, suggesting these natural mixtures can be used in formulations of repellents against stored grain pests. The essential oils (EOs) from bioactive species can provide an alternative tool for the management of stored grain insects that is less environmentally damaging than synthetic chemicals. The aim of this study was to assess the repellent action and toxicity of EOs obtained from phellandrene-rich Lippia origanoides, carvone-rich Lippia alba, citral-rich L. alba, and Pogostemon cablin aerial parts on adults of Ulomoides dermestoides. These EOs were isolated by hydrodistillation and characterized by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The repellency assay was carried out using the area preference method, and the toxicity evaluated utilizing a filter paper contact test. The major components (>10%) of the studied EOs were sabinene (16.9%), trans-β-caryophyllene (18.6%) and α-humulene (10.1%) for phellandrene-rich L. origanoides EO; limonene (40.1%) and carvone (37.7%) for carvone-rich L. alba EO; geranial (24.5%), geraniol (19.0%), and neral (11.9%) for citral-rich L. alba EO; and α-guaiene (13.3%), α-bulnesene (15.7%), and patchoulol (35.3%) for P. cablin EO. All EOs displayed 100% repellency at a concentration of 16 μL/mL, with lower toxicity than that elicited by the commercial repellent DEET. EO concentrations up to 8 µL/mL did not induce any mortality on the beetle. These findings show that the EOs provide active and safe molecules for natural repellent formulations to prevent and control insect infestations of stored products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India, in fact, is home to sections of four of the 36 regions recognized as global biodiversity hotspots - Himalaya, Indo-Burma, Sundaland, and the Western Ghats; while to be recognized as a biodiversity hotspot, a region needs to have at least 1500 endemic vascular plant species, by definition, these are also areas that have lost <=30% of its original natural vegetation (MoEFCC, 2018). Professor Bawa has been instrumental in developing strategic plans for two biodiversity hotspots in India. India is a home to extraordinary climatic and geological diversity and its geographical expanse covers a wide range of ecosystems including forests, grasslands, deserts, wetlands, montane, coastal, and marine ecosystems (Rodgers & Panwar, 1988). Animal-mediated seed dispersal in India: Implications for conservation of India's biodiversity. [Extracted from the article]