ABSTRACT Understanding how biodiversity patterns vary among forest vertical strata along elevational gradients is crucial for predicting ecosystem sensitivity to global change, yet such comparisons remain scarce in tropical forests. Here, we established 16 sites along a 1500‐m elevational gradient in Yunkai Mountains to compare diversity between tree and understory layers, specifically tracking two nationally protected and rare species ( Alsophila spinulosa and Angiopteris fokiensis ). Tree‐layer α‐diversity exhibited a unimodal relationship with elevation, peaking at mid elevations, whereas understory α‐diversity maintained consistently higher diversity and displayed a bimodal pattern with peaks at 400–600 m and 1000–1200 m. The β‐diversity of both tree and understory layers varied across elevational zones, primarily driven by species turnover of common dominant species rather than within‐zone heterogeneity or rare species. However, the two rare ferns exhibited distinct elevational distributions (unimodal and U‐shaped, respectively) that were decoupled from overall α‐diversity. Our study demonstrates contrasting elevational responses between tree and understory strata. Consequently, effective biodiversity conservation in tropical mountain forests must integrate complete elevational gradients with vertical stratification, explicitly prioritizing the maintenance and long‐term monitoring of understory microhabitats.
ABSTRACT Understanding how natural selection drives local adaptation is fundamental to evolutionary biology. Capsella bursa‐pastoris , a close relative of Arabidopsis thaliana , is widely distributed across diverse habitats worldwide. However, the genetic basis underlying its local adaptation remains unclear. Here, we analyzed 40 individuals from 14 populations across China using population genomic approaches to investigate genetic structure and adaptive selection. Our results revealed a clear genomic divergence between western high‐altitude and eastern low‐altitude populations of C. bursa‐pastoris . We identified 54 candidate genes under positive selection associated with altitudinal divergence, including energy metabolism, photosynthesis, signal transduction, growth regulation, and membrane transport. Most of these genes were located in subgenome CbpB, suggesting that this subgenome harbors an enrichment of loci potentially involved in adaptive differentiation. Moreover, genotype–environment association and partial redundancy analyses highlighted a strong influence of ecological factors on genetic variation. Notably, loci associated with environmental variables were primarily linked to responses to light, temperature, and water availability, indicating their likely roles in local adaptation. Overall, our findings indicate that ecological selection is an important driver of population divergence in C. bursa‐pastoris and provide a robust genomic framework for understanding its adaptation across heterogeneous environments.
ABSTRACT This study reveals how the rare orchid Paphiopedilum purpuratum adapts to ex situ conservation. Although seed production was significantly increased, the plants incurred physiological costs: reduced photosynthesis and higher oxidative stress. Importantly, host physiology—particularly nitrogen metabolism—directly influenced root fungal communities. This drove two distinct adaptive strategies in the fungal community. Mycorrhizal fungi maintained stable communities by reorganizing their interaction networks into resilient multi‐cluster structures. In contrast, non‐mycorrhizal fungi exhibited high species turnover, shifting toward beneficial taxa that potentially suppress pathogens. These findings highlight that successful ex situ conservation must address both the plant physiological trade‐offs and its restructured root microbiomes. We propose that the orchid's resilience relies on a multi‐level microbial adaptation strategy, combining a reorganized yet stable mycorrhizal core with a dynamic, beneficial non‐mycorrhizal periphery. Our work offers a new framework for protecting rare orchids—one that prioritizes sustaining these complementary fungal partnerships to ensure long‐term survival.
ABSTRACT Phylogenomics with dense taxon sampling offers a powerful means to resolve taxonomic and phylogenetic uncertainties. Hylodesmum is a legume genus with an East Asian (EA)–Eastern North American (ENA) disjunct distribution; however, its phylogeny and delimitation from Monarthrocarpus and Verdesmum remain uncertain. Here, we employed plastid genomes, nuclear ribosomal DNA, and 353 low‐copy nuclear genes to reconstruct the phylogeny of all recognized taxa across these genera. Our analyses consistently recover Verdesmum as nested within Hylodesmum, whereas Monarthrocarpus is distantly related. Within Hylodesmum, two major clades were recovered, which are better defined by flower color and leaf margin than by traditional morphological traits. Cytonuclear incongruence in the H. podocarpum and H. laxum complexes suggests likely chloroplast capture. Biogeographic reconstruction supports an “out of Himalaya‐Hengduan Mountains” origin for Hylodesmum, with a late Miocene dispersal to North America (ca. 7.35 Ma), followed by two back‐dispersals to Asia (ca. 5.67–4.98 Ma). This study reveals a complex history of bidirectional dispersal, likely facilitated by mammals, in an EA–ENA disjunct genus and provides a new phylogenetic framework for the taxonomic revision of Hylodesmum, recognizing 18 species within two sections.
ABSTRACT Subtropical China, dominated by evergreen broad‐leaved forests, harbors exceptionally rich and highly endemic plant diversity, yet the evolutionary history of its understory herbs remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated Burmannia nepalensis, a fully mycoheterotrophic herb endemic to these forests, to uncover the evolutionary and demographic processes shaping understory biodiversity. Using plastome sequences and nuclear microsatellite loci, we examined spatial patterns of genetic variation across 20 populations. The species exhibited low within‐population genetic diversity but pronounced genetic differentiation among populations. Geographic isolation and historical climatic fluctuations emerged as the main drivers of population divergence. Concordant phylogeographic patterns from plastid and nuclear markers, together with species distribution modeling, suggest that B. nepalensis persisted in multiple glacial refugia during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), particularly in the Nanling Mountains, Wuyi Mountains, and southwestern karst regions. Demographic reconstructions indicate population expansion after the LGM, followed by a decline in effective population size approximately 3000 years before present (BP), likely driven by human‐induced habitat fragmentation. Our findings highlight the combined roles of geography and climatic history in structuring genetic diversity in fully mycoheterotrophic plants, provide evidence for multiple northern refugia, and underscore the vulnerability of forest‐dependent understory herbs in subtropical China.
ABSTRACT Plankton monitoring often assumes spatial homogeneity, sampling only a few sites across large areas. However, environmental parameters such as salinity, temperature, and depth can vary strongly over short distances and can create multiple distinct ecological zones, which support different mesozooplankton assemblages. We investigated mesozooplankton assemblages in three Central and Eastern Baltic Sea bays to assess variability on different spatial scales: between and within bays. Our results revealed notable differences in assemblage composition both between and within bays, associated primarily with salinity and temperature gradients. Higher salinity conditions in Kappelshamnsviken were associated with greater abundances of the calanoid copepods Pseudocalanus sp. and Temora sp., whereas rotifers were more abundant in the less saline bays of Tvären and Baggensfjärden. Even within single bays, spatial differences of less than 1 km produced distinct assemblages. These findings demonstrate that assuming homogeneity can overlook important local variability. Incorporating multiple sampling locations at fine spatial scales is therefore essential for accurately capturing the full range of environmental niches and associated mesozooplankton assemblages in coastal monitoring programs.
ABSTRACT Invasive predators exert negative impacts on global biodiversity with outsized effects on island endemic species. The Burmese python ( Python bivittatus ) has recently increased in prevalence in the Florida Keys, USA, posing a threat to endemic wildlife. In 2017, Hurricane Irma made landfall as a Category 4 storm, inducing flooding, extensive canopy damage, and likely served as a python dispersal event. The Key Largo woodrat ( Neotoma floridana smalli ) and Key Largo cotton mouse ( Peromyscus gossypinus allapaticola ) are two endangered rodent subspecies, endemic to Key Largo, that have struggled to maintain stable populations in the face of these obstacles. Here, we investigated how Key Largo woodrat and cotton mouse populations have fluctuated since 2017. We used spatially explicit capture‐recapture models to analyze live‐trapping data from North Key Largo, from 2017 through 2024. Woodrat density declined following Hurricane Irma, coinciding with increased detections of pythons, and continued decreasing from 3.48 ± 0.50 SD individuals/ha to 0.61 ± 0.20 SD individuals/ha. However, cotton mouse density increased from 1.57 ± 0.28 SD individuals/ha to 5.35 ± 0.57 SD individuals/ha. These findings illustrate the contrasting dynamics of two native species associated with the changing prevalence of invasive pythons and other effects of global change.
ABSTRACT This paper introduces the Transformative Service Ecosystem for Sustainable Operations Management (TSESOM) model, an interdisciplinary framework reimagining sustainable operations to better serve botanic garden communities. Guided by two research questions: ‘what conceptual models and frameworks exist for Sustainable Operations Management (SOM)?’ and ‘how can these models be integrated with service ecosystem logic to advance transformative service and sustainability?’ the study employs an integrative literature review (ILR) synthesising insights from SOM, service science, United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and environmental, social and governance (ESG) efforts. Targeted Scopus searches and NVivo qualitative data analysis software identified gaps, concepts, and themes informing the TSESOM model. The model reconceptualises SOM as a regenerative, co‐creative service ecosystem involving diverse stakeholders, reframing operations as an integrated, holistic approach to sustainable value creation. Botanic gardens and botanic garden tourism illustrate opportunities to innovate on biodiversity conservation, public engagement, health, well‐being, and sustainable visitor economies. Findings highlight a shift beyond siloed operational efficiency to integrated strategies considering interdependencies and innovation across supply chains, stakeholders, and natural systems. TSESOM offers a replicable framework that advances theory and practice by fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, ecosystemic innovation, and transformative, sustainable service ecosystem design to support planetary health and sustainability transitions.
ABSTRACT As pivotal nature‐based climate solutions (NbCS), forests are increasingly recognized for their climate mitigation potential. However, this potential is undermined by fundamental flaws in current carbon credit systems. Our analysis identifies four interconnected systemic challenges: (1) subjective additionality assessments arising from problematic baseline setting, (2) overestimation of permanence despite growing climate disruption risks, (3) inadequate leakage accounting that inflates mitigation gains, and (4) neglect of biophysical effects, such as albedo, which can substantially reduce net cooling outcomes. These deficiencies collectively erode the environmental integrity of forest carbon credits. To address this, we propose a novel comprehensive accounting framework that integrates dynamic baseline monitoring, science‐based risk buffering mechanisms, conservative leakage accounting, and full climate impact assessment. We argue that only through such rigorous standardization may forest carbon credits evolve from contested instruments into reliable climate assets.
ABSTRACT Although the spatial mechanisms underlying global biodiversity patterns remain incompletely resolved, the mid‐domain effect (MDE) proposes that geometric constraints alone can generate the frequently observed hump‐shaped relationship between species richness and elevation. Reptiles, due to their wide eco‐physiological diversity and varied ecological requirements, provide an ideal model for examining patterns of taxonomic richness, relative abundance, and community structure across spatial and temporal scales. Their assemblages respond sensitively to fine‐scale habitat characteristics, such as vegetation structure and microtopography, as well as broader landscape features, including elevational gradients, land‐use configuration, and seasonal or interannual environmental variability. We assessed species richness, relative biomass, and community metrics across 26 protected areas in Central Italy, explicitly testing the influences of elevation and land use. In total, 13,045 individuals were recorded, comprising eight snake species ( n = 353), eight lizard species ( n = 12,660), and two chelonian species ( n = 32). Our findings revealed a pronounced hump‐shaped richness pattern and two distinct species clusters differing in their responses to woodland cover. Integrating MDE with woodland presence–absence provided the most robust explanatory framework, offering practical insights for regional conservation planning and habitat management strategies.
ABSTRACT Herbarium collections are invaluable for understanding spatial distribution patterns and informing conservation management of biodiversity. However, herbarium collections of plant species in subtropical mountains have received limited attention. This study focuses on herbarium collections from plant species in nine subtropical mountains in China, aiming to identify patterns and drivers of collection bias, including geographic distribution, temporal trends, taxonomic focus, and collector contributions. Our results revealed that mountains in the northwest, for example, Mt. Lushan (LS) and Mt. Wugong (WG) exhibited higher herbarium collection density. However, mountains in the south, including Mt. Jiulian (JL) and Mt. Qiyun (QY), showed lower sampling efforts. Temporal distribution analysis elucidated historical consistencies and biases in herbarium collections, with collection peaks occurring during 1958–1959 and 1963–1965. Additionally, we found that the top 10% of collectors contributed more than half of the specimens. This research provides a comprehensive understanding of collection biases in subtropical mountains and proposes effective strategies for biodiversity conservation, such as strengthening collections in regions with high plant diversity, conducting targeted surveys in under‐sampled areas, and promoting collaboration among diverse collectors.
ABSTRACT Acrostichum aureum across nine coastal sites in Hainan Island was examined using morphological, cytometric, and genomic approaches. Cluster analysis identified five ecologically distinct clades linked to pinna morphology and habitat. Flow cytometry suggested sexual reproduction without ploidy‐spore number correlation. Genetic analyses revealed cohesive population structure with minor introgression from Acrostichum speciosum (12 samples), relatively low nucleotide diversity (π = 0.0647–0.0780), outcrossing dominance indicated by high heterozygosity (Ho = 0.0771–0.1042) and negative inbreeding coefficients (Fis = −0.0407–0.0017), and minimal differentiation (Fst < 0.05) among populations. Despite widespread distribution, the species exhibits moderate genetic variation, highlighting vulnerability to environmental changes. Based on the heterozygosity and π, three priority conservation areas are proposed to preserve extant genetic diversity and maintain habitat connectivity. These findings underscore the need for targeted protection of this ecologically significant mangrove fern.
ABSTRACT Surrounding the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), the GBA outer ecological barrier plays a pivotal role in ensuring regional ecological security while facing significant pressure from intensive development. We evaluated the spatiotemporal dynamics of vegetation net primary production (NPP) from 2001 to 2022, utilizing vegetation remote sensing, land use, and meteorological data. Our results revealed that the vegetation NPP in the study area was 2.29 times that of the core area of GBA, highlighting its critical ecological function. The Eastern zone exhibited the highest vegetation NPP due to optimal light, temperature and precipitation conditions and yet faced a decrease of NPP in parts of its area, due to increasing population density. The northern West zone was a week point of ecological barriers due to relatively low precipitation and open‐pit mining operations. Notably, recent restoration projects and green mining initiatives contributed to the NPP increase in the northern West zone, where population density showed a decreasing trend. Our findings suggest that converting abandoned cropland and mines to near‐natural vegetation and integrating scattered protected areas into a larger system could enhance ecological connectivity and barrier resilience. We recommend protected area government, development control, and forest management in these critical areas.
ABSTRACT Biological invasion is an escalating driver of global ecological disruption and economic loss. Despite decades of research, effective management remains severely constrained by challenges in detecting early incursions and hidden ecological processes, anticipating rapid adaptive changes, and delivering reliable predictive forecasting. As a result, interventions are often reactive and inefficient. Recent advances in multi‐omics technologies promise to transform invasion science by providing unprecedented resolution from the molecular to the community levels. This review synthesizes recent research progress in multi‐omics applications and evaluates their potential to establish a proactive, predictive, and integrative framework for invasive species management. Specifically, I highlight how multi‐omics data can generate stage‐specific solutions across the invasion process, including transport, introduction, establishment, and spread. Importantly, the successful development of such a framework depends on integrating “micro‐multi‐omics” (cellular and subcellular scales) and “macro‐meta‐omics” (organismal and community levels) with ecological modeling, big data analytics, remote sensing, artificial intelligence, and cross‐disciplinary insights from ecology, evolution, and environmental sciences. Such integration can largely strengthen invasive species management and support more robust, evidence‐based governance.
ABSTRACT Recent growth in phytotherapy and product‐based drug development has increased interest in this plant because of its broad pharmacological activity. This review aims to examine the pharmacological activities, mechanisms, and potential applications of Borago officinalis , focusing on its primary bioactive constituents and therapeutic implications across various disease models. A comprehensive literature review was conducted using peer‐reviewed publications from PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect. The selected articles comprise both preclinical and clinical studies investigating the pharmacological effects and molecular mechanisms of Borago officinalis and its constituents, including gamma‐linolenic acid, rosmarinic acid, quercetin, and kaempferol. Borago officinalis shows significant properties, including anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, liver‐protective, antimicrobial, anticancer, brain‐protective, metabolic, and skin‐healing effects. The plant works mainly by controlling inflammation signals, blocking inflammatory pathways (NF‐κB and COX‐2), improving antioxidant defenses, and activating beneficial proteins (PPAR‐γ and NRF2). Lab studies and molecular analysis confirm how it works by showing where it binds to important targets in the body. Clinical studies prove it is safe and effective for treating skin conditions, PMS, and diabetes‐related inflammation, though larger studies are still needed. While B. officinalis shows promise as a natural medicine, it still needs proper standardization, safety testing, and clinical development before widespread medical use.
Pollinator decline is a significant global issue that has garnered considerable attention, as urbanization, habitat loss, pollution, and climate change collectively drive this decline. Although strategies, such as managing pollinator-friendly roadsides, can provide pollinator habitat, a gap remains in understanding how to effectively engage the public in these initiatives. Using an electronic survey instrument, we captured theory of planned behavior-informed data from 1051 Floridians following random exposure to one of five messaging frames (i.e., graphic concepts highlighting various attributes of pollinator-friendly roadsides). We compared the control group to treatment recipients collectively and among individual frames. Messages improved attitudes, even among those who already had positive attitudes. Messages did not influence subjective norms (i.e., social norms) or perceived behavioral control (i.e., ability) but influenced some actions, like intent to vote for a pollinator-friendly roadside policy and look at roadside or welcome center signage. Multiple linear regression revealed the Supporting Florida Farms frame had the greatest positive effect on attitude. Since improving attitudes can play a role in eliciting behavior, this frame, along with others that performed well (Fueling our Food Chain, Biodiversity in Bloom, Taking the Scenic Route), may increase the impact of future pollinator-friendly roadside campaigns.
Microclimate mediates plant responses to regional and elevational climate change in topographically complex mountains, but its impacts have been poorly studied. Using the locations of 44,711 individuals of Puya raimondii Harms, an endangered giant rosette plant, we determined that the species preferred elevations of 4000–4400 m, slopes of 20°–40°, and aspects of N (especially), NW and NE. We used these preferences to identify suitable habitat patches, both current and projected for 2100 assuming climate change scenarios of +3°C and +5°C. Since P. raimondii has short-distance seed dispersal traits, we filtered those habitat patches according to three potential colonization distances (100, 500, and 1000 m). Our projections suggest a significant decrease in occupied habitat patches, with almost complete loss for the +5°C climate change scenario. Topographical preferences and poor seed dispersal, exacerbated by long lifespan, severely limit its ability to track the rapid changes expected by 2100. Assisted colonization to nearby patches using genetically representative seeds and plants, supported by applied research, could mitigate this outcome, especially if it includes engagement with local stakeholders beyond protected areas.
