The potential of non-native tree species to provide major ecosystem services in Austrian forests

Forestry is facing an unprecedented challenging time. Due to climate change, major tree species, which until recently fulfilled major ecosystem services, are being lost and it is often unclear if forest conversion with other native or non-native tree species (NNT) are able to maintain or restore the endangered ecosystem services. Using data from the Austrian Forest Inventory, we analysed the current and future (2081-2100, RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5) productivity of forests, as well as their protective function (avalanches and rockfall). Five different species change scenarios were considered for the replacement of a tree species failing in the future. We used seven native tree species (Picea abies, Abies alba, Pinus sylvestris, Larix decidua, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur and Quercus petraea) and nine NNT (Pseudotsuga menziesii, Abies grandis, Thuja plicata, Pinus radiata, Pinus contorta, Robinia pseudoacacia, Quercus rubra, Fraxinus pennsylvanica and Juglans nigra). The results show that no adaptation would lead to a loss of productivity and a decrease in tree species richness. The combined use of native and NNT is more favorable than purely using native species in terms of productivity and tree species richness. The impact of the different species change scenarios can vary greatly between the different environmental zones of Austria (Alpine south, Continental and Pannonian). The Pannonian zone would benefit from the use of NNT in terms of timber production. For the protection against avalanches or rockfall in alpine regions, NNT would not be an advantage, and it is more important if broadleaved or coniferous trees are used. Depending on whether timber production, protective function or tree species richness are considered, different tree species or species change scenarios can be recommended. Especially in protective forests, other aspects are essential compared to commercial forests. Our results provide a basis for forest owners/managers in three European environmental zones to make decisions on a sustainable selection of tree species to plant in the face of climate change

Tubakia spp., Didymella macrostoma and Apiognomonia errabunda causing leaf spot and anthracnose of Quercus robur in the Mura-Drava-Danube Biosphere Reserve

The Mura-Drava-Danube transboundary UNESCO Biosphere Reserve represents one of the best-preserved wetlands in Europe. The Reserve’s riparian forests play a significant role in ecosystem functioning and pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) is one of the keystone species of these forests. In recent years, pedunculate oak trees in the Reserve displayed symptoms of necrotic lesions on their leaves. The lesions varied in size, from small, circular to irregular reddish brown to grayish spots to larger necrotic areas that resembled leaf anthracnose and extended along the leaf nerves. In 2021, symptomatic leaves were collected in three countries of the Reserve, i.e. Austria, Slovenia, and Serbia to identify the causative agents of these diseases. Fungal cultures were obtained from symptoms and identified using morphology and multilocus phylogenetic analyses of the ITS rDNA, partial LSU rDNA, tef 1-α, BT2, CAL, ACT, and RPB2 genes. The fungi were identified as Tubakia dryina, Tubakia sp. (Tubakia dryinoides sensu lato), Didymella macrostoma, and Apiognomonia errabunda. Pathogenicity tests done by inoculating the leaves of one-year old pedunculate oak plants revealed that the isolated fungi caused symptoms as those seen in the forest. To our knowledge, this study represents the first report of D. macrostoma as the cause of pedunculate oak leaf spot disease in Serbia and worldwide. It is also the first finding of Tubakia leaf spot disease of pedunculate oak caused by T. dryina in Austria and Serbia. Moreover, Tubakia sp. was proven to be another causative agent of Tubakia leaf spot disease. Additionally, oak anthracnose caused by A. errabunda was found for the first time on pedunculate oak leaves in Austria and Slovenia. During the past decade, pedunculate oak trees have been facing increasing threats from multiple abiotic and biotic factors which has resulted in decline and absence of natural regeneration of these trees. The results of this study add to the understanding of the contributing factors to the decline of pedunculate oak in riparian forests and are important for the development of management strategies to counteract this decline

Variation in plant Toll/Interleukin-1 receptor domain protein dependence on ENHANCED DISEASE SUSCEPTIBILITY 1

Toll/Interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) domains are integral to immune systems across all kingdoms. In plants, TIRs are present in nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) immune receptors, NLR-like, and TIR-only proteins. Although TIR-NLR and TIR signaling in plants require the ENHANCED DISEASE SUSCEPTIBILITY 1 (EDS1) protein family, TIRs persist in species that have no EDS1 members. To assess whether particular TIR groups evolved with EDS1, we searched for TIR-EDS1 co-occurrence patterns. Using a large-scale phylogenetic analysis of TIR domains from 39 algal and land plant species, we identified 4 TIR families that are shared by several plant orders. One group occurred in TIR-NLRs of eudicots and another in TIR-NLRs across eudicots and magnoliids. Two further groups were more widespread. A conserved TIR-only group co-occurred with EDS1 and members of this group elicit EDS1-dependent cell death. In contrast, a maize (Zea mays) representative of TIR proteins with tetratricopeptide repeats was also present in species without EDS1 and induced EDS1-independent cell death. Our data provide a phylogeny-based plant TIR classification and identify TIRs that appear to have evolved with and are dependent on EDS1, while others have EDS1-independent activity

Stakeholders' views on the global guidelines for the sustainable use of non‐native trees

A large number of non‐native trees (NNTs) have been introduced globally and widely planted, contributing significantly to the world's economy. Although some of these species present a limited risk of spreading beyond their planting sites, a growing number of NNTs are spreading and becoming invasive leading to diverse negative impacts on biodiversity, ecosystem functions and human well‐being. To help minimize the negative impacts and maximize the economic benefits of NNTs, Brundu et al. developed eight guidelines for the sustainable use of NNTs globally—the Global Guidelines for the Use of NNTs (GG‐NNTs). Here, we used an online survey to assess perceptions of key stakeholders towards NNTs, and explore their knowledge of and compliance with the GG‐NNTs. Our results show that stakeholders are generally aware that NNTs can provide benefits and cause negative impacts, often simultaneously and they consider that their organization complies with existing regulations and voluntary agreements concerning NNTs. However, they are not aware of or do not apply most of the eight recommendations included in the GG‐NNTs. We conclude that effectively managing invasions linked to NNTs requires both more communication efforts using an array of channels for improving stakeholder awareness and implementation of simple measures to reduce NNT impacts (e.g. via GG‐NNTs), and a deeper understanding of the barriers and reluctance of stakeholders to manage NNT invasions. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog

Pathogen effector recognition-dependent association of NRG1 with EDS1 and SAG101 in TNL receptor immunity

Plants utilise intracellular nucleotide-binding, leucine-rich repeat (NLR) immune receptors to detect pathogen effectors and activate local and systemic defence. NRG1 and ADR1 “helper” NLRs (RNLs) cooperate with enhanced disease susceptibility 1 (EDS1), senescence-associated gene 101 (SAG101) and phytoalexin-deficient 4 (PAD4) lipase-like proteins to mediate signalling from TIR domain NLR receptors (TNLs). The mechanism of RNL/EDS1 family protein cooperation is not understood. Here, we present genetic and molecular evidence for exclusive EDS1/SAG101/NRG1 and EDS1/PAD4/ADR1 co-functions in TNL immunity. Using immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry, we show effector recognition-dependent interaction of NRG1 with EDS1 and SAG101, but not PAD4. An EDS1-SAG101 complex interacts with NRG1, and EDS1-PAD4 with ADR1, in an immune-activated state. NRG1 requires an intact nucleotide-binding P-loop motif, and EDS1 a functional EP domain and its partner SAG101, for induced association and immunity. Thus, two distinct modules (NRG1/EDS1/SAG101 and ADR1/EDS1/PAD4) mediate TNL receptor defence signalling

Using the IUCN Environmental Impact Classification for Alien Taxa to inform decision-making

The Environmental Impact Classification for Alien Taxa (EICAT) is an important tool for biological invasion policy and management and has been adopted as an International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) standard to measure the severity of environmental impacts caused by organisms living outside their native ranges. EICAT has already been incorporated into some national and local decision-making procedures, making it a particularly relevant resource for addressing the impact of non-native species. Recently, some of the underlying conceptual principles of EICAT, particularly those related to the use of the precautionary approach, have been challenged. Although still relatively new, guidelines for the application and interpretation of EICAT will be periodically revisited by the IUCN community, based on scientific evidence, to improve the process. Some of the criticisms recently raised are based on subjectively selected assumptions that cannot be generalized and may harm global efforts to manage biological invasions. EICAT adopts a precautionary principle by considering a species’ impact history elsewhere because some taxa have traits that can make them inherently more harmful. Furthermore, non-native species are often important drivers of biodiversity loss even in the presence of other pressures. Ignoring the precautionary principle when tackling the impacts of non-native species has led to devastating consequences for human well-being, biodiversity, and ecosystems, as well as poor management outcomes, and thus to significant economic costs. EICAT is a relevant tool because it supports prioritization and management of non-native species and meeting and monitoring progress toward the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) Target 6

MASTREE+: Time-series of plant reproductive effort from six continents.

Significant gaps remain in understanding the response of plant reproduction to environmental change. This is partly because measuring reproduction in long-lived plants requires direct observation over many years and such datasets have rarely been made publicly available. Here we introduce MASTREE+, a data set that collates reproductive time-series data from across the globe and makes these data freely available to the community. MASTREE+ includes 73,828 georeferenced observations of annual reproduction (e.g. seed and fruit counts) in perennial plant populations worldwide. These observations consist of 5971 population-level time-series from 974 species in 66 countries. The mean and median time-series length is 12.4 and 10 years respectively, and the data set includes 1122 series that extend over at least two decades (≥20 years of observations). For a subset of well-studied species, MASTREE+ includes extensive replication of time-series across geographical and climatic gradients. Here we describe the open-access data set, available as a.csv file, and we introduce an associated web-based app for data exploration. MASTREE+ will provide the basis for improved understanding of the response of long-lived plant reproduction to environmental change. Additionally, MASTREE+ will enable investigation of the ecology and evolution of reproductive strategies in perennial plants, and the role of plant reproduction as a driver of ecosystem dynamics

The impact of invasive plant species on plant diversity of riparian habitats : the ecological effect and options for actions, focusing on the restoration of running water and the management of protected areas

Invasive Neophyten sind gebietsfremde Pflanzen, die sich in heimischen Lebensräumen massiv verbreiten und große Schäden an der heimischen Diversität verursachen. Weltweit schreitet die Verbreitung invasiver Arten rasch voran und wurde zu einer der größten Bedrohungen der globalen Diversität. Besonders Flusslandschaften sind in Mitteleuropa stark von der Verbreitung invasiver Arten betroffen. Um die Auswirkungen auf die Phytodiversität in Aulandschaften zu prüfen wurden im Rahmen des Life+ Traisen Projektes in der Vegetationsperiode 2010, 2011, 2012 und 2013 umfassenden Untersuchungen über das Vorkommen und die Verbreitungsbiologie invasiver Arten durchgeführt. Die Untersuchungen zeigten deutlich, dass invasive Neophyten Impatiens glandulifera, Impatiens parviflora, Solidago gigantea und Bunias orientalis im Projektgebiet einen kritisch hohen Anteil an der Vegetationsstruktur haben. Es wurde beobachtet, dass Wege, Forststraßen und Uferbereiche als Korridor für die Verbreitung dienen. Phenologische Untersuchungen zeigten, dass die Etablierung von Massenbeständen durch Bekämpfung im frühen Stadium bei geringer Anzahl an Individuen eingeschränkt werden kann. Die erhobenen Daten und gewonnen Erkenntnisse dienen zur Entwicklung eines Leitfadens, der vorsieht das Vorkommen invasiver Neophyten in allen Ebenen des Planungs- und Bauablaufs von Renaturierungen von Fließgewässern und dem Management von Schutzgebieten mit einzubeziehen ist. Die Stärkung und Sicherung der Diversität heimischer Lebensräume sowie der sensible Umgang mit gebietsfremden Arten ist bei der Bekämpfung invasiver Arten von oberster Priorität.This research is a contribution to the scientific discussion on invasive alien species. Biological invasions are a harmful element on the impact of global change on biodiversity. Riparian areas are important habitats for important ecological functions and European plant diversity. The present case study is focusing on the ecological restoration of the river Traisen. As part of the Life+ Traisen project, the downstream section and the outlet of the river Traisen will be brought into a natural structure. Results show clearly that invasion is following pathways. Plots along roads and embankments are stronger invaded than plots in semi-natural plots. Preventing the introduction of alien plant species is the most effective option for the successful management. The study is correlated to practical advice to nature conservation and ecological restoration issues. Based on the data of invasive species germination and phenological ability, the impact on plant diversity and habitat preferences, as well as information on invasive species management, guidelines for the management of invasive species in riparian areas was developed in order to reduce the biodiversity loss caused by IAS. The total eradication of invasive species in European riparian areas are not to be expected, because of the high number of ecological and economical barriers. Furthermore it should be the aim to support the native species competitively.Katharina LapinZsfassung in dt. SpracheWien, Univ. für Bodenkultur, Diss., 2014OeBB(VLID)193071

Die Entwicklung der Lebensraumdiversität der Gemeinde Marchegg mit vegetationskundlichem Schwerpunkt

Die Nutzung der Landschaft durch den Menschen ließ in Mitteleuropa eine reich gegliederte und strukturierte Kulturlandschaft entstehen, die stark von technischen und sozioökonomischen Entwicklungen geprägt ist. Der Wandel der Nutzungsintensität und Nutzungsart bleibt nicht ohne Folgen für die Diversität eines Lebensraumes. Dies wird an Hand eines eines 590ha großen Landschaftsausschnittes der österreichischen Gemeinde Marchegg untersucht. Die Gis-unterstützte Analyse vergleicht die Biotoptypenentwicklung der Jahre 1821, 1900, 1930, 1946, 1996 und 2009 mit Hilfe der Information aus historischem Kartenmaterial sowie zahlreicher historischen Dokumente als auch der Herbarbelege der Universität für Bodenkultur aus der Gemeinde Marchegg. Der Verlauf des Landschaftswandels sowie die Veränderungen der Landschaftsstrukur zeigen einen dramatischen Rückgang der Wiesen und Weiden zu Gunsten des Ackerlandes und der Waldbiotope. Der aktuelle Trend zeigt einerseits die Intensivierung der Bewirtschaftung der Flächen, die für die landwirtschaftliche Produktion wirtschaftlich rentabel sind, anderseits eine Unterlassung jeglicher Nutzung. Die Diversität der Lebensräume des Untersuchungsgebietes ist, durch den Rückgang der historischen Landnutzungsformen, abnehmend. Eine Ausnahme bilden die Flächen, die Teil des WWF-Naturreservats „Marchauen“ sind und aus naturschutzfachlicher Motivation gepflegt werden. Die Ergebnisse zeigen dass die Verschiebung von gesellschaftlichen und wirtschaftlichen Interessenschwerpunkten sich in wenigen Jahrzehnten nicht nur im Landschaftsbild widerspiegelt, sondern auch ökologische Konsequenzen für die Diversität der Lebensräume zur Folge hat.The Central European landscape has been heavily influenced by human intervention. This highly structured cultural landscape is a result of people making use of the land for their own benefit, with technical and socioeconomic factors playing integral roles in its development. This intense manipulation of the landscape for profit has had a noticeable impact on biodiversity and other natural habitats in the area. The special focus of this case study is laid on the region of the municipality Marchegg. The analysis of historical maps as well as other historical documents made it possible to compare the development of the biotopes over a period of 200 years of a 590 ha area. Biotope development was evaluated using indicators such as regional distribution of different biotopes; predominance; type of fragmentation and compound factors; as well as degree of hemeroby over time and space.The study found that biodiversity of habitats decreases because the lands use changed over time. Notable exceptions to this result include areas protected by the WWF-nature reserve “Marchauen”. Further conclusions include social and economic interests changing the natural scenery of the municipality of Marchegg while also affecting the biodiversity of these habitats.von Katharina LapinMit engl. ZsfassungWien, Univ. für Bodenkultur, Masterarb., 2010(VLID)108300