Naturalization and impact of a horticultural species, Cotoneaster horizontalis (Rosaceae) in biodiversity hotspots in Belgium

peer reviewedCultivation of ornamental plant species has been recognized to foster plant naturalization of exotics by counteracting environmental stochasticity and continuously providing propagules. As a preliminary attempt to describe the invasion status of C horizontalis, we gathered information on the occurrence of the species in Belgium by compiling various databases. We assessed the naturalization status of C. horizontalis in Belgian calcareous grasslands, high-value habitats recognized as biodiversity hotspots, by characterizing its occurrence, population status, preferred habitats, invaded communities, growth rate and fruiting capacity. We also assessed the impact of the species on calcareous grasslands communities and on individual species. Cotoneaster occurred in seven of the nine investigated sites, with densities varying from 0.34 to 10 individuals/ha. In the most invaded sites, the high proportion of small individuals suggests an important ongoing colonization process, emphasized by the fact that fruiting capacities were demonstrated for 3-year-old individuals. Invaded habitats were typically Mosan Xerobromion habitats, which are priority Natura 2000 habitats. The presence of C horizontalis was associated with changes in both the structure and composition of the community by decreasing species richness and diversity, and affecting grassland specialist species. These impacts are expected to intensify over time with population age and increasing propagule pressure due to close urbanization

Specialist plant species harbour higher reproductive performances in recently restored calcareous grasslands than in reference habitats

peer reviewedBackground and aims_Calcareous grasslands are local biodiversity hotspots in temperate regions that suffered intensive fragmentation. Ecological restoration projects took place all over Europe. Their success has traditionally been assessed using a plant community approach. However, population ecology can also be useful to assess restoration success and to understand underlying mechanisms. Methods_We took advantage of three calcareous grassland sites in Southern Belgium, where reference parcels coexist with parcels restored in the late twentieth century and with more recently restored parcels. We evaluated the colonization stage of three specialist species (Sanguisorba minor, Potentilla neumanniana and Hippocrepis comosa) using occurrence data. We also measured the reproductive traits of 120 individuals per species and compared components of fitness between recent restorations, old restorations and reference habitats. Key results_We found that the occurrence of H. comosa was similar in the different restoration classes, whereas both P. neumanniana and S. minor occurrences decreased from reference grasslands to recent restorations. In contrast, these two latter species exhibited a much higher reproductive output in recent restorations, thanks to an increased production of flowers and seeds. Conclusions_Our results suggest that, during colonization of recently restored calcareous grasslands, favourable environmental conditions, low competition and sufficient genetic mixing may lead to an increased fitness of individuals and a faster population growth than in the reference habitat. These results demonstrate how population processes can increase ecological resilience and highlight the interest of a population-based approach to assess the success of ecological restoration

Success of passive and active restoration of lowland hay meadows with regard to current and historical references

The restoration of hay meadows is one of the major challenges in temperate Europe, to overcome the drastic loss and degradation of these semi-natural habitats. Evaluation of restoration success requires the definition of a relevant reference ecosystem. Historical phytosociological relevés dating from the 1960s–1970s, before large scale agriculture intensification, may be used as the reference framework for such purposes. However, this reference framework may no longer be pertinent in our present-day ecological and socio-economic context. In this study, we assessed the success of three restoration techniques for lowland hay meadows, based on plant species richness and composition and functional traits, by comparing the restoration trajectories to historical and current references. The three restoration techniques, passive restoration mowing, active fresh hay transfer and active sowing of threshing material, were implemented depending on the initial level of degradation and the proximity to well-preserved meadows. The species composition of restored meadows clearly differed from historical references but converged toward current references, for both passive and active restoration techniques. Historical references are characterized by short, stress-tolerant dicotyledonous plant species with small specific leaf area, indicators of nutrient-poor environments. The gap observed between plant communities of historical and current meadows suggests that the historical data are an over-ambitious target for restoration purposes and can hardly be considered relevant to our present-day context. Therefore, creation of a new reference framework of lowland hay meadows is needed for the adequate implementation of restoration projects. Successful outcomes of active and passive techniques must encourage practitioners to adapt the choice of the restoration method depending on the local ecological context, i.e., level of degradation and proximity to well-preserved habitats

Development of new antibacterial functionalised textiles and 3-D-printed filters for process water treatment

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Development of new antibacterial functionalised textiles and 3-D-printed filters for process water treatment

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Custom-Shaped Carbon Xerogel Materials by 3D Printing

peer reviewedSol–gel-based carbon xerogels possess very promising properties for pollution abatement, using processes that associate adsorption and on-site electrochemical oxidation. However, combining a high exterior surface area (for efficient diffusion) and a monolithic shape (necessary for electrochemical processes) poses challenges. In this work, the shape of monolithic carbon xerogels was contrived by the use of 3D-printed molds. Several parameters were optimized: the choice of mold design, the choice of plastic, the 3D printer parameters, the solvent, and the process of dissolving the plastic. A design combining fine sticks and plates made of ABS was printed; a sol–gel carbon xerogel monolith was synthesized in it, and the mold was removed by using a combination of acetone and pyrolysis. Dissolving the plastic could be carried out by placing the material on a metallic net and leaving the dissolved ABS to settle. The resulting carbon material exhibits a high exterior surface area and good strength, leading to potential uses in the aforementioned process. The research shows that 3D printing is an efficient method of parameter optimization in pre-industrialization research, thanks to its flexibility, low cost, and ease of use

Plasmonic UV sensor for continuous monitoring of BTEX in groundwater

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