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<p>Plant communities in peri-urban and urban ecosystems have ecological roles. There, invasive species are drivers for ecological disturbances. The current research investigates the ecological impacts of the alien <i>Euphorbia hyssopifolia</i> on native vegetation, soil microbial function, and soil characteristics in arid urban peri-urban areas of Egypt. Using a paired-plot design in a phytosociological study, we compared species composition, diversity indices, and soil characteristics in 30 invaded plots and 30 adjacent uninvaded ones. Besides, some microbial enzymes were determined. Effects of rhizosphere soil of the alien species on germination and growth of three associated weeds; <i>Cynodon dactylon</i>, <i>Euphorbia peplus</i>, and <i>Melilotus indicus</i>, were clarified. The invaded sites showed significant reductions in native vegetation cover and diversity. The invaded soils displayed reduced nutrient availability accompanied by apparent declines in microbial activity, reflecting the potential negative impact of invasion on soil functioning. Besides, the invaded soils revealed higher contents of free and total phenolic and flavonoid compounds throughout different chromatographic analyses, suggesting the potential chemical interference of the alien species. Rhizosphere soil under this exotic species decreased emergence and growth of three native species. Principal component analysis (PCA) and redundancy test (RDA) indicated a clear multivariate separation between invaded and non-invaded communities driven mainly by shifts in the native flora and soil chemistry. These patterns suggest that <i>E. hyssopifolia</i> alters vegetation dynamics through a combination of resource depletion and potential allelopathic effects, contributing to reduced native plant performance. These results highlight the vulnerability of peri-urban and, consequently, urban ecosystems to this alien species.</p>

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Alien Euphorbia hyssopifolia as a threat in arid peri-urban and urban ecosystems

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月1日

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  • Bader Z. Albogami,
  • Wesal S. Tanko,
  • Yehia Hazzazi,
  • Amr Elkelish,
  • Suliman Mohammed Suliman Alghanem,
  • Sami Asir Al-Robai,
  • Luís González,
  • Amany H. A. Abeed,
  • Maha H Khalaf,
  • Inas M. Abou El-Enain,
  • Mahmoud O. Hassan

摘要

Plant communities in peri-urban and urban ecosystems have ecological roles. There, invasive species are drivers for ecological disturbances. The current research investigates the ecological impacts of the alien Euphorbia hyssopifolia on native vegetation, soil microbial function, and soil characteristics in arid urban peri-urban areas of Egypt. Using a paired-plot design in a phytosociological study, we compared species composition, diversity indices, and soil characteristics in 30 invaded plots and 30 adjacent uninvaded ones. Besides, some microbial enzymes were determined. Effects of rhizosphere soil of the alien species on germination and growth of three associated weeds; Cynodon dactylon, Euphorbia peplus, and Melilotus indicus, were clarified. The invaded sites showed significant reductions in native vegetation cover and diversity. The invaded soils displayed reduced nutrient availability accompanied by apparent declines in microbial activity, reflecting the potential negative impact of invasion on soil functioning. Besides, the invaded soils revealed higher contents of free and total phenolic and flavonoid compounds throughout different chromatographic analyses, suggesting the potential chemical interference of the alien species. Rhizosphere soil under this exotic species decreased emergence and growth of three native species. Principal component analysis (PCA) and redundancy test (RDA) indicated a clear multivariate separation between invaded and non-invaded communities driven mainly by shifts in the native flora and soil chemistry. These patterns suggest that E. hyssopifolia alters vegetation dynamics through a combination of resource depletion and potential allelopathic effects, contributing to reduced native plant performance. These results highlight the vulnerability of peri-urban and, consequently, urban ecosystems to this alien species.