Riparian vegetation is a unique and ecologically significant ecosystem, globally recognized for its role in supporting diverse plant and animal species. This study designed to evaluate the composition...

As the proportion of the global population living in cities rises to 70% by 2050, mental health challenges more common in urbanites — such as anxiety and mood

Lantana camara L, an invasive species, threatens biodiversity and agricultural systems globally. Its spread is influenced by human activities and climate change, but the interaction between these factors and its invasion is not well understood. This study examines how climate change affects the suitable habitat of L. camara in Ethiopia, focusing on current and future distributions (2020–2100s) under three climate scenarios (SSP126, SSP245, SSP585). Using 458 occurrence points and 27 environmental variables (19 climatic, 3 topographic, 5 soil), we applied the Maximum Entropy Model (MaxEnt) to predict the species' distribution across 1.16 million km2. The model showed excellent performance, with an average AUC of 0.976 and TSS of 0.809, indicating strong agreement between observed and predicted distributions. Under current conditions, approximately 23.71% of Ethiopia's land (250,851 km2) is suitable for L. camara. Key factors influencing its distribution include altitude (29.3%), slope (27.3%), and annual precipitation (12.2%). The species thrives below 2000 m above sea level, especially in areas with west and southeast-facing slopes and annual precipitation around 800 mm. Future projections indicate a decline in suitable habitats for L. camara under all climate scenarios. By the 2030s, highly suitable habitats could decrease by 39.76% under SSP585, with a further 60.26% loss by the 2090s. However, some areas may experience habitat expansion. Overall, the distribution of L. camara, an invasive plant, poses significant threats to ecosystem resilience, food security, and climate adaptation in Ethiopia. Mid-altitude regions with warm temperatures and adequate rainfall are most vulnerable and represents future high-risk areas. In conclusion, targeted management interventions are crucial to mitigate these risks and support sustainable development goals. Therefore, we recommend prioritizing high-risk areas for focused control measures, including mechanical removal, community-based eradication, and integrated weed management strategies.

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The soil, treasured for centuries, turns steep Yemini slopes into fertile and productive land. Coffee grown here was served at London’s first coffee house in 1652

The invasive tomato leafminer, Tuta absolute, is one of the significant constraints to global tomato production. If not effectively controlled, it can cause yield losses of up to 100%. Tomato growe...

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