Although essential for achieving high crop yields required for the growing population worldwide, nitrogen, (N) in large amounts, along with its inefficient use, results in environmental pollution and increased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Therefore, improved nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) has a significant role to play in the development of more sustainable crop production systems. Considering that wheat is one of the major crops cultivated in the world and contributes in high amounts to the large N footprint, designing sustainable wheat crop patterns, briefly defined by us in this review as the 3 Qs (high quantity, good quality and the quintessence of natural environment health) is urgently required. There are numerous indices used to benchmark N management for a specific crop, including wheat, but the misunderstanding of their specific functions could result in an under/overestimation of crop NUE. Thus, a better understanding of N dynamics in relation to wheat N cycling can enhance a higher efficiency of N use. In this sense, the aim of our review is to provide a critical analysis on the current knowledge with respect to wheat NUE. Further, considering the key traits involved in N uptake, assimilation, distribution and utilization efficiency, as well as genetics (G), environment (E) and management (M) interactions, we suggest a series of future perspectives that can enhance a better efficiency of N in wheat.

There is currently a lack of knowledge regarding the effectiveness of the Natura 2000 (N2000) network in providing protection against biological invasion by invasive alien species (IAS). In this study, we analyzed two Salix alba and Populus alba riparian habitats located both inside and outside a N2000 site from Romania in order to assess the efficacy of N2000 network in conserving this type of ecosystem against IAS. Field investigations were conducted both using polygon method for vegetation study and semi-structured interviews focusing on the local people knowledge and their contribution to biological invasion. We found that the research area located within the N2000 network is highly exposed to biological invasion by IAS, the major threat to this type of habitat being expressed by Acer negundo, which occupied more than half of the vegetation cover. It seems that not only the management strategy should be blamed for this situation, but rather its failure in popularization and application. As such, in our opinion, future management plans developed by N2000 network should rely on the intertwined co-evolutionary mechanisms existing between poplar and willow stands diversity and cultural diversity, by integrating aspects related to local traditional knowledge.