scholarly journals Plant invasion as an emerging challenge for the conservation of heritage sites: the spread of ornamental trees on ancient monuments in Rome, Italy

Author(s):  
Laura Celesti-Grapow ◽  
Carlo Ricotta

AbstractCultural heritage sites such as historical or sacred areas provide suitable habitats for plants and play an important role in nature conservation, particularly in human-modified contexts such as urban environments. However, such sites also provide opportunities for the spread of invasive species, whose impact on monuments has been raising growing concerns. The aim of this study was to investigate the patterns of distribution and spread of invasive plants in heritage areas, taking the city of Rome as an example. We focused on woody species as they pose the greatest threat to the conservation of monuments, owing to the detrimental effects of their root system. We analysed changes in the diversity and traits of native and non-native flora growing on the walls of 26 ancient sites that have been surveyed repeatedly since the 1940s. We found that the diversity of the native flora has steadily decreased, while there has been an increase in non-native, larger and more damaging species. The introduced species that have expanded most are ornamental wind- or bird-dispersed trees, which represent a major management problem as their propagules can reach the upper sections of the monuments, where they become more difficult to control. The most widespread and damaging of such species is Ailanthus altissima, which has recently been included among the invasive species of European Union concern (EU Regulation 2019/1262). Our findings show that plant invasion is an emerging challenge for the conservation of heritage sites and needs to be prioritized for management to prevent future expansion.

2019 ◽  
pp. 56-70
Author(s):  
С.С. ТАРАН ◽  
И.С. КОЛГАНОВА

Клены являются одними из лучших декоративных деревьев, использующихся в озеленении населенных пунктов в России и за рубежом. Актуальной задачей в засушливом регионе является биоэкологическое обоснование оптимизации биоразнообразия представителей рода Acer L. в озеленении общего пользования (парки, скверы, бульвары, уличные посадки) и уточнения рекомендаций производству по осуществлению озеленительных работ с участием видов рода Acer L. В статье представлен ассортимент древесных видов рода Acer L. рекомендованный для оптимизации озеленительных посадок г. РостовнаДону и Новочеркасск. Установлен рейтинг декоративных достоинств кленовых деревьев в сравнении с другими видами, используемыми в озеленении а также декоративная долговечность деревьев в городских условиях. Наивысшие баллы по декоративности у клена остролистного и явора (202 и 201 балл). Декоративная долговечность кленов составляет от 45 до 80 лет. Введение деревьев рода Acer L. в озеленение способствует обогащению ассортимента рекреационноозеленительных насаждений городской среды. Для объектов общего пользования Ростовской агломерации разработан ассортимент устойчивых декоративных древесных растений рода Acer L. для различных типов посадок. В уличных посадках рекомендуется высаживать: Acer platanoides L. A. platanoides Globosum, A. pseudoplatanus L., A. saccharinum L. В качестве солитеров использовать A. platanoides L. и его декоративные формы, A. platanoides Globosum, A. pseudoplatanus L., A. negundo L. (золотистая и пестролистная формы). Для живых изгородей A. ginnala L., A. tataricum L., A. campestre L. Опыты с использованием стимуляторов роста показали, что наилучшие показатели по изменению линейных размеров и накоплению фитомассы получены при использовании Крезацин 0,003 и САН 0,01. Наилучшего развития достигли Acer L. на удобренном фоне с использованием ппрепаратов САН 0,01, Гумат 0,02 и 0,03. Обоснованы вопросы комплексной оценки состояния древесных видов рода Acer L. и базовые агротехнические технологии выращивания посадочного материала для целей озеленения. Разработанные мероприятия по оптимизации видового состава озеленительных посадок способствуют улучшению декоративных функций парковых насаждений. Maples are one of the best ornamental trees used in landscaping settlements in Russia and abroad. An urgent task in the arid region is a bioecological rationale for optimizing the biodiversity of the Acer L. genus in public gardening (parks, squares, boulevards, street plantings) and clarifying the recommendations of production on the implementation of gardening works involving Acer L. The article presents an assortment of woody species of the genus Acer L. recommended for optimizing planting of trees in RostovonDon and Novocherkassk. The rating of the decorative qualities of maple trees has been established in comparison with other species used in gardening as well as decorative durability of trees in urban environments. The highest scores on decorativeness are among maple and sycamore maple (202 and 201 points). Decorative durability of maples ranges from 45 to 80 years. The introduction of trees of the genus Acer L. into landscaping contributes to the enrichment of the range of recreational and landscaping plantings of the urban environment. An assortment of resistant ornamental woody plants of the genus Acer L. has been developed for public facilities in Rostov city agglomeration for various types of planting. It is recommended to plant in street plantings: Acer platanoides L . A. platanoides Globosum, A. pseudoplatanus L., A. saccharinum L. As soliter use A. platanoides L. and its decorative forms, A. platanoides Globosum, A. pseudoplatanus L., A. negundo L. (golden and variegated forms). For hedges A. ginnala L., A. tataricum L., A. campestre L. Experiments with the use of growth stimulants showed that the best indicators of changes in linear dimensions and accumulation of phytomass were obtained using Krezacin 0.003 and SAN 0.01. Acer L. achieved the best development on a fertilized background using SAN preparations of 0.01, Humate 0.02 and 0.03. The issues of a comprehensive assessment of the status of tree species of the genus Acer L. and the basic agrotechnical technologies of growing planting material for gardening are substantiated. Developed measures to optimize the species composition of planting trees contribute to the improvement of the decorative functions of parkland.


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 148-160
Author(s):  
Arjun C.P ◽  
Anoop V.K ◽  
Tijo K.J ◽  
Anoopkumar T.K ◽  
Roshnath R

Butterfly diversity was recorded from Nov (2013) - May (2014) in Pookode region. A total number of 128 species recorded from the five families; Nymphalidae (46 species) Lycaenidae (28 species), Hesperiidae (22 species), Pieridae (17 species) and Papilionidae (15 species) respectively. During the survey invasive plant species were also recorded. There were 36 species of invasive plants from 18 families identified from the study area. More butterflies were attracted towards nectar offering invasive plants. Chromolaena odorata, Ipomea cairica, Lantana camara, Merremia vitifolia, Mikania micrantha, Mimosa diplotricha, Pennisetumpolystachyon, Pteridium aquilinum, Quisqualis indica and Sphagneticola trilobata were the major invasive plants found in the Pookode region and their flower attracts butterfly for pollination. Even though nectar offered by the plants are supportive for growth, in long run these species can affect butterfly population bydeclining native host larval plant species for butterfly reproduction. Invasive species compete with the native flora and reduce its population. Management practices like physical, chemical and modern bio control measures could be used for eradicating of invasive plants. Wise use of invasive plants for other economical purpose such as bio-fuel, medicinal purpose, bio-pesticide and handicraft could be suggested. Successful management of invasive species are needed for conserving Lepidoptera fauna and other native biota of the area.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julissa Rojas-Sandoval

Abstract Cascabela thevetia is a fast-growing woody species native to tropical North and South America that has been extensively introduced as an ornamental. It behaves as an aggressive weed that grows to form large and dense thickets, especially in low-lying areas and along watercourses, that displace native vegetation and alter successional processes. In addition, all parts of the plant are extremely toxic and can be fatal to humans and other animals if consumed. Currently, it is included in the Global Invasive Species Database and has been listed as invasive and as a noxious weed in East Timor, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Australia, Anguilla, Cuba, Hawaii, French Polynesia, Fiji and other islands in the Pacific region.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evan Foster ◽  
James D. Ackerman ◽  
Wilfredo Falcón L.

SummaryEstablishment of new populations is contingent on overcoming abiotic and biotic barriers. While this applies to all species, these hurdles are at the forefront of invasion biology where prediction, prevention, eradication, and control strategies depend on an understanding and exploitation of barriers to establishment and spread. Arundina graminifolia and Dendrobium crumenatum are two invasive orchids spreading throughout Puerto Rico. Current records on their distributions across the island are sparse, and their interactions with the surrounding ecosystem are unknown. Through a direct population survey of all known localities, we identified a new, acquired enemy of both orchids: the orchid-specialist weevil, Stethobaris polita. In this study, we used niche modelling to identify suitable habitats for each orchid on the island and map their current distributions and interactions with S. polita, along with their distributions in the most extreme climate scenario in 2050, in order to contextualize projected patterns of establishment on the island. Our findings show that D. crumenatum flourishes in urban environments which also provide refugia from S. polita. In contrast, there is currently no refugia for A. graminifolia from S. polita attack, as it is more sensitive to the same climatic variables as S. polita. Furthermore, projections into the most extreme climate scenario suggests Puerto Rico will be unsuitable for A. graminifolia and S. polita’s survival, and become less suitable for D. crumenatum, by 2050.


2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Henrik Sjöman ◽  
Simon Hannus ◽  
Patrick Bellan ◽  
Tinatin Barblishvili ◽  
Tamaz Darchidze ◽  
...  

The primary aim of this study was to communicate a method for locating natural habitats where trees grows under conditions that are comparable to those in urban environments in terms of water stress. This is presented by analyzing five different forest reserves in the southern Caucasus (Republic of Georgia) where calculation of net water balance over the period of a year was conducted. This provided an insight into the drought at the sites during the growing season. The data were thereafter compared with similar calculations for five different cities in Western Europe in order to see if there were any matches in drought stress between the cities and the forest reserves. To extend the analysis, conditions in the five cities were assessed for high density and low density areas, and for the current climate and a future climate scenario. The comparisons revealed some matches between conditions in the forest reserves and those in different scenarios/areas in the cities. A secondary aim was to identify specific ecotypes in the wild demonstrating great potential to handle growing conditions similar to those in urban environments based on inventories of woody plants in the forest reserves. A total of 44 woody species were found in the forest reserve systems with a random distribution throughout the five study sites. Based on the commitments presented above a preliminary screening can be done where future tree selection focus can be directed towards highly promising species and ecotypes, which would undoubtedly limit the time lag before proper plant material can be released.


2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 687-693
Author(s):  
Ju-Un Park ◽  
Jinsol Hong ◽  
Dong Gun Kim ◽  
Tae Joong Yoon ◽  
Sook Shin

2003 ◽  
Vol 117 (3) ◽  
pp. 393
Author(s):  
Joshua Diamond ◽  
Mark Browning ◽  
Andrew Williams ◽  
John Middleton

Over time peat harvesting and human encroachment have devastated the hydrology of Wainfleet Bog. Disturbances caused by human activities have rendered the bog ecosystem vulnerable to an influx of invasive species. The European White Birch (Betula pendula) has contributed to the degradation of the Wainfleet Bog. The disrupted hydrology has allowed for the development of dry conditions that have enabled B. pendula to take over habitats that were once dominated by native flora. To determine whether B. pendula was depressing the water table through evapotranspiration, we examined water table levels (March 1998 to July 1999) and vegetative data from 15 well stations. Analysis of results using a Repeated Measures Statistic Design failed to demonstrate a significant relationship between the presence of B. pendula and water table levels at Wainfleet Bog.


2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 167-183
Author(s):  
Seema Parihar

The work of safe removal of cultural heritage sites and ancient monuments of any region is known as ‘salvage archaeology’, and the work of relocating the sites and monuments is known as ‘transplantation’ of the sites and monuments. Before a monument is transplanted physically, it is primarily studied in detail for its constructional style and methods of bonding the different materials used, the type of foundation orientation and the setting of the monuments, that is, its environment.


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