scholarly journals Additions and Corrections to the List of Alien Plant Species of Lithuania

Botanica ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-36
Author(s):  
Zigmantas Gudžinskas

AbstractAddition of nine alien plant species and correction of the taxonomic position of one alien species was provided in this publication. Occurrence of three species, Gossypium hirsutum, Leymus racemosus and Senna obtusifolia, has not been reported in Lithuania, yet. Gossypium hirsutum and Senna obtusifolia are casual grain immigrants and their naturalization in the country is unlikely. Leymus racemosus probably has spread to Lithuania from Kaliningrad region of Russia, where it has been introduced intentionally. Currently, this species is treated as naturalized in the Curonian Spit (Western Lithuania). The status of Bellis perennis, which previously had variously been treated as native or alien species in Lithuania, was discussed. Although Malus domestica, Medicago ×varia, Oenothera casimiri and Salix ×fragilis have been reported occurring in Lithuania long ago, their status in the country has not been clearly defined. Considering non-native origin of one or both parental species of these four species, they also should be treated as alien in the country. Based on the results of taxonomic treatments, the occurrence of Salix euxina in Lithuania was confirmed. Cultivated and escaped plants, formerly known under the name Aronia melanocarpa, in fact are intergeneric hybrids and should be treated as ×Sorbaronia mitschurinii. Distribution, habitats, naturalization and impact of ten alien species were discussed. Notes on the taxonomy of several alien species were presented. Comments on improper documentation of several published molecular studies were presented and problems of the result interpretation were discussed.

2021 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Minwoo Oh ◽  
Yoonjeong Heo ◽  
Eun Ju Lee ◽  
Hyohyemi Lee

Abstract Background As trade increases, the influx of various alien species and their spread to new regions are prevalent, making them a general problem globally. Anthropogenic activities and climate change have led to alien species becoming distributed beyond their native range. As a result, alien species can be easily found anywhere, with the density of individuals varying across locations. The prevalent distribution of alien species adversely affects invaded ecosystems; thus, strategic management plans must be established to control them effectively. To this end, this study evaluated hotspots and cold-spots in the degree of distribution of invasive alien plant species, and major environmental factors related to hot spots were identified. We analyzed 10,287 distribution points of 126 species of alien plant species collected through a national survey of alien species using the hierarchical model of species communities (HMSC) framework. Results The explanatory and fourfold cross-validation predictive power of the model were 0.91 and 0.75 as area under the curve (AUC) values, respectively. Hotspots of invasive plants were found in the Seoul metropolitan area, Daegu metropolitan city, Chungcheongbuk-do Province, southwest shore, and Jeju Island. Hotspots were generally found where the highest maximum summer temperature, winter precipitation, and road density were observed. In contrast, seasonality in temperature, annual temperature range, precipitation during summer, and distance to rivers and the sea were negatively correlated to hotspots. The model showed that functional traits accounted for 55% of the variance explained by environmental factors. Species with a higher specific leaf area were found where temperature seasonality was low. Taller species were associated with a larger annual temperature range. Heavier seed mass was associated with a maximum summer temperature > 29 °C. Conclusions This study showed that hotspots contained 2.1 times more alien plants on average than cold-spots. Hotspots of invasive plants tended to appear under less stressful climate conditions, such as low fluctuations in temperature and precipitation. In addition, disturbance by anthropogenic factors and water flow positively affected hotspots. These results were consistent with previous reports on the ruderal and competitive strategies of invasive plants, not the stress-tolerant strategy. Our results supported that the functional traits of alien plants are closely related to the ecological strategies of plants by shaping the response of species to various environmental filters. Therefore, to control alien plants effectively, the occurrence of disturbed sites where alien plants can grow in large quantities should be minimized, and the waterfront of rivers must be managed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-92
Author(s):  
T. V. Shupova ◽  

Introduction. In urban conditions, alien species of biota have become an integral part of the cultural landscape. Today, an overall assessment of the influence of alien species on the functioning of ecosystems of their secondary range as is relevant. Such an assessment requires knowledge of the connections formed by alien species in the secondary habitat. The purpose of the study was to find the connections of alien bird species with alien plant species in the parks and botanical gardens of Kyiv. Methods. Assessment was carried out in 10 forest parks, 3 botanical gardens, and 14 urban parks. In parks and botanical gardens, there is a wide range of plants alien to Kyiv Region, in contrast to forest parks. The number and distribution of birds were determined using the method of transect counts. The total area under study was about 370 hectares. Principal Component Analysis of the characteristics of habitats on which the number of alien birds may depend has been carried out. In the research, α-diversity indices of bird communities; number of people (individuals/km); number of pets (individuals/km); park’s area (ha); part of the territory; under the trees (%); part of alien species on plants communities (%) were analyzed. Results. Parus major, Turdus merula, Erithacus rubecula, Fringilla сoelebs dominate in all communities. Columba palumbus, Ficedula albicollis, Turdus pilaris, Columba livia, Apus apus, Sturnus vulgaris, Passer domesticus sometimes dominate in bird communities in parks and botanical gardens. There are no alien species in forest parks. 4 alien species nest in parks and botanical gardens: Streptopelia decaocto, Dendrocopos syriacus, Phoenicurus ochruros, Serinus serinus (from the last century). Phylloscopus trochiloides was observed for the first time. Nesting of Ph. trochiloides was not confirmed. Alien birds are not evenly distributed (0–3 species). Nest density is low: S. decaocto 0.013±0.01–0.021±0.01, D. syriacus 0.031±0.01–0.043±0.04, Ph. ochruros 0–0.034±0.02, S. serinus 0.013±0.01–0.017±0.01. We assume that alien bird species is an element that replaces the species that were eliminated from the community. Their nesting in forest parks is an indicator of a disruption of the functioning of the forest ecosystem as a result of anthropogenic transformation of the forest. The presence of alien species of birds in modern parks and botanical gardens is normal. Their biotopes were created on the sites of destroyed landscapes and with using alien plant species. Conclusion. In parks and botanical gardens, a specific structure of the plant community has developed due to the introduction of alien plant species, with a tree height of 3–5 m. As a consequence, alien birds find nesting stations in communities of nesting birds, which were not occupied by native species due to the absence of many species of tree canopy nesters and ground nesters birds. Alien species of birds also get access to vacant food resources. Alien birds use vacant resources. It was found that the area of parks has the most profound positive impact on the number of species of alien birds (+0.517), as well as the ratio of alien birds (+0.227). Other important correlations observed were the following: the number of species of alien birds in the bird communities – a part of alien species in plant communities (+0.084), the ratio of alien birds – part of alien species in plant communities (+0.041). The strongest negative connection is as follows: the number of species of alien birds in the bird communities – the number of pets (-0.213), the ratio of alien birds – the number of pets (-0.384).


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Chaudhary ◽  
B. B. Shrestha ◽  
H. Thapa ◽  
M. Siwakoti

Extent of plant invasions has been expected to be low in protected areas such as national parks due to low anthropogenic activities and high wilderness. However, recent researches across the world have revealed that plant invasions can be severe in the national parks with negative impacts on the protected species and ecosystems. Unfortunately, the status of plant invasions in the national parks of Nepal is mostly unknown. In this study, we sampled at seven locations inside the Parsa National Park (PNP) to document diversity and abundance of invasive alien plant species (IAPS) and their impacts on tree regeneration. Altogether, 130 quadrats of 10 m × 10 m were sampled. We recorded 14 IAPS in the PNP. Three of the IAPS (Chromolana odorata, Lantana camara and Mikania micrantha) were among the 100 of the world’s worst invasive alien species. C. odorata was found to be the most frequent IAPS with the highest cover. The frequency and cover of the IAPS were higher at the sites close to the settlements than at the sites away from the settlements. The species richness of the IAPS was also higher at the sites closer to the settlements than away. The sapling density of the tree species was found to have declined with the increasing cover of the IAPS suggesting that the IAPS had negatively affected tree regeneration. Our data revealed that the PNP has already witnessed massive plant invasions with widespread occurrence of three of the world’s worst invasive species. Therefore, it is high time to integrate management of invasive alien species in the management plan of the park.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farzaneh Bordbar ◽  
Pierre Meerts

Abstract The Democratic Republic of the Congo (D.R. Congo) represents a striking gap of knowledge on alien plant species. In this paper, we use digitised herbarium collections to assemble a checklist of alien plant species in D.R. Congo and to examine patterns in the alien flora. The new checklist comprises 426 alien species i.e., 182 (42.5%) casuals, 244 (57.5%) naturalised of which 80 (19% of aliens) are invasive. Discrepancies with previous databases are discussed. For many species in previous databases, we failed to find evidence for occurrence outside cultivation. A total of 158 taxa were not included in previous lists, 44 of which are new to D.R. Congo. Considering the size of the country and its rich native flora, the alien flora of D.R. Congo does not appear to be species rich. The alien flora is particularly rich in Fabaceae (15%) and in annual species (36%). America is by far the most important source continent (65%) and the proportion of annuals of American origin is particularly large among the most widespread species. Invasive success is discussed in terms of residence time. The very low number of new species records after 1960 is most likely accounted for by decreasing sampling effort. The results illustrate how herbarium collections can be used to critically revise existing checklists of alien species in tropical Africa. Field work is urgently needed to improve coverage of recent introductions and to monitor the status of alien species, especially in protected areas and around botanic gardens.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 137-142
Author(s):  
Dinkarrao Amrutrao Patil

Ancient Sanskrit Puranas are literary heritage of India. They are studied from different perspectives but appeared largely neglected from the viewpoint of plant invasion in Indian territory. The present attempt dealt with the alien plant species as encoded in Sanskrit plant names in various verses of Kurma Purana. As many as 24 alien plant species belong to 23 genera of 16 families of angiosperms. They are analysed carefully floristically, habital categories and status regarding cultivation or naturalization. They are also studied for their nativity consulting relevant taxonomic literature. The data indirectly also indicated about utilities and awareness about classification of plants based on habits. Such investigations are warranted for better understanding of the development of natural wealth in past.


Turczaninowia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 12-18
Author(s):  
Elena Yu. Zykova ◽  
Tatyana V. Pankova (An’kova)

Chromosome numbers (2n) for 12 alien species (Apiaceae, Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Campanulaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Malvaceae, Onagraceae, Poaceae, Polygonaceae) from the Novosibirsk Region are given. For the first time for Russia, the number of chromosomes of Xanthogalum purpurascens (2n = 22) is given, for Siberia – Nepeta cataria (2n = 34), Malva pusilla (2n = 42) and Koenigia weyrichii subsp. weyrichii (2n = 20). For all studied species, short information on the general distribution and dispersal in the Novosibirsk Region, literature data on the number of chromosomes from the territory of Russia are presented.


2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-129
Author(s):  
Nataliia Pashkevych ◽  
Raisa Burda

Abstract In order to assess the level of anthropogenic transformation of the vegetation cover of the nature protected areas located within the Ukrainian Forest Steppe, we have analysed the distribution of alien species in natural and anthropogenic habitats. All recorded species are represented in habitats shaped by human activity: dominated by phanerophytes, which included deciduous and coniferous woodlands as well as shrublands of Rhamno-Prunetea class. The same number of species was found in grassland habitats and is caused by the huge number of potential ecological niches as a result of the complex structure and also by the proximity of transportation networks and watercourses. Biotopes of chamaephytes and nanophanerophytes, though being represented in all the studied sites, often have a very narrow ecological amplitude and occupy small areas, making it difficult for alien species to spread. About one-third of species were recorded across at least three habitat types; such species may be considered eurytopic in their secondary ranges. Most widespread species were Fallopia convolvulus L., Vicia angustifolia Reichard, Ambrosia artemisiifolia L., Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronqist, Phalacroloma annuum (L.) Dumort. and Setaria viridis (L.) P. Beauv. At the same time, there was not a single species that would have occurred in all habitat types. In sum, agricultural lands and ruderal biotopes were highly invaded; three times less alien plant species occurred in woodlands, shrublands, grasslands and wasteland; and only small number of non-native species were restricted to continental water habitats.


NeoBiota ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 63 ◽  
pp. 127-146
Author(s):  
Ramiro O. Bustamante ◽  
Lúa Alves ◽  
Estefany Goncalves ◽  
Milen Duarte ◽  
Ileana Herrera

Functional traits that predict plant invasiveness are a central issue in invasion ecology. However, in many cases they are difficult to determine, especially for a large set of species. Climatic niche traits can overcome this problem due to the ease of acquiring them for a large number of species. This effort is critical given that knowledge of species invasiveness is necessary (although not sufficient) to anticipate/manage invasive species. In this study, we examined thermal and hydric niche traits to predict plant invasiveness. We used a set of 49 alien plant species, representative of the alien flora of Chile. Niche traits were obtained using environmental information (WorldClim) and global occurrences. Invasiveness was estimated using global niche models and projection of the potential distribution in Chile. As a final step, we reviewed the literature for a subset of species, documenting their impacts on a) biodiversity, b) crop agriculture and c) livestock. Thermal niche breadth and thermal niche position were the most important niche traits to predict potential distribution (a proxy of invasiveness). Using thermal niche breadth and niche position traits, we constructed a graphical model that classifies alien species as highly invasive (wide thermal niche breadth and low niche position) or low potential to be invasive (narrow niche breadth and high niche position). We also found no association between our invasiveness classification and the documented impact of alien species.


2018 ◽  
Vol 151 (1) ◽  
pp. 142-152
Author(s):  
Ana B. Expósito ◽  
Antonio Siverio ◽  
Luis A. Bermejo ◽  
Eduardo Sobrino-Vesperinas

Background and aims – Invasive alien (exotic) species are one of the most serious threats to the conservation of biodiversity on the planet. This is especially true on islands, given the fragility of their ecosystems and high levels of endemicity in both species and ecosystems. The problem is particularly acute in the Canary Islands, a biodiversity `hot spot´, where there is widespread high endemicity and unique biodiversity. This paper presents the first comprehensive inventory of alien plant species in Anaga Rural Park (ARP) (Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain) a Natural Protected Area, currently proposed as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Anaga is also outstanding for including a relict Tertiary era laurel-forest ecosystem that hosts a large number of palaeoendemics.Methods – Surveys were conducted along itineraries through the different ecosystems of ARP to determine the alien plant species in areas with different levels of human impact.Key results – Two hundred and sixteen alien species were identified, belonging to 53 families and 141 genera, especially concentrated in the most anthropic areas, noting the possibly competitive coexistence of aliens and local endemics of importance in the ecosystem. This is the first overall comprehensive study on the importance of alien species in ARP. Surveys confirmed how human infrastructure and activities significantly favour the presence and diversity of exotic species. Using multivariate statistical analysis, significant differences were found between the species diversity of alien flora and the proximity of anthropic areas. The presence of Cuscuta campestris Yunck was detected, being a second record for the Canaries and the first for ARP.Conclusions – A large number of alien plant species inhabit ARP, affecting all its ecosystems. This is largely the result of the human activities within it, and poses a risk to its conservation and the survival of numerous endemic taxa s. str.


Bothalia ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 235-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Mucina ◽  
D. A. Snijman

We describe and discuss the distribution of a new, naturalized alien species, Maireana brevifolia (R.Br.) Paul G.Wilson (Chenopodiaceae), a native of Australia, in the western regions of South Africa. First discovered near Worcester, Western Cape in 1976, the species is now established in disturbed karoo shrubby rangelands, along dirt roads and on saline alluvia, from northern Namaqualand to the western Little Karoo. In the South African flora, M. brevifolia is most easily confused with the indigenous Bassia salsoloides (Fenzl) A.J.Scott, from which it is distinguished by the flat to cup-shaped and almost glabrous perianth with woolly-ciliate lobes, and the hardened and winged fruiting perianth.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document