Himalayan balsam, Impatiens glandulifera : its ecology, invasion and management

Weed Research ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
R A Tanner ◽  
A C Gange
Keyword(s):  
Impatiens Glandulifera ◽  
Himalayan Balsam

scholarly journals Sewage Pollution Promotes the Invasion-Related Traits of Impatiens glandulifera in an Oligotrophic Habitat of the Sharr Mountain (Western Balkans)

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 2814
Author(s):  
Milos Stanojevic ◽  
Maja Trailovic ◽  
Tijana Dubljanin ◽  
Zoran Krivošej ◽  
Miroslav Nikolic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Ecological Knowledge ◽  
Western Balkans ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Impatiens Glandulifera ◽  
Himalayan Balsam ◽  
Competitive Species ◽  
Vegetation Species ◽  
Very High ◽  
Impatiens Glandulifera Royle

An annual plant, Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera Royle) is globally widespread and one of Europe’s top invaders. We focused on two questions: does this species indeed not invade the southern areas and does the environment affect some of its key invisibility traits. In an isolated model mountainous valley, we jointly analyzed the soil (21 parameters), the life history traits of the invader (height, stem diameter, aboveground dw), and the resident vegetation (species composition and abundances, Ellenberg indicator values), and supplemented it with local knowledge (semi-structured interviews). Uncontrolled discharge of fecal wastewaters directly into the local dense hydrological network fostered mass infestation of an atypical habitat. The phenotypic plasticity of the measured invasion-related traits was very high in the surveyed early invasion (30–50% invader cover) stages. Different microhabitat conditions consistently correlated with its growth performance. The largest individuals were restricted to the deforested riparian habitats, with extreme soil nutrient enrichment (primarily by P and K) and low-competitive, species-poor resident vegetation. We showed that ecological context can modify invasion-related traits and what could affect a further invasion process. Finally, this species is likely underreported in the wider region; public attitude and loss of traditional ecological knowledge are further management risks.

scholarly journals Differing impacts of two major plant invaders on urban plant-dwelling spiders (Araneae) during flowering season

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tobias Bauer ◽  
Daria Alison Bäte ◽  
Fabian Kempfer ◽  
Jens Schirmel
Keyword(s):  
Prey Item ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Plant Invasions ◽  
Potential Prey ◽  
Impatiens Glandulifera ◽  
Flowering Season ◽  
General Flowering ◽  
Himalayan Balsam ◽  
Spider Abundance ◽  
Crab Spider

AbstractPlant invasions can have major impacts on ecosystems and influence global species diversity. In Central Europe, Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) and American goldenrods (Solidago canadensis and S. gigantea) are important invaders often establishing dense and homogeneous stands, especially in urban and other disturbed habitats. We investigated their impacts on plant-dwelling spiders (abundance, family structure, guild structure) and potential spider prey items during flowering season within an urbanized landscape using a paired design comparing invaded and native reference vegetation plots. In general, flowering American goldenrods and Himalayan balsam had no significant impacts on the spider family composition. Invasion of American goldenrods further had no effect on total spider abundance and potential prey item abundance. In contrast, goldenrods showed a significantly increased crab spider (Thomisidae) abundance while being less inhabited by web builders. Himalayan balsam negatively influenced free hunters and running crab spider (Philodromidae) abundance, while we found no effects on other groups and total spider abundance. For Himalayan balsam, potential prey item abundance was higher than in native vegetation stands. Notwithstanding that our results only represent a snapshot of the system, they suggest that large-scale removal of urban goldenrod stands during flowering season might negatively influence local spider abundance, especially of crab spiders. Management efforts should therefore be accompanied by compensation measures to avoid disruptive effects on local plant-dwelling spider communities.

Impatiens glandulifera (Himalayan balsam).

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate Pollard ◽  
Rob Tanner
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Climatic Change ◽  
Land Ownership ◽  
Annual Species ◽  
Catchment Scale ◽  
Impatiens Glandulifera ◽  
Invasive Range ◽  
Global Climatic Change ◽  
Himalayan Balsam ◽  
Biodiversity Effects

Abstract I. glandulifera is a highly invasive annual species which has spread rapidly in many parts of Europe and North America after its introduction as an ornamental. The spread is likely to continue to more northerly or high montane areas as a result of global climatic change. Due to its ability to form dense stands and its conspicuous appearance it has been blamed for negative biodiversity effects. Even though these effects are less severe than often thought, further spread is undesirable and should not be facilitated by further use, in particular in natural areas. Control is advisable in certain situations, e.g. nature reserves and conservation sensitive areas, but eradication from larger parts of its invasive range is not feasible due to the need to control the plant on a catchment scale, which is often impossible due to the sheer scale of occurrence and division of land ownership.

scholarly journals Impacts of the Invasive Impatiens glandulifera: Lessons Learned from One of Europe’s Top Invasive Species

Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 619
Author(s):  
Stephanie Coakley ◽  
Carloalberto Petti
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Invasive Species ◽  
Biological Invasion ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Past Century ◽  
Impatiens Glandulifera ◽  
Economic Implications ◽  
The Past ◽  
Himalayan Balsam ◽  
Conservation Plans

Biological invasions are renowned for their negative ecological and economic implications, however from studying invasions invaluable insights can be gained in the fields of ecology and evolution- potentially contributing towards conservation plans to deal, not only with biological invasion, but with other concerning issues, such as climate change. Impatiens glandulifera, or Himalayan balsam, is widely considered to be a highly problematic invasive, having spread across more than thirty countries during the past century. This paper will examine the findings which have arose from studying I. glandulifera and its impacts on the invaded ecosystem.

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