scholarly journals Ecological significance of some kenophytes in Lower Silesian national parks

2011 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerzy Fabiszewski ◽  
Teresa Brej

The paper presents the results of several years investigations (2003-2007) on two invaders: the Himalayans <em>Impatiens glandulifera</em> and Asiatic <em>Reynoutria japonica</em>. The Sudety Mountains and their national parks are under strong pressure of both species, threatening the local vegetation. The four-year investigations have been carried out in field, glasshouse and in laboratory. Invasive species have their peculiar life histories which help them to occupy new areas. Those are above all the specific generative reproduction strategies (<em>Impatiens</em>) or vegetative reproduction strategies (<em>Reynoutria</em>). Both strategies secure the reproductive success and to capture more and more highly situated areas of the mountains. Very significant characteristics connected with the expansion of invaders is the excessively over and above the average production of seeds (<em>Impatiens</em>) and a huge annual increment aboveground biomass (<em>Reynoutria</em>). The investigated invasive species are probably not equipped with influence of allelopatic type as of greater importance is their competitive strength. The invaders can eliminate a part of the early spring flora belonging to the geophyte group and impoverish the regional biological diversity. Both the invasive plants enter also into some moist mountain forest communities.

2015 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-62
Author(s):  
Zbigniew Wilczek ◽  
Zuzanna Chabowska ◽  
Wojciech Zarzycki

Abstract Gravel bars are the initial habitats, inseparably connected to the mountain streams. On the one hand, they are an unstable substrate, influenced by the overflows and high waters; however, they are also exposed to strong sunlight and heat. This situation determines specific vegetation which, due to dynamic changes in the habitat, has a pioneer character. What is more, gravel bars are areas where many river migratory species and many random species appear. Among them, there are also synanthropic species. In years 2011-2012, floristic and phytosociological studies were conducted in the Silesian Beskids. The goal of these studies was to recognize the vegetation of the gravel bars of the Vistula and the Brennica rivers - from their springs in the Silesian Beskids to the point where the Brennica River flows into the Vistula River in the Silesian Foothills. The studied section of the two rivers is regulated. Particular attention was paid to the synanthropic species that pose a threat to the native flora. In 9 recognized types of plant communities, 293 vascular plant species were recognized. More than 15% of the flora were alien species (45) and 22 of them were considered to be invasive. The most common invasive species that were spotted included: Impatiens glandulifera, Heracleum mantegazzianum and Reynoutria japonica. Plant communities with the biggest number and share of alien species were Plantago major-Barbarea vulgaris community and Phalaridetum arundinaceae.


Author(s):  
Heather Thon ◽  
Amy Krist

Understanding invasive species impacts is critical to determining how an ecosystem may function after an introduction. Invasive species can alter the structure and function of ecosystems, reduce biological diversity, and alter communities through predation, facilitation and competition. In the past 30 years, the invasive New Zealand mud snail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum) has established in areas of conservation concern in the American West including Yellowstone National Park. To develop a greater understanding of the impact of P. antipodarum on the native co-occurring snail, Fossaria (Bakerilymnaea) bulimoides group, we conducted two experiments to assess the interactions occurring between these snails. We found that F. bulimoides growth was reduced by all interactors, but especially by P. antipodarum. In addition, growth of F. bulimoides was much more affected by high biomass of snails than P. antipodarum. P. antipodarum grew more in the presence of interactors and their growth was facilitated by the presence of the native snail F. bulimoides.


2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Popiela ◽  
Andrzej Łysko ◽  
Zofia Sotek ◽  
Krzysztof Ziarnek

Abstract In Western Pomerania, as in other areas of Europe, alien species play an increasingly important role. In particular, invasive plants tend to spread rapidly and in large numbers which may reduce diversity of native species, leading to the phenomenon of “trivialisation of flora”, and transform ecosystems. The list of invasive species (32 taxa) includes alien species occurring throughout Western Pomerania, and penetrating natural or semi-natural habitats. The second group consists of potentially invasive species (23 taxa), i.e. those distributed across the area under study and tending to increase the number of their localities in semi-natural and natural habitats, taxa invasive only locally, as well as species with missing data, which does not currently allow including them into the first group. Invasive weeds, as well as some epecophytes and archaeophytes occurring only on anthropogenic sites and tending to spread, were not taken into account. Among hemiagriophytes, the most common and troublesome ones are: Conyza canadensis, Erigeron annuus, Lolium multiflorum, Lupinus polyphyllus, Solidago canadensis, S. gigantea. Among holoagriophytes, i.e. the taxa which received the highest naturalisation status, very expansive species, successful in land colonisation, like Acer negundo, Bidens frondosa, B. connata, Clematis vitalba, Elodea canadensis, Epilobium ciliatum, Heracleum sosnowskyi, Impatiens glandulifera, I. parviflora, Padus serotina, Quercus rubra and Robinia pseudoacacia, should be given particular attention. Among the invasive and potentially invasive species, most taxa penetrate plant communities of the Artemisietea and Molinio-Arrhenatheretea class, followed by Querco-Fagetea, Vaccinio-Piceetea, Stellarietea mediae, Salicetea purpurae and Koelerio-Corynophoretea. The number of invasive species is twice as high when compared to the situation of these species in Poland; on the contrary, the number of species inhabiting anthropogenic, semi-natural and natural habitats is two times lower, while that of holoagriophytes and hemiagriophytes is 56.3% and 43.7%, respectively. It seems that in the case of some invasive and potentially invasive species, a decrease in the number of their locations may be observed from the west to the east (e.g. for Acer negundo, Bromus carinatus, Clematis vitalba, Helianthus tuberosus, Lycium barbarum, Reynoutria japonica, Rosa rugosa, Vicia grandiflora). Distribution patterns for some species (e.g. for Parthenocytisus inserta or Xanthium albinum) are indicative of a likely major role of the Odra River valley in the spreading of invasive species. It should be kept in mind that the area of the North-West Poland is poorly examined in terms of its flora, so the results provided in this paper are tentative. Nevertheless, the maps illustrate colonisation trends and directions and, moreover, have been so far the only attempt to synthesise this problem in NW Poland.


Botanica ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zigmantas Gudžinskas ◽  
Egidijus Žalneravičius ◽  
Lukas Petrulaitis

AbstractThe list of invasive alien species of European Union concern currently includes 23 plant species. The aim of this study was to assess the potential and importance of introduction pathways for invasive alien plant species in Lithuania, to estimate probability of their establishment and further spread in the country. Analysis of all available information revealed that three species (Asclepias syriaca,Heracleum sosnowskyiandImpatiens glandulifera) currently occur in Lithuania and the latter two are widespread invasive species in the country. The remaining 20 plant species have not been registered in the wild in Lithuania so far. Four of these,Gunnera tinctoria,Lysichiton americanus,Myriophyllum aquaticumandPennisetum setaceum, are occasionally cultivated in gardens or other outdoor areas, and six species, e.g.Cabomba caroliniana,Eichhornia crassipes, Lagarosiphon major, are cultivated in aquaria or other indoor spaces. Naturalization of seven species is unlikely in the country, whereas naturalization of 13 species (Lysichiton americanus,Myriophyllum aquaticum,Pennisetum setaceum, etc.) is plausible. Five of the analysed and still not recorded species are recognized as potentially invasive in Lithuania; the invasion of five species is plausible and that of 10 species is unlikely. The most important pathway of introduction of the analysed species is ornamental gardening. Three species that have not been recorded in Lithuania, but occur in the neighbouring regions of Europe (Elodea nuttallii,Heracleum mantegazzianum,Heracleum persicum) can enter the country by natural means. Importance of permanent studies and surveys on alien plants aiming to ensure early detection and eradication of invasive species is discussed.


Author(s):  
Robert M. Hughes

As the term suggests, ecological integrity refers to the pristineness, undiminished wholeness, or completeness of an entire ecosystem, whether it be a planet, an ecoregion, a preserve, a pond, or an alpine meadow. The concept of protecting large natural areas from development is the basis for marine and terrestrial national parks, biological reserves, and wilderness areas distributed globally. Nonetheless, how one defines, determines, and assesses ecological integrity remains unclear, if not controversial, to many scientists, managers, politicians, and concerned citizens. Part of this ambiguity arises from the multiplicity of terms associated with ecological integrity, such as ecological health, ecological sustainability, ecosystem services, environmental health, biological integrity, biological diversity, and natural. Therefore, any comprehensive discussion of ecological integrity must incorporate discussion and clarification of those terms as well as a brief history of the use of the concept.


2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-38
Author(s):  
Karolina Konopska

Invasive alien plant species of the southern part of the Nowogard Plain (NW Poland)Investigations on the distribution of selected invasive plant species in southern part of the Nowogard Plain were conducted in the vegetation seasons of years 2008-2010. Field studies were based on the cartogram method. The article shows the distribution of twelve selected invasive plant species:Echinocystis lobata, Heracleum sosnowskyi, Impatiens glandulifera, Impatiens parvifora, Padus serotina, Reynoutria japonica, Robinia pseudacacia, Solidago canadensis, Solidago gigantea, Quercus rubra, Rosa rugosaandAcer negundoin the study area.


2005 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 355-366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric R. Buhle ◽  
Michael Margolis ◽  
Jennifer L. Ruesink

2003 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 261-294 ◽  
Author(s):  

AbstractInvasive species are a serious threat to biological diversity and cause economic losses to such industries as agriculture, aquaculture, and forestry. The magnitude of the aquatic invasive species problem has increased exponentially with the expansion of world trade. In response, there have been some efforts made internationally and domestically to prevent, eradicate and control aquatic invasive species in recent years. This article provides an overview of those efforts. It is becoming clear, however, that the response to date has been inadequate, and much remains to be done. New pathways and new invasions are still being discovered, often at a stage when invaders have become well established, thereby making prevention, eradication and control very expensive and difficult to achieve. This study provides a survey of legal tools available to address aquatic invasive species, and suggests possible responses.


F1000Research ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 222
Author(s):  
María-Fernanda Guevara ◽  
Paula Salazar ◽  
Bence Mátyás ◽  
María-Eugenia Ordoñez

In the present study fungi collections were sampled in the Sangay (SP) and Llanganates (LP) National Parks, from which sequences of the regions of the internal transcribable spacer (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) of the ribosomal DNA were obtained (RDNA). The taxonomic identification of fungi of the order Xylariales was achieved with the bioinformatic tools, to further study the phylogenetic relationships among the collected individuals and thus contribute with base information on their biological diversity, necessary to design and implement measures for the conservation of fungi. All records belong to the genus Xylaria, of these eight belong to PL and two to SP. A record was not identified at the species level, suggesting that it could be a new species. A phylogenetic tree of Maximum Likelihood was built.


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