Deliberate and unintentional introduction of invasive weeds: A case study of the alien flora of Ukraine

• Published in: Euphytica 2006-03, Vol.148 (1-2), p.17-33
• Main Authors: Protopopova, V.V, Shevera, M.V, Mosyakin, S.L
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Case studies; community ecology; Domestication; ecological invasion; Ecotypes; Endangered species; environmental impact; Flora; Flowers & plants; Genetic resources; hybridization; Indigenous plants; Indigenous species; introduced plants; Introduced species; introgression; Invasions; Invasive plants; Invasive species; invasive weeds; Native species; Noncitizens; Plant breeding; Plant communities; plant competition; plant ecology; Plant species; Rare resources; Rare species; Steppes; weeds
• ISSN: 0014-2336; 1573-5060
• DOI: 10.1007/s10681-006-5938-4

Issue Title: Special Issue: Plant Breeding and Crop Domestication as Sources of New Invasive Species Based on the analysis of invasions of alien plants in Ukraine, the impact of non-native plant species upon the native flora and adverse consequences of their spread are assessed. A case study gives examples of the role of alien plants in fragmentation of populations of native species; contamination of genetic resources of rare and endangered native species, formation of new ecotypes and hybridization with native taxa, disruption of the structure of natural plant communities as a result of introduction of alien species and formation of specific plant communities with domination of aliens. Arguments are provided against uncontrolled casual introductions and subsequent escape from cultivation as a result of ill-judged deliberate introduction of plants for ornamental, agricultural, technical, forestry, and other uses without any preliminary assessment of their invasion potential in the region concerned. Invasions of alien plants promote dramatic changes in the taxonomic, geographical, and ecological patterns of local floras, disruptions in the phytosociological spectrum, spectra of biomorphs, deterioration of zonal peculiarities of the flora, and finally lead to the decline of the vegetation productivity. A list of highly invasive plant species threatening forest, steppe, and submediterranean zones of East Europe is provided.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]