Publication details
Habitat preferences and phytocoenotic range of Reynoutria japonica Houtt. in Ukraine
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2024 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Thaiszia Journal of Botany |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| web | |
| Doi | https://doi.org/10.33542/TJB2024-1-03 |
| Keywords | expert system; floodplain forest; invasion; man-made habitats; syntaxonomy; Ukraine |
| Description | Based on vegetation plots extracted from phytosociological databases and literature sources, the current distribution of Reynoutria japonica in Ukraine was assessed in terms of habitat preferences and phytocoenotic affiliation. It has been found that R. japonica in Ukraine is spread across four habitat types: anthropogenic areas, floodplain forests, shrublands, and gravel bars. The most frequent occurrences of the studied species were found in anthropogenic habitats covered by mesophilous nitrophilous tall herbs. Within the floodplain habitats, R. japonica was most frequently found in temperate riparian willow-poplar forests and temperate riparian hardwood forests. R. japonica is much less frequently related to shrub habitats and gravel bars. It occurs with different covers, reaching its maximum values on anthropogenic sites. The analysis of the phytocoenotic range of species showed that it is a component of the vegetation belonging to the classes Epilobietea angustifolii, Salicetea purpurea, Alno glutinosae-Populetea albae, and Thlaspietea rotundifolii. The analysis of habitat types and plant communities with the participation of R. japonica in Ukraine showed that the species occurs in ecological environments closely related to those that are characteristic of the species in its native range – mesophylous soils, rich in nutrients, which is a favorable factor in the process of species accelerated adaptation to new territories. |