Distribution and environmental impact of alien woody species in lowland riparian forest habitats: Case study in the protected areas of Georgia, South Caucasus

0576890 - BÚ 2024 RIV CZ eng J - Journal Article
Kavtaradze, G. - Basilidze, L. - Pergl, Jan - Avoiani, E. - Vahalík, P. - Aptsiauri, B. - Goginashvili, N. - Bachilava, M. - Manvelidze, Z. - Kobakhidze, N.
Distribution and environmental impact of alien woody species in lowland riparian forest habitats: Case study in the protected areas of Georgia, South Caucasus.
Journal of Forest Science. Roč. 69, č. 9 (2023), s. 401-414. ISSN 1212-4834
Institutional support: RVO:67985939
Keywords : impact * alien woody species * Georgia
OECD category: Plant sciences, botany
Impact factor: 1.1, year: 2022
Method of publishing: Open access
https://doi.org/10.17221/3/2023-JFS

Six main alien woody species (AWS) were identified in the study areas: Robinia pseudoacacia, Gleditsia triacanthos, Ailanthus altissima, Acer negundo, Amorpha fruticose and Morus alba. Among these AWS, the local status of R. pseudoacacia, G. triacanthos, A. altissima, and A. fruticosa is invasive, while that of A. negundo and M. alba is naturalised. The environmental impact of AWS on LRF habitat was evaluated using the Environmental Impact Classification for Alien Taxa (EICAT) classification system. The study revealed that the impact levels of three AWS, R. pseudoacacia, G. triacanthos, and A. altissima, were classified as major or moderate ('harmful' impact), while the remaining AWS, A. negundo and A. fruticosa, were of minor or minimal concern.
Permanent Link: https://hdl.handle.net/11104/0349195