Invasive pine plantations of Zakamsky Bor protected area (Perm)

Abstract

During the route study of plant biodiversity in a specially protected natural area (SPNA) Zakamsky pine forest, located on the territory of Perm, 17 species of alien plants were found. Only 7 alien species penetrated into the forest communities of the Zakamsky forest; only two of them (Acer negundo L. and Amelanchier spicata (Lam.) C. Koch.) had a high rate of occurrence. In the places of mass invasion of these invasive species, the most typical areas of their introduction were visually determined; 18 test sites were established in these areas, where geobotanical descriptions were carried out according to generally accepted methods. The size of the test sites was 10×10 m. Within their boundaries, the species composition of the tiers of the forest ecosystem and the vertical structure are revealed. The crown density of the stand, the total projective coverage (as a percentage) of the ground cover and the projective abundance of individual species were assessed on the Brown-Blank scale and taken into account..  In the studied communities, Acer negundo has a low abundance. Thus, we can draw a general conclusion that poor sandy and sandy loam soils of protected areas are not suitable for its mass invasions. This species, due to its wide ecological plasticity, in such conditions is able to penetrate only into severely disturbed ecotonic communities, but cannot compete with local species in the depths of the Zakamsky Forest stand. More often, Acer negundo is introduced into middle-aged or mixed-age plantings. Amelanchier spicata is more widely distributed in protected areas. Only swampy conditions, as well as high density of undergrowth and brushwood prevent the spread of the species. In North America, the species often grows in pine forests on sandy soils, so in its characteristic habitats it is able to go deep into woodlands and compete there with species of undergrowth (Sorbus aucuparia, Betula pendula, Padus avium, Picea × fennica). Measures preventing the spread of invasive species are proposed.