Abstract
Black cherry ( Prunus serotina Ehrh., Rosaceae) is a widespread invader of the European temperate forests and a significant component of the human-caused part of the global environmental changes. Its successful invasion results from a complex interaction between the species life traits and the recipient ecosystem attributes. While it has been recorded to develop spontaneously in numerous European countries, in Croatia information details on its population distribution, as well as its current status, are still missing. The individuals of P. serotina were found in the pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) forest regeneration area of Jastrebarsko forest management unit in 2018. This alerted us to start to monitor its spreading area, status and impact on the native plant species in a four-year period (2018-2021). In order to investigate the habitat characteristics, phytosociological approach was applied. In addition, the area was surveyed using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) DJI Mavic 2 Pro and DJI Ground Station Pro. The results showed that P. serotina spread considerably in the regeneration area, which indicates its invasive character. It also caused alteration in current vegetation. Fast initial expansion of P. serotina in 2019 was slowed down in the next 2 years due to performed tending activities, suggesting mechanical measures could help to control its invasive spreading at an early stage of development. This research brought up the first record of the Prunus serotina species in pedunculate oak forest regeneration area of western Croatia with a recommendation to continue the monitoring survey in order to help prevent its spread in the future.
Highlights
Alien invasive species, i.e. the species that are not native to a specific location, are nowadays recognized as the second most important cause of biodiversity loss and may have a strong wide-ranging environmental and an economic impact (Starfinger 1991, Simberloff et al 2013)
Spreading Data The first report of the P. serotina occurrence in forest ecosystem of western Croatia dates from September 2018, when spreading of the "unknown" woody species was detected by local foresters
Herbarium material was collected and brought to Croatian Forest Research Institute where it was identified as P. serotina species
Summary
I.e. the species that are not native to a specific location (an introduced species), are nowadays recognized as the second most important cause of biodiversity loss (just after direct habitat destruction) and may have a strong wide-ranging environmental (on structure, function and stability of the ecosystem) and an economic impact (Starfinger 1991, Simberloff et al 2013). Medak J, Perić S, Zorić N, Sirovica I whole ecosystem This happens mostly by establishing high abundance, affecting the regeneration of the native species by suppressing their growth (Huxel 1999, Godefroid 2005, Vanhellemont et al 2010), indirectly changing the plant community composition and affecting belowground carbon pools (Ehrenfeld 2004, Koutika et al 2007) They can have a direct impact on human health, for instance by producing allergenic pollen that exacerbate respiratory diseases or just by serving as a novel habitat for disease vectors (Vitousek et al 1997). Invasive species often affect larger areas and their impacts on plant communities and soil microbiota may accelerate or decelerate the local nutrient cycles (Ehrenfeld 2003, Vanderhoeven et al 2005, Liao et al 2007, Dassonville et al 2008, Lazzaro et al 2014), promoting losses or gains in local nutrient stocks and even have an impact on the greenhouse gas emissions from the soil (Wayne et al 2002, Chen et al 2015)
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